Alcona Township, Michigan
Encyclopedia
Alcona Township is a civil township
of Alcona County
in the U.S. state
of Michigan
. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 1,089.
, the township has a total area of 66.4 square miles (172 km²), of which, 57.6 square miles (149.2 km²) of it is land and 8.8 square miles (22.8 km²) of it (13.21%) is water.
Negwegon State Park
is within the township and the southwest corner of the township is in the Huron National Forest.
Alcona Township is part of the eastern edge of Huron National Forest, which offers an outdoor recreational opportunities such as hunting, swimming, cross-country skiing and trout fishing. The forest contains 330 miles (531.1 km) of hiking trails. The Huron and Manistee National Forests were separately designated, but were combined in 1945 for administrative purposes.
The Lake Huron beaches in and around Alcona Township (including two state parks) have been recognized as being among the "top ten in Michigan." "Old-fashioned lake vacations abound on this pretty stretch of Lake Huron."
of 2000, there were 1,089 people, 524 households, and 361 families residing in the township. The population density
was 18.9 per square mile (7.3/km²). There were 1,313 housing units at an average density of 22.8 per square mile (8.8/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 97.89% White, 0.83% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 0.18% from other races
, and 1.01% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.73% of the population. 20.1% were of German, 15.1% English
, 10.9% French
, 10.8% Polish, 7.3% Irish
and 6.9% French Canadian
ancestry.
There were 524 households out of which 14.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.2% were married couples
living together, 2.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.1% were non-families. 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.50.
In the township the population was spread out with 14.4% under the age of 18, 3.6% from 18 to 24, 16.5% from 25 to 44, 30.9% from 45 to 64, and 34.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 58 years. For every 100 females there were 105.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.5 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $34,125, and the median income for a family was $39,934. Males had a median income of $33,250 versus $21,364 for females. The per capita income
for the township was $20,160. About 4.3% of families and 8.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.1% of those under age 18 and 4.9% of those age 65 or over.
Presidential administration.
Meetings - Second Tuesday Alcona Township Hall 5576 N US 23
Civil township
A civil township is a widely used unit of local government in the United States, subordinate to, and geographic divisions of, a county. Specific responsibilities and the degree of autonomy vary based on each state. Civil townships are distinct from survey townships, but in states that have both,...
of Alcona County
Alcona County, Michigan
Alcona County is a county of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the population is 11,719. Its county seat is Harrisville. Alphabetically it is the first county in Michigan, as its flag states "First of the 83".-History:...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 1,089.
Communities
- Black River is an unincorporated community in the township, about 25 miles (40.2 km) south of AlpenaAlpena, MichiganAlpena is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Alpena County. It is considered to be part of Northern Michigan. The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is located in the city. The population was 10,483 at the 2010 census...
on Lake HuronLake HuronLake Huron is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. Hydrologically, it comprises the larger portion of Lake Michigan-Huron. It is bounded on the east by the Canadian province of Ontario and on the west by the state of Michigan in the United States...
at the mouth of the Black RiverBlack River (Alcona County)Black River is a river in Alcona County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The main branch rises in northern Harrisville Township at and flows north through Haynes Township and Alcona Township and empties into Lake Huron at at the unincorporated community of Black River.The north branch rises in...
. It is just south of the Negwegon State ParkNegwegon State ParkNegwegon State Park is an undeveloped state park in Alpena County and Alcona County, Michigan, just southeast of the unincorporated community of Ossineke. It covers with a long sand beach on Lake Huron. The sand road that cuts through the forest and leads to the entrance of the park may require a...
at 44°49′02"N 83°18′12"W with an elevationElevationThe elevation of a geographic location is its height above a fixed reference point, most commonly a reference geoid, a mathematical model of the Earth's sea level as an equipotential gravitational surface ....
of 590 feet (179.8 m) above sea levelSea levelMean sea level is a measure of the average height of the ocean's surface ; used as a standard in reckoning land elevation...
. The Black River ZIP codeZIP CodeZIP codes are a system of postal codes used by the United States Postal Service since 1963. The term ZIP, an acronym for Zone Improvement Plan, is properly written in capital letters and was chosen to suggest that the mail travels more efficiently, and therefore more quickly, when senders use the...
48721 serves the eastern portion of Alcona Township as well as the northeast corner of Haynes Township. Black River has an excellent park and boat launch, which give access to fishing, including perch, salmon and trout. The settlement began as a fishing station, first occupied by William Cullings in 1849, and settled by French trappers and fishermen. From 1876 to 1880, it was the seat of lumber operations for Alger, Smith & Company, then the largest pine timber producers in the world. A post office was established on February 9, 1877, with Edgar O. Cheney as postmaster. The spelling was changed to "Blackriver" on May 16, 1894, and back to "Black River" in 1958. - Hubbard Lake is the name of a statistical area applied by the U.S. Census Bureau to the populated area surrounding the Hubbard LakeHubbard Lake (Michigan)Hubbard Lake is a lake in Alcona County in Northern Michigan. The lake covers 8,850 acres and is seven miles long and two miles wide. It has a maximum depth of 85 feet with an average depth of 32.6 feet...
body of water and includes portions of three townships. In Alcona Township, the CDP includes the unincorporated community of Larson Beach on the eastern shore of Hubbard Lake. - Lost Lake WoodsLost Lake Woods, MichiganLost Lake Woods is an unincorporated community in Alcona Township, Alcona County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is a Census-designated place used for statistical purposes and has no legal status as a municipality. The population was 339 at the 2000 census.Lost Lake Woods is a private club...
is an unincorporated community in the township defined as a census-designated placeCensus-designated placeA census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the township has a total area of 66.4 square miles (172 km²), of which, 57.6 square miles (149.2 km²) of it is land and 8.8 square miles (22.8 km²) of it (13.21%) is water.
Negwegon State Park
Negwegon State Park
Negwegon State Park is an undeveloped state park in Alpena County and Alcona County, Michigan, just southeast of the unincorporated community of Ossineke. It covers with a long sand beach on Lake Huron. The sand road that cuts through the forest and leads to the entrance of the park may require a...
is within the township and the southwest corner of the township is in the Huron National Forest.
Alcona Township is part of the eastern edge of Huron National Forest, which offers an outdoor recreational opportunities such as hunting, swimming, cross-country skiing and trout fishing. The forest contains 330 miles (531.1 km) of hiking trails. The Huron and Manistee National Forests were separately designated, but were combined in 1945 for administrative purposes.
The Lake Huron beaches in and around Alcona Township (including two state parks) have been recognized as being among the "top ten in Michigan." "Old-fashioned lake vacations abound on this pretty stretch of Lake Huron."
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,089 people, 524 households, and 361 families residing in the township. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 18.9 per square mile (7.3/km²). There were 1,313 housing units at an average density of 22.8 per square mile (8.8/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 97.89% White, 0.83% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 0.18% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.01% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.73% of the population. 20.1% were of German, 15.1% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
, 10.9% French
French people
The French are a nation that share a common French culture and speak the French language as a mother tongue. Historically, the French population are descended from peoples of Celtic, Latin and Germanic origin, and are today a mixture of several ethnic groups...
, 10.8% Polish, 7.3% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
and 6.9% French Canadian
French Canadian
French Canadian or Francophone Canadian, , generally refers to the descendents of French colonists who arrived in New France in the 17th and 18th centuries...
ancestry.
There were 524 households out of which 14.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 2.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.1% were non-families. 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.50.
In the township the population was spread out with 14.4% under the age of 18, 3.6% from 18 to 24, 16.5% from 25 to 44, 30.9% from 45 to 64, and 34.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 58 years. For every 100 females there were 105.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.5 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $34,125, and the median income for a family was $39,934. Males had a median income of $33,250 versus $21,364 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the township was $20,160. About 4.3% of families and 8.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.1% of those under age 18 and 4.9% of those age 65 or over.
History
In Black River, Michigan, lumber baron Russell Alexander Alger had a home while tending to his lumbering operations. He threafter was a Michigan Governor, U.S. Senator and U.S. Secretary of War during the William McKinleyWilliam McKinley
William McKinley, Jr. was the 25th President of the United States . He is best known for winning fiercely fought elections, while supporting the gold standard and high tariffs; he succeeded in forging a Republican coalition that for the most part dominated national politics until the 1930s...
Presidential administration.
Community notes
The Alcona County Review, located in Harrisville, is the newspaper of record, and has served the community since 1877.Alcona Township elected officials
- Roger Carlin, Township Suprevisor (989) 471-5606
- Dawn LaLonde, Clerk (989) 471-2948
Meetings - Second Tuesday Alcona Township Hall 5576 N US 23