Houghton, Michigan: Difference between revisions

| name = Houghton, Michigan

| official_name = City of Houghton

| other_name =

| native_name = <!-- for cities whose native name is not in English = {{native name|oj|Gakiiwe-->onigamiing}}

| motto =

| image_skyline = DowntownHoughton Hougton2019 MIAerial.JPGjpg

| imagesize = 275

| image_caption = DowntownAerial Houghtonview alongof [[U.S.downtown RouteHoughton 41and inthe [[Portage Michigan|U.S.Lake HighwayLift 41Bridge]]

| image_flag =

| flag_size =

| image_seal = houghton.jpg

| seal_size = 150

| image_shield =

| shield_size =

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| image_map = Houghton, MI county location map2.png

| mapsize = 250

| map_caption = Location within [[Houghton County, Michigan|Houghton County]]

| image_map1 =

| mapsize1 =

| map_caption1 =

| pushpin_map = Michigan#USA

| pushpin_label = Houghton

| pushpin_label_position = left <!-- the position of the pushpin label:= left, right, top, bottom, none -->

| pushpin_map_caption = Location within the state of Michigan

|subdivision_name2 subdivision_type2 = [[HoughtonList County,of counties in Michigan|HoughtonCounty]]

| area_magnitude =

| unit_pref = Imperial

| area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web |title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_26.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdateaccess-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-date=May 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528225240/https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_26.txt |url-status=live }}</ref>

| area_total_km2 = 12.05

| area_land_km2 = 11.42

| area_water_km2 = 0.63

| area_total_sq_mi = 4.65

| area_land_sq_mi = 4.41

| area_water_sq_mi = 0.24

| area_water_percent = 5.12

| area_urban_km2 =

| area_urban_sq_mi =

| area_metro_km2 =

| area_metro_sq_mi =

|postal_code_type area_code = [[ZIP Code|ZIPArea code(s) 906|906]]

[[File:Waterfronttrail.bridge..jpg|thumb|View of the Portage Lift Bridge from Houghton's Waterfront Trail.]]<!-- Infobox ends -->

Native Americans [[Copper mining in Michigan#Native American|mined copper]] in and around what would later be Houghton thousands of years before European settlement.<ref name="Eckert Reprint Edition 1995 461">{{cite book Harvp|first = Katerine Bishop |last = Eckert |title = Buildings of Michigan 1993|series p= Buildings of the United States |location = New York |publisher = Oxford University Press, USA |page = 461 |isbn = 0-19-509379-8 |year = 1995 |edition = Reprint }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |first = Hariette |last = Mertz |title = The Mystic Symbol: Mark of the Michigan Mound Builders |publisher = Hayriver Press |isbn = 0-9703985-4-9 |page = 28 |year = 2004 }}</ref> "French explorers had noted... [its] existence [in the area] as early as the seventeenth century, [and in] 1772 Alexander Henry had prospected for copper on the [[Ontonagon River]] near [[Victoria, Michigan|Victoria]]."<ref name="Eckert Reprint Edition 1995 461"/>

Many [[Cornish people|Cornish]] and [[Finnish people|Finnish]] immigrants arrived in the Houghton area to work in the copper mines in the mining boom that made [[Copper Country]] on the Keweenaw Peninsula; both groups have had a great influence on the culture and cuisine of the local area. The Finns and others called much of the area [[Copper Island]]. Smaller numbers of [[French-Canadian]] immigrants moved to Houghton, while more of them settled elsewhere in Houghton County.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://habitant.org/houghton/fcgenealogy.htm |title = French-Canadian Genealogical Research in Houghton County, Michigan |work=habitant.org |access-date=April 22, 2007 |archive-date=March 15, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070315205111/http://habitant.org/houghton/fcgenealogy.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

The last nearby mines closed in the late 1960s, but a school founded in 1885 by the [[Michigan State Legislature]] to teach metallurgy and mining engineering, the Michigan College of Mines, continues today under the name of [[Michigan Technological University]] and is the primary employer in the city.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}

The first known European settler of Houghton was named [[Ransom Shelden]], who set up a store named Ransom's near Portage Lake,<ref>{{harvp|Taylor|2006|p= 11|ps=.}}</ref> though it is unclear whether this was in the same building as the 1852 Shelden and Shafer drugs, sometimes described as "the first commercial building constructed in Houghton," which Shelden owned with his son Ransom B.<ref>{{harvp|Taylor|2006|p= 40|ps=.}}</ref> The main street of Houghton, variously called "Sheldon Avenue," (incorrectly) Sheldon Street, and Shelden Avenue, is named for him. In the 1970s the construction of a parking deck and the connection of downtown stores<ref name="Eckert p. 409">{{harvp|Eckert|19951993|p= 409|ps.}}</ref> to create [[Shelden Center]] significantly changed the downtown.

William W. Henderson was appointed the first postmaster of Houghton in 1852.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}

In 1854, [[Ernest F. Pletschke]] platted Houghton, and was incorporated as a village in 1861.<ref name=village>{{cite book |title = History of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan |date = 1883 |publisher = Western Historical Co. |location = Houghton County: Houghton |pages = 272–276 |url = http://www.mfhn.com/houghton/1883HistUpperPenin/pages272-276.aspx |access-date = August 4, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180804140238/http://www.mfhn.com/houghton/1883HistUpperPenin/pages272-276.aspx |archive-date = August 4, 2018 |url-status = dead }}</ref><ref name="Taylor p. 39">{{harvp|Taylor|2006|p= 39|ps=}}</ref> In Houghton's first days it was said that "only thieves, crooks, murderers and [[Native Americans in the United States|Indians]]" lived there.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}}<!--and context for who the opinion-givers were--> The postwar boom and increasing demand for copper wiring fueled the development of Houghton in the 1860s and 1870s.<ref name="Taylor p. 39"/>

Houghton gained in importance as a port with the opening of the [[Keweenaw Waterway]] in 1873,<ref>{{harvp|Eckert|1995|p name="Eckert 461|ps=.}}<" /ref> the waterway being the cumulative dredging and extension of the Portage Lake, Portage Shipping Canal and Lily Pond so as to isolate the northern part of the Keweenaw Peninsula into Copper Island. By 1880 Houghton had become "a burgeoning city"<ref>{{harvp|Taylor|2006|p= 43|ps=.}}</ref> and in 1883, the [[railroad]] was extended from [[Marquette, Michigan|Marquette]].

1909 saw the founding of what would later become [[Portage Lake District Library]].{{cn|date=May 2024}}

During the bitter [[Copper Country Strike of 1913-1914]], the [[Michigan National Guard]] was called in after the sheriff petitioned the governor.{{cn|date=May 2024}}

Houghton was the birthplace of professional ice hockey in the United States when the [[Portage Lakes Hockey Club|Portage Lakers]] were formed in 1903. Houghton is the home of the Portage Lake Pioneers Senior Hockey Team. The team's home ice is [[Dee Stadium]], named after James R. Dee. Dee Stadium was originally called the [[Amphidrome]], before it was severely damaged in a 1927 fire.{{cn|date=May 2024}}

Houghton was incorporated as a city in 1970.<ref name=city>{{cite web |title = City of Houghton Master Plan 2014-2018 |url = http://www.cityofhoughton.com/documents/Master_Plan_2013.pdf |publisher = City of Houghton |page = 8 |access-date = August 4, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190906155116/http://www.cityofhoughton.com/documents/Master_Plan_2013.pdf |archive-date = September 6, 2019 |url-status = dead }}</ref>

In the winter of 2001, Houghton was the site of one of the first [[lumitalo]]s (Finnish temporary snow houses) to be constructed in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |last = Coleman |first = Patrick J |title = Building with Snow: Northern Michigan Towns to Construct Snow Houses |url = http://www.upea.com/winterhouse/paper.htm |access-date = March 12, 2013 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120316133530/http://www.upea.com/winterhouse/paper.htm |archive-date = March 16, 2012 }}</ref>

[[File:Houghton, Michigan panorama c1900.jpg|thumb|upright=23|center|Panorama of Houghton from Huron Street from 1900 to 1906. The [[Houghton County Courthouse]] is visible near the center of the photo.]]

[[File:Portage Lake Lift Bridge(Night).JPG|thumb|This is a shot of theThe Portage Lake Lift Bridge that connectsconnecting the cities of Hancock and Houghton in Michigan]]

The city is located on the south shore of the [[Keweenaw Waterway]], primarily "on rolling wooded hills, less than a mile" across Portage Lake."<ref>{{cite book |first = Clarence |last = Monette |title = Some Copper Country Names and Places: Fifth of a Local History Series |publisher = Welden H. Curtin |location = Lake Linden, MI |pages = 22–23 |year = 1975 }}</ref> from [[Hancock, Michigan|Hancock]]. The city is bounded on the east by [[Portage Township, Houghton County, Michigan|Portage Township]] and Pilgrim, on the west by [[Dakota Heights, Michigan|Dakota Heights]] and [[Adams Township, Houghton County, Michigan|Adams Township]], and on the south by [[Hurontown, Michigan|Hurontown]] and Isle Royale Location, unincorporated communities that are part of Portage Township; and also on the west by [[Adams Township, Houghton County, Michigan|Adams Township]]. Houghton is named after [[Douglass Houghton]], discoverer of [[copper]] nearby. Houghton is also the home of [[Michigan Technological University]]. The city is served by [[Houghton County Memorial Airport]] in nearby Oneco.

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|4.69|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|4.45|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.24|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web |title = US Gazetteer files 2010 |url = https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher = [[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date = November 25, 2012 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120112090031/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date = January 12, 2012 }}</ref>

In the [[West Houghton]] neighborhood is [[West Houghton Park]], containingfeaturing an outdoor ice rink and lawn tennis courts. Along [[Portage Lake (Keweenaw)|Portage Lake]] is the Raymond Kestner Waterfront Recreation Area, the principal feature of which is a large "[[Chutes and Ladders]]" [[playground]]; it also includes Houghton Beach. Along the waterfront, in the area that used to be occupied by the railroad tracks, runs the "flat, paved"<ref name="keweenawnow.com">[{{Cite web |url=http://www.keweenawnow.com/happenings/art_music_festival_05_05/festival_may_05.htm |title=Art and Music Festival May 2005<!-- Bot generated title -->] |access-date=June 26, 2005 |archive-date=October 18, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051018055238/http://www.keweenawnow.com/happenings/art_music_festival_05_05/festival_may_05.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Waterfront Trail]] for bikerscyclists and pedestrians; at one end of this is the Houghton RV Park,<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.cityofhoughton.com/rec-rv.php |title = RV Park - City of Houghton |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071005153035/http://www.cityofhoughton.com/rec-rv.php |archive-date = October 5, 2007 |url-status = dead }}</ref> at the other end the Nara Nature Park and midway along this corridor is "[[Mattila Square]]".<ref name="keweenawnow.com"/> Prince's Point is also along this trail.<ref>http://usg.students.mtu.edu/usg/index.php?curpage=116 {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Veterans Park is just across the [[Portage Lake Lift Bridge]] from Hancock, and contains the memorial to the Houghton Company, which fought in the [[United States Civil War|Civil War]]. Houghton is the headquarters for [[Isle Royale National Park]].

The [[Portage Lake Lift Bridge|Portage Lift Bridge]] connects [[Hancock, Michigan|Hancock]] and Houghton, Michigan, by crossing overspans [[Keweenaw Waterway|Portage Lake]], which is part of the river and canal system that crosses the entire peninsula., Theconnecting Portage[[Hancock, Lift Bridge is the world's heaviestMichigan|Hancock]] and widestHoughton. double-decked vertical liftThe bridge., Its center span "lifts" towhich provideprovides {{convert|100|ft|m}} of vertical clearance for ships when open, is the world's heaviest and widest double-decked vertical lift bridge. Since rail traffic was discontinued in the Keweenaw, the lower deck is used to accommodate [[snowmobile]] traffic in the winter. ThisThe isbridge provides the only land based link between the north and south sectionsections of the Keweenaw peninsula, and is crucial.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.keweenaw.info/virtualkeweenaw.aspx |title = Virtual Keweenaw Peninsula |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110721215720/http://www.keweenaw.info/virtualkeweenaw.aspx |archive-date = July 21, 2011 }}</ref>

[[File:ISS053-E-223431.jpg|thumb|Houghton, Michigan at center-right along the bottom. Taken at 1:58 AMa.m. Central on November 10th10, 2017, during ISS [[Expedition 53]].]]

Houghton has a [[humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Dfb'') but the (typically) long and snowy (due to lake-effect snow, with an average of {{convert|218|in|m|2|disp=or}})<ref>{{cite web |title = City of Houghton |url=http://www.cityofhoughton.com/ |access-date=June 29, 2004 |archive-date=November 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120183602/http://wwwhistory.cityofhoughton.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> winters make the city feel as though it is in a climate much farther north. It holds the distinction of having the third-most (behind [[Duluth, Minnesota|Duluth]] and [[International Falls, Minnesota|International Falls]] in [[Minnesota]]) maxima below {{convert|32|F|C|disp=or}} of any incorporated city in the contiguous US, with the top temperature failing to reachrise above freezing onan average of 100.9 days per year.<ref name="NOAA"/> It is sometimes said that Houghton has “two"two seasons: winter’s here and winter’s coming".”<ref>{{cite book |first = Michael |last = McKinley |title = Hockey: A People's History |publisher = McClelland & Stewart Ltd. |isbn = 0-7710-5769-5 |page = [https://archive.org/details/hockeypeopleshis0000mcki/page/43 43] |year = 2006 |url-access = registration |url = https://archive.org/details/hockeypeopleshis0000mcki/page/43 }}</ref>

While Houghton's winters may be the subject of humor, residents take the subject of snow and winter very seriously. Houghton is onea of the premier “Winter Cities” found anywhere. A “[[Winter City]]” is a—a community that accommodates winter, celebrates it, and whose residents generally enjoy the season by participating in a variety of outdoor activities. Among those activities are cross country skiing, snow-shoeing, ice fishing, snowmobiling, ice skating and outdoor ice hockey, among other activities. Houghton celebrates winter through the “Winter Carnival” organized by Michigan Tech every year in February.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://bluekey.students.mtu.edu/exe/index.php |title = Winter Carnival 2012 Theme: "From all over the state, what makes Michigan great" February 8 - 11 |website = Blue Key Honor Society |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111105055220/http://bluekey.students.mtu.edu/exe/index.php |archive-date = November 5, 2011 }}</ref>

Houghton's summer climate tends to be especially pleasant, as hot temperatures are often moderated by the cool waters of nearby Lake Superior. The city's record high temperature of {{convert|102|F|C|1}} was recorded July 7, 1988; this is the only day in the city's history with a temperature over {{convert|100|F|C|1|disp=or}}. Temperatures below {{convert|0|F|C|1|disp=or}} are also relatively infrequent due to the moderating effect of the lake, being reached only on 18.3 nights per year as against over fifty at International Falls. The coldest temperature on record is {{convert|−30-30|F|C|1}}, set on February 9, 1951. The heaviest monthly snow total was {{convert|119|in|m|2}} in December 1978; the winter of 1978–1979 saw {{convert|354.1|in|m|2}} of snow fall, making it the snowiest in 109 years of continuous records at the [[Houghton County Memorial Airport|county airport]] (1891-20001891–2000). The greatest snow depth recorded was {{convert|73|in|m|2}} at the end of February 1937; in only two winters between 1891–1892 and 1999–2000 (1925–26 with {{convert|16|in|m|2|disp=or}} and 1932–33 with {{convert|19|in|m|2|disp=or}}) didhas the snow depth never reachreached at least two feet ({{convert|24|in|m|2|disp=or}}).

Every summer, the city of Houghton hosts a festival known as "Bridgefest", to commemorate the building of the [[Portage Lake Lift Bridge]]; this is often held in conjunction with "Seafoodfest".<ref>[http://www.flatbrokebluesband.com/photos.php Flat Broke Blues Band<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090625083454/http://www.flatbrokebluesband.com/photos.php |date=June 25, 2009 }}</ref> Every fall, the Parade of Nations takes place in downtown Houghton to commemorate the ethnic diversity of Michigan Technological University. "Strawberry Fest" is held in neighboring Chassell every summer, which not only celebrates the [[strawberry|fruit]], but also includes an art market with paintings, photos, sculptures, and crafts.

The city houses two museums. The [[Carnegie Museum of Houghton|Carnegie Museum]], located in the former Portage Lake District Library building, contains photographs from the Raffaelli Historical Photo Collection,<ref>{{cite web |title = Regular Meeting - Houghton City Council |url = http://www.cityofhoughton.com/documents/09-27-2006.pdf |date = September 27, 2006 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061024114545/http://www.cityofhoughton.com/documents/09-27-2006.pdf |archive-date = October 24, 2006 }}</ref> other artifacts on the history of the local area, a mural depicting the history of [[Houghton County, Michigan|Houghton]], [[Ontonagon County, Michigan|Ontonagon]], [[Baraga County, Michigan|Baraga]] and [[Keweenaw County, Michigan|Keweenaw]] Counties<ref>{{cite news |last = Gahagan |first = Kayla |title = Mural in Motion |work = The Daily Mining Gazette |page = 1 }}</ref> and exhibits of [[Visual arts|artwork]]. The [[AE Seaman Mineral Museum]], state mineral museum of Michigan, is located on the campus of Michigan Technological University.<ref>{{cite news |last = Creager |first = Ellen |title = You haven't lived here until ... you've visited the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum at Michigan Tech |url = http://news.morningstar.com/all/acquire-news/ff8080813489486e0134bccbd58a7a1d/you-havent-lived-here-until-youve-visited-the-ae-seaman-mineral-museum-at-michigan-tech-detroit-free-press.aspx |access-date = January 30, 2012 |newspaper = [[Detroit Free Press]] |date = January 8, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140723151749/http://news.morningstar.com/all/acquire-news/ff8080813489486e0134bccbd58a7a1d/you-havent-lived-here-until-youve-visited-the-ae-seaman-mineral-museum-at-michigan-tech-detroit-free-press.aspx |archive-date = July 23, 2014 |url-status = dead }}</ref>

Houghton is often the host of winter sporting events, due to its long winters and many ski hills. The 2006 [[cross-country skiing (sport)|cross-country skiing]] Junior Olympics took place in Houghton.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.2006juniorolympics.org/ |title = 2006 Junior Olympics site |access-date = December 3, 2006 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061206035117/http://www.2006juniorolympics.org/ |archive-date = December 6, 2006 |url-status = dead }}</ref> The US National Championships for [[Nordic skiing]] took place in Houghton in January 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.seniornationals.org/ |title = Senior Nationals site |access-date = December 2, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928092741/http://www.seniornationals.org/ |archive-date = September 28, 2007 |url-status = dead }}</ref> In addition, the International [[Frisbee]] Tournament (IFT) takes place every year in Houghton and the roll-out of the distance events of the Keweenaw Chain Drive bike races of Houghton and Hancock takes place in downtown Houghton.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.chaindrive.org/2007/events.htm |title = 2007 Portage Health Keweenaw Chain Drive Festival |website = Keweenaw Chain Drive Festival |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070703065252/http://www.chaindrive.org/2007/events.htm |archive-date = July 3, 2007 }}</ref>

Other winter events focus around [[Michigan Technological University]]. Michigan Tech hosts a yearly Winter Carnival in which thousands of visitors come to see snow sculptures built by members of fraternities, sororities,<ref>{{cite book |first1 = Pam |last1 = Reed |last2 = Sisskind |first2 = Mitch |name-list-style = amp |title = The Extra Mile: One Woman's Personal Journey to Ultra-Running Greatness |place = New York |publisher = Rodale, Inc. |year = 2006 |url = https://archive.org/details/extramileonewoma0000reed |isbn = 978-1-59486-415-5 |url-access = registration }}

</ref> other student organizations,<ref>{{cite book |first = Ander |last = Monson |title = Neck Deep and Other Predicaments: Essays |place = New York |publisher = [[Graywolf Press]] |year = 2006 |page = 13 |isbn = 978-1-55597-459-6 }}</ref> as well as a few community groups, and participate in the week-long celebration. Students at the university also receive several days of vacation for Carnival. As part of Winter Carnival 2006, the city of Houghton and the university broke three world records: the largest [[snowball]], the largest [[snowball fight]], and the largest number of people making [[snow angel]]s in one place. They currently still hold two of these records: largest snowball and largest snowball fight.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.usatoday.com/weather/news/2007-03-28-snow-angel-record_N.htm |title = North Dakota Snow Angel Record Confirmed |work = USA Today |access-date = October 27, 2017 |archive-date = December 23, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111223060457/http://www.usatoday.com/weather/news/2007-03-28-snow-angel-record_N.htm |url-status = dead }}</ref>

''[[The Daily Mining Gazette]]'' (formerly ''The Mining Gazette'')<ref>{{cite web |title = Mining Gazette |url = http://history.cityofhoughton.com/history/Displays/Indust/industpop_gazette1.html |access-date = October 3, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071030162331/http://history.cityofhoughton.com/history/Displays/Indust/industpop_gazette1.html |archive-date = October 30, 2007 |url-status = dead }}</ref> is a daily newspaper published in Houghton.

Tourism is a major industry in Houghton. Summer tourism is very popular, especially among those wishing to tour old mines, visit various historical sites, and camp. Winter tourism is also very active from November through April, for snowmobiling, skiing and other winter sports.{{cn|date=May 2024}}

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web |url = https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |title = Census of Population and Housing |publisher = Census.gov |access-date = September 21, 2021 |archive-date=July 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701194652/https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

As of the [[census]]<ref name ="2020census">{{cite web |title = U.S. Census website |url = https://www.census.gov/ |publisher = [[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date = September 21, 2021 |archive-date=July 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709054630/https://www.census.gov/ |url-status=live }}</ref> of 2020, there were 8,386 people residing in the city, living in 2,533 households with an average of 2.30 people per household.

As of the [[census]]<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web |title = U.S. Census website |url = https://www.census.gov/ |publisher = [[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date = November 25, 2012 |archive-date=July 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709054630/https://www.census.gov/ |url-status=live }}</ref> of 2010, there were 7,708 people, 2,380 households, and 907 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1732.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 2,516 housing units at an average density of {{convert|565.4|/sqmimi2|/km2|1disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the city was 85.2% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.0% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.4% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 11.2% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.1% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.4% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 1.8% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] residents of any race were 1.8% of the population.

As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 7,010 people, 2,114 households, and 877 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1,625.5 per square mile (628.0|PD/km<sup>2<sqmi|PD/sup>)km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 2,222 housing units at an average density of {{convert|515.2 per square mile (199.1|/km<sup>2<mi2|/sup>)km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the city was 89.24% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|White]], 1.87% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Black or African American]], 0.40% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Native American]], 6.79% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Asian]], 0.01% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Pacific Islander]], 0.24% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.44% from two or more races. [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Hispanic]] or [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Latino]] of any race were 0.77% of the population. 16.4% were of [[Germans|German]], 12.7% [[Finnish people|Finnish]], 8.2% [[Irish American|Irish]], 8.0% [[English people|English]], 6.0% [[Polish people|Polish]] and 5.1% [[Italian people|Italian]] ancestry according to [[2000 United States Census|Census 2000]]. 94.8% spoke [[English language|English]], 1.8% [[Spanish language|Spanish]] and 1.2% [[Chinese language|Chinese]] as their first language.

The local school district is [[Houghton-Portage Township Schools]]. Students K-12 are served by Houghton Elementary (K-5), Middle (6-86–8), and High (9-129–12) Schools. Houghton is also the home of [[Michigan Technological University]].

[[Indian Trails]] bus lines operates daily intercity bus service between [[Hancock, Michigan]], and [[Milwaukee, Wisconsin]].<ref>{{cite web |title = HANCOCK-MARQUETTE-GREEN BAY-MILWAUKEE |publisher = [[Indian Trails]] |date = January 15, 2013 |access-date = March 8, 2013 |url = http://www.indiantrails.com/sites/default/files/1490_0.pdf |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140222225859/http://www.indiantrails.com/sites/default/files/1490_0.pdf |archive-date = February 22, 2014 }}</ref>

Houghton Motor Transit operates both a demand bus and a route bus throughout Houghton and in nearby parts of Portage Township; there are also night trips to [[Mont Ripley]] in [[Ripley, Michigan|Ripley]].<ref>[http://www.cityofhoughton.com/citytransit.html] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070407200242/http://www.cityofhoughton.com/citytransit.html |date=April 7, 2007 }}</ref>

Houghton is the port of departure for [[Isle Royale National Park]].<ref>{{cite book |first = Dixie |last = Frankin |title = Michigan |publisher = Graphic Arts Center Publishing Company |isbn = 1-55868-099-3 |page = 7 |year = 1994 }}</ref> Cruise ships on the great lakes formerly (in the 1950s) used to frequently stop in Houghton, but this is now an exceedingly rare occurrence.

Houghton was formerly served by airship.<ref>[http{{Cite web |url=https://digarch.libcchi.mtu.edu/showbib.aspxcopper-country-image-detail?bib_idduid=603832#c74fb95d-625c-4199-ae28-ba498acbb9d6&width=1242&height=732&nid=28337 |title=Air ship, Houghton, near Amphidrome<!-- Bot generated title -->] |access-date=December 9, 2022 |archive-date=December 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209152939/https://cchi.mtu.edu/copper-country-image-detail?duid=c74fb95d-625c-4199-ae28-ba498acbb9d6&width=1242&height=732&nid=28337 |url-status=live }}</ref> A [[seaplane]] departs from Houghton to Isle Royale National Park.

Snowmobiling is a major winter activity in the area, both locally (snowmobiles are often the best available means of transportation after a blizzard) and as a tourist industry. The Bill Nichols Snowmobile Trail has a terminus in Houghton.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.exploringthenorth.com/keweenaw/billnichols.html |title = Exploring the North article on Bill Nichols Snowmobile Trail |access-date=February 12, 2007 |archive-date=July 31, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731093641/http://www.exploringthenorth.com/keweenaw/billnichols.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

*[[WMPL]] AM 920

*[[WCCY (AM)]] 1400

*[[WKMJ-FM]] FM 93.5

*[[WUPY]] FM 101.1

*'''East Houghton''' runs from Franklin Square to the eastern city limits. A principal street is College Avenue, characterized by Colonial Revival<ref name="Eckert p. 409"/> homes, which formerly ran from urbanized Houghton "farms, villas and mining operations... and the Michigan School of Mines, now Michigan Technological University;"<ref name="Eckert p. 411">{{harvp|Eckert|19951993|p=411|ps=.}}</ref> today the main campus of MTU has taken over much of the College Avenue area and some of East Houghton generally,<ref name="Eckert p. 411"/> though it remains a primarily residential neighborhood. (However, this has changed somewhat with construction of the [[Pearl Street Mall (Houghton, Michigan)|Pearl Street Mall]]. The Chassell Sands, which are usually considered apart from it, are partially zoned "Industrial.") It is home to '''East Houghton Park'''. The park was established in 1974 and contains [[tennis]] courts and [[playground]] equipment. The Chassell sands may be technically said to be part of this neighborhood, but are usually considered as apart from it, as is [[Minoru Yamasaki]]-designed [[Daniell Heights]], married-student housing at Tech.<ref>{{harvp|Eckert|19951993|p= 468|ps=.}}</ref>

*'''Central Houghton''' is a relatively urbanized area of the town, generally considered as being roughly between Franklin Square and the Portage Lake Lift Bridge. The "heart of Houghton's commercial district" is characterized by [[Jacobsville sandstone|sandstone]]<ref name="Eckert p. 409"/> (frequently mined from Jacobsville or Portage Entry) buildings with the frequent "classical detail";<ref>{{harvp|Eckert|19951993|p=409|ps=.}}</ref> it is centered on Shelden Avenue, the downtown lying in Central Houghton between Montezuma Avenue and Lake Street / Brew Alley / Lakeshore Drive, which are generally considered one continuous street. South of this area are a series of streets with small wooden houses, primarily from mining days, rising over the arc of the hills that the city is built upon. Northward is the [[Dock (maritime)|waterfront]], which has several [[dockyard]]s, and older buildings alongside it. While '''Corktown''' is the area around St. Ignatius Catholic Church, this neighborhood is rarely spoken of today.

*'''West Houghton''' is the site of more recent construction compared to the other two neighborhoods. Therefore, the area has a more modern, [[suburban]] feel to it than the other areas. This includes larger middle-class houses built with large wooded lots between them. Most prominent in this area, however, are the retail stores which are becoming the new commercial heart of the city. These include [[Walmart]] and several recent strip malls, with numerous small stores housed under a single roof. Several prominent beach areas are located on this side of the city. It is often referred to by locals as "ShopKo Heights (Sho Hi)," the "neighborhood behind ShopKo," or "ShopKoville" as a [[Shopko|ShopKo]] store had been located there prior to the company's closure.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.postcrescent.com/story/money/2019/06/23/shopko-bankruptcy-shopper-search-deals-companys-last-day/1352370001/ |title=Shopko's last day: Stores shut down amidst empty shelves, sadness |website=Post-Crescent Media |language=en |access-date=July 9, 2019 |archive-07date=June 24, 2019 |archive-09url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190624155931/https://www.postcrescent.com/story/money/2019/06/23/shopko-bankruptcy-shopper-search-deals-companys-last-day/1352370001/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Houghton figuresfeatures in the novels ''A Superior Death'' and ''Winter Study'' by [[Nevada Barr]] and the Robin Hamilton mystery series by [[Nancy Barr]].<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/577324/New-at-the-library.html?nav=5004 |title = New at the library |work=miningjournal.net |access-date=June 16, 2014 |archive-date=September 29, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929064150/https://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/577324/New-at-the-library.html?nav=5004 |url-status=live }}</ref> Much of [[Ander Monson]]'s ''Other Electricities'' takes place in Houghton.

* [[Avis DeVoto]], American culinary editor, book reviewer, and cook<ref>{{cite book |last1 = Child |first1 = Julia |last2 = DeVoto |first2 = Avis |name-list-style = amp |year = 2010 |title = As Always, Julia: The Letters of Julia Child and Avis DeVoto, Food, Friendship, and the Making of a Masterpiece |url = https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780547417714 |url-access = registration |editor-first = Joan |editor-last = Reardon |location = Boston |publisher = Houghton Mifflin Harcourt |isbn=978-0-547-41771-4}}</ref>

* [[Eugene Parker]], solar [[Astrophysics|astrophysicist]] and namesake of the [[Parker Solar Probe]]

==References Citations ==

{{reflistReflist}}

* [http://www.cityofhoughton.com/ City of Houghton]

* [http://www.mininggazette.com/ The Daily Mining Gazette Web site]