Durand () is a city in Shiawassee County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,507 at the 2020 census. Nicknamed "Railroad City, USA", it is best known for its large train station which was a major hub for the Grand Trunk Western and Ann Arbor railroads during most of the 20th century, and is currently served by Amtrak. Additionally, three freight carriers use a rail yard in the city, which is accessible from all directions.
History
Durand was originally called Vernon Center, and under the latter name was platted in 1836 and named from its location in Vernon Township. The present name is for congressman George H. Durand of Flint, Michigan. Durand was incorporated as a village in 1887 and as a city in 1932.
In a 1967 National Educational Radio Network radio series, local seniors discussed the early 20th Century history of the town; there were at one point over 10 bars in town where locals could get alcohol and there were often fights, with men coming from other towns to fight the tough men of Durand. Residents also recalled the Ku Klux Klan burning crosses downtown and organizing rallies against local Catholic residents. The railroad was a fascination with the local children, who often got too close to the tracks and about "once a generation" a child would lose their life playing along the railroad tracks.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and (0.47%) is water.
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, Durand had a population of 3,507. The median age was 41.7 years. 20.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 19.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 90.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 87.4 males age 18 and over.
100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.
There were 1,540 households in Durand, of which 27.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 37.0% were married-couple households, 21.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 32.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 35.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. of 2010, there were 3,446 people, 1,350 households, and 852 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 1,575 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 96.3% White, 0.6% African American, 1.0% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.9% of the population.
There were 1,350 households, of which 35.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.5% were married couples living together, 14.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.9% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.08.
The median age in the city was 37.2 years. 25.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.3% were from 25 to 44; 24.1% were from 45 to 64; and 15.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.8% male and 53.2% female.
2000 census
As of the census