Marlette is a city in Sanilac County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,875 at the 2010 census. The city is surrounded by Marlette Township, but is administratively autonomous. Marlette is known as "The Heart of the Thumb" due to its location in Michigan's thumb.
History
The history of the City of Marlette and surrounding Marlette Township are intertwined. Many social and commercial relationships unite the community such public schooling, public library, dining and charity. Marlette was first settled in the 1850s by people from Ontario who sought tall timber and fertile soil. The community name was derived from the "Marlatt" family of settlers, who carved their name on a log shanty. Marlette Township was created in 1859 from portions of Sanilac Township and Buel Township. Marlette became recognized as a village within the township in 1865. The village incorporated in 1881 to allow separate administration and taxation to improve common areas of the town. Marlette became a city in 1984.
The Marlette Township Airport is a class C airport with 2 paved runways. It is capable of handling small business jets and medium-size cargo planes. It opened in May 1975.
Hospital
The town is home to Marlette Regional Hospital and Seton Cancer Institute - a partnership of Marlette Regional and St. Mary's of Michigan. This provides Thumb residents advanced cancer research and treatment.
As of the census of 2010, there were 1,875 people, 742 households, and 469 families living in the city. The population density was. There were 864 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 95.9% White, 0.3% African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.4% of the population. There were 742 households of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.8% were married couples living together, 15.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.8% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 18% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.03. The median age in the city was 39.4 years. 25.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.1% were from 25 to 44; 25.6% were from 45 to 64; and 17.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.3% male and 52.7% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,104 people, 787 households, and 497 families living in the city. The population density was 1,277.3 per square mile. There were 839 housing units at an average density of 509.4 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 93.82% White, 2.28% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 1.47% from other races, and 1.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.52% of the population. There were 787 households out of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.1% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.8% were non-families. 32.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.09. In the city, the population was spread out with 30.7% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.1 males. The median income for a household in the city was $30,938, and the median income for a family was $37,880. Males had a median income of $33,250 versus $21,725 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,592. About 9.0% of families and 10.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.7% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.
