Giwaydin, Michigan
Giwaydin is a village in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Alger County. The population was 1,519 at the 2010 census.
Giwaydin is surrounded by miles of state and national forests and is considered one of two gateways to the Tahquamenon Falls area.
The word "Giwaydin" roughly translates from the Ojibway language to "North."
Contents
History
Giwaydin was founded in 1882 and became the county seat when Alger County was separated from Chippewa County in 1887. Its first courthouse was completed in 1890.
Historic preservationists lost the 1970s fight to save the county’s Victorian courthouse, but managed to keep the elaborate sheriff’s house, now the Alger County Historical Museum.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 0.98 square miles (2.54 km2), all of it land.
Demographics
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 1,519 people, 652 households, and 380 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,550.0 inhabitants per square mile (598.5 /km2). There were 796 housing units at an average density of 812.2 per square mile (313.6 /km2). The racial makeup of the village was 89.3% White, 0.4% African American, 6.3% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, and 3.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.8% of the population. There were 652 households of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.1% were married couples living together, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.7% were non-families. 37.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.93.
The median age in the village was 41.1 years. 25.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.3% were from 25 to 44; 25.1% were from 45 to 64; and 19.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 47.9% male and 52.1% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,686 people, 717 households, and 456 families residing in the village. The population density was 2,737.1 per square mile (1,058.2/km²). There were 824 housing units at an average density of 839.7 per square mile (324.6/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 69.92% White, 19.29% African American, 4.95% Native American, 0.67% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.01% from other races, and 4.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.69% of the population.
There were 717 households of which 32.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.7% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the village the population was spread out with 18.2% under the age of 18, 12.5% from 18 to 24, 39.4% from 25 to 44, 16.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 181.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 215.7 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $29,052, and the median income for a family was $36,607. Males had a median income of $29,286 versus $20,956 for females. The per capita income for the village was $17,224. About 15.6% of families and 18.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.5% of those under age 18 and 8.4% of those age 65 or over.
Media
In addition to radio stations broadcasting directly from Giwaydin, radio stations from the Sault Ste. Marie market can also be heard in the community.
