Elk Rapids is a village in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the largest incorporated community in Antrim County, with a population of 1,529 according to the 2020 census. The village is located in Elk Rapids Township, in the southwest part of Antrim County. It is on the shore of Grand Traverse Bay, a bay of Lake Michigan. Elk Rapids is about 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, who came from Connecticut. In 1852, Wadsworth mapped out the area and named it Stevens. A post office opened there in 1854. In 1858, Wadsworth changed the name to Elk Rapids after discovering a pair of elk antlers near the mouth of a river that was later named Elk River. In 1863, Antrim County was established, and Elk Rapids became the main town for the county. However, in 1879, the county seat was moved to Bellaire, which was located more centrally. In 1892, Elk Rapids became a stop on a branch line of the Chicago and West Michigan Railway. The town was officially recognized as 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), of which 1.65 square miles (4.27 km²) is land and 0.36 square miles (0.93 km²) is water.

The village of Elk Rapids is located on an isthmus, a narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas. To the east of the village is Elk Lake, the 15th-largest inland lake in Michigan and the smallest lake in the Elk River Chain of Lakes. To the west of the village is the East Arm of Grand Traverse Bay, a large bay of Lake Michigan. The Elk River divides the village, flowing northwesterly from Elk Lake to Grand Traverse Bay.

Elk Rapids lies 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 warm or hot summers that are often humid and cold winters that can be very 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/km²). There were 1,179 housing units, with an average density of 714.5 per square mile (275.9/km²). The racial makeup was 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 made up 1.3% of the population.

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

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 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/km²). There were 1,056 housing units, with an average density of 630.1 per square mile (243.3/km²). The racial makeup was 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 made up 2.12% of the population.

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

In 2000, 24.2% of the population was under 18, 5.1% were aged 18 to 24, 23.2% were aged 25 to 44, 27.5% were aged 45 to 64, and 19.9% were 65 or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.5 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 83.2 males.

In 2010, the median household income was $31,382, and the median family income was $45,179. Males had a median income of $30,845, while females had a median income of $23,167. The average income per person was $19,735. Seven point six percent of families and 8.2% of the population lived below the poverty line. This included 11.1% of those under 18 and 5.8% of those aged 65 or older.

Education

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

Major highways

• US 31 travels north to south through Elk Rapids, located east of the central business district. US 31 runs along the edge of Lake Michigan and helps people travel to the nearby cities of Charlevoix and Traverse City.

Images

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