Whitehall, Michigan

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Whitehall, Michigan
settlement_type = City
nickname =
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mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Location of Whitehall, Michigan


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Michigan
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Muskegon

government_footnotes =
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unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =

area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 9.5
area_land_km2 = 7.8
area_water_km2 = 1.7
area_total_sq_mi = 3.7
area_land_sq_mi = 3.0
area_water_sq_mi = 0.7

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 2884
population_density_km2 = 370.6
population_density_sq_mi = 960.0

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 185
elevation_ft = 607
latd = 43 |latm = 24 |lats = 36 |latNS = N
longd = 86 |longm = 20 |longs = 55 |longEW = W
coordinates_type = region:US-MI_type:city_source:GNIS

postal_code_type = ZIP codes
postal_code = 49461, 49463
area_code = 231
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 26-86780GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1622149 [gnis|1622149]
website = http://www.cityofwhitehall.org/
footnotes =

Whitehall is a city in Muskegon County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,884 at the 2000 census. The city is located in the southwest corner of Whitehall Township. Montague, Michigan is its neighbor.

It is located on White Lake (actually the mouth of the White River on Lake Michigan). It was first settled in 1859 as a lumber town, taking advantage of its water location. The same location now makes it attractive to tourists and recreational boaters. The mayor is Emery "Mac" Hatch. Norm "Stormin Norman" Ullman was mayor before him, and taught U.S. Government for several years at Whitehall High School.

Geography

The town is located about 5 miles (3 km) from Lake Michigan. White Lake is now connected to Lake Michigan by a dredged canal.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.7 square miles (9.5 km²), of which, 3.0 square miles (7.8 km²) of it is land and 0.7 square miles (1.7 km²) of it (17.98%) is water.

Major Highways

*
* is a loop route through the downtowns of both Whitehall and Montague.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 2,884 people, 1,165 households, and 739 families residing in the city. The population density was 960.0 per square mile (371.2/km²). There were 1,262 housing units at an average density of 420.1/sq mi (162.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.60% White, 0.76% African American, 1.14% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.69% from other races, and 0.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.08% of the population.

There were 1,165 households out of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.4% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.5% were non-families. 32.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 85.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $37,641, and the median income for a family was $50,944. Males had a median income of $41,964 versus $18,615 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,544. About 5.5% of families and 7.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.2% of those under age 18 and 8.8% of those age 65 or over.

Culture and recreation

Music and fine arts

Whitehall is home to the Howmet Playhouse. The 400-seat theater was built in 1916 to be a performance venue for the White Lake area. In 1973 the theater was in danger of demolition and was acquired and renovated by nearby Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp with the help of a local fund drive and the participation of Whitehall’s largest employer, Howmet Castings. Blue Lake had been putting out productions until they built their own on-site facility in 2006. The theater was then transferred to the city who puts on a season of theater which runs through the summer. [ [http://www.cityofwhitehall.org/howmet_playhouse.php cityofwhitehall.org] , 2007] , Community fundraising efforts to improve the playhouse and keep it running are ongoing.

Festivals

*White Lake Area Arts & Crafts Festival : Features more than 150 talented and creative artists, live entertainment and food.
*White Lake Maritime Festival : Festival that features sailing regatta, beer tent, live bands, shrimp boil, and other arts and crafts fair.
*Celebrate White Lake : Family festival with an antique boat show, historical displays and tours.
*Cruz'in : Classic Cars on display starting at downtown Whitehall going through Montague, MI
*Fall Fest : festival that includes beer tent, live bands, farmer's market, hay rides, and arts & crafts festival.

Notable people

*Nate McLouth, professional baseball player for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
*Ruth Thompson, first female state representative of Michigan, first female U.S. Representative from Michigan, first female on the U.S. House Judiciary Committee.
*Stacy Essebaggers-Shepherd, 2001 Miss Michigan and Top-10 semifinalist at the Miss America pageant. [ [http://www.missmichigan.org/former_miss_michigans.html Official Miss Michigan website] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.cityofwhitehall.org/ City of Whitehall]
* [http://www.whitelake.org/ White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce]