{{Infobox settlement
| name = Cadillac, Michigan
| official_name = City of Cadillac
| settlement_type = City
| nicknames = Tree City USA, City on the Lakes
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-point = none
| mapsize = 250
| map_caption = Location within Wexford County
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_type1 = State
| subdivision_type2 = County
| subdivision_name =
| subdivision_name1 =
| subdivision_name2 = Wexford
| government_type = Council–manager
| leader_title = Mayor
| leader_name = David Powell
| leader_title1 = Manager
| leader_name1 = Marcus Peccia
| leader_title2 = Clerk
| leader_name2 = Sandra Wasson
| established_title = Settled
| established_date = 1871
| established_title1 = Platted
| established_date1 = 1872
| established_title2 = Incorporated
| established_date2 = 1875 (Clam Lake village)1877 (city of Cadillac)
| unit_pref = Imperial
| area_footnotes =
| area_magnitude =
| area_total_km2 = 23.16
| area_land_km2 = 18.34
| area_water_km2 = 4.82
| area_total_sq_mi = 8.94
| area_land_sq_mi = 7.08
| area_water_sq_mi = 1.86
| coordinates =
| population_footnotes =
| population_as_of = 2020
| population_est =
| pop_est_as_of =
| population_note =
| population_total = 10371
| population_density_sq_mi = 1464.83
| population_density_km2 = 565.56
| timezone = Eastern (EST)
| utc_offset = −5
| timezone_DST = EDT
| utc_offset_DST = −4
| elevation_m = 399
| elevation_ft = 1309
| website =
| postal_code_type = ZIP code(s)
| postal_code = 49601
| area_code = 231
| blank_name = FIPS code
| blank_info = 26-12320
| blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
| blank1_info = 1619393
| footnotes =
| pop_est_footnotes =
| image_flag = FlagOfCadillac.png
| image_skyline = Cadillac, MI downtown (July 2022).jpg
| image_size = 275
| image_caption = Downtown Cadillac along N. Mitchell Street
}}
Cadillac ( ) is a city in and seat of government of Wexford County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 10,371 at the 2020 census, making it the second most-populated city in the Northern Michigan region, after Traverse City.
Cadillac was settled as early as 1871 and formerly known as the village of Clam Lake before incorporating as a city in 1877. The city is located upon the shores of Lake Cadillac, connected by the Clam Lake Canal to Lake Mitchell. The Clam River, which begins in Cadillac, is part of the Muskegon River watershed. Cadillac is the junction of three major highways: US Highway 131, M-55, and M-115. The geographic center of Michigan is approximately north-northwest of Cadillac.Michigan Geography from NETSTATE. NETSTATE. Retrieved on January 5, 2008. Cadillac is the primary city of the Cadillac micropolitan area, which includes all of Wexford County and Missaukee County to the east, and had population of 48,725 at the 2020 census.
History
Village of Clam Lake
European explorers and fur traders visited this area from the 18th century, most of them initially French and French-Canadians who traded with regional Native Americans. More permanent communities were not established until the late 19th century. Initial settlements developed from logging camps and the logging industry.
In 1871, the first sawmill began operations at Clam Lake. Originally called the Pioneer Mill, it was built by John R. Yale. That same year, George A. Mitchell, a prominent local banker and railroad entrepreneur, and Adam Gallinger, a local carpenter, formed the Clam Lake Canal Improvement and Construction Company. Two years later, the Clam Lake Canal was constructed between Big and Little Clam lakes, known as present-day Lakes Mitchell and Lake Cadillac. Sawmill owners used the canal to transport timber from Big Clam Lake to the mills and railroad sites on Little Clam Lake. The Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad (G.R. & I. Railroad) had reached the area in 1872.Schindler, Kurt H. (2002) Wexford County Factbook, History, Chapter B2. MSU Extension. Retrieved on January 5, 2008
The settlement of Clam Lake was incorporated as a village in 1874. George Mitchell was elected as the first mayor. The village was incorporated as a city in 1877 and renamed Cadillac, after Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, sieur de Cadillac, a French colonist who started the first permanent settlement at Detroit in 1701.City of Cadillac, History . City of Cadillac Retrieved on January 5, 2008
Battle of Manton
The Wexford County seat of government, originally located in Sherman, was moved to Manton in 1881, as the result of a compromise between the feuding residents of Cadillac and Sherman. Cadillac partisans, however, won the county seat by a county-wide vote in April 1882. The day following the election, a sheriff's posse left the city for Manton by special train to seize the county records. After they arrived and collected a portion of the materials, however, an angry crowd confronted the Cadillac men and drove them out of town.Battling for the County Seat . Absolute Michigan. Retrieved on January 5, 2008.
When the sheriff returned to Cadillac, he encountered a force consisting of several hundred armed men; this group reportedly included a brass band. The Sheriff's force, some of whom may have been intoxicated, traveled back to Manton to seize the remaining records. Although Manton residents confronted the Cadillac men and barricaded the courthouse, the posse successfully seized the documents. They returned to Cadillac in dubious glory.
City of Cadillac
thumb|right|Mitchell Street in Cadillac, circa 1880s
thumb|right|The City Park, featuring the Kris Eggle Memorial Fountain and the Rotary Pavilion
thumb|right|The Shay Locomotive
In 1878, Ephraim Shay perfected his Shay locomotive, which was particularly effective in its ability to climb steep grades, maneuver sharp turns, and accommodate imperfections in railroad tracks. Cadillac was home to the Michigan Iron Works Company, which manufactured the Shay locomotive for a short time in the early 1880s.Henderson, Rick (2001). Ephraim Shay, the Man. Shaylocomotives.com Retrieved January 5, 2008. The lumber industry continued to dominate the city, attracting a large immigrant labor force, most of whom were Swedish. (Later, Cadillac made sister city arrangements with Mölnlycke, Sweden, and Rovaniemi, Finland).
In 1899, the Cadillac Club formed, the forerunner of the Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce.
By the early 20th century, with the lumber depleted, the timber industry was in decline. Today, manufacturers employ 30% of residents. Cadillac's range of industries includes the manufacture of pleasure boats, automotive parts, water-well components, vacuum cleaners, and rubber products.Cadillac Industrial Fund, Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved on January 4, 2008
In 1936, the U.S. Forest Service and the Civilian Conservation Corps developed the Caberfae Ski Area during the Great Depression as an investment in future economic development. This resulted in promotion of this area as a tourist center.Caberfae Ski Club History Caberfae Ski Club Retrieved January 4, 2008 Caberfae remains in operation today, as the oldest ski resort in the midwest.Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau, Cadillac Yesterday . Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau. Retrieved on January 4, 2008. Tourism and outdoor recreation have since become an important sector of Cadillac's economy.Welcome to Cadillac Michigan History Magazine Retrieved on January 4, 2008Ingraham, Lesa (July 1, 2002). Summer Tourism Outlook Favorable Cadillac News Retrieved on January 5, 2008
In the summer, tourists travel to the city and region for boating, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and camping. During the fall, hunting and color tours are popular.Cadillac Fall Color Tours. Michigan.org Retrieved on January 5, 2005. The winter is possibly the busiest season; the area can be found packed with downhill skiers, cross-country skiers, ice-fishers, snow-shoers and–most of all–snowmobilers.Cadillac, Michigan – Snowmobiling Information Snowtracks.com Retrieved January 5, 2008 The North American Snowmobile Festival (NASF) is held on frozen Lake Cadillac every winter.Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau NASF . Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau,. Retrieved on January 4, 2008.
Thirsty's, a gas station on M-55 west of Cadillac, was the home of Samantha or "Sam The Bear" from the 1970s through the late 1990s, when Sam died of old age. Sam was the only brown bear in captivity in the US at the time to hibernate naturally. Sam lived in a large cage in front of the gas station and was fed ice cream cones by tourists every summer.
In October 1975 the rock group Kiss visited Cadillac and performed at the Cadillac High School gymnasium. They played the concert to honor the Cadillac High School football team. In previous years, the team had compiled a record of sixteen consecutive victories, but the 1974 squad opened the season with two losses. The assistant coach, Jim Neff, an English teacher and rock'n'roll fan, thought to inspire the team by playing Kiss music in the locker room. He also connected the team's game plan, K-I-S-S or "Keep It Simple Stupid", with the band. The team went on to win seven straight games and their conference co-championship. After learning of their association with the team's success, the band decided to visit the school and play for the homecoming game.Weinstein, Fannie (1996). The Kiss that Inspired a Small Town Team . Neffzone.com. Retrieved on January 4, 2008.
Geography
thumb|U.S. Post Office in Cadillac
Topography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water.
The Lake Cadillac is entirely within the city limits. The larger, Lake Mitchell is nearby on the west side of the city, with of shoreline within the city's municipal boundary. The lakes were connected by a stream which was replaced in 1873 by the Clam Lake Canal. The canal was featured on Ripley's Believe It or Not in the 1970s due to the phenomenon that in winter the canal freezes before the lakes and then after the lakes freeze, the canal thaws and remains unfrozen for the rest of the winter.Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau, FAQ . Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau. Retrieved on January 4, 2008.
Cadillac is located at the eastern edge of what is now managed as the Manistee National Forest. The surrounding area is heavily wooded, with mixed hardwood and conifer forests. Christmas tree farming has been important to the area agricultural industry. Cadillac was chosen in 1988 to donate the holiday tree installed at the lawn of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C.
The area surrounding Cadillac is primarily rural, and is considered to be part of Northern Michigan. Given the small size of nearby communities, the city is a major commercial and industrial hub of the region.Schindler, Kurt H. (2002). Wexford County Factbook, Population, Chapter B8. MSU Extension. Retrieved on January 5, 2008
Cityscape
The commercial center of the city is located on the eastern edge of Lake Cadillac. Most downtown buildings range from two to five stories in height. Many face Mitchell Street, the city's tree-lined main street and traditional corridor of travel through town. The downtown contains a movie theater, gift shops, restaurants, a bookstore, specialty food stores, jewelers, clothing retailers, and various other businesses.Downtown Cadillac Business Directory Downtown Cadillac Association Retrieved on July 3, 2008Cadillac Area Activities and Attractions Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau Retrieved on January 5, 2008
The Courthouse Hill Historic District, recognized in April 2005, lies adjacent to the city's commercial center. The District contains a number of large Victorian-style residences built by the lumber barons and businessmen who helped develop the city in the 1870s.Cadillac's Courthouse Hill Historic District City of Cadillac Retrieved on January 5, 2008 Population and building density is highest in this area.Cadillac city, Michigan by Block Group: Persons per Square Mile U.S. Census Retrieved on July 3, 2008
On the western bank of Lake Cadillac, where M-55 intersects M-115, is what is locally referred to as Cadillac West. This is a small commercial district, bordering Mitchell State Park and the two lakes; it caters mostly to tourists. It contains a number of motels and restaurants.For evidence on the usage of the name Cadillac West and the commercial features of the district, look for descriptions in local websites such as Cadillac Area Snowmobile Lodging Guide and Cadillac Area Lodging. Retrieved on January 5, 2008
Along the northern and southern stretches of the lake are the main residential areas of the city. They are generally of low to moderate density, characterized primarily by single-family structures.City of Cadillac Zoning Wexford County GIS Retrieved on July 3, 2008
Climate
Cadillac experiences a typical northern Michigan climate, undergoing temperate seasonal changes, influenced by the presence of Lake Michigan and the inevitable lake effect. Winters are generally cold with large amounts of snowfall. Summers are warm.Cadillac Weather & Climate (2006). Michigan Vacations (accessed July 20, 2006). The average high temperature in July is and the average low in January is . Summer temperatures can exceed , and winter temperatures can drop below . Average annual rainfall is , and average annual snowfall is . Snowfall typically occurs between the months of November and March. According to the Köppen climate classification system, Cadillac has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.
{{Weather box
|location = Cadillac, Michigan (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1909–present)
|single line = Y
|Jan record high F = 59
|Feb record high F = 68
|Mar record high F = 85
|Apr record high F = 86
|May record high F = 92
|Jun record high F = 98
|Jul record high F = 104
|Aug record high F = 99
|Sep record high F = 96
|Oct record high F = 86
|Nov record high F = 74
|Dec record high F = 64
|year record high F = 104
|Jan avg record high F = 45.4
|Feb avg record high F = 48.6
|Mar avg record high F = 61.7
|Apr avg record high F = 74.8
|May avg record high F = 83.9
|Jun avg record high F = 89.6
|Jul avg record high F = 90.1
|Aug avg record high F = 88.3
|Sep avg record high F = 85.2
|Oct avg record high F = 75.4
|Nov avg record high F = 61.7
|Dec avg record high F = 49.5
|year avg record high F = 92.5
|Jan high F = 26.8
|Feb high F = 29.7
|Mar high F = 39.7
|Apr high F = 52.7
|May high F = 66.0
|Jun high F = 75.9
|Jul high F = 79.8
|Aug high F = 77.7
|Sep high F = 70.3
|Oct high F = 56.3
|Nov high F = 42.9
|Dec high F = 32.1
|year high F = 54.2
|Jan mean F = 19.5
|Feb mean F = 21.1
|Mar mean F = 29.6
|Apr mean F = 41.8
|May mean F = 54.4
|Jun mean F = 64.6
|Jul mean F = 68.6
|Aug mean F = 66.6
|Sep mean F = 59.0
|Oct mean F = 46.8
|Nov mean F = 35.5
|Dec mean F = 25.9
|year mean F = 44.5
|Jan low F = 12.2
|Feb low F = 12.5
|Mar low F = 19.5
|Apr low F = 30.9
|May low F = 42.8
|Jun low F = 53.3
|Jul low F = 57.5
|Aug low F = 55.4
|Sep low F = 47.7
|Oct low F = 37.4
|Nov low F = 28.2
|Dec low F = 19.7
|year low F = 34.8
|Jan avg record low F = -9.7
|Feb avg record low F = -10.2
|Mar avg record low F = -4.0
|Apr avg record low F = 15.4
|May avg record low F = 26.5
|Jun avg record low F = 36.9
|Jul avg record low F = 43.1
|Aug avg record low F = 41.5
|Sep avg record low F = 32.2
|Oct avg record low F = 23.6
|Nov avg record low F = 11.6
|Dec avg record low F = -0.5
|year avg record low F = -15.1
|Jan record low F = -43
|Feb record low F = -36
|Mar record low F = -39
|Apr record low F = -12
|May record low F = 14
|Jun record low F = 18
|Jul record low F = 31
|Aug record low F = 26
|Sep record low F = 19
|Oct record low F = 10
|Nov record low F = -16
|Dec record low F = -25
|year record low F = -43
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 2.05
|Feb precipitation inch = 1.53
|Mar precipitation inch = 2.06
|Apr precipitation inch = 3.56
|May precipitation inch = 3.63
|Jun precipitation inch = 3.61
|Jul precipitation inch = 3.46
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.50
|Sep precipitation inch = 3.16
|Oct precipitation inch = 3.86
|Nov precipitation inch = 2.72
|Dec precipitation inch = 2.02
|year precipitation inch = 35.16
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 18.2
|Feb precipitation days = 13.2
|Mar precipitation days = 11.1
|Apr precipitation days = 13.4
|May precipitation days = 13.4
|Jun precipitation days = 11.7
|Jul precipitation days = 10.9
|Aug precipitation days = 11.5
|Sep precipitation days = 12.4
|Oct precipitation days = 15.7
|Nov precipitation days = 14.9
|Dec precipitation days = 15.9
|year precipitation days = 162.3
|source 1 = NOAA<ref name= NOAA >
{{cite web
| url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=apx
| title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = September 2, 2021}}</ref><ref name=NCEI>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USW00014817&format=pdf
| title = Station: Cadillac, MI
| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020)
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = September 2, 2021}}</ref>
}}
Superfund sites
Cadillac has two superfund sites, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. One is located at 1100 Wright Street, the former site of Kysor Industrial Corp, which operations resulted in toxic wastes. The other is located at 1002 6th Street, the former site of Northernaire Plating. Its operations also produced hazardous wastes, which produced contamination.
Demographics
{{US Census population
|1880= 2213
|1890= 4461
|1900= 5997
|1910= 8375
|1920= 9750
|1930= 9570
|1940= 9855
|1950= 10425
|1960= 10112
|1970= 9990
|1980= 10199
|1990= 10104
|2000= 10000
|2010= 10355
|2020= 10371
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census
| align = right
| align-fn = center
}}
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, Cadillac had a population of 10,371. The median age was 38.3 years. 23.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 19.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 90.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 87.4 males age 18 and over.
98.5% of residents lived in urban areas, while 1.5% lived in rural areas.
There were 4,439 households in Cadillac, of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 33.6% were married-couple households, 20.6% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 36.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 35.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 4,956 housing units, of which 10.4% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.8%.
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census
! Race !! Number !! Percent
|-
| White || 9,477 || 91.4%
|-
| Black or African American || 100 || 1.0%
|-
| American Indian and Alaska Native || 55 || 0.5%
|-
| Asian || 80 || 0.8%
|-
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 0 || 0.0%
|-
| Some other race || 105 || 1.0%
|-
| Two or more races || 554 || 5.3%
|-
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 306 || 3.0%
|}
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 10,355 people, 4,280 households, and 2,625 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 4,927 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 95.6% White, 0.5% African American, 0.6% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 1.8% of the population.
There were 4,280 households, of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.2% were married couples living together, 16.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.7% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.90.
The median age in the city was 36.5 years. 24.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 10% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.4% were from 25 to 44; 23.8% were from 45 to 64; and 17.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.4% male and 52.6% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 10,000 people, 4,118 households, and 2,577 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 4,466 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 96.55% White, 0.21% Black or African American, 0.92% Native American, 0.63% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.28% from other races, and 1.38% from two or more races. 1.18% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 4,118 households, out of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.9% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% were non-families. 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the city, 26.2% of the population was under the age of 18, 9.6% was from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.7% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,899, and the median income for a family was $36,825. Males had a median income of $29,773 versus $21,283 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,801. About 10.9% of families and 13.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.4% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
thumb|right|Downtown Cadillac
Manufacturing has been the greatest employer in Cadillac since the logging industry. More than 26% of the city's labor force is employed in manufacturing.2000 U.S. Census Data U.S. Census Retrieved on January 5, 2008 Three industrial parks are located within the city limits, comprising 7% of the total land use in Cadillac. Their operations generate 47% of the city's tax base.City of Cadillac Industrial Parks City of Cadillac Retrieved on January 5, 2008 Much of the city's economic performance is determined by the fortunes of local industry.
The center of the city is generally perceived to have a "small-town-feel".Whetstone, Matt (December 7, 2007). "Survey says: Cadillac good, improvement needed" Cadillac News, Retrieved on January 5, 2008 In the summer, the downtown fills with tourists, many from southern Michigan. The city center is one block from Lake Cadillac. For visitors by boat who dock at the public docks, it is nearly as accessible by boat as it is by car. The city's immediate proximity to two lakes, as well as Manistee National Forest, Pere Marquette State Forest, Mitchell State Park and a number of major highways, has established tourism as a significant sector of the local economy.
During the winter months, Lake Cadillac and Lake Mitchell freeze over and the city becomes covered with snow. Cadillac is connected to a number of trail systems popular with winter recreation enthusiasts. The city integrates unusually well into the corridors of travel created by snowmobilers.For details on popular trails, see Cadillac Snowmobiling , Retrieved on January 5, 2008
Cadillac is also known as Chestnut Town, USA. The local area has a relatively high number of American chestnut trees, planted by pioneers from New York and Pennsylvania who settled in western Michigan. A blight in the early 20th century killed nearly every American Chestnut tree, but those in western Michigan had developed a mysterious resistance and survived.
Top employers
According to the city's 2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the principal employers in the city were:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Employer
! # of employees(2019)
|-
| Avon Automotive
| 500–999
|-
| Cadillac Area Public Schools
| 500–999
|-
| Four Winn's/Glastron/Wellcraft/Rec Boat
| 500–999
|-
| Avon Protection Systems
| 250–499
|-
| Cadillac Casting
| 250–499
|-
| Munson Healthcare Cadillac Hospital
| 250–499
|-
| Rexair
| 250–499
|-
| AAR Mobility Systems
| 100–249
|-
| Michigan Rubber Products
| 100–249
|-
| Fiamm Technologies
| 100–249
|}
Arts and culture
thumb|Cadillac Wexford Public Library
Sites in Cadillac with Michigan historical markers include: Cadillac Carnegie Library, Charles T. Mitchell House, Clam Lake Canal, Cobbs and Mitchell Building, Cobbs and Mitchell No. 1, and the Shay Locomotive. See "Wexford County." Retrieved on January 5, 2008
Government
Cadillac was incorporated as a city in 1877. It is a home rule city with a Council-Manager form of government-one.Cadillac, The Community: Government , Retrieved on March 23, 2010
Current council members are Antoinette Schippers (Mayor), Bryan Ellenbaas (Ward 1 councilmember), Scott Hopkins (Ward 2 Councilmember), Robert Engles (Ward 3 Councilmember), and Ruthann French (Ward 4 Councilmember). Antoinette Schippers has been serving as acting mayor since February 12, 2025, following Carla Filkins resignation. The present City Manager is Marcus Peccia.Administration City of Cadillac Retrieved on March 23, 2010
Cadillac is located in Michigan's 2nd congressional district, represented by Republican John Moolenaar,U.S. Congressman John Moolenaar Official website of John Moolenaar. and also Michigan’s 36th senate district, represented by Michelle Hoitenga.
Education
Cadillac's public education system has a total of 10 schools, with approximately 3,100 students and 166 teachers with a student:teacher ratio of 19.1:1. Cadillac has 4 private primary and secondary schools with approximately 394 students, 20 teachers and a student:teacher ratio of 20:1. LocalSchoolDirectory
Cadillac Area Public Schools
Public education is administered by Cadillac Area Public Schools. The city has two high schools: Cadillac High School and Innovation High School. The area also has a middle school, Mackinaw Trail Middle School (MTMS), covering grades 6, 7 and 8. There are three elementary schools, Forest View Elementary, Franklin Elementary, and Lincoln Elementary. There is one early childhood center, Viking Learning Center. Cadillac Area Public Schools is under the leadership of superintendent Jennifer Brown. Brown was also head of the recent bond that passed in 2017, where construction on all pre-k through 12th grade buildings was completed in 2024.Cadillac Schools Cadillacschools Cadillac also has an alternative high school at the Innovation High School located across the street from the main high school campus and district administration.
Private schools
Cadillac Heritage Christian offers nondenominational Christian education from pre-K through 12th grade.
Northview Adventist School has 16 students in grades 1–10 as of 2020.
St. Ann School is a coed private Roman Catholic school with 236 students in grades pre-K through 7.
Training schools
Northwoods Aviation, located at Wexford County Airport, offers training programs for piloting and servicing aircraft. Northwoods Aviation
The Cadillac Institute of Cosmetology is a full service teaching salon in downtown Cadillac that offers training for general cosmetologists and specialized technicians to high school students through a partnership with Wexford-Missaukee Intermediate School District.
Colleges
The Baker College-Cadillac campus occupies just outside the City of Cadillac. The school has an enrollment of more than 1,300 students and offers Associate's and bachelor's degrees, in addition to professional certifications.Baker College-Cadillac. Online profile. Retrieved on January 5, 2005
Media
Newspapers
- The Cadillac News
Radio
- WATT (1240 am) – news and talk
- WLJW (1370 am) – religious
- WOLW (91.1 FM) – religious "Northern Christian Radio"
- WGCP (91.9 FM) – religious Strong Tower Radio
- WJZQ (92.9 FM) – Top 40 "Z-93"
- WKAD (93.7 FM) – "The Ticket" (Fox Sports Radio)
- WLXV (96.7 FM) – 96.7 The Bull
- WAIR (104.9 FM) – contemporary Christian "Smile-FM"
- WCKC (107.1 FM) – classic rock "The Drive"
- WCDY (107.9 FM) – hot AC "107.9 CDY"
Television
- WWTV (Channel 9) – CBS, branded as "9 &10 News"
- WMNN (Channel 26) – ShopHQ (was the flagship station of national news network NewsNet from 2019 to 2024)
- WCMV (Channel 27) – PBS, satellite of WCMU in Mount Pleasant, Michigan
- WFQX (Channel 32) – Fox, branded as "Local 32"
- WFQX-DT2 (Channel 32.2) - The CW Plus, branded as "The CW Northern Michigan"
- W23EB-D (Channel 23.1-23.7) - 3ABN, Amazing Facts TV, Strong Tower Radio
Additionally, Cadillac is served by Traverse City stations WPBN-TV (Channel 7, NBC) and WGTU (Channel 29, ABC).
Infrastructure
thumb|Cadillac City Hall and Fire Department
Transportation
Major highways
Cadillac is situated as the confluence of three highways: US 131, M-55 and M-115. Prior to 2001, the northern end of the freeway portion of US 131 was located at the southern entrance to Cadillac. With the construction of a bypass, the US 131 freeway was extended around the east side of the city. The former route of the highway through downtown Cadillac was redesignated as BUS US 131. In the city, BUS US 131 is named Mitchell Street, after George Mitchell, but may be referred to as main street.
- bypasses the city to the east. The freeway continues southerly toward Big Rapids and Grand Rapids and northerly toward Manton before transitioning to a two-lane highway for the remainder of the distance to Petoskey.
- , a loop route through downtown, running largely along the former route of US 131 through the city.
- is a major two-lane east–west route across the state, connecting with Manistee on the west and Lake City, Houghton Lake, West Branch, and Tawas City on the east.
- , another major two-lane route, runs diagonally from Clare to the southeast to Frankfort to the northwest.
Rail
The city is serviced by rail via the Great Lakes Central Railroad. This is primarily a freight line, although passenger service is expected in the future.Great Lakes Central Railroad. GLC Retrieved on March 4, 2009
Public transit
- Cadillac and Wexford County jointly operate a local public bus service. The Wexford Transit Authority is a demand-response, public transportation system, and has been in operation since 1974.Cadillac/Wexford Transportation Authority Michigan Department of Transportation Retrieved on January 5, 2008
- Indian Trails provides daily intercity bus service between Grand Rapids and St. Ignace and stops in Cadillac.
Non-motorized transportation
The White Pine Trail's northern terminus is in Cadillac. The trail, which stretches and originates from Comstock Park, follows an abandoned railroad bed into the center of the city. The trail is paved from the village of Leroy 16 miles north to Cadillac.Trail Surface White Pine Trail Retrieved on March 5, 2009
Notable people
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- Jim Bowman, NFL player
- Jan Harold Brunvand, American folklorist, born in Cadillac
- Jennifer Campbell (actress), graduated from Cadillac High School in 1986
- Larry Joe Campbell, actor (According to Jim); born in Cadillac
- Paul McMullen, middle-distance runner; grew up in Cadillac
- George A. Mitchell, father of the city of Cadillac (first developer)
- Gregory Powell, convicted murderer whose crime was detailed in The Onion Field by Joseph Wambaugh
- Jackie Swanson, actress (Cheers), attended high school in Cadillac
- Thomas Jones Thorp, Union Army officer, practiced law in Cadillac
- Guy Vander Jagt, U.S. congressman from Michigan's 9th congressional district; born in Cadillac
- Luke Winslow-King, musician; born in Cadillac
- Ad Wolgast, professional boxer; born in Cadillac
References
Further reading
External links
- City of Cadillac
- Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce
{{Geographic location
|Northwest = Mesick, Michigan
|North = Manton, Michigan
|Northeast = Lake City, Michigan
|West = Wellston, Michigan
|Centre = Cadillac
|East = McBain, Michigan
|Southwest =
|South = Tustin, Michigan
|Southeast = Marion, Michigan
}}