Mancelona ( / m æ n ˌ s ə ˈ l oʊ n ə / man-sə- LOW -nə ) is a village in the Northern Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is part of Mancelona Township. The village is located in Antrim County. According to the 2020 census, its population was 1,344.

History

In 1869, Perry Andress set up a homestead in the area and named it after his daughter, Mancelona Andress. Two years later, the Township of Mancelona was created and also named after her. In 1872, an extension of the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad was built through the area, and a train station called Mancelona was established.

In 1882, a company called "John Otis & Company" built a large charcoal furnace just south of Mancelona. The company also planned a town around the furnace and named it "Furnaceville." Soon after, the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad built a station in that town. The furnace became successful, and in 1886, a group of businessmen from Grand Rapids purchased the company. They renamed the company Antrim Iron Works and changed the town's name to Antrim. A large blast furnace and iron works were built on the site, and the new company began operating. The iron company closed in 1945 and was demolished in the 1980s.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.00 square mile (2.59 km²), all of which is land. The village is located at 44°54′08″N 85°03′39″W / 44.90222°N 85.06083°W / 44.90222; -85.06083.

Mancelona is known for its nearness to many water areas, including the Jordan River and the Elk River Chain of Lakes Watershed, especially Torch Lake.

Demographics

As of the 2010 census, the village had 1,390 people, 518 households, and 349 families. The population density was 1,390.0 people per square mile (536.7/km²). There were 594 housing units, with an average density of 594.0 per square mile (229.3/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 95.1% White, 1.1% Native American, and 3.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race made up 0.9% of the population.

There were 518 households. Of these, 40.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.9% were married couples living together, 19.3% had a female householder, 7.1% had a male householder, and 32.6% were other-families. Twenty-five point nine percent of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68, and the average family size was 3.19.

The median age in the village was 34.1 years. Twenty-nine point six percent of residents were under the age of 18; 10.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.9% were from 25 to 44; 23.2% were from 45 to 64; and 12.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 47.3% male and 52.7% female.

As of the 2000 census, the village had 1,408 people, 535 households, and 367 families. The population density was 1,420.7 people per square mile (548.5/km²). There were 582 housing units, with an average density of 587.3 per square mile (226.8/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 95.60% White, 0.36% African American, 1.35% Native American, 0.07% Asian, 0.71% from other races, and 1.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race made up 2.20% of the population.

There were 535 households. Of these, 36.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.7% were married couples living together, 15.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.4% were non-families. Twenty-five point six percent of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62, and the average family size was 3.07.

In the village, the population was spread out: 28.9% were under the age of 18, 9.9% were from 18 to 24, 28.2% were from 25 to 44, 21.2% were from 45 to 64, and 11.8% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.0 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 87.1 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $29,583, and the median income for a family was $32,375. Males had a median income of $25,313, while females had a median income of $18,917.

Major highways

• US 131 goes through the town from southwest to northeast. Northeast of Mancelona, the highway continues through the towns of Alba, Boyne Falls, and Walloon Lake before ending at US 31 in downtown Petoskey. To the southwest, US 131 passes through Kalkaska and Fife Lake. Then, it turns south and becomes a freeway, heading toward Cadillac, Grand Rapids, and Kalamazoo.
• M-66 is another north–south highway that passes through Mancelona. To the north, M-66 goes through East Jordan before ending at Charlevoix. To the south, M-66 travels with US 131 to Kalkaska, but continues south, staying east of US 131. It passes through smaller communities like Lake City, Marion, and eventually Ionia and Sturgis.
• M-88 is an east–west highway that starts in downtown Mancelona. M-88 is entirely within Antrim County. It passes through the communities of Bellaire and Central Lake before ending at US 31 in Eastport.
• C-38 is an east–west highway managed by the county. It extends east from M-88. After Mancelona, C-38 enters Otsego County.