Pointe Aux Barques Township, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pointe Aux Barques Township, Michigan
|
|
|---|---|
Location within Huron County
|
|
 Pointe Aux Barques Township, Michigan
Location in Michigan
Pointe Aux Barques Township, Michigan
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Huron |
| Organized | 1903 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.86 sq mi (10.00 km2) |
| • Land | 1.31 sq mi (3.39 km2) |
| • Water | 2.55 sq mi (6.60 km2) |
| Elevation | 600 ft (183 m) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 15 |
| • Density | 11.5/sq mi (4.4/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code(s) |
48467 (Port Austin)
|
| Area code(s) | 989 |
| FIPS code | 26-65180 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1626921 |
Pointe Aux Barques Township is a small area in Huron County, Michigan, in the United States. Its name comes from French and means "point of ships." This area is located at the very tip of a region known as "the Thumb" on Michigan's Lower Peninsula.
In 2020, only 15 people lived here, making it the least populated township in Michigan. It is also one of the smallest townships in terms of land area.
Contents
What is Pointe Aux Barques Township?
Pointe Aux Barques Township is a type of local government area, similar to a small town or village. It's part of Huron County. The township was officially created in 1903.
Where is Pointe Aux Barques Located?
The township is found at the northern end of "the Thumb" region in Michigan. This area is known for its unique shape, like a thumb sticking out into Lake Huron.
What is the Size of Pointe Aux Barques?
The total area of the township is about 3.86 square miles (10.00 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 2.55 square miles (6.60 square kilometers), is water. The land area is much smaller, around 1.31 square miles (3.39 square kilometers).
Communities in Pointe Aux Barques
There is one main community within the township also called Pointe Aux Barques. This community is not officially a city or town, but it's where people live and gather. French sailors gave it its name as early as 1760. This community used to have its own post office, which operated from 1897 to 1957.
Unique Natural Features of the Township
Pointe Aux Barques Township is home to some interesting natural sights.
What is Turnip Rock?
One famous natural landmark is Turnip Rock. It's a unique rock formation that looks like a giant turnip. This rock is an "undercut stack," meaning the bottom part has been worn away by water over time. Turnip Rock is located just off the mainland coast.
How Can You Visit Turnip Rock?
Turnip Rock is surrounded by private land, so you can only reach it by water, like by kayak or boat. There are no public roads that lead directly to it.
Is Pointe aux Barques Light in the Township?
The Pointe aux Barques Light is a historic lighthouse that shares the township's name. However, the lighthouse itself is actually located in the neighboring area called Huron Township.
Who Lives in Pointe Aux Barques Township?
The number of people living in Pointe Aux Barques Township has changed a lot over the years.
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 37 | — | |
| 1920 | 34 | −8.1% | |
| 1930 | 24 | −29.4% | |
| 1940 | 15 | −37.5% | |
| 1950 | 7 | −53.3% | |
| 1960 | 52 | 642.9% | |
| 1970 | 6 | −88.5% | |
| 1980 | 6 | 0.0% | |
| 1990 | 15 | 150.0% | |
| 2000 | 10 | −33.3% | |
| 2010 | 10 | 0.0% | |
| 2020 | 15 | 50.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Population Changes Over Time
In 2020, the census counted 15 people living in the township. There were 11 households, which means 11 groups of people living together, and 7 families. Even though there are many housing units (about 70), most of them are vacation homes or secondary houses. This means they are not used by people who live there all year round.
See also
