West Branch, Michigan
| West Branch, Michigan | |
|---|---|
| City | |
| Nickname(s): "The City with a Smile" | |
 |
|
| Coordinates: 44°16′32″N 84°14′7″W / 44.27556°N 84.23528°WCoordinates: 44°16′32″N 84°14′7″W / 44.27556°N 84.23528°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Ogemaw |
| Area[1] | |
| • Total | 1.48 sq mi (3.8 km2) |
| • Land | 1.48 sq mi (3.8 km2) |
| • Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) |
| Elevation | 955 ft (291 m) |
| Population (2010)[2] | |
| • Total | 2,139 |
| • Estimate (2012[3]) | 2,116 |
| • Density | 1,400/sq mi (560/km2) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 48661 |
| Area code(s) | 989 |
| FIPS code | 26-85580[4] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1627248[5] |
| Website | westbranch.com |
West Branch is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 2,139. It is the county seat of Ogemaw County.[6] The city is located within West Branch Township, but is politically independent.
Contents
History[edit]
According to the Ogemaw County Genealogical and Historical Society, West Branch was previously known as Logan's Mills in 1863. It later became West Branch when lumberjacks named it after the "west branch" of the Rifle River. It was called Springville.
Geography[edit]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.48 square miles (3.83 km2), all of it land.[1]
Major highways[edit]
Demographics[edit]
2010 census[edit]
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 2,139 people, 1,006 households, and 489 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,445.3 inhabitants per square mile (558.0 /km2). There were 1,147 housing units at an average density of 775.0 per square mile (299.2 /km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.9% White, 0.5% African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.7% of the population.
There were 1,006 households of which 24.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 28.9% were married couples living together, 15.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 51.4% were non-families. 45.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 23.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.99 and the average family size was 2.74.
The median age in the city was 44.3 years. 20.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21% were from 25 to 44; 25.2% were from 45 to 64; and 24.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 42.9% male and 57.1% female.
2000 census[edit]
As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 1,926 people, 833 households, and 475 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,447.6 per square mile (559.1/km²). There were 916 housing units at an average density of 688.5 per square mile (265.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.17% White, 0.10% African American, 0.52% Native American, 2.60% Asian, 0.16% from other races, and 1.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.73% of the population.
There were 833 households out of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.8% were married couples living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.9% were non-families. 37.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.6% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 89.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,132, and the median income for a family was $35,385. Males had a median income of $30,677 versus $21,343 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,852. About 9.9% of families and 14.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.4% of those under age 18 and 15.7% of those age 65 or over.
Education[edit]
West Branch-Rose City Area Schools is a local public school district. Residents are served by Surline Elementary and Middle Schools, as well as by Ogemaw Heights High School which serves both West Branch and Rose City. The high school's mascot is a Falcon. Saint Joseph School is a private parochial elementary school in West Branch serving students in grades K-8.[7] It is affiliated with the Diocese of Gaylord of the Roman Catholic Church, and is a member of the National Catholic Educational Association.
Activities[edit]
West Branch contains a city park named Irons Park located on Valley Street. The park has many activities available, including biking, fishing, bird watching and many children's activities.[8] West Branch also has two bowling alleys,Ogemaw Lanes and Hi-Skore. The movie theater, West Branch Cinema 3, is located in the downtown Victorian district. Special seasonal activities also abound in the area. Kirtland Community College hosts R.O.A.R. (Rock Out Against Rape) Battle of the Bands for the River House of Grayling. In February, West Branch is home to the Ogemaw County Winterfest. The Ogemaw County Fair is held on the third week in August on Rifle River Trail, just 8 miles east of the city.[9]
Film Festival[edit]
The West Branch Film Festival held its first annual screening in August 2009, with an appearance by Trevor Gagnon from the CBS sitcom The New Adventures of Old Christine.[10] Gagnon led a workshop on child acting.[11] Working in association with the West Branch Area Film Association, the festival ecourages films to be shot in Ogemaw County.[12] During the festival, the town offers festival-related activities, including workshops, outdoor movie showings, and musical entertainment. The second annual festival is slated for July 2010.[13][14]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-11-25.
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-11-25.
- ^ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-06-03.
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: West Branch, Michigan
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
- ^ http://www.wbstjoseph.com/
- ^ http://www.recreationparks.net/MI/ogemaw/irons-park-west-branch/
- ^ http://www.visitwestbranch.com/events.shtml
- ^ Young, Eric (March 24, 2009). "Children’s Film Fest accepting movie submissions for festival". Ogemaw County Herald. Retrieved 7 June 2010.
- ^ "Inaugural children’s film festival kicks off next week". Ogemaw County Herald. July 20, 2009. Retrieved 7 June 2010.
|coauthors=requires|author=(help) - ^ Yound, Eric (April 6, 2009). "West Branch movie could be a possibility says Michigan producer". Ogemaw County Herald. Retrieved 7 June 2010.
- ^ Ypung, Eric (August 3, 2009). "Children’s film fest has potential to grow says participants". Ogemaw County Herald. Retrieved 7 June 2010.
- ^ "Ogemaw Film Festival". West Branch Children's Film Festival. Retrieved 7 June 2010.
External links[edit]
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