Bay City, Michigan is located near the Saginaw Bay at the juncture of two major freeways, U.S. 10 and 1-75. The city is a major recreation and entertainment center, approximately 120 miles north of Detroit. As the county seat and largest municipality in Bay County, Bay City has been a center of commerce, industry, government, and culture.
Our forefathers knew what they were doing when they decided to settle here along the shores of Michigan’s Great Bay.
The streams, rivers and Bay were a plentiful source of fish and an efficient means of transporting people and goods. Lush forests provided ample lumber for the building of homes and industries. Fertile soil produced bountiful harvests to feed the growing population.
We have a broad economic base supported by such well-known companies as General Motors Corporation/ Powertrain, Dow Corning Corporation, S. C. Johnson Inc., and DowBrands. Local companies include Monitor Sugar Company (Big Chief Sugar®), and Bay Medical Center. Delta College and Saginaw Valley State University, in addition to providing educational opportunities, are also substantial employers in the community.
Begin your exploration of Bay City at the Bay County Historical Museum and its Kantzler Maritime Gallery where the kids can climb behind the wheel of the tug "Witch." Wander over to the Delta College Planetarium for a trip to the stars before visiting The Art Center/Studio 23 gallery. Stroll Water Street to the Intermission Deli and pick up great deli sandwiches for a picnic in Wenonah Park [weather depending]. Don't forget to stop by St. Laurent Brothers Nut House for some handmade chocolate treats. Enjoy your lunch during the free Children's Concert Series before climbing aboard the Appledore IV for a sailing adventure on the Saginaw Bay. If you still have energy left to burn, stop by the Imagination Station playscape in Veterans Memorial Park or play a round of miniature golf at Buoy 18.
Travel 20 minutes north to Pinconning for a visit to Deer Acres Amusement Park and spend some time with the animals and Mother Goose characters that live there. After you've fed and pet the resident deer, head to the Bay City State Recreation Area. Make sure to stop at the Saginaw Bay Visitors Center where you'll learn about the formation of the Great Lakes, the importance of wetlands and the creatures that live there. Make sure to follow the trail to the swimming beach and take a dip in a Great Lake before heading home or to one of our great fun-filled family festivals for the evening.
Serious shoppers or sidewalk browsers find much to interest them in Bay County's wide array of unique shops and stores. Entertain yourself for hours in one of Bay City's historic shopping districts or explore the shops in the Bay City Mall. Seek out unique finds at several shops in the quaint communities surrounding the Bay.
The City has three historic districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places, exhibiting some of the finest examples of architecture in the state, including such styles as Second Empire, Italianate, Queen Anne, and Romanesque. The Center Avenue Historic District alone has over 250 structures on the National Historic Register, many of which are mansions of former lumber barons. The City Hall on Washington Avenue is rated as one of the top ten buildings in the state for historic restoration and is listed in the National Archives of the Smithsonian Institute.
Housing Cost
Estimated median house or condo value in 2007: $92,325
Demographics
Population in July 2008: 33,874. Bay city covers 10.4 square miles. It sits at an elevation of 600 feet above sea level. Zip codes: 48706, 48707, 48708 - Area code: 989
Weather
Bay City, MI climate is warm during summer when temperatures tend to be in the 70's and very cold during winter when temperatures tend to be in the 20's.
The warmest month of the year is July with an average maximum temperature of 81.50 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of the year is January with an average minimum temperature of 13.80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperature variations between night and day tend to be moderate during summer with a difference that can reach 20 degrees Fahrenheit, and fairly limited during winter with an average difference of 15 degrees Fahrenheit.
The annual average precipitation at Bay City is 31.25 Inches. Rainfall in is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The wettest month of the year is September with an average rainfall of 4.51 Inches.
Information provided by idcide.com and city data.com
