Sandusky can also be considered as in the Blue Water Area, a subregion of the Thumb.
School
Sandusky is served by Sandusky Community Schools. The district has an elementary school and a junior/senior high school. Sandusky is home to the Wolves, who usually play sports in the Greater Thumb East Conference. Sandusky is a Division 3 school.
As of the census[7] of 2010, there were 2,679 people, 1,124 households, and 616 families living in the city. The population density was 1,251.9 inhabitants per square mile (483.4/km2). There were 1,258 housing units at an average density of 587.9 per square mile (227.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.4% White, 1.5% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 1.3% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.5% of the population.
There were 1,124 households, of which 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.1% were married couples living together, 15.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 45.2% were non-families. 40.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.85.
The median age in the city was 41.4 years. 21.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.5% were from 25 to 44; 27.7% were from 45 to 64; and 18.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 45.7% male and 54.3% female.
2000 census
As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 2,745 people, 1,081 households, and 649 families living in the city. The population density was 1,446.3 inhabitants per square mile (558.4/km2). There were 1,168 housing units at an average density of 615.4 per square mile (237.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.12% White, 0.87% African American, 0.15% Native American, 1.75% Asian, 1.35% from other races, and 0.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.42% of the population.
There were 1,081 households, out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.6% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.9% were non-families. 35.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.8% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $33,667, and the median income for a family was $44,622. Males had a median income of $31,531 versus $20,932 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,639. About 7.2% of families and 11.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.9% of those under age 18 and 14.0% of those age 65 or over.
Local radio stations licensed to serve Sandusky are commercial broadcasters WMIC AM and WTGV FM, owned by Sanilac/GB Broadcasting; and religious station WNFR.
FM
WHYT 88.1 FM, Imlay City, Contemporary Christian, Smile FM
WNFR 90.7 FM, Sandusky, Contemporary Christian 90.7 Hope FM
WIDL 92.1 FM, Cass City, Classic Rock I-92, The Thumb's Only Road for Pure Classic Rock
WBGV 92.5 FM, Marlette, Country, The Thumb's Best Country
WHNN 96.1 FM, Bay City, Adult Contemporary, My 96-1, The Best Variety of Yesterday and Today
WBTI 96.9 FM, Lexington, CHR/Top 40, Today's Hit Music
WKCQ 98.1 FM, Saginaw, Country, 98 KCQ, The Most Country
WLEW 102.1 FM, Bad Axe, Classic Hits, Cruise 102, The Station That Rocks the Docks and Shakes the Lakes
WQUS 103.1 FM, Lapeer, Classic Rock, U.S. 103.1, Ultimate Classic Rock
WCZE 103.7 FM, Harbor Beach, Christian Country, Positive Country 103.7
WSAQ 107.1 FM, Port Huron, Country, Q-Country, The Greatest Country Music of All Time
AM
WMIC 660 AM, Sandusky (Daytime Only), Full Service/Country, The Thumb's Information Station
WSGW 790 AM, Saginaw, News/Talk, Your Connection to the Saginaw Valley and the World
CHOK 1070 AM, Sarnia, Full Service/AC, First in Local Information
WMPC 1230 AM, Lapeer, Religious, Where Many Preach Christ
WLEW 1340 AM, Bad Axe, Country, The Thumb's Hottest Country
WKYO 1360 AM, Caro, Classic Country, Classic Country WKYO
WPHM 1380 AM, Port Huron, News/Talk/Sports, Where the Blue Water Area Comes to Talk
WHLS 1450 AM, Port Huron, Active Rock, Rock 105.5, ,Port Huron's Alternative
WLCO 1530 AM, Lapeer, Classic Country, Real Country, Today's Stars and Legends
Newspaper
Sandusky and Sanilac County are served by The Tribune Recorder Leader, which hits news racks on Wednesdays and mailboxes on Thursdays, and by the Sanilac County News.
This climatic region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Sandusky has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.[8]
Government
Sandusky city is governed under the 4th Class City charter, original written in 1895 as the Fourth Class City Act then recognized as the cities' charter in 1976.[9]