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Negaunee, Michigan facts for kids

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Negaunee, Michigan
City of Negaunee
Aerial view of Downtown Negaunee
Aerial view of Downtown Negaunee
Nickname(s): 
Historic Irontown USA
Location within Marquette County
Location within Marquette County
Negaunee, Michigan is located in Michigan
Negaunee, Michigan
Negaunee, Michigan
Location in Michigan
Country United States
State Michigan
County Marquette
Founded 1846
Incorporated 1865 (village)
1873 (city)
Government
 • Type Mayor–council
Area
 • Total 14.34 sq mi (37.14 km2)
 • Land 13.44 sq mi (34.82 km2)
 • Water 0.89 sq mi (2.32 km2)
Elevation
1,371 ft (418 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total 4,568
 • Estimate 
(2019)
4,525
 • Density 336.58/sq mi (129.96/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code(s)
49866
Area code(s) 906
FIPS code 26-56860
GNIS feature ID 0633261

Negaunee is a city in Marquette County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,568 at the 2010 census. The city is located at the southwest corner of Negaunee Township, which is administratively separate, in the Upper Peninsula. The city is home to a luge track. The name Negaunee comes from an Anishinabemowin (Ojibwa) word nigani, meaning "foremost, in advance, leading," which was determined to be the closest Ojibwa translation for "pioneer". Within the city limits is Teal Lake.

History

The city was built after the discovery of the Marquette Iron Range during the early 19th century. The Jackson Mine was established in 1845 to mine the ore for shipment to iron forges; the first such forge to operate in the Lake Superior basin was set up in Negaunee during this period. In 1858, the community was given a post office. In 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.

Transportation

Highways

  • US 41 passes through the northern portion of Negaunee, running westerly and northerly toward Houghton, easterly toward Marquette and southeast to Escanaba.
  • M-28 travels westerly toward Wakefield and east to Marquette.
  • Bus. M-28 serves the downtowns of both Negaunee and Ishpeming.
  • M-35 provides an alternate route to the Escanaba area and access to Sawyer International Airport.

Bus

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

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1870 2,559
1880 3,931 53.6%
1890 6,078 54.6%
1900 6,935 14.1%
1910 8,460 22.0%
1920 7,419 −12.3%
1930 6,552 −11.7%
1940 6,813 4.0%
1950 6,472 −5.0%
1960 6,126 −5.3%
1970 5,248 −14.3%
1980 5,189 −1.1%
1990 4,741 −8.6%
2000 4,576 −3.5%
2010 4,568 −0.2%
2019 (est.) 4,525 −0.9%
U.S. Decennial Census

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.

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

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

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Negaunee para niños

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