Investor/Developer Information

Are we looking for investors? You bet we are!

Only a few of Bridgeport's larger employers are corporations headquartered in Bridgeport. Most, such as the major banking institutions and fast food chains, are headquartered in other cities or even other states. These brand-name organizations play a vital role in the business environment in Bridgeport. They work hand-in-hand with our smaller, locally based enterprises, and they are a central component of Bridgeport's economic vitality.[Note: Statistics provided by US Census Bureau are for zip code 48722 only.]

Median Household Income: According to the US census bureau, the estimated median household income in 2005 for zip code 48722 was $43,203. The Michigan average was $46,039. Income distribution in 2005 is shown in the chart below.


Estimate of home value of owner-occupied houses/condos in 2005 in zip code 48722:
$15,000 to $19,999: 5
$20,000 to $24,999: 6
$30,000 to $34,999: 13
$35,000 to $39,999: 15
$40,000 to $49,999: 24
$50,000 to $59,999: 81
$60,000 to $69,999: 116
$70,000 to $79,999: 97
$80,000 to $89,999: 167
$90,000 to $99,999: 85
$100,000 to $124,999: 223
$125,000 to $149,999: 101
$150,000 to $174,999: 33
$175,000 to $199,999: 6
$200,000 to $249,999: 19
$250,000 to $299,999: 4
$300,000 to $399,999: 6
$400,000 to $499,999: 3

For more information please contact: Township Manager
6206 Dixie HwyBridgeport, MI 48722
General office hours: Mon – Fri 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: 989-777-0940 ext. 204
Fax: 989-777-4802
Within Bridgeport Township borders, there is an actual population base of approximately 11,700. However, approximately sixty-four percent (64%) of that number live in areas with territorially extended ZIP Codes that are assigned to the City of Saginaw, not Bridgeport Township.

Census data shows 48722 as the only ZIP code assigned to Bridgeport Township. There are actually two other ZIP codes used within Township boundaries.


Physical Description: According to the United States Census Bureau, the community has a total area of 8.3 square miles (21.6 km²), all land; adjoining other rather undeveloped Townships and the Southeast side of Saginaw, and Buena Vista Township.

Bridgeport Township is a diverse, traditional, lower-middle-to-upper class residential area with a non-traditional, widely dispersed business district. It is rich in history, cultural diversity and character.

Bridgeport began with a centralized business district that was replaced over time with a non-contiguous assortment of over three hundred businesses. The vast majority of these businesses are not domiciled in high-visibility locations due primarily to the lack of adequate buildings in such locations. There is only a vestige of what once might have been considered a “traditional”, high-density downtown business district.

Property Availability: There is lots of vacant property available for nearly any use. Michigan property is less expensive to buy than in nearly any other part of the Country.
We have an Industrial Park that is fully improved and mostly empty.

The properties where we want to develop a high density downtown business district are owned by the Township and DDA and are properly zoned. You will be surprised at how reasonably these properties are priced, if you are serious about building.

Business Atmosphere: Bridgeport residents are very aware of businesses that occupy available and visible commercial properties. They have consistently showed their high level support of those businesses by patronizing them for many years even though they are sometimes slightly higher in price for goods and services offered. Because of this continuing support, the Bridgeport business community has experienced success, with slow growth rates, for decades.

Bridgeport businesses managing long-term success have learned to compete by offering superior quality products and efficient, personalized service levels that are simply not available from “Big Box” centers.

Transportation Accessibility: The Township is intersected by Interstate 75, with a daily traffic count of 55,000+. Northbound and Southbound exit/entry ramps are present. The main traffic artery through the township is M-23 (intersected by I-75), four lanes, with a daily traffic count of 15,000+. M-23 is a major local truck route connecting Flint, Saginaw and Bay City. It also connects with several other secondary State truck routes. Bridgeport has no rail freight handling facility, but such facilities are available in Saginaw at a distance of approximately eight miles.

Construction Materials, Equipment & Labor Force Availability:
  • Bridgeport has many licensed and bonded builders and sub-contractors available, both Union and non-union.
  • Heavy equipment specialists and rentals are locally available.
  • There are several area concrete delivery and blacktopping services.
  • One of the largest wholesale building material supply companies in the region is located right here in Bridgeport.
  • A high tech custom glass company just opened a new factory in Bridgeport. Landscaping companies are plentiful.
  • We have a saw mill that kiln dries their own specialty hardwoods and produces lumber, custom moldings and specialty objects.
  • We have a large security company for wiring alarm and surveillance systems.
Where’s the Money to Support Business Growth? The money is here to support a wide range of new businesses. However, marketing studies show that Township residents spend 85% of discretionary income outside the Township because of lack of Township businesses. This translates to over 70 million dollars in uncaptured annual business for Bridgeport.

Much more than that will be captured from outside the Township with proper marketing of our new high density business district, historical assets, major historic festivals, the Great Lakes Discovery Center, the Trail System, Farmers Market, Amphitheater and the new Frank N. Anderson Recreational Complex.

Work Force: Bridgeport’s available work force is diverse and possesses skill levels ranking well above National averages. As General Motors and its subsidiaries and outsources have downsized, more and more engineers, designers, managers, skilled tradesmen, machinists and hard working “unskilled” workers have been forced into either early retirement or permanently laid off. We have those people available!

We also have a great many graduates available from Saginaw Valley State University, Delta College, Michigan State University, University of Michigan, Kettering University, Northwood University, and Central Michigan University to draw from each year.

Want to locate a manufacturing, high-tech or retail operation in Bridgeport? We have the right people for you!

Housing: There is lots of housing available for sale in Bridgeport Township in a very wide price range. Rentals of all sorts are available. If there is a shortage of housing in any particular price sector, it will be found in high-end homes over $400,000. If that is your price range, choices will be limited but there is lots of cheap land available for building a new home.

However, you will find that a home priced at $300,000 or less in Bridgeport Township will equal the size and quality of a home costing three to four times that much in other parts of the Country. For comparable houses, prices in Michigan have remained well below those in the rest of the country. for many years.

Residential land parcels are ridiculously low here by comparison. You can buy a multi-acre, wooded parcel here for less than what you would pay for a naked Mobile Home lot in California, Florida, Nevada or Southern Utah.

Schools: Bridgeport has well maintained, attractive elementary, middle and high schools. Small class sizes. Anything resembling drug or gang activity is quickly squashed. State test scores show the district as Average+. This is what most school districts score throughout the State. However, it takes little investigation to find that the State testing system is seriously flawed when it comes to accurately and fairly academic achievement levels. Those who take the time to investigate even lightly, come away with knowledge that the academic achievement levels in Bridgeport are actually better than indicated by the State tests. Is there room for improvement? Sure! There always is, and there is a continuing effort by the community and a very dedicated School Board and Superintendent to improve academic standards and achievement as well as the learning atmosphere.

Township Government: Bridgeport is a Charter Township in Saginaw County, Michigan, United States. Michigan Charter Townships are governed by a publically elected, seven-member Board of Trustees. Bridgeport Township employs a full-time Township Manager.

The Township has a very pro-active Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and a very progressive Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals.

Township governmental agencies all demonstrate a consistent, high level of interest and cooperation in doing whatever it takes to make Bridgeport grow.

  • Zoning Ordinances are updated and approved in 2008 and contain an extraordinary flexibility to encourage growth. New Ordinances were written and included for high density developments.
  • The Township’s Land Use Master Plan is up-to-date.
  • A new Economic Development Marketing Plan 2008-2020 describes in considerable detail exactly how we are proceeding to build Bridgeport into a completely different community.
  • Tax abatement programs are in place for appropriate new developments.
  • DDA Rent Subsidy programs are in place to assist in attracting new businesses.
  • DDA assisted façade improvement programs are in place for existing buildings.
  • Very flexible and attractive land acquisition incentives are possible for Township and DDA owned properties.

Adjusted Census 2000 Demographic Profile Highlights:
General Characteristics

Number Percent U.S.
Total population 11,709
Male 5,566 47.5 49.1%
Female 6,143 52.5 50.9%
Median age (years)
38.3
(X)
35.3
Under 5 years
770
6.6
6.8%
18 years and over
8,746
74.7
74.3%
65 years and over
1,504
12.8
12.4%
One race
11,409
97.4
97.6%
White
8,498
72.6
75.1%
Black or African American
2,418
20.7
12.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native
72
0.6
0.9%
Asian
38
0.3
3.6%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
1
0.0
0.1%
Some other race
382
3.3
5.5%
Two or more races
300
2.6
2.4%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race)
1,060
9.1
12.5%
Household population
11,537
98.5
97.2%
Group quarters population
172
1.5
2.8%
Average household size
2.57
(X)
2.59
Average family size
3.02
(X)
3.14
Total housing units
4,669
Occupied housing units
4,488
96.1
91.0%
Owner-occupied housing units
3,508
78.2
66.2%
Renter-occupied housing units
980
21.8
33.8%
Vacant housing units
181
3.9
9.0%

Social Characteristics
Number
Percent
U.S.
Population 25 years and over
7,768
High school graduate or higher
6,142
79.1
80.4%
Bachelor's degree or higher
792
10.2
24.4%
Civilian Veterans (civilian population 18 years and over)
1,313
15.0
12.7%
Disability status (population 5 years and over)
2,157
20.1
19.3%
Foreign born
107
0.9
11.1%
Male, Now married, except separated (population 15 years and over)
2,561
58.9
56.7%
Female, Now married, except separated (population 15 years and over)
2,668
55.1
52.1%

Skewed Data from the 2000 Census based only on ZIP Code 48722, is included below simply to allow a general, comparative assessment of various demographic percentages and other splits for the entire township.

As of the census of 2000, there were 7,849 people, 3,022 households, and 2,106 families residing in the community. The population density was 941.4 per square mile (363.4/km²).

There were 3,136 housing units at an average density of 376.1/sq mi (145.2/km²).

The racial makeup of the community was:

  • 64.05% White
  • 28.59% African American
  • 0.54% Native American
  • 0.24% Asian, 3.83% from other races, and 2.75% from two or more races.
  • Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.29% of the population.

There were 3,022 households out of which:

  • 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them
  • 47.6% were married couples living together
  • 17.9% had a female householder with no husband present
  • 30.3% were non-families
  • 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals
  • 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the community the population was spread out with:

  • 6.2% under the age of 18
  • 8.8% from 18 to 24
  • 25.7% from 25 to 44
  • 26.0% from 45 to 64
  • 13.2% who were 65 years of age or older
  • The median age was 38 years.

For every 100 females there were 87.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.5 males.

The median income for a household in the community was $37,515

The median income for a family was $45,691. Males had a median income of $36,825 versus $22,790 for females.

The per capita income for the community was $19,797. About 9.1% of families and 11.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.1% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over.Source: US Census (2000)

Business Distribution:


While there is considerable overall business and industry diversity, most businesses in Bridgeport are small businesses. As you can see below, virtually all businesses headquartered in Bridgeport employ fewer than 100 people. And almost half employ fewer than 5.