text:
K. I. Sawyer Air Force Base

K. I. Sawyer Air Force Base is a decommissioned United States Air Force (USAF) installation in Marquette County, Michigan, south of the city of Marquette. Near the center of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, the base operated for nearly forty years and closed in 1995. The county airport, Sawyer International, now occupies a portion of the base and has scheduled airline flights and some general aviation activity.

The area of the former base is now an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) for statistical purposes. The CDP is known as K. I. Sawyer and had a population of 3,064 at the 2020 census, up from 2,624 in 2010. It is located within Forsyth Township and West Branch Township about 16 mi south of the city of Marquette.

History
The origins of K. I. Sawyer Air Force Base begin in the mid-1930s when Kenneth Ingalls Sawyer (1884–1944), a civil engineer and Marquette County road commissioner, desired to build an airport which would aid the development of the Marquette area. The one factor which most likely influenced the establishment and final location of the airport was the growing mining industry in the local area. As the demand for iron ore increased, the need for travel increased. By 1937, air service became a necessity, and county airport was built between Marquette and Negaunee.

The population of the area continued to grow, and by 1940, Sawyer realized the new Negaunee airport could not handle the ever-increasing demands. In 1941, the superintendent of the county highway department stepped out of his role and presented a plan for a new airport. The most significant landmarks on his proposed site were a hill of sand and a wealth of blueberry patches. The board agreed with the idea. Shortly thereafter, the United States was drawn into World War II. Local concern for the protection of the Great Lakes inter-lake navigation locks named Soo Locks at the trans-border area of Sault Ste. Marie prompted area citizens to propose that the U.S. Army Air Forces take over the new airfield. At that time, the proposal was shelved.

K. I. Sawyer Airport
Sawyer died in 1944, and the following year the airfield, consisting of a single airstrip, was completed and named K. I. Sawyer Airport in his honor. It was used by private fliers until 1948 when Nationwide Airlines became the first commercial airline to operate flights out of the airport. Nationwide flew shuttles to Detroit from Marquette, with stops in Escanaba, Iron Mountain, and Menominee.

In February 1954, the U.S. Air Force announced plans to enlarge its forces, and new bases were needed. The government entered into negotiations with the county for Sawyer's lease, and offered to build a $12 million jet base which could be jointly used by the USAF and Marquette-area citizens. The major stipulation made by the government was no more than 300 landings per month could be made by civilian aircraft. In January 1955, a public meeting was held in the county courthouse to discuss the proposed lease. Many at this meeting voted to adopt a resolution urging the Marquette City Commission to accept the government's offer.

K. I. Sawyer Air Force Base
On 24 Jan 1955, the U.S. government signed a 99-year lease. Almost immediately, construction of military support facilities began. About 850 people were employed during the construction of the base and another 262 were actively employed during the winter months. A letter from Secretary of the Air Force Harold E. Talbott to U.S. Senator Homer S. Ferguson was printed in The Mining Journal and reported more than 900 military personnel were to be stationed at K. I. Sawyer Air Force Base with an annual income in excess of $3 million. K. I. Sawyer Airport officially opened as a joint civil-military facility on 8 April 1956, and it was not long before the USAF proposed a $447,000 appropriation for construction of a civil airport in Negaunee Township, which would allow the Air Force sole use of the base.

USAF facilities constructed included a 12366 ft and 300 ft runway. Additionally, the region's wide open airspace offers ease of operations for an extremely safe and delay free air traffic setting. The official opening of K. I. Sawyer AFB occurred on 8 May 1959, at which time the airfield became a strictly military operation.

Air Defense Command
Upon activation, K. I. Sawyer was placed under the Jurisdiction of Air Defense Command (ADC) on 8 April 1956. The 473d Fighter Group was activated as the host unit, under the ADC 4706th Air Defense Wing at O'Hare International Airport, Illinois.

The initial mission of the base was to act as a fighter-interceptor defense against an enemy bomber attack, the 484th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron was activated on 8 June 1956, and authorized F-89D Scorpion interceptors, however the 484th FIS was never equipped or manned as much construction was necessary to bring the airport up to USAF standards for a military airfield. In 1957, civilian commercial operations from the base moved to a new Marquette County Airport erected at the site of the old Negaunee Airport. The first aircraft assigned to K. I. Sawyer were F-102 Delta Daggers from the 438th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron at Kincheloe AFB, which were temporarily stationed at K. I. Sawyer during the summer of 1958.

On 8 November 1958 the Sault Sainte Marie Air Defense Sector (SsmADS) was established at K. I. Sawyer AFB. The ADC command and control organization's mission was to operate the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) Data Center (DC-14), which opened in 1959. The SAGE system was a network linking USAF (and later FAA) General Surveillance Radar stations into a centralized center for air defense, intended to provide early warning and response for a Soviet nuclear attack. SsmADS also supported the Antigo AFS (P-19) and Calumet AFS (P-16) ADC Ground-Controlled Interception (GCI) and warning stations

Further expansion of the base occurred in 1959 when the runway was extended to its present 12,366 feet. Prior to the expansion, ADC replaced the 473d Fighter Group with the 56th Fighter Wing, along with its 62d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, to Sawyer as the host unit. The 56th FW received its first aircraft, a McDonnell F-101 Voodoo, in 1959, after the expanded runway was completed. The F-101s provided the SAGE unit with the required intercept and destroy capabilities that gave the base teeth.

In 1961 the 56th Fighter Wing was discontinued and the host unit at Sawyer became the Sault Sainte Marie ADS. In a reorganization in 1964, SAC assumed jurisdiction of the base and ADC phased down its presence to a tenant organization. The 62d FIS came under the command and control of the Duluth Air Defense Sector and the SsmADS was inactivated. Responsibilities for the SAGE system were switched to the Duluth ADS, (DC-10) or the Detroit Air Defense Sector (DC-06).

In 1969, Air Defense Command was redesignated as Aerospace Defense Command. In 1971, the 62d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron and its F-101B was replaced with a new squadron and aircraft. The new squadron was the 87th Fighter Interceptor Squadron (87 FIS), the "Red Bulls," which flew the F-106A Delta Dart. The 87th maintained four Lockheed T-33 aircraft to provide target support for the squadron interceptors, simulating Soviet bomber tactics. In addition, they flew NORAD radar evaluation and logistic support sorties.

ADC was disestablished in 1979 and all ADC aircraft assets were transferred to Tactical Air Command (TAC) under a sub-organization known as Air Defense – Tactical Air Command (ADTAC). The 87 FIS and their F-106 aircraft remained based and maintaining a 24/7/365 alert status at Sawyer AFB. The 87th was scheduled to convert to the F-15 Eagle in 1984. However, due to budget cuts the conversion was cancelled and the squadron was scheduled for inactivation on 1 October 1985 as the continental air defense mission in the United States was increasingly transferred to the Air National Guard. When inactivated, the 87th FIS was the second-to-last F-106 squadron on active duty.

On 4 September 1985, the last three F-106 Delta Darts from the 87th FIS departed K. I. Sawyer for AMARC at Davis-Monthan AFB at Tucson, Arizona. Most of its aircraft were later converted to QF-106 target drones and expended as aerial targets over the Gulf of Mexico as part of the "Pacer Six Program" during the late 1990s at Tyndall AFB in western Florida by the 82d Aerial Targets Squadron.

Strategic Air Command
The Strategic Air Command (SAC) became a tenant organization at K. I. Sawyer AFB on 1 August 1958 with the organization of the 4042d Strategic Wing. The 4042d SW was a B-52H Stratofortress dispersal wing, a part of SAC's plan to disperse its big bombers over a larger number of bases, thus making it more difficult for the Soviet Union to knock out the entire fleet with a surprise first strike.

Before receiving the KC-135A tanker and heavy B-52H bomber aircraft of SAC, an all-weather, heavy-duty concrete runway was built, measuring 24 in thick and 150 ft wide. It was extended in 1959 from 6000 to 12366 ft, overruns of 1000 ft. There are also 75 ft shoulders on each side of the runway, providing a paved width of 300 ft.

The two operational units to be assigned later to this wing were the 923d Air Refueling Squadron on 1 May 1960, and the 526th Bombardment Squadron on 1 June 1961. The refueling squadron's first KC-135A aircraft arrived 4 August 1960, and the unit was declared fully combat ready in November of that year. In April 1961, the 923d was inactivated and the 46th Air Refueling Squadron organized and activated as a replacement unit. The first B-52H aircraft assigned to the 526th arrived at Sawyer in August 1961. On 1 February 1963, the 4042d Strategic Wing was discontinued and the 410th Bombardment Wing (Heavy) organized and activated with no change in mission, personnel or aircraft. Also on that date, the 644th Bombardment Squadron was activated replacing the 526th, and the 46th Air Refueling Squadron was reassigned to the 410th. The majority of the wing's present support squadrons were also activated on this date as well.

On 1 January 1964, SAC assumed jurisdiction of Sawyer AFB, with the 410th Bomb Wing becoming the host unit under the 4th Strategic Aerospace Division. K. I. Sawyer was one of three SAC bases in Michigan that operated the B-52: the others were Kincheloe AFB to the east, near Kinross, south of Sault Ste. Marie, and Wurtsmith AFB, in the northeast of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, near Oscoda.

The 410th and its subordinate units' mission was to operate at full readiness, and support activities included aircraft and vehicle maintenance, bombing crew and unit training, and air refueling support. The wing did not deploy bomber aircraft to Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War, as the B-52H was dedicated to strategic deterrence. However, the tanker aircraft and aircrews participated in the "Young Tiger" TDY effort, and the bomber aircrews went through RTU (Replacement Training Unit) training to fly B-52Ds out of Andersen AFB, Guam and U-Tapao RTAFB, Thailand and were active participants in many of the notable campaigns that took place in Southeast Asia, such as Operation Arc Light.

One Sawyer KC-135A (61-0313) became famous throughout the SAC community as "the glider" when it ran out of fuel on a short final approach prior to landing at its home base after flying practice approaches at nearby Kincheloe AFB to complete requalification training. The flight crew, with the exception of the instructor pilot, bailed out when the engines went quiet. The instructor pilot, who remained on board, landed the aircraft just short of the runway overrun, bounced and rolled to a stop on the runway. The aircraft was repaired and returned to service quickly and even the crew entry door (which separated from the aircraft during bailout procedures) was returned to the USAF by a local farmer.

Other aircraft assigned to K. I. Sawyer over the years included HH-43B and HH-1H rescue helicopters of the 48th and 39th Air Rescue and Recovery Wings at Eglin AFB, Florida at the K. I. Sawyer Helicopter (later re-designated Training) Annex, 14 March 1975 to 1 October 1977. SAC FB-111 bombers assigned to the 509th Bombardment Wing (Medium) from Pease AFB in New Hampshire, on satellite alert at Sawyer in 1974 and 1975.

In the early 1980s, K. I. Sawyer's B-52s were modified to carry the new Boeing AGM-86 Air-Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM). The ALCM was powered by a 600 lb. Williams F107-WR-100 turbofan, which is fed by an inlet which folds out on the top of the missile. The B-52 could carry six AGM-86Bs on each of the two underwing pylons. In 1980, two B-52H crews assigned to the 644th Bomb Squadron (S-21 and S-31) were awarded the Mackay Trophy for "executing a nonstop, around-the-world mission with the immediate objective of locating and photographing elements of the Soviet Navy operating in the Persian Gulf." The Wing Commander at this time was Col G. Alan Dugard, a great leader and author of the 2011 book about the Operation Linebacker II missions of 1972, titled "When the Wolf Rises."

Closure
In 1993, the Base Realignment and Closure Commission of the federal government (BRAC 1993) recommended the base for closure.

The KC-135 tankers departed in October 1993 and the B-52H's were split between the two remaining B-52 bases, Barksdale AFB and Minot AFB; Sawyer's final B-52 left for Minot in November 1994.

The last aircraft assigned to Sawyer were six T-37 Tweet jet trainers of the 71st Flying Training Wing assigned to "Accelerated Copilot Enrichment Program" in 1977 and were later assigned to the "Companion Trainer Program" under Air Combat Command. K. I. Sawyer AFB was officially closed at the end of September 1995.

The closure of K. I. Sawyer had a major negative economic impact on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. With 12,000 people, the base and the area around it functioned as the Upper Peninsula's second-largest city, and the U.S. Air Force's annual spending in the region totaled $157 million. , Marquette County was projected to lose 20 percent of its economy. In the end, the closure led to the loss of 5,000 jobs and 14,000 residents. , the town around the base had a reputation as a troubled area with a slew of abandoned and boarded-up buildings.

Legacy
K. I. Sawyer was a favorite base among the SAC community. Although isolated and definitely northern, it was an attractive base for its pleasing North Woods location and its proximity to outdoor activities off the base, including hunting, fishing, boating, and winter sports including skiing at Marquette Mountain (known as "Cliffs Ridge" before 1982), as well as the venues on site (base lake, ski hill, and others).

While the base was sometimes referred to as "K. I. Siberia" or "The Rock" and there was an abundance of lake-effect snow, it was not the bitter sub-zero temperatures and wind chills and hot summers of the tree-sparse North Dakota bases, or the confinement of the bases in the more established communities of the northeastern states. Locals maintained that the K. I. Sawyer runway was built over some of the best blueberry fields in the state. Berry patches remained on many other parts of the base, and families of aircrew members often picked them near the alert barracks and the family center.

A portion of the operational section of K. I. Sawyer AFB has been converted into Sawyer International Airport, which opened its passenger terminal for service in September 1999. It replaced the smaller Marquette County Airport, just southwest of Marquette, as the region's primary civilian airport. In recent years, a group of local citizens interested in preserving the historical significance of the base have collected six aircraft of the types used actively at various times through the base's history to be displayed near the airport. The program is known as the "Sawyer 6" project. The aircraft are part of the K. I. Sawyer Heritage Air Museum, which also has exhibits in the base's former Silver Wings Recreation Center.

Previous names

 * Opened as: K. I. Sawyer Airport, 8 April 1956
 * Redesignated: K. I. Sawyer Air Force Base, 8 May 1959 – 30 September 1995

Major commands to which assigned

 * Air Defense Command (ADC), 8 April 1956
 * Strategic Air Command (SAC), 1 January 1964
 * Air Combat Command (ACC), 1 June 1992 – 30 September 1995 (Tail Code: "KI")

Major units assigned

 * 56th Fighter Wing (Air Defense), 1 February 1951 – 1 January 1964
 * 473d Fighter Group, 8 April 1956 – 1 October 1959
 * 484th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 8 June 1956 – 16 February 1959 (not equipped)
 * 62d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 1 August 1959 – 30 April 1971
 * 87th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 1 May 1971 – 1 October 1985
 * Sault Sainte Marie Air Defense Sector, 8 November 1958 – 15 December 1963

 * 4042d Strategic Wing, 1 August 1958 – 1 February 1963
 * 526th Bombardment Squadron, 1 June 1961 – 1 February 1963
 * 923d Air Refueling Squadron, 1 May 1960 – 1 April 1961
 * 410th Bombardment Wing, later 410th Wing, later 410th Bomb Wing, 1 February 1963 – 30 September 1995
 * 46th Air Refueling Squadron, 1 April 1961 – 8 October 1993
 * 644th Bombardment Squadron, 1 February 1963 – 21 November 1994

Geography
The elevation at the passenger terminal is 1190 ft above sea level, about 600 ft above Lake Superior, 15 mi north.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 1.73 sqmi, of which 1.71 sqmi are land and 0.02 sqmi, or 1.21%, are water. The CDP was previously much larger at the 2000 census, encompassing 8.5 sqmi until the Sand Township portion was removed—leaving only the smaller portions within Forsyth and West Branch townships.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,443 people, 501 households, and 360 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 171.0 /mi2. There were 1,659 housing units at an average density of 196.6 /mi2. The racial makeup of the base was 90.23% White, 0.69% African American, 3.47% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 1.18% from other races, and 4.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.15% of the population.

There were 501 households, out of which 55.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.9% were married couples living together, 19.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.1% were non-families. 17.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.88 and the average family size was 3.27.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 38.5% under the age of 18, 12.3% from 18 to 24, 37.8% from 25 to 44, 9.1% from 45 to 64, and 2.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25 years and for every 100 females, there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.0 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $26,550, and the median income for a family was $26,979. Males had a median income of $27,679 versus $18,333 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $10,029. About 24.4% of families and 26.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.6% of those under age 18 and 31.3% of those age 65 or over.

title: K. I. Sawyer Air Force Base


text:
Marquette Township, Marquette County, Michigan

Marquette Township is a charter township in Marquette County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,140 at the 2020 census. The city of Marquette is located to the southeast of the township and is administratively autonomous.

Communities

 * Brookton Corners is a small, unincorporated community in the township, consisting principally of retail stores including national chains; the Westwood Mall is located in Brookton Corners. It is located at 46.54944°N, -87.45583°W, at an elevation of 945 ft above sea level.
 * Trowbridge Park is an unincorporated community and census-designated place located within the township.

Geography
The township is bordered to the southeast by the city of Marquette, the county seat, and to the northeast by Lake Superior. According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 60.86 sqm, of which 55.35 sqmi are land and 5.50 sqm, or 9.04%, are water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,286 people, 1,309 households, and 882 families residing in the township. The population density was 60.0 /sqmi. There were 1,506 housing units at an average density of 27.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 95.37% White, 0.09% African American, 1.77% Native American, 0.91% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 1.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.73% of the population.

There were 1,309 households, out of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.1% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were non-families. 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the township the population was spread out, with 23.0% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 27.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.8 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $42,385, and the median income for a family was $50,994. Males had a median income of $40,221 versus $28,565 for females. The per capita income for the township was $23,056. About 2.2% of families and 5.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.7% of those under age 18 and 10.4% of those age 65 or over.

Retail
Marquette Township is home to one of the most diverse shopping centers in the Upper Peninsula. Many national retailers have built stores in the township as it provided buildable acreage that the city of Marquette no longer could provide. Marquette Township is home to national big box retailers and a variety of other shops and restaurants.

Transportation
Indian Trails bus lines operates daily intercity bus service between Hancock and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The line operates a stop at MarqTran's transit center on Commerce Drive in the township north of the Westwood Mall.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/


text:
Michigamme, Michigan

Michigamme is an unincorporated community in Marquette County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located within Michigamme Township on the north shores of Lake Michigamme. For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined Michigamme as a census-designated place (CDP). The CDP had a population of 255 at the 2020 census.

The Michigamme ZIP code, 49861, serves a much larger area to the north and west of the lake, including portions of Michigamme Township and Republic Township in Marquette County and Spurr Township and Covington Township in Baraga County.

History
The Michigamme post office has been in operation since 1873. The community took its name from nearby Lake Michigamme.

Geography
Michigamme is in western Marquette County, in the southern part of Michigamme Township. It is 37 mi west of Marquette, the county seat, 23 mi west of Ishpeming, and 22 mi east of Covington. The community sits on the north side of Lake Michigamme, drained to the south by the Michigamme River, part of the Menominee River watershed leading to Green Bay on Lake Michigan. According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 4.65 sqmi, of which 2.38 sqmi are land and 2.27 sqmi, or 48.88%, are water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 287 people, 138 households, and 94 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 114.7 PD/sqmi. There were 271 housing units at an average density of 108.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 99.30% White and 0.70% Native American.

There were 138 households, out of which 19.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.1% were married couples living together, 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.2% were non-families. 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.45.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 16.4% under the age of 18, 3.5% from 18 to 24, 20.9% from 25 to 44, 37.3% from 45 to 64, and 22.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.7 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $27,083, and the median income for a family was $33,438. Males had a median income of $30,833 versus $21,250 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $21,285. About 5.2% of families and 11.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.6% of those under the age of eighteen and 9.3% of those 65 or over.

Transportation
Indian Trails bus lines operates daily intercity bus service between Hancock and Milwaukee with a stop in Michigamme. US Highway 41/M-28 passes through the community.

title: Michigamme, Michigan


text:
Michigamme Township, Michigan

Michigamme Township is a civil township of Marquette County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 327 at the 2020 census. The unincorporated community of Michigamme is located within the township.

Geography
The township is on the western edge of Marquette County, bordered to the west by Baraga County. According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 142.04 sqmi, of which 133.26 sqmi are land and 8.78 sqmi, or 6.18%, are water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 377 people, 180 households, and 127 families residing in the township. The population density was 2.8 PD/sqmi. There were 547 housing units at an average density of 4.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 98.94% White, 0.53% Native American, and 0.53% from two or more races.

There were 180 households, out of which 19.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.1% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.4% were non-families. 26.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.09 and the average family size was 2.43.

In the township the population was spread out, with 15.4% under the age of 18, 3.7% from 18 to 24, 20.4% from 25 to 44, 36.6% from 45 to 64, and 23.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 51 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.9 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $29,750, and the median income for a family was $34,063. Males had a median income of $30,208 versus $25,625 for females. The per capita income for the township was $24,549. About 3.8% of families and 8.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.9% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over.

Highways

 * passes through the community of Michigamme in the southernmost portion of the township.

Current events
The Eagle Mine project is located within Michigamme Township.

title: Michigamme Township, Michigan


text:
Negaunee, Michigan

Negaunee ( or  ) is a city in Marquette County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,627 at the 2020 census. The city is located at the southwest corner of Negaunee Township, which is administratively separate, in the Upper Peninsula. The city is home to a luge track. The name "Negaunee" comes from an Anishinabemowin (Ojibwe) word nigani, meaning "foremost, in advance, leading," which was determined to be the closest Ojibwe translation for "pioneer". Within the city limits is Teal Lake.

History
The city was built after the discovery of the Marquette Iron Range during the early 19th century. The Jackson Mine was established in 1845 to mine the ore for shipment to iron forges; the first such forge to operate in the Lake Superior basin was set up in Negaunee during this period. In 1858, the community was given a post office. In 1865, Negaunee was incorporated as a village and reincorporated as a city in 1873. As mining operations expanded, many immigrants helped settle the area, bringing with them rich traditions that remain today. Due to extensive underground mining, roughly half the city was abandoned in the early 20th century due to risk of cave-in. The city closed its trolley system in 1927. The Jackson Mine ceased all operations within the city limits in the 1940s.

On January 16, 1952, Negaunee became the smallest city to ever host an NBA game. The Milwaukee Hawks beat the Baltimore Bullets 77–71. Baltimore's Don Barksdale led all scorers with 24 points. Negaunee is still the smallest city to ever host any of the four major North American professional sports.

Geography
Negaunee is in central Marquette County and is bordered to the west by the city of Ishpeming. Marquette, the county seat, is 10 mi to the east. Negaunee sits on the eastern shore of Teal Lake, all of which is within the city borders. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 14.34 sqmi, of which 13.44 sqmi are land and 0.89 sqmi, or 6.24%, are water.

Attractions

The Michigan Iron Industry Museum is located near the Carp River on the outskirts of Negaunee. Negaunee is home to Pioneer Days, a festival held every year the week following July 4.

Negaunee is the home of the only full-length natural-track luge course in the United States, maintained by the Upper Peninsula Luge Club. A section near the finish line is open to public sliding in the wintertime, using club equipment. The original track layout was over 800 m in length, featuring 29 curves along its 88 m vertical drop.

Negaunee is also the home of Suicide Hill Ski Jump, a ski jump training facility where the Ishpeming Ski Club prepares skiers for classic cross country skiing, Nordic combined, and ski jumping competitions.

The county's Heritage Trails pass through Negaunee where visitors can stroll, hike, bike, and snowmobile through Old Town Negaunee and around various collapsed underground mines from last century. The Negaunee portion of the trail also includes a new disc golf course.

Highways

 * passes through the northern portion of Negaunee, running westerly and northerly toward Houghton, easterly toward Marquette and thence southeast to Escanaba.
 * travels concurrently with US 41 through the city, running westerly toward Wakefield and east to Marquette.
 * [[Image:M-28Bus.svg|20px|alt=|link=]] Bus. M-28 serves the downtowns of both Negaunee and Ishpeming.
 * , passing east of the city limits, provides an alternate route to the Escanaba area and access to Marquette Sawyer Regional Airport.

Bus

 * Indian Trails bus lines operates daily intercity bus service between Hancock and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with a stop in Negaunee.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 4,568 people, 1,940 households, and 1,219 families residing in the city. The population density was 336.9 PD/sqmi. There were 2,119 housing units at an average density of 156.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 96.6% White, 0.1% African American, 1.1% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.1% of the population.

There were 1,940 households, of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.1% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.2% were non-families. 31.7% 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 2.30 and the average family size was 2.90.

The median age in the city was 39.7 years. 23.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.4% were from 25 to 44; 27.2% were from 45 to 64; and 16.7% 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 4,576 people, 1,946 households, and 1,218 families residing in the city. The population density was 332.1 PD/sqmi. There were 2,088 housing units at an average density of 151.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 96.63% White, 0.28% African American, 1.29% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.13% from other races, and 1.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.44% of the population. 28.8% were of Finnish, 14.5% Italian, 14.0% English, 9.3% German, 8.9% Swedish and 5.8% French ancestry according to Census 2000. 95.7% spoke English, 1.7% Spanish and 1.5% Finnish as their first language.

There were 1,946 households, out of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% were non-families. 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.3% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,117, and the median income for a family was $39,750. Males had a median income of $36,026 versus $22,380 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,889. About 6.3% of families and 9.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.7% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.

Education
The Negaunee school system, Negaunee Public Schools, ranked in the top 20% of schools for the State of Michigan in 2008. It has since slightly decreased in rank in 2023.

Negaunee Public Schools consists of three main buildings: Lakeview Elementary, which has K-4th grades; Negaunee Middle School, which has 5th through 8th grade; and Negaunee High School, which has 9th through 12th grade. Negaunee athletics have large, healthy rivalries with the Westwood Patriots (Ishpeming Township, Michigan) and Ishpeming Hematites. Other relevant rivalries exist with the Calumet Copper Kings and Iron Mountain Mountaineers.

St. Paul's Catholic School was formerly in Negaunee. Closure was proposed in 1974.

Climate
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, Negaunee has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps. The normal monthly mean temperature ranges from 13.6 °F in January to 65.5 °F in July. From 1981 to 2010, on average, there were only 3.6 days annually with a maximum of 90 °F or higher, 97 days with a maximum remaining at or below freezing (including most days from December thru February), and 31 days with a minimum reaching 0 °F or below. The average window for freezing temperatures is September 23 thru May 26, allowing a growing season of 120 days.

Precipitation is moderate, averaging 35.7 in annually, with September and October being the wettest months, and the meteorological winter months of December thru February being the driest in terms of normal total precipitation. Snowfall is extremely heavy due to the location in the lake effect snow belt of Lake Superior, averaging 203 in per season, with the snowiest months of December and January each producing around 43 in of snow. On average, measurable (0.1 in) snow occurs between October 14 and April 28, with accumulating snow in May occurring around half of the time; accumulating snow in September is much rarer, occurring on average once per decade.

Notable people

 * Mark Ayotte (born 1964), National Basketball Association referee
 * Edward Breitung (1831–1887), Michigan State House of Representatives member
 * Bob Chase (1926–2016), sports commentator
 * Dominic Jacobetti (1920–1994), Michigan State House of Representatives member
 * Joan LeQuia (born 1937), All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player
 * Steven Wiig (born 1972), film actor and musician
 * Sarah York, became penpal of Manuel Noriega at age 10

title: Negaunee, Michigan


text:
Negaunee Township, Michigan

Negaunee Township is a civil township of Marquette County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,232 at the 2020 census. The city of Negaunee is located at the southwest corner of the township, but the two are administered autonomously.

Communities

 * Eagle Mills A railroad station was established at this site in the township in 1855. A sawmill was established here in 1873 and a post office began in 1877. It operated periodically through 1912.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 43.66 sqmi, of which 42.08 sqmi are land and 1.58 sqmi (3.62%) are water.

Climate
Marquette WFO is a weather station located 8 miles (12.9 km) west of the city Negaunee, near the Eagle Mills train station.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,707 people, 1,031 households, and 795 families residing in the township. The population density was 64.4 PD/sqmi. There were 1,259 housing units at an average density of 29.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 97.56% White, 0.07% African American, 0.92% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.48% of the population.

There were 1,031 households, out of which 34.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.7% were married couples living together, 6.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.8% were non-families. 19.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the township the population was spread out, with 24.8% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 28.4% from 45 to 64, and 8.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.0 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $47,348, and the median income for a family was $55,283. Males had a median income of $40,132 versus $25,568 for females. The per capita income for the township was $18,894. About 1.8% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.2% of those under age 18 and 4.9% of those age 65 or over.

title: Negaunee Township, Michigan


text:
Palmer, Michigan

Palmer is an unincorporated community in Marquette County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is a census-designated place (CDP) for statistical purposes and has no legal status as an incorporated municipality. The CDP had a population of 378 at the 2020 census. It is located within Richmond Township along M-35.

The Palmer 49871 ZIP Code serves an area slightly larger than that of the CDP.

Geography
Palmer is in central Marquette County, 10 mi by road south of Negaunee and 15 mi southwest of Marquette, the county seat. The community is served by M-35, a highway that leads north to US Highway 41/M-28 between Negaunee and Marquette and south 16 mi to Gwinn.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Palmer CDP has a total area of 0.59 sqmi, all land. The community is drained by Warner Creek, a south-flowing tributary of the East Branch of the Escanaba River.

Demographics
At the 2000 census, there were 449 people, 177 households and 109 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 760.8 PD/sqmi. There were 193 housing units at an average density of 327.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.44% White, 1.34% Native American, 0.22% Asian, and 2.00% from two or more races.

There were 177 households, of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.4% were non-families. 35.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.99.

19.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 24.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.0 males.

The median household income was $29,063 and the median family income was $38,750. Males had a median income of $36,528 compared with $25,625 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $21,309. About 6.9% of families and 13.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.3% of those under age 18 and 9.7% of those age 65 or over.

Business
Palmer was flanked by the Empire Mine, owned by Cleveland-Cliffs, but the mine's operations have stopped since August 2016. Fran's gas station, the only remaining gas station, closed around late 2018. Trewhella's IGA grocery store, founded in 1961, closed years ago. The radio station WRUP/98.3 changed its CDP of license from Munising to Palmer in 2009, as it targets listeners in Marquette.

Climate
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, Palmer has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.

title: Palmer, Michigan


text:
Powell Township, Michigan

Powell Township is a civil township of Marquette County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 732 at the 2020 census, down from 816 in 2010.

Communities

 * Big Bay is an unincorporated community, post office, and census-designated place in the township. The post office with ZIP Code 49808 provides P.O. box service for a portion of Powell Township.
 * Alder is a small unincorporated community on the south side of Lake Independence at 46.78944°N, -87.69722°W and was a station on a spur of the Lake Superior and Ishpeming Railroad between Marquette and Big Bay.
 * Antlers is a former lumber camp at 46.75444°N, -87.65583°W on the boundary between Powell and Ishpeming townships that was a station on a spur of the Lake Superior and Ishpeming Railroad between Marquette and Big Bay. Officials named it for its location in deer country.
 * Birch is a former lumber camp at 46.69861°N, -87.57806°W that was a station on a spur of the Lake Superior and Ishpeming Railroad between Marquette and Big Bay. The settlement formed around the Northern Lumber Company mill and general store. A post office operated from November 21, 1905 until March 31, 1920.
 * Homeier is a former lumber camp at 46.7725°N, -87.67972°W that was a station on a spur of the Lake Superior and Ishpeming Railroad between Marquette and Big Bay.
 * Huron Mountain was the name of a summer post office at 46.88722°N, -87.86528°W that operated from 1914 to 1956, and 1957–1958. The office was named from its location at the northern edge of the Huron Mountains.

Geography
Powell Township is the northernmost in Marquette County; it is bordered to the west by Baraga County and to the north and east by Lake Superior. The Huron Islands to the north in Lake Superior are within the township. According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 162.06 sqmi, of which 153.70 sqmi are land and 8.36 sqmi, or 5.16%, are water.

The Huron Mountains make up a large part of the township.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 724 people, 333 households, and 228 families residing in the township. The population density was 4.7 per square mile (1.8/km$2$). There were 818 housing units at an average density of 5.3 per square mile (2.0/km$2$). The racial makeup of the township was 96.27% White, 1.93% Native American, 0.14% Asian, and 1.66% from two or more races.

There were 333 households, out of which 21.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.6% were married couples living together, 4.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% were non-families. 27.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.61.

In the township the population was spread out, with 17.5% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 34.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 111.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 114.0 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $34,659, and the median income for a family was $42,969. Males had a median income of $36,250 versus $21,944 for females. The per capita income for the township was $19,391. About 5.0% of families and 8.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.2% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 65 or over.

title: Powell Township, Michigan


text:
Republic, Michigan

Republic is an unincorporated community in Marquette County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is also a census-designated place (CDP) for statistical purposes and no legal status as an incorporated municipality. The CDP had a population of 470 at the 2020 census, down from 570 in 2010. The community is located mostly within Republic Township with a small portion extending north into Humboldt Township.

The Republic ZIP Code (49879) covers a much larger area than the CDP, including most of Republic Township and portions of Humboldt Township, plus portions of Mansfield and Crystal Falls townships in Iron County.

History
A post office called Republic has been in operation since 1873. The community was named after the Republic Iron Company.

From 1980 to 2004, the U.S. Navy operated an extremely low frequency (76 Hz) submarine communication site near Republic under Project ELF.

Geography
Republic is in western Marquette County, 20 mi southwest of Ishpeming and 34 mi west-southwest of Marquette, the county seat. The majority of the Republic CDP is within Republic Township, which contains 3.65 sqmi (92.87%) of total area and 567 residents. Only three residents live within the smaller Humboldt Township portion of the CDP.

The Michigamme River forms most of the eastern boundary of the CDP, while State Highway M-95 forms the entire western boundary. M-95 leads north 7 mi to US Highway 41/M-28 between Clarksburg and Champion, and south 46 mi to Iron Mountain.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Republic CDP has a total area of 3.94 sqmi, of which 3.62 sqmi are land and 0.33 sqmi, or 8.27%, are water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 614 people, 276 households, and 187 families residing in the community. The population density was 170.1 PD/sqmi. There were 356 housing units at an average density of 98.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the community was 98.05% White, 1.63% Native American, and 0.33% from two or more races.

There were 276 households, out of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.5% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.9% were non-families. 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.67.

In the community, the population was spread out, with 21.2% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 24.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.6 males.

The median income for a household in the community was $24,545, and the median income for a family was $29,659. Males had a median income of $24,875 versus $18,472 for females. The per capita income for the community was $14,793. About 10.7% of families and 15.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.1% of those under age 18 and 16.2% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Republic is served by the Republic-Michigamme School District, which operates the Republic-Michigamme High School.

title: Republic, Michigan


text:
Republic Township, Michigan

Republic Township is a civil township of Marquette County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 994 at the 2020 census. The unincorporated community of Republic is located within the township.

Geography
The township is in western Marquette County, bordered to the west by Baraga and Iron counties and to the south by Dickinson County. According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 119.55 sqmi, of which 111.41 sqmi are land and 8.14 sqmi, or 6.81%, are water. The southern arm of Lake Michigamme is in the northern part of the township, and its outlet, the Michigamme River, flows southward through the township past the community of Republic.

Communities

 * Republic is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in the eastern part of the township.
 * Witch Lake is an unincorporated community in the southern part of the township.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,106 people, 493 households, and 347 families residing in the township. The population density was 9.8 per square mile (3.8/km$2$). There were 983 housing units at an average density of 8.7 per square mile (3.4/km$2$). The racial makeup of the township was 97.20% White, 1.81% Native American, 0.45% from other races, and 0.54% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.09% of the population.

There were 493 households, out of which 22.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.2% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.6% were non-families. 25.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.63.

In the township the population was spread out, with 19.0% under the age of 18, 4.2% from 18 to 24, 22.6% from 25 to 44, 31.2% from 45 to 64, and 23.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.6 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $27,500, and the median income for a family was $33,472. Males had a median income of $27,813 versus $19,375 for females. The per capita income for the township was $15,524. About 6.9% of families and 11.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.7% of those under age 18 and 11.1% of those age 65 or over.

History
Old M-95 – Michigamme River Bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. Built in 1910, and modest in scale and design, it is technologically and historically significant as an embodiment of local bridge design before state standardization. It spans the Michigamme River on an abandoned roadway (now used as a private road) that was once M-95, immediately west of the current highway.

title: Republic Township, Michigan


text:
Richmond Township, Marquette County, Michigan

Richmond Township is a civil township of Marquette County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 806 at the 2020 census, down from 882 in 2010. The community of Palmer is located within the township.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 57.70 sqmi, of which 55.65 sqmi are land and 2.05 sqmi, 3.55%, are water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 974 people, 393 households, and 262 families residing in the township. The population density was 17.5 per square mile (6.8/km$2$). There were 467 housing units at an average density of 8.4 per square mile (3.2/km$2$). The racial makeup of the township was 98.05% White, 0.62% Native American, 0.31% Asian, and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.21% of the population.

There were 393 households, out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.0% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.3% were non-families. 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% 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 2.92.

In the township the population was spread out, with 21.0% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 25.2% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.7 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $31,917, and the median income for a family was $40,417. Males had a median income of $37,917 versus $21,154 for females. The per capita income for the township was $19,084. About 5.4% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.7% of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over.


text:
Sands Township, Michigan

Sands Township is a civil township of Marquette County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,310 at the 2020 census.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 66.76 sqmi, of which 66.40 sqmi are land and 0.36 sqmi (0.54%) are water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,127 people, 768 households, and 619 families residing in the township. The population density was 30.0 PD/sqmi. There were 1,006 housing units at an average density of 14.2 per square mile (5.5/km$2$). The racial makeup of the township was 96.43% White, 0.33% African American, 1.65% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.14% from other races, and 1.22% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.75% of the population.

There were 768 households, out of which 42.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.9% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.3% were non-families. 15.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the township the population was spread out, with 28.1% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 33.6% from 25 to 44, 27.4% from 45 to 64, and 4.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.1 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $51,948, and the median income for a family was $54,643. Males had a median income of $38,125 versus $25,521 for females. The per capita income for the township was $21,943. About 1.9% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.5% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.

title: Sands Township, Michigan


text:
Skandia Township, Michigan

Skandia Township is a civil township of Marquette County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The 2020 census recorded a population of 810 people. The township contains the Dukes Research Natural Area, a National Natural Landmark.

Geography
The township is on the eastern edge of Marquette County, bordered to the east by Alger County. According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 72.10 sqmi, of which 71.92 sqmi are land and 0.18 sqmi, or 0.25%, are water.

Communities

 * Carlshend is an unincorporated community in the township. It was founded in 1893 by Karl Petros Janssen also known as Carl Peter Johnson. He wanted to name it "Carlslund" but the post office mangled it into its current name.
 * Dukes is an unincorporated community in the township. It began around a railroad station in 1926 and was largely settled by Finnish immigrants. The settlers themselves named it Lehtola. It was given a post office in 1929 which operated periodically until 1963.
 * Lawson is an unincorporated community in the township.
 * Maple Grove is an unincorporated community in the township.
 * Selma is an unincorporated community in the township.
 * Skandia is an unincorporated community on the western edge of the township.
 * Vick is an unincorporated community in the township.

Demographics
As of the census of 2010, there were 826 people, 350 households, and 242 families residing in the township. The population density was 11.4 per square mile (4.4/km$2$). There were 478 housing units at an average density of 6.6 per square mile (2.6/km$2$). The racial makeup of the township was 93.5% White, 2.4% American Indian, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Black or African American, 0% from other races, and 3.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.6% of the population.

There were 350 households, out of which 26.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.0% were married couples living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.9% were non-families. 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.82.

In the township the population was spread out, with 23% under the age of 19, 15% from 20 to 34, 11.8% from 35 to 44, 35.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45.1 years. As of 2010, the population was 49.2% female and 50.8% male.

In 2015 median income for a household in the township was $42,841 and the median income for a family was $55,313. Median earnings for workers was $26,316. Males working full-time, year-round had a median income of $53,125 versus $42,375 for females working full-time, year-round. The per capita income for the township was $16,941. About 11.9% of families and 16.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.6% of those under age 18 and 13.4% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * William Lincoln Bakewell, Antarctic explorer
 * Mike Shaw, pro wrestler

title: Skandia Township, Michigan


text:
Tilden Township, Michigan

Tilden Township is a civil township of Marquette County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,045 at the 2020 census.

Communities

 * National Mine is an unincorporated community in the township, located just south of the city of Ishpeming.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 95.90 sqmi, of which 89.80 sqmi are land and 6.10 sqmi, or 6.36%, are water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,003 people, 396 households, and 293 families residing in the township. The population density was 10.6 per square mile (4.1/km$2$). There were 562 housing units at an average density of 6.0 per square mile (2.3/km$2$). The racial makeup of the township was 98.80% White, 0.10% African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, and 0.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.50% of the population.

There were 396 households, out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.9% were married couples living together, 4.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.0% were non-families. 19.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the township the population was spread out, with 22.7% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 27.6% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 108.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 109.5 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $43,450, and the median income for a family was $45,833. Males had a median income of $37,500 versus $24,464 for females. The per capita income for the township was $17,199. About 1.4% of families and 4.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.9% of those under age 18 and 6.2% of those age 65 or over.

title: Tilden Township, Michigan


text:
Trowbridge Park, Michigan

Trowbridge Park is an unincorporated community in Marquette Township, Marquette County, in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is also a census-designated place (CDP) for statistical purposes and has no legal status as an incorporated municipality. The CDP had a population of 2,287 at the 2020 census. The community is located within Marquette Township and borders the city of Marquette on the east and north.

Geography
Trowbridge Park is in eastern Marquette County, in the southern part of Marquette Township. The CDP is bordered to the east and north by the city of Marquette, the county seat. US Highway 41/M-28 forms the southern edge of the community.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Trowbridge Park CDP has a total area of 1.40 sqmi, of which 1.39 sqmi are land and 0.01 sqmi (0.71%) are water. The community drains north to the Dead River, which flow east to Lake Superior in the north part of Marquette.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,012 people, 758 households, and 539 families residing in the community. The population density was 1,462.1 PD/sqmi. There were 785 housing units at an average density of 570.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the community was 94.93% White, 2.34% Native American, 1.19% Asian, 0.10% from other races, and 1.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.45% of the population.

There were 758 households, out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.8% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.8% were non-families. 20.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the community the population was spread out, with 23.4% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 26.5% from 45 to 64, and 10.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 97.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.6 males.

The median income for a household in the community was $42,422, and the median income for a family was $48,375. Males had a median income of $31,932 versus $27,200 for females. The per capita income for the community was $20,346. About 2.1% of families and 6.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.7% of those under age 18 and 12.4% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation
Indian Trails bus lines operates daily intercity bus service between Hancock and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The line operates a stop at MarqTran's transit center in Trowbridge Park.

title: Trowbridge Park, Michigan


text:
Turin Township, Michigan

Turin Township is a civil township of Marquette County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the township population was 110, down from 153 in 2010.

Communities

 * McFarland is an unincorporated community on M-35 near the boundary with Delta County at 46.18028°N, -87.245°W. It was named for A. McFarland, an early settler.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 84.0 sqmi, of which 83.7 sqmi are land and 0.3 sqmi, or 0.37%, are water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 131 people, 59 households, and 41 families residing in the township. The population density was 1.6 per square mile (0.6/km$2$). There were 139 housing units at an average density of 1.7 per square mile (0.6/km$2$). The racial makeup of the township was 95.42% White, 3.05% Native American, 0.76% from other races, and 0.76% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.76% of the population.

There were 59 households, out of which 18.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.1% were married couples living together, 3.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.5% were non-families. 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.68.

In the township the population was spread out, with 16.8% under the age of 18, 3.8% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 35.1% from 45 to 64, and 19.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.2 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $30,625, and the median income for a family was $43,000. Males had a median income of $26,875 versus $14,167 for females. The per capita income for the township was $12,832. There were 19.2% of the population and 15.8% of families were below the poverty line. 12.5% of those under the age of 18 and 35.7% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

title: Turin Township, Michigan


text:
Wells Township, Marquette County, Michigan

Wells Township is a civil township of Marquette County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the township population was 213.

Communities

 * Arnold is an unincorporated community in the south central portion of the township at 46.05083°N, -87.49194°W near the Ford River. The ZIP code is 49819 and the FIPS place code is 03600. The elevation is 1032 feet above sea level.
 * Northland is an unincorporated community in the west central portion of the township at 46.07306°N, -87.59556°W It was founded and platted by the Wolverine Lumber Company and formed around the company's mill and general store. A post office opened on December 24, 1900. Service at the post office was suspended on December 22, 1984 and discontinued on March 21, 1998. Postal service was transferred to Iron Mountain.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 155.15 sqmi, of which 154.32 sqmi are land and 0.83 sqmi, or 0.53%, are water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 292 people, 119 households, and 79 families residing in the township. The population density was 1.9 per square mile (0.7/km$2$). There were 395 housing units at an average density of 2.6 per square mile (1.0/km$2$). The racial makeup of the township was 97.95% White, 1.71% Native American, and 0.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.34% of the population.

There were 119 households, out of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.7% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.1% 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 3.06.

In the township the population was spread out, with 22.6% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 30.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.3 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $28,906, and the median income for a family was $33,000. Males had a median income of $26,607 versus $20,833 for females. The per capita income for the township was $15,333. About 5.3% of families and 9.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under the age of eighteen and 14.6% of those 65 or over.


text:
West Branch Township, Marquette County, Michigan

West Branch Township is a civil township of Marquette County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,702 at the 2020 census.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 35.77 sqmi, of which 35.48 sqmi are land and 0.29 sqmi (0.81%) are water. The township is drained by tributaries of the Chocolay River, a north-flowing tributary of Lake Superior. The West Branch of the Chocolay runs southwest to northeast across the south-central part of the township, and the East Branch runs northward through the southeast part of the township.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,648 people, 596 households, and 448 families residing in the township. The population density was 46.4 PD/sqmi. There were 889 housing units at an average density of 25.1 per square mile (9.7/km$2$). The racial makeup of the township was 91.63% White, 0.30% African American, 2.97% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 1.46% from other races, and 3.16% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.76% of the population.

There were 596 households, out of which 45.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.6% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.8% were non-families. 17.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the township the population was spread out, with 33.6% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 32.7% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 5.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.0 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $30,183, and the median income for a family was $31,797. Males had a median income of $31,917 versus $30,446 for females. The per capita income for the township was $14,685. About 14.0% of families and 17.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.9% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.


text:
West Ishpeming, Michigan

West Ishpeming is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Marquette County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,552 at the 2020 census. The community is located mostly within Ishpeming Township with a small portion extending south into Tilden Township.

Geography
West Ishpeming is in central Marquette County and is bordered to the east by the city of Ishpeming. The community of North Lake is in the northwest part of the CDP. US Highway 41/M-28 crosses the center of the CDP, leading east 16 mi to Marquette, the county seat, and west 20 mi to Michigamme. According to the United States Census Bureau, the West Ishpeming CDP has a total area of 3.00 sqmi, of which 2.96 sqmi are land and 0.05 sqmi, or 1.50%, are water. Carp Creek forms the southern boundary of the CDP, and Rock Lake is in the northeast.

Demographics
For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined West Ishpeming as a census-designated place (CDP), which includes population from the surrounding area.

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,792 people, 1,043 households, and 804 families residing in the community. The population density was 929.4 PD/sqmi. There were 1,081 housing units at an average density of 359.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the community was 98.50% White, 0.18% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.18% from other races, and 0.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.50% of the population.

There were 1,043 households, out of which 33.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.7% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.9% were non-families. 19.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the community, the population was spread out, with 23.1% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 23.9% from 25 to 44, 27.5% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.6 males.

The median income for a household in the community was $41,758, and the median income for a family was $47,500. Males had a median income of $40,523 versus $22,448 for females. The per capita income for the community was $16,928. About 6.8% of families and 7.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.4% of those under age 18 and 2.2% of those age 65 or over.

title: West Ishpeming, Michigan


text:
Amber Township, Michigan

Amber Township is a civil township of Mason County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the township population was 2,529.

History
Amber Township was organized in 1867. It was named after Amber, New York, the former home of an early resident.

Geography
Amber Township is in western Mason County, with the city of Scottville on the township's eastern border. Ludington, the county seat, is less than 5 mi to the west. The Pere Marquette River, a west-flowing tributary of Lake Michigan, forms the southern border of the township. U.S. Routes 10 and 31 cross the township together from east to west, with U.S. 31 turning north near the eastern edge of the township and turning south onto a four-lane freeway near the western edge.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 27.76 sqmi, of which 27.56 sqmi are land and 0.20 sqmi, or 0.70%, are water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,054 people, 756 households, and 579 families residing in the township. The population density was 74.4 PD/sqmi. There were 820 housing units at an average density of 29.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 96.64% White, 0.54% African American, 0.68% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 0.54% from other races, and 1.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.48% of the population.

There were 756 households, out of which 35.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.6% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.4% were non-families. 19.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the township the population was spread out, with 25.8% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 26.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.4 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $43,458, and the median income for a family was $46,701. Males had a median income of $35,893 versus $21,842 for females. The per capita income for the township was $17,833. About 4.2% of families and 4.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.7% of those under age 18 and 3.8% of those age 65 or over.

title: Amber Township, Michigan


text:
Branch Township, Michigan

Branch Township is a civil township of Mason County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the township population was 1,405. Branch Township was named after Branch County, Michigan.

Communities

 * Branch is an unincorporated community on US 10 on the boundary between Mason and Lake counties. The Branch ZIP code 49402 serves the eastern part of Branch Township.
 * Tallman is an unincorporated community in the north of the township. The community was established in 1879 Horace and Marshall F. Butters. A post office in the community was in operation from 1880 to 1887, from 1888 to 1891, and from 1897 to 1953.
 * Walhalla is a small unincorporated community located on US 10 at 43.95361°N, -86.11472°W between Baldwin and Ludington. Walhalla is slightly more than one mile north of the Pere Marquette River. Walhalla was the home office to the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival.

Geography
The township is in eastern Mason County and is bordered to the east by Lake County. Ludington, the county seat, is 17 mi to the west by US 10.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Branch Township has a total area of 35.98 sqmi, of which 35.40 sqmi are land and 0.58 sqmi, or 1.61%, are water. The Pere Marquette River, a tributary of Lake Michigan, flows east to west across the south-central part of the township.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,181 people, 506 households, and 332 families residing in the township. The population density was 33.3 PD/sqmi. There were 921 housing units at an average density of 26.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 97.88% White, 0.34% African American, 0.68% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.25% from other races, and 0.59% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.37% of the population.

There were 506 households, out of which 25.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.0% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.79.

In the township the population was spread out, with 21.4% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 28.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.8 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $27,593, and the median income for a family was $32,500. Males had a median income of $27,159 versus $20,921 for females. The per capita income for the township was $15,659. About 6.8% of families and 9.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.1% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.

title: Branch Township, Michigan


text:
Custer, Michigan

Custer is a village in Mason County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 272 at the 2020 census. The village is located within Custer Township.

History
Custer was platted in 1878 and incorporated as a village in 1895. The village was named for George Armstrong Custer.

Geography
Custer is in central Mason County, 3 mi east of Scottville and 11 mi east of Ludington, the county seat. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.06 sqmi, all land.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 285 people, 110 households, and 72 families residing in the village. The population density was 286.9 PD/sqmi. There were 137 housing units at an average density of 138.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 97.2% White, 0.7% African American, 0.4% Native American, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.9% of the population.

There were 110 households, of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.5% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 8.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.5% were non-families. 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.06.

The median age in the village was 39 years. 23.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.7% were from 25 to 44; 28.1% were from 45 to 64; and 16.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 51.4% male and 48.6% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 318 people, 117 households, and 91 families residing in the village. The population density was 320.7 PD/sqmi. There were 132 housing units at an average density of 133.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 90.88% White, 2.20% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 3.46% from other races, and 3.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.46% of the population.

There were 117 households, out of which 35.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.4% were married couples living together, 17.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.2% were non-families. 19.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 28.9% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 21.4% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.8 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $29,444, and the median income for a family was $35,625. Males had a median income of $29,375 versus $20,536 for females. The per capita income for the village was $15,436. About 11.1% of families and 10.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.5% of those under age 18 and 4.4% of those age 65 or over.

Climate
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, Custer has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.

title: Custer, Michigan


text:
Custer Township, Mason County, Michigan

Custer Township is a civil township of Mason County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,321 at the 2020 census. The village of Custer is located within the township.

The township was named for George Armstrong Custer, a United States Army officer.

Geography
The township is in central Mason County and is bordered to the west partially by the city of Scottville. The village of Custer is in the center of the township. According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 34.97 sqmi, of which 34.91 sqmi are land and 0.06 sqmi, or 0.16%, are water. The Pere Marquette River flows east to west across the township, passing south of Custer village. U.S. Route 10 crosses the township from east to west as well, passing through the north side of the village.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,307 people, 489 households, and 370 families residing in the township. The population density was 37.4 PD/sqmi. There were 550 housing units at an average density of 15.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 95.10% White, 0.31% African American, 1.45% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 1.07% from other races, and 1.76% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.14% of the population.

There were 489 households, out of which 33.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.8% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.3% were non-families. 20.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63, and the average family size was 3.02.

In the township the population was spread out, with 25.7% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 26.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.4 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $36,597, and the median income for a family was $40,625. Males had a median income of $32,143 versus $23,625 for females. The per capita income for the township was $17,407. About 9.1% of families and 9.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.6% of those under age 18, and 6.4% of those age 65 or over.

title: Custer Township, Mason County, Michigan


text:
Eden Township, Mason County, Michigan

Eden Township is a civil township of Mason County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 580 at the 2020 census.

Organized in 1878, Eden Township was named after the Garden of Eden.

Geography
The township is in southern Mason County and is bordered to the south by Oceana County. According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 35.87 sqmi, of which 35.41 sqmi are land and 0.46 sqmi, or 1.27%, are water.

Communities

 * Fern is an unincorporated community in the township. The community was named for the abundant ferns near the original town site. It started around a sawmill.  It got a station on the Mason and Oceana Railroad in 1886 and had a post office from 1888 until 1907.
 * Ferryville is an unincorporated community in the township. It was first settled in 1875.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 555 people, 200 households, and 149 families residing in the township. The population density was 15.7 PD/sqmi. There were 344 housing units at an average density of 9.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 97.30% White, 0.36% African American, 0.54% Native American, 0.18% Asian, and 1.62% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.70% of the population.

There were 200 households, out of which 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.0% were married couples living together, 5.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.5% were non-families. 20.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the township the population was spread out, with 25.6% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 109.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 111.8 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $36,985, and the median income for a family was $40,357. Males had a median income of $30,625 versus $22,500 for females. The per capita income for the township was $13,488. About 8.0% of families and 10.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.1% of those under age 18 and 11.3% of those age 65 or over.

title: Eden Township, Mason County, Michigan


text:
Fountain, Michigan

Fountain is a village in Mason County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 170 at the 2020 census. The village is within Sherman Township.

History
Fountain was founded in 1882 when the railroad was extended to that point. The village was so named on account of there being a spring near the original town site. The village was incorporated in 1913.

Geography
Fountain is in northeast Mason County, 15 mi northeast of Ludington, the county seat (19 mi by road). According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.02 sqmi, all of it recorded as land. The North Branch of the Lincoln River flows westward through the southern part of the village.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 193 people, 71 households, and 48 families residing in the village. The population density was 191.1 PD/sqmi. There were 83 housing units at an average density of 82.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 91.7% White, 3.1% Asian, and 5.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.6% of the population.

There were 71 households, of which 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.3% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 9.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 32.4% were non-families. 21.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.15.

The median age in the village was 37.8 years. 26.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.9% were from 25 to 44; 29% were from 45 to 64; and 9.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 53.9% male and 46.1% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 175 people, 71 households, and 47 families residing in the village. The population density was 173.7 PD/sqmi. There were 89 housing units at an average density of 88.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 97.14% White, 1.14% Native American, 0.57% from other races, and 1.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.57% of the population.

There were 71 households, out of which 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.7% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.4% were non-families. 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 23.4% under the age of 18, 12.6% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.4 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $30,000, and the median income for a family was $50,938. Males had a median income of $31,875 versus $21,875 for females. The per capita income for the village was $19,396. About 3.9% of families and 5.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under the age of eighteen and 18.8% of those 65 or over.

title: Fountain, Michigan


text:
Free Soil, Michigan

Free Soil is a village in Mason County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 158 at the 2020 census. The village is located within Free Soil Township.

History
The current village is actually the second settlement in Mason County to be named Free Soil. There are still a few homes in the area now known as "Old Freesoil".

The railroad was extended to Free Soil around 1882, and the village was incorporated in 1912. The community derives its name from the Free Soil Party.

Geography
Free Soil is in northern Mason County, 15 mi northeast of Ludington, the county seat (20 mi by road), and 13 mi southeast of Manistee. According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.04 sqmi, all land. The village is close to the intersection of Free Soil and Custer Roads, and the Big Sable River runs just north of the village limits.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 144 people, 64 households, and 41 families residing in the village. The population density was 138.5 PD/sqmi. There were 84 housing units at an average density of 80.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 95.8% White, 1.4% African American, and 2.8% Native American.

There were 64 households, of which 23.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.9% were married couples living together, 15.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 1.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.9% were non-families. 31.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.76.

The median age in the village was 44.9 years. 20.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.7% were from 25 to 44; 28.5% were from 45 to 64; and 20.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 51.4% male and 48.6% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 177 people, 75 households, and 48 families residing in the village. The population density was 171.2 PD/sqmi. There were 93 housing units at an average density of 90.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 93.22% White, 2.26% African American, 0.56% Native American, and 3.95% from two or more races.

There were 75 households, out of which 25.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.3% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.0% were non-families. 36.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 22.6% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.6 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $27,083, and the median income for a family was $36,000. Males had a median income of $28,750 versus $20,833 for females. The per capita income for the village was $13,329. About 5.6% of families and 9.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.8% of those under the age of eighteen and 11.4% of those 65 or over.

Education
Free Soil previously operated a two-building K-12 school district, with the high school closing in 2007 and elementary closing in 2011. The school had been in operation since 1913.

title: Free Soil, Michigan


text:
Free Soil Township, Michigan

Free Soil Township is a civil township of Mason County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 842 at the 2020 census. The village of Free Soil is located within the township.

Free Soil Township was named in 1848 after the Free Soil Party.

Geography
The township is in northern Mason County and is bordered to the north by Manistee County. The village of Free Soil is in the south-central part of the township, and U.S. Route 31 runs north-south along the township's western border. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 39.06 sqmi, of which 38.64 sqmi are land and 0.42 sqmi, or 1.08%, are water. The Big Sable River flows east to west across the center of the township, passing north of the village of Free Soil.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 809 people, 335 households, and 233 families residing in the township. The population density was 20.9 PD/sqmi. There were 552 housing units at an average density of 14.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 96.91% White, 0.74% African American, 0.49% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.49% from other races, and 1.11% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.11% of the population.

There were 335 households, out of which 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.9% were married couples living together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.4% were non-families. 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the township the population was spread out, with 23.2% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 28.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.6 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $34,375, and the median income for a family was $40,795. Males had a median income of $37,000 versus $20,417 for females. The per capita income for the township was $15,318. About 4.8% of families and 8.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.3% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.

title: Free Soil Township, Michigan