Wolverine, Michigan Facts for Kids

For the village in Oakland County, see Wolverine Lake, Michigan. For the unincorporated community in Houghton County, see Calumet Charter Township, Michigan.

Quick facts for kids Wolverine, Michigan
Village
Village of Wolverine
Main Street and South Straits Highway
Motto(s): This is Sturgeon River Country
Location within Cheboygan County
Wolverine, Michigan Location in Michigan Show map of Michigan Wolverine, Michigan Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	Michigan
County	Cheboygan
Townships	Nunda and Wilmot
Settled	1874
Incorporated	1903
Government
• Type	Village council
Area
• Total	0.99 sq mi (2.56 km²)
• Land	0.98 sq mi (2.54 km²)
• Water	0.01 sq mi (0.02 km²)
Elevation	817 ft (249 m)
Population (2020)
• Total	309
• Density	314.34/sq mi (121.42/km²)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code(s)	49799
Area code(s)	231
FIPS code	26-88240
GNIS feature ID	1616712

Wolverine is a village in Cheboygan County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 244 at the 2010 census.

The village is mostly located within Nunda Township with a small portion extending west into Wilmot Township. It is located directly west of Interstate 75 about 40 miles (64.4 km) south of the Mackinac Bridge.

History
Geography
Demographics
- 2010 census
Images for kids
See also

History

The area was originally settled by Jacob Shook and his family as early as 1874. The community was named "Torrey" when George Richards settled in the area soon after. Venturing to the area was difficult, as the nearest railway line ended in Gaylord about 20 miles (32.2 km) to the south. Richards was a frequent traveler back and forth to Gaylord for mail and supplies, often staying mid-route at Vanderbilt. He requested a closer post office, which was granted under the name Wolverine in late 1880.

The post office was first established on January 3, 1881, and continues to remain in operation. Richards served as the first postmaster. As an early settler of the community, he helped organize and operate the local school district and was also a real estate dealer and lumberman. He was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 1903.

In 1881, Wolverine recorded 18 residents. Soon after, the Jackson, Lansing, and Saginaw Railroad Company received a deed and began railway construction at the community of Trowbridge about 5 miles (8.0 km) to the southeast. By 1891, the population of Wolverine increased to about 1,000 residents, who mainly worked for the railway and lumbering industry. The community incorporated as a village in 1903. By 1905, the area population was around 1,800. When the lumber industry declined by the 1930s, the population drastically decreased as many people left Wolverine.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 0.99 square miles (2.56 km²), of which 0.98 square miles (2.54 km²) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km²) (1.01%) is water.

Wolverine is situated on the Sturgeon River where the west branch joins the main branch at 45°16′24″N 84°36′16″W / 45.27333°N 84.60444°W / 45.27333; -84.60444.

Wolverine contains its own post office using the 49799 ZIP Code, which is the highest numeric ZIP Code in the state's Lower Peninsula. The Wolverine post office serves a much larger area that includes most of Nunda Township and Wilmot Township, as well as smaller portions of Ellis Township and Mentor Township. The post office also serves a very small portion of Corwith Township in Otsego County to the south, as well as very small portions of Chandler Township in Charlevoix County and Springvale Township in Emmet County to the west.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1910	794	—
1920	413	−48.0%
1930	300	−27.4%
1940	257	−14.3%
1950	318	23.7%
1960	292	−8.2%
1970	303	3.8%
1980	364	20.1%
1990	283	−22.3%
2000	359	26.9%
2010	244	−32.0%
2020	309	26.6%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 244 people, 94 households, and 64 families residing in the village. The population density was 249.0 inhabitants per square mile (96.1/km²). There were 146 housing units at an average density of 149.0 per square mile (57.5/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 94.3% White, 0.8% Asian, and 4.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.2% of the population.

There were 94 households, of which 37.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.1% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.9% were non-families. 25.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.14.

The median age in the village was 40.3 years. 27% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.7% were from 25 to 44; 28.7% were from 45 to 64; and 15.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 46.3% male and 53.7% female.