Belding, Michigan

Belding, Michigan
—  City  —
Location of Belding, Michigan
Coordinates: 43°5′48″N 85°13′50″W
Country	United States
State	Michigan
County	Ionia
Area
• Total	4.9 sq mi (12.6 km2)
• Land	4.7 sq mi (12.2 km2)
• Water	0.2 sq mi (0.4 km2)
Elevation	774 ft (236 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	5,757
• Density	1,246.1/sq mi (481.1/km2)
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
• Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP codes	48809, 48887
Area code(s)	616
FIPS code	26-06900
GNIS feature ID	0621023

Belding is a city in Ionia County in the U.S. state of Michigan, completely surrounded by Otisco Township, Michigan. The population was 5,757 at the 2010 census. In 1838, six years before John Green came to the area that later would bear his name, Levi Broas, Belding's first settler, arrived in the area. The community first was known as Broas Rapids, later Patterson Mills and even, during logging days, as Hog Wallow. The name Belding was chosen in 1871 to honor the Belding family.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.9 square miles (13 km²), of which, 4.72 square miles (12.2 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km²) of it (3.29%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2010, there were 5,757 people, 2,291 households, and 1,503 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,246.1 per square mile (480.7/km²). There were 2,442 housing units at an average density of 485.3 per square mile (187.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.2% White, .3% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5% of the population.

The majority of residents work in the manufacturing or farming industries.

There were 2,185 households out of which 37.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.4% were married couples living together, 19% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.3% had a male householder with no wife present and 34.4% were non-families. 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the city the population was spread out with

Age	Population
<5	5.3%
5-9	8.6%
10-14	10.3%
15-19	8.1%
20-24	5.1%
25-34	12.7%
35-44	13%
45-54	13.8%
55-59	4.9%
60-64	4.2%
65-74	5.2%
75-84	4.9%
>85	2.8%

The median age was 34.9 years. For every 100 females there were 89 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,625, and the median income for a family was $44,813. Males had a median income of $39,280 versus $32,542 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,899. About 13.4% of families and 16.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.3% of those under age 18 and 12.3% of those age 65 or over.

Business

• Major industrial employers include Mueller Industries, which purchased the Extruded Metals site. Extruded Aluminum Corporation is also a major industrial employer.
• Belding is also the birthplace of the Gus Macker 3 on 3 basketball tournament. At its peak, Belding's population would swell to approximately 100,000 temporary 'residents' during Macker weekends.

Historical Sites

Belding Museum at the Belrockton

The Belding Museum is located in the historic Belrockton at 108 Hanover Street. The Bel, as it is affectionately known by locals, is a designated Michigan Historical Site. Built In 1906, the Belrockton is the last remaining boarding house of the three provided by the Belding Brothers and Company for its single female workers. A major silk manufacturer during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the company employed hundreds of young women and earned Belding the title of "Silk City of the World." Providing accommodations for one hundred residents and staff, the Belrockton Dormitory, a Classical Revival-inspired building, was erected at a cost of thirty thousand dollars. Following the closing of the company's silk mills in 1935, the "Bel" served as a residential training center for the National Youth Administration. In 1943 the building became a recreation center. The city of Belding purchased the structure in 1950 to serve as a community center. In 1987 it became the home of the Belding Museum.

Alvah N. Belding Memorial Library

The Alvah N. Belding Memorial Library is located at 302 E. Main Street, Belding, Michigan. Belding's first public library was organized in 1890 by a group of civic-minded women who were members of the Ladies Literary Club. A meager collection of books, some from personal libraries and some purchased from funds raised through strawberry festivals, 25¢ suppers, and subscription drives, was housed in a room above a store on west Main Street. After the disastrous fire of 1893 swept Main Street, the burned out library was reinstalled in a room over Connell's Drug Store and then later, in an upper room at City Hall. In 1914, upon a suggestion of local businessman Byron Brown, Alvah N. Belding of the Belding & Bros. Company, Silk Manufacturers, decided to build and give a library to the City of Belding. On March 21, 1917, the Belding City Council accepted his offer and agreed to maintain the building in like beauty and form as a library for all time.

Parks

Central Riverside Park

This park has sports, recreation, waterfront, walking trails, and a pavilion. On five acres in the center of Belding on the Flat River. Amenities include two lighted tennis courts, basketball courts, two picnic shelters, a pavilion, restroom, a sand volleyball court, a ten station exercise trail, playground equipment, a skate park bowl, roller hockey area, soccer fields, drinking fountains, picnic tables, park benches, and a walk path.

Demorest Field

Sports action and athletic fields. Four baseball diamonds span out from the center. Team sports and athletics are the focus here. This thirty-acre park facilitates Belding's recreational ball fields. Amenities include two softball fields, four little league baseball fields, one Pony league sized baseball diamond, and play equipment. There is also a running track, and walking trails. A concession stand provides food and beverages during selected events

East Riverside Park

Peaceful, relaxing, social. Good view of the Flat River. Trees, flower beds and nature abound here. Relax in the shade. Take a stroll along the expansive boardwalk. Find music and friends under the pavilion. Amenities include a boat launch, removable dock/pier, playground equipment, gazebo, and a paved parking lot. A walk path extends from Ashfield Street through the park. The park gardens are sponsored by the Silk City Nature Association.

Lightning Bend Park

100 acres of woods and trails to explore. This property along a jagged bend in the Flat River is rustic and wild. Trails beckon you to adventure. Spend a day wandering in the woods by the river, breathing in the natural beauty. A park pavilion is perfect for picnics and gatherings.

Silk City Nature Trail

This is a new trail along the Flat River running between Water Street Park and Demorest Field. Paved, it's perfect for walking and jogging. The scenery is beautiful, with the flowing river, lovely trees and plants, and quiet enjoyment of Michgan's amazing natural beauty. Silk CIty Nature Trail is just the place for a family outting or a relaxing nature hike with friends.

Water Street Park

The Flat River ripples gently by. Pretty flowers and trees are peaceful and relaxing. Pack a lunch or make a picnic. Launch a canoe with friends. Make a cook-out on one of the barbecue grills. Bring the kids for fun on the playground. Stroll the walk path through the park. There are also new art kiosks!

Notable Residents

• Marie Zeigler, player in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League

External links

• Belding official website