South Lyon, Michigan


South Lyon is a city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 11,327 at the 2010 census.
As a western suburb of Metro Detroit, South Lyon is about northwest of the city of Detroit and the same distance northeast of the city of Ann Arbor. The city is also listed as part of the South Lyon–Howell, MI urban area, which had a population of 119,509 at the 2010 census.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of, of which is land and is water.

History

South Lyon was founded in 1832 and was called Thompson's Corners. In the same year, the surrounding township was named Lyon for Lucius Lyon, a member of the State Legislature. The village was given a name for its location within the township. South Lyon was incorporated as a village in 1873 and as a city in 1930
Three rail lines once passed through South Lyon. In the summer of 1871, the Detroit, Lansing and Northern was built west from Plymouth on the way to Lansing and Ionia. In 1880, the predessor to the Ann Arbor Railroad built a line into town from Ann Arbor. The goal of this line was to continue on towards Pontiac but that did not occur under the original owners. The line was pulled up around 1890. In 1883 the Grand Trunk built their Jackson Branch from Pontiac to Jackson, which crossed the Pere Marquette at South Lyon. The GTW branch line continued to serve South Lyon until the early 1980s. The branch line is now a paved bicycle trail through town and Reynold Sweet Parkway follows the original route. Today, South Lyon hosts the CSX main line from Detroit to Grand Rapids, and a passing track is located there.
Law enforcement services for the city are provided by the South Lyon Police Department.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 11,327 people, 4,646 households, and 2,914 families residing in the city. The population density was. There were 5,125 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 95.2% White, 0.8% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.7% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.7% of the population.
There were 4,646 households, of which 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.3% were non-families. 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.13.
The median age in the city was 38.4 years. 26.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.3% were from 25 to 44; 24.4% were from 45 to 64; and 14.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.7% male and 53.3% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 10,036 people, 4,246 households, and 2,704 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,958.2 per square mile. There were 4,461 housing units at an average density of 1,314.9 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 96.68% White, 0.39% African American, 0.17% Native American, 1.09% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 1.16% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.60% of the population.
There were 4,246 households, out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.2% were married couples living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.3% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.8% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 36.0% from 25 to 44, 17.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $53,395, and the median income for a family was $67,167. Males had a median income of $53,818 versus $32,083 for females. The per capita income for the city was $26,187. About 2.8% of families and 5.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.5% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.

McHattie Park & The Witch's Hat Depot Museum and Historic Village

South Lyon's McHattie Park is the location of the Witch's Hat Depot Museum and Historic Village. The historic village consists of six buildings: Washburn School, Queen Anne Depot, the Caboose, the Little Village Chapel, the Freight House, and the Gazebo. With the exceptions of the Freight House and the Gazebo, which were constructed on site, the historic buildings were moved to the park from their original sites starting with the Witch's Hat in 1976.
McHattie Park and the Museum and Historic Village host public events. Concerts in the Park are held in summertime.
McHattie Park is also connected to a portion of the Huron Valley Rail Trail, which converted an old railroad line into a public trail. The trail is managed by the Western Oakland County Trailway Management Council.

Pumpkinfest

Pumpkinfest is the largest annual festival in the South Lyon community, traditionally held during the last weekend of September. Events include the children's outdoor activity venue with several large inflatable rides, games, a 5k run which goes through the town, carnival food, the Kid's Creation Station with Monster Mural, a parade through the downtown area, live entertainment, a dog show, the Great Pumpkin & Fun Veggies Contest, arts & crafts show, and home arts contests & exhibits. As of 2010, this festival has been moved to the main street, at the center being a large pyramid of hay bales and pumpkins. Concessions include doughnuts with different toppings, shish-kabobs, funnel cakes, and homemade popcorn. Down the streets branching off are a beer tent, many game tents, sponsored by different organizations, and on the last side, bouncy castles and inflatables. Tickets usually cost one dollar.

Notable people