Negaunee, Michigan

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 1888, Negaunee was incorporated as a town and in 1868 the first police force was formed. Negaunee was recognized 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.

Geography

Negaunee sits on the eastern shore of Teal Lake, all of which is considered within the city borders. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 14.45 square miles (37.43 km²), of which 13.56 square miles (35.12 km²) is land and 0.89 square miles (2.31 km²) is 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 also the home of the only full-length natural-track luge course in the United States, maintained by the Upper Peninsula Luge Club. It is over 800 meters (0.50 mi) in length, and the track features 29 curves along its 88 meters (289 ft) vertical drop.

Highways

Bus

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 inhabitants per square mile (130.1/km²). There were 2,119 housing units at an average density of 156.3 per square mile (60.3/km²). 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 per square mile (128.2/km²). There were 2,088 housing units at an average density of 151.5 per square mile (58.5/km²). 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.

School system

The Negaunee school system ranks in the top 20% of schools for the State of Michigan. In recent years several new businesses have also found their way to Negaunee, including Family Video, Subway, and Dollar General.

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 a large, healthy rivalry with the Marquette Redmen and Ishpeming Hematites.

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.

Notable people