On March 20, 1966, the Dexter area experienced "one of the most infamous of all UFO sightings in history" when local truck driver Frank Mannor spotted a glowing object near his home. Astronomer J. Allen Hynek visited Dexter and declared the Dexter mass sighting was probably caused by "swamp gas," a term which has since become closely affiliated with UFO sightings. Hynek's swamp gas theory prompted then-Michigan Congressman (and future president) Gerald R. Ford to call for a thorough Congressional investigation of "the rash of reported sightings of unidentified flying objects in southern Michigan".[6][7]
On March 15, 2012, Dexter was struck by a large EF3 tornado causing substantial damage to local houses and businesses, yet no injuries were reported.[8]
On November 4, 2014, Dexter residents voted to adopt a new charter, officially turning the former village into a city.[9]
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.97 square miles (5.10 km2), of which 1.94 square miles (5.02 km2) is land and 0.03 square miles (0.08 km2) (1.52%) is water.[1]
The WAVE Community Connector Bus[11] stops at several Dexter locations daily and on weekends. Its regular route travels between Chelsea and Ann Arbor, where it transfers to AATA bus #30.
Dexter has a depot built around 1840 when the Central Railroad of Michigan from Detroit ended here. Today, no trains stop here, but it is the home of the Ann Arbor Model Railroad Club and is almost completely surrounded by old railroad memorabilia, such as old level crossing signals and baggage carts.
Downtown Dexter's main thoroughfares were originally known as A, B, C, D, and E Streets. Today, these are known as Alpine, Broad, Central, Dover, and Edison Streets.[15]
According to the census[17] of 2020, the population of Dexter was 6,696, with 2,466 households. Of these households, 96% are owner-occupied, with a median home value of $372,300. The median monthly owner cost for homes with a mortgage is $2,154, and $720 without a mortgage. Renters in Dexter pay a median gross rent of $958.
In terms of racial makeup, 93.2% of the population is White, 1.5% is Asian, 0.3% is African American, 0.0% is Native American, 0.8% are from other races, and 4.3% are from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino individuals of any race make up 3.6% of the population.
The age distribution of the population that was reported to the census: 26% of residents are under 18 years old, 19% are 64 years or older, and 46.3% are female. 100% of residents in Dexter are high school graduates, and 54.5% have a bachelor’s degree or higher. The mean travel time to work is 29.4 minutes.
As of the census[18] of 2010, there were 4,067 people, 1,590 households, and 1,067 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,174.9 inhabitants per square mile (839.7/km2). There were 1,704 housing units at an average density of 911.2 per square mile (351.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 92.7% White, 1.1% African American, 0.4% Native American, 2.8% Asian, 0.8% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.8% of the population. Since the 2000 census, Dexter's population grew 62.9%, the largest population growth in the state during that time period.[19]
There were 1,590 households, of which 42.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.8% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 32.9% were non-families. 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.20.
The median age in the city was 36.2 years. 31% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 32.6% were from 25 to 44; 23.2% were from 45 to 64; and 8.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.1% male and 52.9% female.
2000 census
At the 2000 census,[2] there were 2,338 people, 1,013 households and 641 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,236.7 inhabitants per square mile (477.5/km2). There were 1,106 housing units at an average density of 585.0 per square mile (225.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.58% White, 0.43% African American, 0.30% Native American, 1.03% Asian, 0.26% from other races, and 1.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 0.98% of the population.
There were 1,013 households, of which 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.6% were married couples living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.92.
26.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 38.1% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 9.8% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.7 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 88.2 males.
The median household income was $50,510, and the median family income was $62,697. Males had a median income of $49,375 versus $30,213 for females. The per capita income for the city was $27,974. About 2.8% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.3% of those under age 18 and 3.7% of those age 65 or over.
Arts and culture
In 2008 the Encore Musical Theatre Company was founded at 3126 Broad Street by Broadway veteran and Michigan native Dan Cooney and Anne & Paul Koch. It is a non-profit musical theatre, recognized by the Actors' Equity Association. Their stated mission is to create quality, original theatrical productions with an emphasis on musical theatre, utilizing a unique mixture of Broadway and local talent of all levels, while engaging and entertaining a wide spectrum of the surrounding communities.[20][failed verification] In 2020 the company purchased the Copeland Building, at 7714 Ann Arbor Street, from Dexter Schools where they will resume productions once renovations are completed.[failed verification][needs update] During the COVID-19 pandemic, the company got creative and offered performances on an outdoor stage at their new location.[citation needed]
Media
Dexter is served by two weekly newspapers. The Dexter Leader[21][failed verification] covers events in Dexter and Washtenaw County. The Sun Times News[22] is a weekly newspaper with a free mailed distribution that covers events in Dexter, Chelsea, and surrounding rural areas.
The Ann Arbor News (and its Mlive[23] online component) regularly includes coverage of events and stories in Dexter.
The quarterly Community Observer is delivered free to all permanent residents of Dexter and covers events in Dexter, Saline and Chelsea. The Observer also produces a Community Guide[24] each fall.
Dexter High School publishes The Squall[25] a student-run newspaper that is also available to Dexter residents via subscription. It has won several national high school journalism awards.[26]
Education
Mill Creek Middle SchoolCreekside Intermediate School, from Baker Road
Dexter Community Schools[27] is the public school district that serves Dexter residents. Schools in the district include Beacon Elementary School (Y5–2), Anchor Elementary School (Y5–2), Wylie Elementary School (3–4), Creekside Intermediate School (5–6), Mill Creek Middle School (7–8), and Dexter High School. Dexter High School is ranked 45th among high schools in Michigan.[28]
Dexter Community School is part of the larger Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD), which also serves Ann Arbor and other surrounding communities.
Dexter is also served by several nearby private and charter schools, including Daycroft Montessori,[29] Emerson School (K–8),[30] and Honey Creek Community School (K–8).[31]
The Dexter Cooperative Nursery School[32] is a non-profit community-run preschool.
Since 2011, the city of Dexter has been home to a vintage base ball team called the Union Base Ball Club of Dexter.[33]
Founded in 1978, the Dexter Ringers Horseshoe Club is a competitive horseshoe club that plays its annual season every summer at Dexter's First Street Park. The public park is located on Edison Street and features twelve horseshoe pits.
In 2003, the Dexter Baseball Club was formed. It later became the Dexter Little League (DLL)[34] and has 400–500 boys and girls aged 6 to 14 playing on 40+ baseball and softball teams each year. The DLL hosted the 8–10 boys' state baseball tournament in 2019.[citation needed]
^Meade, Nelson (WCPARC Secretary/Treasurer) (March 9, 2010). "Minutes of Meeting March 10". Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission. Archived from the original(PDF) on December 2, 2014.
