Pentwater, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pentwater, Michigan
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Village
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Pentwater Channel
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Location of Pentwater, Michigan
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| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Oceana |
| Township | Pentwater |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.72 sq mi (4.46 km2) |
| • Land | 1.34 sq mi (3.46 km2) |
| • Water | 0.38 sq mi (0.99 km2) |
| Elevation | 610 ft (186 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 890 |
| • Density | 665.17/sq mi (256.92/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
49449
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| Area code(s) | 231 |
| FIPS code | 26-63540 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1621203 |
Pentwater is a small village located in Oceana County, within the U.S. state of Michigan. In 2020, about 890 people lived there. The village is part of Pentwater Township.
Pentwater is also home to Mears State Park, a popular spot for visitors. The name "Pentwater" comes from the idea of "penned up waters." This refers to the village's channel entrance, which used to be quite shallow. This shallowness often limited the size of boats that could enter the village's harbor.
Contents
Exploring Pentwater's Location
Pentwater is the largest community in Oceana County by land area. The United States Census Bureau reports that the village covers about 1.62 square miles (4.2 square kilometers). Of this, 1.28 square miles (3.3 square kilometers) is land, and 0.34 square miles (0.88 square kilometers) is water.
Getting Around Pentwater
Several roads help people travel to and from Pentwater:
US 31 runs east of the village. It goes south towards Muskegon and north towards Ludington.
Bus. US 31 was a special road that went through downtown Pentwater. It was changed on May 4, 2023.
B-15 is a county road that goes south from Pentwater. It runs closer to Lake Michigan.
Many streets in Pentwater are named after important historical figures. These include Hancock, Carroll, Wythe, Rutledge, Rush, Ellery, Morris, and Clymer. These names honor people who signed the Declaration of Independence.
Pentwater's Population History
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1870 | 1,294 | — | |
| 1890 | 1,510 | — | |
| 1900 | 1,061 | −29.7% | |
| 1910 | 1,129 | 6.4% | |
| 1920 | 956 | −15.3% | |
| 1930 | 772 | −19.2% | |
| 1940 | 820 | 6.2% | |
| 1950 | 1,097 | 33.8% | |
| 1960 | 1,030 | −6.1% | |
| 1970 | 993 | −3.6% | |
| 1980 | 1,165 | 17.3% | |
| 1990 | 1,050 | −9.9% | |
| 2000 | 958 | −8.8% | |
| 2010 | 857 | −10.5% | |
| 2020 | 890 | 3.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
A Look at the 2010 Census
In 2010, Pentwater had 857 residents living in 450 households. The village had about 670 people per square mile (259 people per square kilometer). Most residents (97.3%) were White. About 2.5% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
The average age in Pentwater was about 60 years old. Many residents were 65 or older (38.3%). About 11.2% of the population was under 18 years old.
Fun Events in Pentwater
Pentwater is a popular place for tourists, especially in the summer. Many people from Chicago visit to enjoy the area. The village has many places to stay, like bed and breakfasts and motels.
Summer Activities and Festivals
- Fishing: Sportfishing is a popular activity in the area. There's even an annual fishing contest that kicks off the summer season on Memorial Day.
- Shopping and Art: You can find many unique shops and art galleries in the village.
- State Park: Charles Mears State Park is a favorite spot during the warmer months.
- Art Fair: Pentwater hosts a special art fair in mid-July, where artists show their work.
- Concerts: During the summer, local bands play concerts on Thursday nights. These concerts happen at the outdoor bandshell in the village green, a park by Pentwater Lake.
- Homecoming: Every year in August, Pentwater celebrates Homecoming. This event includes a parade, fireworks, and a fun sandcastle-building contest.
Famous People from Pentwater
- Adolph Walter Rich: He was known for starting a Jewish farming community in Wisconsin.
Images for kids
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Pentwater harbor and beach
See also
In Spanish: Pentwater (Míchigan) para niños
