Ishpeming, Michigan

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Statue of "Old Ish" in downtown Ishpeming

Ishpeming is a city in Marquette County in the Upper Peninsula part of the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 6,686 at the 2000 census. This is down from a higher population in the 1950s and 1960s when the economically supportive iron ore mines had a much higher employment level. Ishpeming Township is located to the northwest of the city.

Ishpeming is considered the birth place of downhill ski jumping in the United States and is the home to the National Ski Hall of Fame.

The name Ishpeming comes from a Native American term (Chippewa tribe) that means "on the summit" or "Higher elevation." Ishpeming is Ojibwe for "Heaven". A statue of a Native American figure has stood in the very small town square since 1884 who is referred to as "Old Ish".

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Notable people and historical events
4 Points of interest
5 Education
6 Festivals and events
7 External links

[edit] Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 24.0 km² (9.2 mi²). 22.5 km² (8.7 mi²) of it is land and 1.5 km² (0.6 mi²) of it (6.16%) is water. Ishpeming's elevation is 1436 feet above mean sea level, which is over 800 feet higher than that of nearby Lake Superior.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census ² of 2000, there were 6,686 people, 2,915 households, and 1,757 families residing in the city. The population density was 297.1/km² (769.8/mi²). There were 3,210 housing units at an average density of 142.6/km² (369.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.29% White, 0.06% African American, 1.20% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.27% from other races, and 0.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.81% of the population.

There were 2,915 households out of which 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.8% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.7% were non-families. 34.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.2% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 19.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 89.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,347, and the median income for a family was $38,924. Males had a median income of $36,310 versus $21,104 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,946. About 8.0% of families and 11.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.5% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Notable people and historical events

The movie Anatomy of a Murder was filmed in Ishpeming and surrounding areas in 1959, based on the novel by Ishpeming native John D. Voelker under the pen name Robert Traver.