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Ray Township, Michigan

Ray Township is a civil township of Macomb County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the township population was 3,780.

Geography
The township is in north-central Macomb County. The village of Romeo touches the northwest corner of the township. The city of Richmond is 12 mi to the northeast, and Mount Clemens, the Macomb county seat, is the same distance to the south. The township is within Metro Detroit, with downtown Detroit 32 mi to the south-southwest.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Ray Township has a total area of 36.6 sqmi, of which 0.1 sqmi, or 0.26%, are water. The township is fully within the Clinton River watershed, flowing to Lake St. Clair east of Mount Clemens.

Wolcott Mill Metropark, a 2,625 acre park, is located entirely within the township. The park is home to the Wolcott Mill, built in 1847.

Communities
There are no incorporated villages within the township, but there are several unincorporated communities:
 * Davis, originally called Brooklyn and renamed Davis in 1876 (to avoid confusion with Brooklyn in Jackson County), is located in the southwest corner of the township at Romeo Plank and 27 Mile roads (42.73083°N, -82.96028°W ; Elevation: 653 ft./199 m.). Davis was a thriving small community for several decades, peaking in the 1940s. Today, it houses a Baptist church, a Masonic Temple & banquet hall, a cemetery, and stores and other businesses.
 * Meade is located in the southeast portion of the township at 42.7175°N, -82.87389°W on the boundary with Macomb Township at 26 Mile Road and North Avenue.
 * Ray Center is located east of the center of the township at Hartway and 29 Mile roads west of Indian Trail (42.76167°N, -82.90139°W ; Elevation: 643 ft./196 m.).
 * Wolcott Mills is located at Wolcott Road and Indian Trail (42.76889°N, -82.92694°W ; Elevation: 682 ft./208 m.).

Demographics
As of the 2020 census, the population of Ray Township was 3,780.

As of the 2010 census, the population was 3,739. There were 1,404 households and 1,112 families. The population was 96.4% non-Hispanic white, 0.4% African-American, 0.3% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.5% reporting two or more races and 1.7% Latino.

As of the census of 2000, there were 3,740 people, 1,305 households, and 1,062 families residing in the township. The population density was 101.5 PD/sqmi. There were 1,349 housing units at an average density of 36.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 97.78% White, 0.16% African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.45% from other races, and 0.94% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.18% of the population.

There were 1,305 households, out of which 36.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.0% were married couples living together, 4.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.6% were non-families. 15.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.17.

In the township the population was spread out, with 25.7% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 28.2% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.2 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $70,081, and the median income for a family was $76,880. Males had a median income of $51,261 versus $26,830 for females. The per capita income for the township was $26,604. About 1.4% of families and 1.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.7% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.

Government
Ray Township is governed under state statute by an elected board of trustees with 2 trustees and includes a supervisor, clerk and treasurer. The three of which serve as executive officers of the township with the supervisor, chairs the board and is in charge of assessing and general all other matters outside the clerk's and treasurer's authority. For public library services, the Township runs the Ray Township Library in Wolcott Mills.

School district serving the Township residents are Armada Area Schools, New Haven Community Schools, Romeo Community Schools and Utica Community Schools. Road maintenance is handled by the Macomb County Department of Roads.

title: Ray Township, Michigan


text:
Romeo, Michigan

Romeo is a village in Macomb County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,767 at the 2020 census. Romeo is located on the rural-urban fringe of the Detroit metropolitan area, and many of its residents commute to jobs closer to the city.

History
A settlement here was originally occupied by the indigenous Chippewa (Ojibwe), an Algonquian-speaking people who were part of a large language family of tribes extending to the Atlantic Coast. Those tribes around the Great Lakes are thought to have migrated to this area by the 12th century.

The early European-American settlers in this area referred to the Chippewa settlement as "Indian Village". In the 1820s and 1830s more migrant European-American families began to settle in the area, building homes and establishing businesses. They renamed the community "Hoxie's Settlement", after a man who opened an inn on Main Street. In 1839, Hoxie's Settlement became incorporated and was renamed as the village of Romeo. The name was suggested by the wife of local merchant Nathaniel Taylor because it was "short, musical, classical and uncommon." Romeo celebrated its 175th anniversary on March 9, 2013.

Romeo once served as a trading center for the timber industry, and had many mills processing lumber from the region. Many wealthy timber families resided there. Dozens of stately Victorian mansions survive. Romeo is distinct in the area for having a fairly robust, traditional downtown, which has never suffered a major fire. Because of this, some stores and restaurants downtown have features such as original tin ceilings from the Civil War. In the early 20th century, Romeo was the site of an early business devoted to the new automobile industry: the Detroit Auto Vehicle Company operated here from 1904 until 1908.

Geography
The village is in northwestern Macomb County, situated at the southeast corner of Bruce Township, with a portion extending south into Washington Township. Armada Township is adjacent to the east and Ray Township to the southeast. M-53 passes through the east side of the village, leading north 16 mi to Imlay City and south 30 mi to the eastern side of Detroit.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village of Romeo has a total area of 2.05 sqmi, of which 0.002 sqmi, or 0.10%, are water. East Pond Creek crosses the easternmost part of the village, flowing east to the North Branch of the Clinton River, part of the Lake St. Clair watershed.

Government
The government of the village of Romeo consists of elected and appointed officials. The elected officials include six council members, one president, treasurer and clerk. The appointed officials include the Chief of Police, Department of Public Works Director, and Village Administrator. Currently, the elected clerk also holds the appointed position of Village Administrator. The day-to-day operations of the village are handled by the Clerk/Administrator.

Since the turn of the 21st century, Romeo has worked to upgrade its infrastructure. It has improved the streetscape on Van Dyke Avenue, the main road through the village, and installed a new water tower. It had earlier established one of the few wastewater treatment plants in the region. While most of the metropolitan region receives water and sewage service from the City of Detroit, Romeo independently sustains its own supply of water and manages treatment of village sewage. This was especially valuable during the blackout that occurred throughout the entire northeastern United States on August 14, 2003. Romeo was one of the few areas in the Detroit metropolitan area to have clean running water. More recent infrastructure improvements include a complete renovation of the village water system, and replacement of all the sidewalks throughout the village.

Schools
Romeo has one high school (including a ninth grade academy), one middle school and five elementary schools. Most of the schools are located outside the village limits.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 3,596 people, 1,501 households, and 979 families residing in the village. The population density was 1780.2 PD/sqmi. There were 1,659 housing units at an average density of 821.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 91.9% White, 3.8% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 1.1% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.7% of the population.

There were 1,501 households, of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were married couples living together, 14.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.8% were non-families. 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.6% 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 2.96.

The median age in the village was 40.9 years. 23.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.1% were from 25 to 44; 29.4% were from 45 to 64; and 15.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 46.4% male and 53.6% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,721 people, 1,528 households, and 993 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,842.8 PD/sqmi. There were 1,605 housing units at an average density of 794.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 92.66% White, 4.35% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 0.67% from other races, and 1.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.74% of the population.

There were 1,528 households, out of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.2% were married couples living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.0% were non-families. 31.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 26.1% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.5 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $48,015, and the median income for a family was $60,179. Males had a median income of $51,875 versus $27,696 for females. The per capita income for the village was $22,588. About 3.2% of families and 3.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.5% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.

Events
Romeo plays host to the annual Michigan Lavender Festival every summer, at the height of lavender season. Romeo also hosts a Michigan Peach Festival annually on Labor Day weekend. Started in 1931 to promote the local orchards, in the early 21st century, festival events include a 5K/10K run, a car show, three parades, craft show, Kidsfest, and carnival rides. A yearly Peach Queen is chosen to preside over events and represent Romeo. The Michigan Peach Festival is sponsored by the Romeo Lions Club fraternal organization.

Tillson Street in Romeo is known for its elaborate Halloween decorations. Thousands trick-or-treat Tillson Street every Halloween to see the homeowners' one-of-a-kind Halloween stages.

On February 14 of each year, the village of Romeo offers a special dual postmark with the community of Juliette, Georgia. This tradition began in 1994, as a nod to the William Shakespeare play, Romeo and Juliet.

Notable people

 * Frank Bowerman, Major League Baseball catcher
 * Harold Courlander, writer, folklorist, and anthropologist
 * Edwin Henry Hackley, African American lawyer
 * Kid Rock, American musician, singer and rapper born in Romeo
 * Jill Ritchie, actress
 * Ben Stephens, Major League Baseball pitcher
 * Henry Stephens, lumber baron
 * Tom Sharpe, drummer for Mannheim Steamroller and for Dennis DeYoung.

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

title: Romeo, Michigan


text:
Roseville, Michigan

Roseville is a city in Macomb County in the U.S. state of Michigan. A northern suburb of Detroit, Roseville is located roughly 13 mi northeast of downtown Detroit. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 47,710.

History
The first permanent post office in the area was established in 1840 by William Rose who named it "Roseville" in honor of his father Dennison Rose, a veteran of the War of 1812.

The village of Roseville was incorporated in 1926, and the municipal building was constructed in 1929 at Gratiot Avenue and Meier Road. This replaced the Erin Township Building that was built near the corner of 11 Mile Road and Gratiot in 1886. The 1929 building housed administrative offices as well as the police and fire departments until the 1960s, when separate police and fire stations were constructed. City offices remained in the building until 1974.

Michigan's first commercial airport, Packard Field, opened at Gratiot Avenue and Frazho Road in 1919. It was renamed Gratiot Airport in 1929, and later Hartung Field. The Eastgate Shopping Center was constructed on the site in the 1950s.

The Erin-Roseville Library was established in 1936 in one room of the municipal building. The library moved to its own building in the 1960s and into the newly constructed civic center in 1974. In 2010, it was circulating approximately 250,000 items annually.

In 1958, the village and remaining parts of Erin Township were incorporated as the City of Roseville.

An early regional mall, the Macomb Mall, opened in 1964 and is still open today, located west of Gratiot and Masonic.

Geography
Roseville is in southern Macomb County, 14 mi northeast of downtown Detroit. It is bordered to the east by St. Clair Shores, to the south by Eastpointe, to the west by Warren, and to the north by Fraser and Clinton Township. Mount Clemens, the Macomb county seat, is 7 mi to the northeast.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Roseville has a total area of 9.86 sqmi, of which 9.84 sqmi are land and 0.03 sqmi, or 0.27%, are water.

Main highways

 * runs north–south, though still signed east- and westbound, along the eastern edge of the city. Between 10 and 12 Mile Roads, it forms the boundary between Roseville and St. Clair Shores.
 * travels east and west through the middle of Roseville.
 * (named after engineer Charles Gratiot) runs northeast and southwest, and (roughly) bisects the city as it connects Detroit to Mount Clemens and points north.
 * , named for Governor Alex Groesbeck, is near the western edge of Roseville. It extends northeast from Detroit and is a high-speed and broad diagonal connector to northern Macomb County.

Unnumbered roads

 * East–west travel is mainly on the mile roads; that is, 10 Mile Road on the south (Eastpointe, formerly known as East Detroit) border through 14 Mile Road on the north border.
 * Utica Road is an important diagonal connector that crosses the city from southeast to northwest, starting at Martin Road, near Gratiot Avenue, and extending to the city's northern boundary at 13 Mile, then to Fraser, Clinton Township, Sterling Heights and Utica beyond.

Government
Roseville has a council-manager government. Voters elect the six council members, mayor, city clerk and treasurer for four-year terms. The terms are staggered so that only three council members are selected in odd-year general elections.

Roseville is located within the 39th Judicial District with the city of Fraser.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 47,299 people, 19,553 households, and 12,055 families living in the city. The population density was 4811.7 PD/sqmi. There were 21,260 housing units at an average density of 2162.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 83.1% White, 11.8% African American, 0.4% Native American, 1.6% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races; 2% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 19,553 households, of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.3% were married couples living together, 17.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.3% were non-families. 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.6% 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 3.03.

The median age in the city was 37.9 years. 23% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.3% were from 25 to 44; 26.7% were from 45 to 64; and 13.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.4% male and 51.6% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 48,129 people, 19,976 households, and 12,724 families living in the city. The population density was 4,905.6 PD/sqmi. There were 20,519 housing units at an average density of 2,091.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 93.43% White, 2.60% African American, 0.42% Native American, 1.63% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 1.57% from two or more races; 1.5% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 19,976 households, 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.4% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.3% were non-families. 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the city, the population was varied widely, with 23.1% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 33.0% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $41,220, and the median income for a family was $49,244. Males had a median income of $40,113 versus $26,281 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,823. About 6.1% of families and 7.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.9% of those under age 18 and 5.8% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Public schools are operated by Roseville Community Schools and Fraser Public Schools. Roseville Community Schools operates seven elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school. Fraser Public Schools operates two elementary schools in the city.

The charter school Conner Creek Academy East is in the city.

St. Angela School of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit operated from approximately 1954 until the 2010s.

Notable people

 * Joe Block (born 1978), baseball broadcaster for Pittsburgh Pirates
 * Crystal Reed (born 1985), actress
 * Walter C. Wetzel (1919–1945), 1946 Medal of Honor recipient (posthumously, for actions on April 3, 1945)

title: Roseville, Michigan


text:
Shelby Charter Township, Michigan

Shelby Charter Township, officially the Charter Township of Shelby, is a charter township located in Macomb County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The township is an affluent northern suburb of Detroit. As of the 2020 census, the population was 79,408, up from 73,804 in 2010. Shelby Charter Township is one of the fastest-growing communities in Metro Detroit.

History
Shelby Township was set off by an act of the Michigan Territorial Legislature on April 12, 1827, and a civil government was organized the following May. It originally included the area that is now Sterling Heights, which was set off March 17, 1835, as the township of Jefferson, renamed to Sterling on March 6, 1838. Utica, located on the southern edge of the township, originally incorporated as a village on March 9, 1838, although that corporation was dissolved soon afterwards. The village was incorporated for a second time on May 10, 1877.

The village of Disco (42.68389°N, -83.03444°W) was located at what is now the junction of 24 Mile Road and Van Dyke Road. and was platted in 1849. The community never incorporated, although the local high school, the Disco Academy, gained some local recognition and a post office named Disco operated from May 5, 1854, until July 31, 1906. Only a few homes and a namesake on old county road maps remain of this now forgotten historic place. See also: "The Lost Village of Disco" on the Shelby Township Historical Society website.

Geography
Shelby Township is in western Macomb County and is bordered to the west by the cities of Rochester and Rochester Hills in Oakland County. The cities of Utica and Sterling Heights border the township to the south. Mount Clemens, the Macomb county seat, is 11 mi to the southeast, and downtown Detroit is 24 mi to the south.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 35.2 sqmi, of which 34.4 sqmi are land and 0.8 sqmi, or 2.31%, are water. The township is drained by the Clinton River, a tributary of Lake St. Clair.

Communities
There are no incorporated villages and four unincorporated communities:
 * Preston Corners is located at the corner of 25 Mile and Schoenherr roads at 42.69944°N, -82.99583°W. Ira and Deborah Preston bought 400 acre of land from the United States government in 1826 and settled on it the following year, later building a sawmill and a picket fence factory.
 * Shelby is located at Shelby and 25 Mile Roads (42.6975°N, -83.06944°W).
 * Shelby Village is located where Auburn and Ryan roads intersect. Housing was built in this area in the 1940s.
 * Yates is on the boundary with Rochester and Rochester Hills, Oakland County (42.67361°N, -83.09583°W ; Elevation: 669 ft./204 m.).

Main highways
Shelby Charter Township sits on two main thoroughfares:

 * State highways
 * M-53.svg M-53, commonly called Van Dyke Avenue or the Van Dyke Expressway, which leads north into the Thumb
 * M-59.svg M-59, commonly called Hall Road when the expressway ends - which is the east–west connector from just north of Mount Clemens, through Utica as a surface road, and then becomes a limited access freeway to Pontiac, Michigan, being the main northern connector between Macomb County and Oakland County.

Demographics
As of the census of 2010, there were 73,804 people, 28,299 households, and 17,923 families living in the township. The racial makeup of the township was 89.4% White, 3.1% African American, 3.3% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.4% of the population.

The U.S. Census Bureau defined Shelby Charter Township as a census-designated place (CDP) in the 2000 Census so that the community would appear on the list of places (like cities and villages) as well on the list of county subdivisions (like other townships). The final statistics for the township and the CDP were identical. As of the census of 2000, there were 65,159 people, 24,486 households, and 17,923 families living in the township. The population density was 1,878.7 PD/sqmi. There were 25,265 housing units at an average density of 728.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 94.95% White, 0.85% African American, 0.24% Native American, 2.11% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.45% from other races, and 1.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.71% of the population.

There were 24,486 households, out of which 33.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.6% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.8% were non-families. 21.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the township the population dispersal was 24.9% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.7 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $65,291, and the median income for a family was $76,312. Males had a median income of $59,380 versus $33,844 for females. The per capita income for the township was $30,131. About 2.7% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.1% of those under age 18 and 5.1% of those age 65 or over.

Government
Shelby Charter Township has a Supervisor-Board style township government with elected supervisor, clerk, treasurer and four trustees. The Township operates the Shelby Township Library as well as Cherry Creek Golf Course.

Education
The majority of residents are zoned into Utica Community Schools, which serves parts of the communities of Sterling Heights, Macomb Township, Washington Township, and Ray Township, as well as most of Shelby Charter Township, and all of Utica. However, a small number of residents are zoned into Romeo Community Schools.

Notable people

 * Robb Brent, racing driver
 * Joe Cada, professional poker player
 * Kyle Connor, former hockey player at the University of Michigan and current player on Winnipeg Jets
 * John DiGiorgio, linebacker for the Buffalo Bills
 * Karl Iagnemma, robotics researcher and fiction writer
 * John Mazza, eight-time titlist on the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour
 * Justin Meram, professional soccer player currently playing for Charlotte FC
 * Jax Taylor, model and actor famous for his role on Vanderpump Rules
 * Greg DeLiso, model and actor famous for his role on Certain Burton
 * Shawn Fain, president of the United Automobile Workers of America

Notable places

 * Stony Creek Metropark, predominantly located in Washington Township, and Oakland County; a small portion of the park extends into Shelby Charter Township. The park includes two beaches, golf courses, a nature center, a boat launch, picnic areas, basketball courts, a zip-line park (Closed in 2018) and more.
 * Packard Proving Grounds - National Historic Place
 * Yates Cider Mill and Yates Park, predominantly located in Shelby Charter TWP, with a small portion located in Rochester Hills and Rochester. The water-powered cider mill near the Clinton River includes a confectionery and cider shop, picnic and fishing areas, hiking trails and more.
 * Macomb Orchard Trail, partially located in Shelby Charter TWP, is a 23.7 mile hiking trail that stretches from Shelby Charter TWP, at its connection with the Clinton River Trail, through northern Macomb County.
 * Riverbend Park, a 600-acre public park whose main entrance is located at 22 Mile & Shelby Road. Amenities include the Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center, 18 hole disc golf course, walking trails, as well as a barrier-free playground. The site also offers fishing, picnic facilities, and several sports opportunities.

title: Shelby Charter Township, Michigan


text:
St. Clair Shores, Michigan

St. Clair Shores is a city in Macomb County in the U.S. state of Michigan. An inner-ring suburb of Detroit, St. Clair Shores is located roughly 14 mi northeast of downtown Detroit. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 58,874.

History

Located along the shores of Lake St. Clair and inhabited by French settlers as early as 1710, during which time the area was referred to as L'anse Creuse, the future St. Clair Shores would remain mainly a rural farming area populated by largely French and German immigrant families into the early 20th century. These local family surnames have survived into the 21st century and can be found in the surnames of current residents and among numerous residential street names.

From 1835 until 1843, the area was part of Orange Township, among the first townships platted in Michigan and part of Macomb County. In 1843, Orange Township was renamed Erin Township, in homage to the numerous Irish immigrants who had moved into the area and had begun to exert their political influence. From 1843 until 1911, what is now St. Clair Shores was a part of Erin Township, parts of which make up today's municipalities of Eastpointe, Roseville, and St. Clair Shores.

In 1911, the eastern portion of Erin Township was partitioned off to become Lake Township. St. Clair Shores was incorporated as a village in 1925 and remained a part of Lake Township until, after numerous failed attempts, its residents voted to incorporate as the city of St. Clair Shores in January 1951. Lake Township continued adjacent to the city until 2009, when residents of the village of Grosse Pointe Shores (that portion of Grosse Pointe Shores in Macomb County located within Lake Township) voted to incorporate as a city.

Beginning around the time of the First World War, St. Clair Shores became a favored playground for gamblers, rum runners, and lakefront tourists alike, culminating during Prohibition, but continuing through the Second World War era. During these years, the village was the home to many popular roadhouses, blind pigs, and gambling establishments, such as the Blossom Heath Inn. St. Clair Shores' lakefront location and proximity to Canada coupled with a receptive and often participative community made it an advantageous haven for rum runners, and the area was actively involved in the rum-running era of Prohibition. Local residents, politicians, and law enforcement of the era were known to sometimes conflict with both state and federal officials over their attempts to regulate these illegal, but economically vital, activities within the community.

The Eagle Pointe subdivision, one of many platted within the village of St. Clair Shores during the early 20th century, was platted along a part of the lake shore in 1916. During the next few decades, dozens of subdivisions were platted through the local farmland, but most were not developed in earnest until after the Second World War, when St. Clair Shores became the fastest-growing suburb of Detroit during the 1950s.

From 1927 until 1959, the community was the location of the Jefferson Beach Amusement Park, a major lakefront attraction for the Detroit area and beyond. Opened in 1927, it boasted the longest roller coaster in the United States and numerous other midway attractions, a large, ornate lakefront dance pavilion, and a large, sandy beach popular with swimmers and sun bathers. In 1955, a fire destroyed some of the attractions and buildings within the once-popular park, and this, coupled with changing public tastes, accelerated its demise. While the owners of Jefferson Beach Amusement Park considered rebuilding, by this time the park was not popular with local government officials, and the city council had begun exploring forcing the closure of the facility or purchasing it for public use. Instead, the park owners, who had previously started building an onsite marina facility, began to expand that part of the facility. By 1959, the remaining park amusements and buildings were demolished to make room for the greatly enlarged Jefferson Beach Marina. All that remained of the once grand amusement park was its large, ornate lakefront dance coliseum, which for years thereafter was relegated to use as a marina storage facility and marine supply store until it, too, was destroyed by fire.

Geography
St. Clair Shores is in southern Macomb County, on the western side of Lake St. Clair. It is bordered to the west by the cities of Roseville and Eastpointe and to the south, in Wayne County, by Harper Woods, Grosse Pointe Woods, and Grosse Pointe Shores. Interstate 94 runs along the western edge of the city, with access from Exits 224 through 230. I-94 leads southwest 13 mi to midtown Detroit and northeast 40 mi to Port Huron.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, St. Clair Shores has a total area of 14.40 sqmi, of which 2.72 sqmi, or 18.9%, are covered by water. The city has 14 mi of canals. Most of these canals are found in the Nautical Mile, which is along Jefferson between 9 Mile and 10 Mile Roads.

Attractions
The Nautical Mile, a mile-long, lakefront strip of Jefferson Avenue between Nine Mile and 10 Mile roads, features a nautical-themed streetscape, retail establishments, restaurants, boat dealers, and both private and civic marinas. This business district is dominated by the tallest structure in St. Clair Shores, the 28-story Shore Club Sky Tower, colloquially known as "9 Mile Tower", and located at the foot of Nine Mile Road and Jefferson Avenue on the lakefront. The residential tower has become a prominent nautical landmark, and its rooftop beacon can be seen for many miles.

St. Clair Shores is home to the longest-consecutively running preliminary program pageant of the Miss America Organization in Michigan and among the longest-running in the United States. Since 1953, the Miss St. Clair Shores Scholarship Program has offered scholarships to young women in the community ages 17–24. The pageant is held each July at the local South Lake High School Auditorium. Miss St. Clair Shores volunteers and serves her city during her preparation to compete at the Miss Michigan Pageant.

Dating back to its years as a popular lakefront entertainment destination, St. Clair Shores has a long connection to Detroit's musical history. In addition to the many past roadhouses that featured numerous national performing artists of the era, other notable music-related locations include the former Car City Records store, whose employees have included many from the Detroit music scene; the former Crows Nest East, a short-lived, but popular music venue of the late 1960s; and the former Shirley's Swinger Lounge. Individuals and groups who played at or frequented these venues went on to regional and national success, including Bob Seger, the MC5, Iggy Pop, and The Frost.

St. Clair Shores, one of a few communities to lay claim to the "Hockeytown USA" moniker before the Detroit Red Wings and the city of Detroit, is renowned throughout both the US and Canada as a long-time youth hockey hotbed, largely related to its long-successful St. Clair Shores Hockey Association. Once the home to the United States' first privately owned indoor ice hockey arena, Gordie Howe Hockeyland, St. Clair Shores also boasts two municipal indoor ice arenas at its civic recreation center. Owing to its tremendously popular aforementioned youth hockey association, local high school hockey often dominated the local competition of the 1970s, with all three local high schools participating. St. Clair Shores Lakeview High School went undefeated during its famed 1973 state high-school championship season. Although the once beloved Gordie Howe Hockeyland has since closed, youth hockey is still very popular in St. Clair Shores and vintage references to "Hockeytown USA" can still be found inside the St. Clair Shores Civic Arena.

Although its population has dropped from its peak in the early 1970s due to end of the baby boomer era and continued urban sprawl, St. Clair Shores continues to be a popular suburb of Detroit, owing largely to its advantageous lakefront location, its municipal park system, its fine recreational sports programs and facilities, and its three public school districts.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 59,715 people, 26,585 households, and 15,932 families living in the city. The population density was 5139.0 PD/sqmi. There were 28,467 housing units at an average density of 2449.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 92.7% White, 3.9% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 1.7% of the population.

Of the 26,585 households, 24.6% had children under 18 living with them, 43.6% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.1% were not families. About 35.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.24, and the average family size was 2.90.

The median age in the city was 44.2 years; 19% of residents were under 18; 7% were between18 and 24; 24.9% were from 25 to 44; 29.7% were from 45 to 64; and 19.2% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.8% male and 52.2% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, 63,096 people, 27,434 households, and 17,283 families were living in the city. The population density was 5,472.3 PD/sqmi. The 28,208 housing units had an average density of 2,446.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 96.89% White, 0.69% African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.84% Asian, 0.20% from other races, and 1.10% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 1.18% of the population.

Of the 27,434 households, 24.1% had children under 18 living with them, 49.5% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.0% were not families. About 32.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the city, the age distribution was 20.2% under 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 21.8% who were 65 or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.9 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 86.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $49,047, and for a family was $59,245. Males had a median income of $46,614 versus $31,192 for females. The per capita income for the city was $25,009. About 2.6% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.4% of those under 18 and 4.9% of those 65 or over.

Education
St. Clair Shores has three school districts: South Lake Schools, which serves the southern portion of the city, Lakeview Public Schools, which serves the central portion of the city, and Lake Shore Public Schools, which serves the northern portion of the city. Each district operates one high school within the city.

Private, parochial schools include St. Germaine, St. Isaac Jogues, and St. Joan of Arc.

Notable people

 * George Allen – football coach in the National Football League and United States Football League; member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
 * Dave Coulier – actor and comedian
 * David Coulter – politician; Oakland County executive
 * David Debol – member of the National Hockey League (NHL) Hartford Whalers, (1979–81)
 * Anne Fletcher – dancer, choreographer, and film director
 * Faye Grant – actress
 * Donald Patrick Harvey – actor (Die Hard 2, Walker, Texas Ranger)
 * Alto Reed – musician, saxophonist, and backing vocalist most notably as a member of The Silver Bullet Band
 * Bob Samaras – basketball coach and author
 * Fred "Sonic" Smith – guitarist, member of the bands MC5 and Sonic's Rendezvous Band
 * Werner Spitz – forensic pathologist
 * Mark Wells – member of the 1980 United States Olympic ice hockey team (Miracle on Ice)
 * Rachelle Consiglio-Wilkos – television producer and wife of television personality Steve Wilkos
 * Thomas J. Wilson – chairman and CEO of Allstate
 * John Ziegler Jr. (1952) – president of the NHL (1977–1992) and member of the Hockey Hall of Fame (1987)

title: St. Clair Shores, Michigan


text:
Sterling Heights, Michigan

Sterling Heights is a city in Macomb County in the U.S. state of Michigan. A northern suburb of Detroit, Sterling Heights is located roughly 18 mi north of downtown Detroit. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 134,346, placing Sterling Heights as the second-largest suburb of Detroit, and the fourth-most populous city in Michigan.

History
As a result of the War of 1812 and the 1817 Treaty of Fort Meigs, the area of the Michigan Territory which now makes up Sterling Heights was first surveyed by Deputy Surveyor Joseph Wampler; his survey was approved on February 20, 1818. Wampler had been one of two deputy surveyors of Perrysburg, Ohio, in 1816. Originally created as part of Shelby Township in April 1827, it was broken off as Jefferson Township in March 1835. In March 1838, it was renamed Sterling Township.

Until the 1950s, Sterling Township was an agricultural area, largely devoted to growing rhubarb and other crops sold in Detroit. Road improvements led to decreased commute times and lower costs for the delivery of goods and services to and from businesses. The population increased when suburban homes were built for the workers in metropolitan Detroit's booming automobile industry. When Sterling Township was incorporated as a city in 1968, "Heights" was added to the name to satisfy a state law that prevents incorporated municipalities from having the same name, as there was already a small village named Sterling in Arenac County.

Gerald Donovan became the first mayor of the city and F. James Dunlop became the first mayor pro-tempore. In the 1960s and 1970s, many residents came to live in Sterling Heights to work in automobile plants operated by Chrysler and Ford. Lakeside Mall opened in Sterling Heights in 1976.

The city is home to many groups of immigrants. It has received many people of eastern European origins, including ethnic Albanians, Bosnians, Croatians, Macedonians, Montenegrins, Poles, Serbians and Slovenians. After the 2003 U.S.-Iraqi War, millions of Iraqi citizens were displaced, particularly Iraqi Christians (Chaldean Catholics and Assyrians). Of these, 30,000-50,000 resettled in Sterling Heights, giving parts of the city the nickname "Little Nineveh", especially around 15 Mile Road and Ryan.

Geography
Sterling Heights is a second-ring suburb, 14 to 20 mi north of downtown Detroit. The city's southern border is 6 mi from Detroit's northern border. The shape of the city is six miles long and miles wide. It is bordered to the south by the city of Warren, at its southwest corner by Madison Heights, to the west by Troy, to the north by Utica and Shelby Township, at its northeast corner by Macomb Township, to the east by Clinton Township, and to the southeast by Fraser.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Sterling Heights has a total area of 36.72 sqmi, of which 36.45 sqmi are land and 0.27 sqmi, or 0.74%, are water. The Clinton River crosses the northeast part of the city, flowing east to Lake St. Clair east of Mount Clemens.

Climate
Sterling Heights features a humid continental climate (Köppen: Dfa). Summers are somewhat hot with temperatures exceeding 90 °F (32 °C) on average 8.6 days. Winters are cold, with temperatures not rising above freezing on 39.1 days annually, while dropping to or below 0 °F (−18 °C) on average 1.2 days a year.

Main highways
Sterling Heights sits on two main thoroughfares:

State highways

 * commonly called Van Dyke Avenue or the Van Dyke Freeway (they split in the city, however, and rejoin to its north), which leads north into The Thumb of Michigan.
 * , commonly called Hall Road once the freeway ends—which is the east–west connector from just north of Mount Clemens, through Utica as a surface road, and then becomes a limited access freeway to Pontiac, being the main northern connector between Macomb County and Oakland County. In Sterling Heights, large areas are devoted to retail and commercial development (e.g., Lakeside Mall).

Other main roads

 * Mound Road is an important north–south artery that runs continuously through the city. Overall, the road starts south in Hamtramck and runs up to 32 Mile Road in Romeo. The road ends briefly at River Bends Park in Shelby Township (becoming Auburn Road), and continues just north of 22 Mile Road.
 * East-west travel is mainly on the "mile roads," beginning at 14 Mile Road through 20 Mile Road (M-59). 16 Mile Road, also known as Metro Parkway, is another major "mile road". See Roads and freeways in metropolitan Detroit.
 * Utica Road is an important diagonal connector that crisscrosses the city from southeast to northwest, going through the intersection of Dodge Park Road (across from the Sterling Heights city hall) via the first roundabout in Macomb County.
 * Dequindre Road is the border between the city of Sterling Heights and the city of Troy. It is also the border between the counties of Macomb and Oakland.
 * Hayes Road is the divider between Clinton Township (Between Utica Road and South of M59) and Fraser (Between Masonic and Moravian).

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 129,699 people, 49,451 households, and 34,515 families living in the city. The population density was 3552.4 PD/sqmi. There were 52,190 housing units at an average density of 1429.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 85.1% White, 5.2% African American, 0.2% Native American, 6.7% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races; 1.9% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race were.

There were 49,451 households, of which 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.0% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 30.2% were non-families. 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.20.

The median age in the city was 40.4 years. 21.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.8% were from 25 to 44; 28.6% were from 45 to 64; and 15.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.5% male and 51.5% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 124,471 people, 46,319 households, and 33,395 families living in the city. The population density was 3,397.0 PD/sqmi. There were 47,547 housing units at an average density of 1,297.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 90.70% White, 1.30% African American, 0.21% Native American, 4.92% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.34% from other races, and 2.50% from two or more races; 1.34% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Ancestries: Polish (19.0%), German (14.4%), Italian (12.5%), Macedonian (5.7%), English (5%), Chaldo-Assyrians (20.7%), American/US (4%) ,and Irish (4%).

In 2000, there were more people in Sterling Heights born in Iraq than any other foreign country. In that year there were 5,059 people in Sterling Heights born in Iraq. The next three largest nations of foreign birth were North Macedonia at 1,723, Italy at 1,442 and Poland at 1,427.

There were 46,319 households, out of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.4% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.9% were non-families. 24.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.5% 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 3.21.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.1% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 25.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $60,494, and the median income for a family was $70,140. Males had a median income of $51,207 versus $31,489 for females. The per capita income for the city was $24,958. About 4.0% of families and 5.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.6% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.

Law and government
The city has a council-manager form of government. The mayor, along with six other council members, is directly elected to council by the city residents. Prior to 2021, city council and mayoral positions had two-year terms. Following the approval of a ballot proposal in the November 2020 election the positions were changed to be four-year terms starting with the 2021 election cycle.

As of January 2021, the mayor is Michael C. Taylor. Taylor served as mayor pro tempore after Richard Notte died while in office in December 2014. Notte was the city's longest-serving mayor, winning in 1993 and serving through the next 11 consecutive elections. He was the city's first mayor to be elected by popular vote. Following his death, the municipal building was renamed the Richard J. Notte Sterling Heights City Center.

The current city manager, Mark Vanderpool, has served as the city manager since 2004. In December 2020, the City Council voted to increase Vanderpool's salary by 23%, making him the third highest-paid city administrator of similar cities in Michigan. The position is appointed by the mayor and the city council.

Sterling Heights is located in Michigan's 25th House of Representatives district and Michigan's 30th House of Representatives district, District 25 is represented by Democrat Nate Shannon and District 30 is represented by Republican Diana Farrington. The city is located in Michigan's 10th Senate district, represented by Republican Michael D. MacDonald.

Nationally, Sterling Heights is situated in Michigan's 10th congressional district, represented by Republican John James.

In the 2020 presidential election, 70,204 ballots were cast, with incumbent Donald Trump receiving 38,451 votes (54.77%) to Joe Biden's 30,587 votes (43.56%).

Mayors

 * Gerald N. Donovan, 1968-1971
 * Al Martin, 1972-1973
 * Anthony Dobry, 1974-1981
 * Jerry Mann, 1982-1983
 * Arthur Madar, 1984-1985
 * Jean DiRezze Gush, 1986-1991
 * Stephen M. Rice, 1992-1993
 * Richard J. Notte, 1994-2014
 * Michael C. Taylor, 2015-2024

Crime
The Sterling Heights Police Department serves as the main law enforcement agency in the city.

Sterling Height's crime rate for 2018 was 180.38 per 100,000 population, a 2.16% decrease from 2017. Sterling Heights' crime rate is lower than both the Michigan (449) and United States (381) averages. Sterling Heights had the fourth lowest crime rate per 100,000 population in 2018, compared to surrounding cities. Sterling Heights was beat by Rochester (61.19), Troy (61.74), and Fraser (157.25).

Sterling Heights has a lower crime rate than Utica (222.27), Madison Heights (295.68), Clinton Township (317.93), and Warren (509.03).

Education
Sterling Heights is served by two public school districts: Utica Community Schools, which serves the northern half of the city, and Warren Consolidated Schools, which serves the southern half of the city. Utica operates two high schools in the city, Stevenson High School and Henry Ford II High School, while Warren Consolidated only operates one in Sterling Heights High School. Additionally, Parkway Christian School, a private K-12 Christian school, is also located in the city.

Media
The city of Sterling Heights has three local newspapers, The Macomb Daily with daily and Sunday delivery (owned by the Journal Register Company), the Sterling Heights Sentry (C and G Newspapers), and the Sterling Heights Source (owned by Advisor & Source Newspapers), the last two are delivered to city residences free of charge. The city also has two local channels. SHTV is run by the city's community relations department and usually features locally produced programming (including City Council meetings) and community announcements. Another channel is used for the Sterling Heights Public Library, which usually features educational programs as well as library announcements and important outreach programs for the LGBT community in Sterling Heights. SHTV is found locally on Comcast channel 5, on Wide Open West channel 10 and online. The public library channel is found on Comcast channel 12 and WOW channel 20.

The city's official radio station is AM 1700. The city also releases a seasonal magazine and a city calendar free of charge to each city household and business.

WKEG, affiliated with Relevant Radio, is based in Sterling Heights.

Sister cities
Sister City initiatives give opportunities for the cities' residents to come to know each other's cultures. The initiatives will facilitate the cultural, educational, municipal, business, professional and technical exchanges and projects among the sister cities. Sterling Heights' sister cities are:

 * 🇲🇰 Tetovo, North Macedonia (1982)
 * 🇵🇭 Legazpi, Philippines (1999)
 * 🇮🇹 Cassino, Italy (2006)
 * 🇵🇭 Sorsogon City, Philippines (2008)
 * 🇮🇹 Sant'Elia Fiumerapido, Italy (2010)
 * 🇦🇱 Shëngjin, Albania (2013)
 * 🇱🇰 Jaffna, Sri Lanka (2016)

Notable people

 * Pete Chryplewicz, former NFL player
 * Shawn Hunwick, retired NHL goaltender
 * Tom Jankiewicz, screenwriter; raised in Sterling Heights
 * Craig Krenzel, former NFL player
 * Kalin Lucas, former NBA player
 * Greg Pateryn, NHL defenseman
 * Porcelain Black (Alaina Marie Beaton), industrial pop singer
 * Frank Zombo, professional football linebacker for Kansas City Chiefs

title: Sterling Heights, Michigan


text:
Utica, Michigan

Utica is a city in Macomb County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 5,245 at the 2020 census, up from 4,757 in 2010.

History
The city now known as Utica was platted by Joseph Stead in 1829, who named it "Harlow". Others referred to the community as "Hog's Hollow" or "McDougalville", until a few years later it was named "Utica" by settlers from New York, in honor of the city of the same name in that state. This was common of settlers in this region, and is reflected in the names of nearby cities such as Rochester, Troy, and Livonia that are also named for New York cities.

By the 1940s, Utica was the center of a region of dairy farms and truck gardens. It had a flour mill and shipped rhubarb. Dodge Park a few miles south on the Clinton River was a state park.

As the 1950s progressed, Detroit auto companies began to build factories in neighboring Sterling and Shelby Townships, and the surrounding area began a transformation to an industrial economy.

Utica boasts a small historic district centered on Cass Avenue and Auburn Road, but few of the buildings predate 1906, due to destructive fires in 1905 and 1906.

Geography
Utica is in western Macomb County, bordered to the south by the city of Sterling Heights and to the north by Shelby Charter Township. Highways M-53 and M-59 serve the city. M-53 crosses the east side of the city, leading north 13 mi to Romeo and south 8 mi to Warren, while M-59 runs along the southern border of the city, leading east 8 mi to Interstate 94 and west 15 mi to Pontiac. Downtown Detroit is 21 mi to the south.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Utica has a total area of 1.78 sqmi, of which 0.02 sqmi are water. The Clinton River passes through the center of the city, flowing southeast and then east to Lake St. Clair.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 4,757 people, 2,218 households, and 1,245 families living in the city. The population density was 2781.9 PD/sqmi. There were 2,463 housing units at an average density of 1440.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 90.4% White, 1.9% African American, 0.5% Native American, 3.5% Asian, 1.9% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.8% of the population.

There were 2,218 households, of which 23.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.8% were married couples living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.9% were non-families. 38.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.80.

The median age in the city was 41.7 years. 17.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.4% were from 25 to 44; 28.3% were from 45 to 64; and 17.4% 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 4,577 people, 1,952 households, and 1,184 families living in the city. The population density was 2,578.2 PD/sqmi. There were 2,005 housing units at an average density of 1,129.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 93.77% White, 0.92% African American, 0.37% Native American, 2.56% Asian, 0.74% from other races, and 1.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.10% of the population.

There were 1,952 households, out of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.8% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.3% were non-families. 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.8% 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 2.96.

In the city, the population dispersal was 21.0% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 31.7% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $38,683, and the median income for a family was $57,156. Males had a median income of $36,912 versus $26,353 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,615. About 4.8% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.7% of those under age 18 and 17.3% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Utica Community Schools operates public schools, including Utica High School, Eppler Junior High School Flickinger Elementary School, and Wiley Elementary School. They serve the communities of Sterling Heights, Utica, and Shelby Township.

Notable people

 * Duke Maas, Major League Baseball pitcher
 * Roda Selleck, painter and art instructor in Indianapolis schools
 * Brian Barczyk, YouTube Content Creator

title: Utica, Michigan


text:
Bear Lake, Michigan

Bear Lake is a village in Manistee County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 342 at the 2020 census. The village is located within Bear Lake Township.

History
In 1836, individuals from various tribes of native people signed the Treaty of Washington, which ceded the northwest portion of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan to the United States. At the time, native people lived in the Bear Lake area, evidence remaining in various burial mounds of the region, including one at Pierport.

The next year, in 1837, Michigan became a state.

In 1841, John Stronach and party came to the Manistee area and started a lumber mill. During the following twenty years, the city of Manistee grew as virgin forests were cut, and the logs put into the Manistee rivers to float to the mills on Manistee Lake.

Homesteading
On May 20, 1862, President Lincoln signed into law the Homestead Act, which offered 160 acre of undeveloped federal land to anyone who filed an application, create a farm, and apply for a deed. Almost immediately, people began exploring the area between Manistee and Traverse City, looking for prime farmland.

In 1863, Russell Smith, D.E. Sibley, Elisha Richmond, George W. Hopkins, Simeon Anderson, and others came to Bear Lake on such scouting expeditions. At the time, the region was entirely heavily forested with white pine and hardwoods, and with only a single walking trail. Smith and Sibley both moved their families to the area that year, and began their homesteads. Sibley's homestead was on the north side of Bear Lake; Smith's was on the south side, and included the present village.

By 1864, Simeon Anderson and about 25 other families had started homesteads in the Bear Lake area. In that year Elisha Richmond made his first failed attempt to move his large family to the area from Illinois.

In 1865, the township of Bear Lake, also including the area of Pleasanton, was created, formerly being part of Brown Township. A township council was formed.

By 1867, many more families had established homesteads, and two-thirds of the prime farming land had been claimed. A post office was established, and the Elisha Richmond family completed the eleven-week journey to Bear Lake. In this year, George W. Hopkins, wife Ella Hopkins, brother David H. Hopkins, and sister Martha (Mattie) Hopkins arrived in Manistee to begin a brick manufacturing plant.

About this time, Russell Smith made an offer of some of his land to anyone who would set up a saw mill to turn the trees into lumber and a gristmill to create flour from grain. The offer was taken by Mr. Carpenter and Mr. Harrington, and rudimentary mills for each were constructed. Carpenter and Harrington then subdivided the land and offered it for sale. Stores were established by Anderson, Tillson, Erb, Lewis and A.H. Cook.

By 1870, the Hopkins family had switched from brick manufacturing to lumber, primarily putting logs in the Manistee rivers, and floating them to the mills for sale.

Homesteaders in Bear Lake were cutting the trees, and burning all the trees that they couldn't use, in order to clear the land. There was no one interested in buying the trees, and no way to get cut logs or lumber to market. Prior to the sawmill, boards were brought by boat from Manistee to Portage Lake and then carried, or carted, to Bear Lake.

In 1873, the Hopkins family company purchased 88 acre of the Smith property. The Bear Lake Tram Railway was built from the south side of Bear Lake down to Lake Michigan at Pierport. The railway was made of maple wood rails with steel strapping, and horse-drawn trailers were built and put on the rails. This railway enabled the transport of lumber cut in the Bear Lake sawmill to be moved to Lake Michigan, and then sold to the various markets in Chicago and Milwaukee.

In 1874, the Hopkins built a large sawmill, a brickyard, a gristmill, and a store.

Lumber boom years
On September 25, 1874, the original subdivision or plat map of the village was filed by the Hopkins family members including George W. Hopkins, Ella Hopkins, David H. Hopkins, Maurice M. Hopkins, and Mattie E. "Martha" Hopkins. This plat was amended in 1877, including a slight change to the position of Stuart Street.

The village was platted with 299 lots, and included almost all of the land bordered by the lake on the north, Smith Street on the east, Potter Road on the south, and West Street (which originally ran due north from the current Potter Road – US-31 intersection) on the west. The southwest corner of this rectangle was added to the village as the Hopkins Addition in 1881 with 95 more lots. Most of the Hopkins Addition lots are now occupied by the school, and to the south of the school, owned by the village.

In 1879, prior to the Hopkins Addition, the Smith Addition, which was then owned by Harriet L. Smith, Elisha J. Richmond, and Clara Richmond, added 25 lots to the northeast of the Smith Street – Main Street intersection.

(Six additional plats, the most recent in 1949, expanded the village to its current size, adding all the land between Smith Street and Russell Street. Numerous other plats around the lake created lots for lakeside homes and cottages.)

The 1880 census shows 1,258 people living in Bear Lake and Pleasanton townships, growing by 1890 to 1,880 people.

In 1877, Tyler W. Richmond established the Richmond Drug Company, which, after his death, was run by his wife, children, and grandson until Carl Richmond's death in 1967. The store was in operation until 2020.

In fall 1893, the Village of Bear Lake was incorporated by action of the Board of Supervisors of Manistee County.

The 1900 census shows 2,087 people in the two townships, with 448 of them living in the village.

By June 9, 1902, all of the trees in the area had been cut. George W. Hopkins purchased over a hundred thousand acres in Florida (near Cape Canaveral) and he moved his business there, along with parts of the railway.

Post lumber
Industry shifted to predominantly agriculture, and later, summer tourism.

Geography
The village is in northwestern Manistee County on the south shore of a lake with the same name. U.S. Route 31 passes through the west and north sides of the village, leading southwest 17 mi to Manistee, the county seat, and north 14 mi to Benzonia.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 0.32 sqmi, all of it land. The village is part of the Manistee River watershed.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 286 people, 118 households, and 78 families residing in the village. The population density was 922.6 PD/sqmi. There were 169 housing units at an average density of 545.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 94.1% White, 3.1% Native American, 0.3% Pacific Islander, 1.0% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.4% of the population.

There were 118 households, of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.5% were married couples living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 9.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.9% were non-families. 28.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.90. The median household income was 26,964.

The median age in the village was 40.6 years. 23.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.1% were from 25 to 44; 25.4% were from 45 to 64; and 18.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 49.0% male and 51.0% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 318 people, 132 households, and 85 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,011.1 PD/sqmi. There were 161 housing units at an average density of 511.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 93.71% White, 1.89% Native American, 2.52% Asian, 0.31% from other races, and 1.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.72% of the population.

There were 132 households, out of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.5% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.6% were non-families. 32.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.9% 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 2.99.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 26.4% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 19.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.2 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $31,389, and the median income for a family was $35,139. Males had a median income of $30,000 versus $22,083 for females. The per capita income for the village was $15,170. About 9.2% of families and 12.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.0% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.

School system
Bear Lake currently has a K-12 public school. It is one of the schools given the Freedom to Learn grant giving students and teachers use of modern technology such as laptops for use in the classroom. Teachers in the school are helping other teachers across the state with these learning tools.

The Bear Lake Schools district covers most of both Pleasanton Township and Bear Lake Township.

Business and industry
The Bear Lake area is home to various business and industry; primarily agriculture focusing on fruit production, and tourism due to the lake and the adjacent Manistee National Forest and Pere Marquette State Forest.

Bear Lake has oil and natural gas resources. Since the 1970s, various successful projects have produced significant quantities of both.

Points of interest

 * Manistee National Forest
 * Pere Marquette State Forest
 * Northern Michigan Dragway

title: Bear Lake, Michigan


text:
Brown Township, Michigan

Brown Township is a civil township of Manistee County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the township population was 704. It was organized in 1855.

Communities

 * Brown was settled in 1860. When it got a post office in 1871 it was named Up River, but the name was changed to Brown a month later. The post office closed in 1874.
 * Chief was an unincorporated community that had a post office beginning in 1881. It was located to the east of Chief Lake.
 * Conger had a post office from 1876 until 1889.
 * Norwalk is an unincorporated community in the northwest of the township at 44.34167°N, -86.16222°W. A post office opened with the name "Portage Creek" on October 5, 1858. The name changed to Norwalk on January 21, 1863 and operated until December 27, 1968.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 36.1 sqmi, of which 35.6 sqmi are land and 0.5 sqmi, 1.39%, are water. The Manistee River flows westward through the center of the township, toward Lake Michigan. Chief Lake is along the northern border but mainly in Bear Lake Township.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 712 people, 277 households, and 204 families residing in the township. The population density was 20.0 PD/sqmi. There were 379 housing units at an average density of 10.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 97.33% White, 1.12% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.28% from other races, and 0.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.56% of the population.

There were 277 households, out of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.7% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.0% were non-families. 22.0% 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 2.51 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the township the population was spread out, with 23.0% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 23.2% from 25 to 44, 30.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.1 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $40,380, and the median income for a family was $46,528. Males had a median income of $41,528 versus $21,012 for females. The per capita income for the township was $17,286. About 4.5% of families and 8.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.3% of those under age 18 and 11.6% of those age 65 or over.

title: Brown Township, Michigan


text:
Cleon Township, Michigan

Cleon Township is a civil township of Manistee County located in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,063 at the 2020 census, up from 957 in 2010.

Geography
The township occupies the northwest corner of Manistee County, with Benzie County to the north, Wexford County to the east, and Grand Traverse County touching its northeast corner. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 36.1 sqmi, of which 0.08 sqmi, or 0.23%, are water.

Highways

 * is a highway within the township, following a diagonal northwest–southeast routing. The highway passes through the village of Copemish, connecting it with Benzonia to the northwest and Mesick to the southeast.

Communities

 * Cleon was an unincorporated community on the Manistee River that was settled in 1865. It had a post office from 1871 until 1902.
 * Copemish is a village within the west of the township.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 932 people, 351 households, and 252 families residing in the township. The population density was 25.9 PD/sqmi. There were 478 housing units at an average density of 13.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 95.92% White, 0.43% African American, 1.93% Native American, 0.54% from other races, and 1.18% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.04% of the population.

There were 351 households, out of which 34.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.0% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.2% were non-families. 21.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.0% 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 3.13.

In the township the population was spread out, with 27.3% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 112.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.3 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $30,547, and the median income for a family was $32,841. Males had a median income of $26,016 versus $20,694 for females. The per capita income for the township was $13,523. About 9.1% of families and 13.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.7% of those under age 18 and 17.5% of those age 65 or over.

title: Cleon Township, Michigan


text:
Copemish, Michigan

Copemish ( ) is a village in Manistee County of the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 195 at the 2020 census. The village is within Cleon Township.

History
Copemish was platted in 1889. It was incorporated as a village in 1891. It had previously been used as a site to hold councils by the Ojibwe people.

From the 1940s into the early 1970s, it was the center of a thriving pickling community with multiple large-label pickle producers in the area. Since then, farming has become more localized, and the region's economy centers on Crystal Mountain, a luxury resort 4 mi to the northwest, as well as a regular flea market and auction.

Geography
Copemish is in northeastern Manistee County, along M-115, which leads northwest 14 mi to Benzonia and southeast 12 mi to Mesick. Manistee, the county seat, is 31 mi to the southwest by county roads, and Cadillac is 32 mi to the southeast.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village of Copemish has a total area of 0.97 sqmi, of which 0.93 sqmi are land and 0.04 sqmi, or 4.5%, are water. First Creek flows westward through the south side of the village, leading to Bear Creek, a tributary of the Manistee River.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 194 people, 78 households, and 53 families residing in the village. The population density was 208.6 PD/sqmi. There were 109 housing units at an average density of 117.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 93.3% White, 1.5% Native American, and 5.2% from other races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.4% of the population.

There were 78 households, of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 32.1% were non-families. 25.6% 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 2.49 and the average family size was 2.79.

The median age in the village was 42.8 years. 21.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 13.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19.1% were from 25 to 44; 31.4% were from 45 to 64; and 14.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 52.6% male and 47.4% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 232 people, 85 households, and 60 families residing in the village. The population density was 267.0 PD/sqmi. There were 105 housing units at an average density of 120.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 91.38% White, 4.74% Native American, 0.43% from other races, and 3.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.45% of the population.

There were 85 households, out of which 37.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.7% were married couples living together, 18.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.4% were non-families. 22.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 29.7% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 18.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.1 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $25,357, and the median income for a family was $25,313. Males had a median income of $21,964 versus $16,964 for females. The per capita income for the village was $10,884. About 11.8% of families and 13.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.8% of those under the age of eighteen and 6.3% of those 65 or over.

title: Copemish, Michigan


text:
Dickson Township, Michigan

Dickson Township is a civil township of Manistee County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 980 at the 2020 census.

Most of the township lies within the Manistee National Forest. The Manistee River runs through the eastern and southern portions, with the Tippy Dam forming the Tippy Dam Pond along the south-central boundary.

Communities

 * Brethren, former home to actor James Earl Jones and his maternal grandparents, is an unincorporated community in the township, situated about 15 mi east of Manistee in the Manistee National Forest at 44.30444°N, -86.01889°W. The main roads of the community are High Bridge Road (north-south) and Coates Highway (east-west; known as Brethren Boulevard in town). Brethren was founded in 1900 by Samuel S. Thorpe as a colony of the German Baptist Brethren Church. A post office was established in 1901 with Thorpe as the first postmaster. The office continues to serve ZIP code 49619. The Pere Marquette Railway established a station here in 1901.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 71.5 sqmi, of which 69.5 sqmi are land and 2.0 sqmi, or 2.81%, are water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 929 people, 364 households, and 259 families residing in the township. The population density was 13.3 PD/sqmi. There were 660 housing units at an average density of 9.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 96.88% White, 0.22% African American, 1.08% Native American, 0.11% Asian, and 1.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.05% of the population.

There were 364 households, out of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.7% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.6% were non-families. 22.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the township the population was spread out, with 24.2% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 30.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.7 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $33,309, and the median income for a family was $34,545. Males had a median income of $27,656 versus $20,781 for females. The per capita income for the township was $15,479. About 8.3% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.8% of those under age 18 and 10.3% of those age 65 or over.

title: Dickson Township, Michigan


text:
Eastlake, Michigan

Eastlake is a village in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 415 at the 2020 census. Located within Manistee County, the village sits across Manistee Lake from the city of Manistee.

Eastlake was incorporated as a village in 1912.

Geography
Eastlake is in southwestern Manistee County, in the southwest corner of Manistee Township. It is bordered to the west by the city of Manistee and to the south by Stronach Township. To the north is the valley of the Manistee River. Highway M-55 crosses the northeast corner of the village, leading east 47 mi to Cadillac northwest 1 mi to U.S. Route 31 in Parkdale, providing road access to the city of Manistee.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village of Eastlake has a total area of 1.46 sqmi, of which 1.20 sqmi are land and 0.26 sqmi, or 17.72%, are water.

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

Demographics
The median income (census 2000) for a household in the village was $131,750, and the median income for a family was $135,417. Males had a median income of $131,250 versus $120,000 for females. The per capita income for the village was $115,034. About 1.6% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 512 people, 231 households, and 147 families residing in the village. The population density was 437.6 PD/sqmi. There were 266 housing units at an average density of 227.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 89.8% White, 0.6% African American, 3.1% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 5.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.9% of the population.

There were 231 households, of which 24.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were married couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.4% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.3% 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 2.65.

The median age in the village was 46.8 years. 19.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.1% were from 25 to 44; 30.6% were from 45 to 64; and 22.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 47.9% male and 52.1% female.

title: Eastlake, Michigan


text:
Filer Charter Township, Michigan

Filer Charter Township is a charter township of Manistee County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,318 at the 2020 census.

Communities

 * Filer City is an unincorporated community and post office within the township at 44.21528°N, -86.28722°W just south of the city of Manistee on the south shore of Manistee Lake. The Filer City post office opened March 10, 1868. It was discontinued on April 12, 1871, and reestablished on July 13, 1883.

Geography
The township is in southwestern Manistee County, bordered to the south by Mason County and to the west by Lake Michigan. The city of Manistee borders the township to the north, and Stronach Township is to the east.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Filer Charter Township has a total area of 16.1 sqmi, of which 0.4 sqmi, or 2.40%, are water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,208 people, 886 households, and 676 families residing in the township. The population density was 139.5 PD/sqmi. There were 996 housing units at an average density of 62.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 96.78% White, 0.23% African American, 0.63% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.54% from other races, and 1.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.68% of the population.

There were 886 households, out of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.4% were married couples living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.7% were non-families. 20.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the township the population was spread out, with 22.8% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 23.3% from 25 to 44, 29.2% from 45 to 64, and 19.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.5 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $40,972, and the median income for a family was $45,417. Males had a median income of $36,333 versus $23,065 for females. The per capita income for the township was $19,811. 7.2% of the population and 4.3% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 8.6% are under the age of 18 and 6.5% are 65 or older.

title: Filer Charter Township, Michigan


text:
Kaleva, Michigan

Kaleva is a village in Manistee County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 507 at the 2020 census.

History
Kaleva was founded in 1900 and became a refuge for Finnish settlers. The name of the village comes from the Kalevala, the national epic of Finland.

There are two Michigan historical markers in the town. The historic John J. Makinen Bottle House is one, and Kaleva itself is the subject of the second.

Geography
Kaleva is in central Manistee County, within Maple Grove Township. It is part of the region of Northern Michigan. Manistee, the county seat, is 21 mi to the southwest, while Cadillac is 36 mi to the east-southeast.

An abandoned C&O Railroad line from Manistee to Traverse City passes through the village. There are no railroad tracks remaining.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village of Kaleva has a total area of 1.10 sqmi, all land.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 470 people, 206 households, and 125 families residing in the village. The population density was 427.3 PD/sqmi. There were 259 housing units at an average density of 235.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 94.7% White, 0.2% African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 1.9% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.0% of the population.

There were 206 households, of which 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.7% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.3% were non-families. 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.86.

The median age in the village was 39.6 years. 23% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.9% were from 25 to 44; 28.5% were from 45 to 64; and 11.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 47.9% male and 52.1% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 509 people, 212 households, and 136 families residing in the village. The population density was 459.6 PD/sqmi. There were 251 housing units at an average density of 226.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 94.30% White, 0.39% African American, 2.36% Native American, 1.38% from other races, and 1.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.93% of the population.

There were 212 households, out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.9% were married couples living together, 15.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.8% were non-families. 30.7% 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 2.40 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 27.3% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.7 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $30,714, and the median income for a family was $30,909. Males had a median income of $26,161 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income for the village was $13,400. About 15.0% of families and 17.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.5% of those under age 18 and 10.7% of those age 65 or over.

Auto racing
Northern Michigan Dragway is a 1/8-mile asphalt dragstrip located three miles north of town on Potter Road. In 2009 Northern Michigan Dragway celebrated its 40th season of operation. It is the only asphalt dragstrip in the state north of Grand Rapids. The first race at Northern Michigan Dragway was held on Memorial Day 1970. It was formerly known as Manistee County Dragway.

title: Kaleva, Michigan