Elk Rapids is a village in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the largest officially recognized community in Antrim County, with a population of 1,529 according to the 2020 census. The village is located in Elk Rapids Township, which is in the southwest part of Antrim County. Elk Rapids is on the shore of Grand Traverse Bay, a part of Lake Michigan. It is approximately 12 miles (19 kilometers) southwest of Bellaire, the county seat, and about 13 miles (21 kilometers) northeast of Traverse City, the largest city in Northern Michigan.

History

The first person to settle in the Elk Rapids area was Abram S. Wadsworth from Connecticut. In 1852, Wadsworth mapped out the area and named it Stevens. A post office was established there in 1854. In 1858, Wadsworth changed the name to Elk Rapids after discovering a pair of elk antlers near the mouth of the later-named Elk River. In 1863, Antrim County was created, and Elk Rapids became the county seat. However, the county seat was moved to Bellaire in 1879 because Bellaire was more centrally located. In 1892, Elk Rapids became a stop on a branch of the Chicago and West Michigan Railway. The town was officially formed into a village in 1900.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 2.01 square miles (5.21 km²), with 1.65 square miles (4.27 km²) being land and 0.36 square miles (0.93 km²) being water.

The village of Elk Rapids is located on an isthmus. To the east of the village is Elk Lake, which is the 15th-largest inland lake in Michigan and the lowest member of the Elk River Chain of Lakes. To the west of the village is the East Arm of Grand Traverse Bay, a large part of Lake Michigan. The Elk River divides the village, flowing northwesterly from Elk Lake to Grand Traverse Bay.

Elk Rapids is located about 2 miles (3.2 km) north of the Grand Traverse County line.

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification, Elk Rapids has a humid continental climate, marked as Dfb on climate maps. This climate type experiences significant temperature changes between seasons, with summers that are warm to hot and often humid, and winters that are cold, sometimes extremely cold.

Demographics

As of the 2010 census, the village had 1,642 people, 791 households, and 478 families. The population density was 995.2 people per square mile (384.2 per square kilometer). There were 1,179 housing units, with an average density of 714.5 per square mile (275.9 per square kilometer). The racial makeup of the village included 96.6% White, 0.7% African American, 1.2% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.2% from other races, and 0.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino individuals of any race made up 1.3% of the population.

There were 791 households. Of these, 21.0% had children under 18 living with them, 48.4% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder without a husband present, 2.4% had a male householder without a wife present, and 39.6% were non-families. Thirty-four point eight percent of all households had only one person living in them, and 17.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years or older. The average household size was 2.07, and the average family size was 2.63.

The median age in the village was 52.4 years. Eighteen point six percent of residents were under 18, 5.6% were between 18 and 24, 16.3% were aged 25 to 44, 30.9% were aged 45 to 64, and 28.7% were 65 years or older. The gender distribution was 46.5% male and 53.5% female.

As of the 2000 census, the village had 1,700 people, 769 households, and 483 families. The population density was 1,014.3 people per square mile (391.6 per square kilometer). There were 1,056 housing units, with an average density of 630.1 per square mile (243.3 per square kilometer). The racial makeup included 97.00% White, 0.29% African American, 1.00% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.24% Pacific Islander, 0.59% from other races, and 0.76% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino individuals of any race made up 2.12% of the population.

There were 769 households. Of these, 27.8% had children under 18 living with them, 49.7% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder without a husband present, and 37.1% were non-families. Thirty-four point six percent of all households had only one person living in them, and 17.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years or older. The average household size was 2.20, and the average family size was 2.83.

The population was distributed as follows: 24.2% under 18, 5.1% aged 18 to 24, 23.2% aged 25 to 44, 27.5% aged 45 to 64, and 19.9% aged 65 or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.5 males. For every 100 females aged 18 or older, there were 83.2 males.

The median household income was $31,382, and the median family income was $45,179. Males had

Education

Public K-12 education in Elk Rapids is provided by the Elk Rapids Schools district. The district operates Lakeland Elementary School, Cherryland Middle School, and Elk Rapids High School, which are located in the village. It also operates Mill Creek Elementary School, which is located in the nearby town of Williamsburg in Grand Traverse County.

Major highways

U.S. Route 31 travels from north to south through Elk Rapids, located east of the main business area. The road runs alongside the shoreline of Lake Michigan and can be used to reach nearby cities such as Charlevoix and Traverse City.

Images

• Post office
• City sign facing north
• City welcome sign
• View of US 31 heading north
• Sign located along US 31
• Downtown area of Elk Rapids on River Street
• The Island House
• Elk Rapids Township Hall
• Hughes House
• View of Elk River from US 31
• The Elk River
• Welcome sign located along US 31