Flint is in Genesee County (is the county seat), and in the Central Region. It lies northwest of Detroit between Lansing and Port Huron along Interstate 69. It also is on the banks of the Flint River and near Lake Fenton and the Seven Lakes State Park.

A fur trader from Detroit, Jacob Smith, created the first settlement on the site dubbed Flint in 1819. Flint was a lumber town during the late 1800s. Manufacturers used much of it to make carts and carriages, producing 100,000 a year by 1900. Automobile manufacturing was born from this industry.

Flint is the birthplace of General Motors. The Flint Cultural Center features exhibits, performances, festivals and events. Other places to visit include Crossroads Village, where villagers in period dress welcome visitors to the functioning homes, mills and shops. There also the Huckleberry Railroad, whose steam locomotive pulls up to 500 passengers in wooden coaches.

Flint is part of the Flint, Michigan metro area.