Hancock, Michigan

Hancock is a city in Houghton County. It is the northernmost city in the U.S. state of Michigan,^* located on the Keweenaw Peninsula, or, depending on terminology, Copper Island. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 4,323. It is the sister city of Porvoo, Finland. The East Hancock neighbourhood is part of the city. Laurn Grove Park is located in West Hancock.

The city was named after John Hancock.^*

History

The earliest building in what is now the City of Hancock was a log cabin erected in 1846, but no longer standing. It was owned by Christopher C. Douglas, who came to live there in 1852.^* The Quincy Mining Company founded Hancock in 1859.

In 1869 a fire burnt down about 75% of the village.

Hancock was incorporated as a city in 1903. Due to the large amount of Finnish immigrants, some street signs in Hancock are, as of 2006, printed in both English and their Finnish names.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.4 km² (2.8 mi²). 6.5 km² (2.5 mi²) of it is land and 0.9 km² (0.3 mi²) of it (12.28%) is water. Hancock is connected to Houghton, Michigan by the Portage Lake Lift Bridge, which as the name implies crosses Portage Lake.

People and Culture

Demographics

As of the census ² of 2000, there were 4,323 people, 1,769 households, and 902 families residing in the city. The population density was 667.6/km² (1,727.5/mi²). There were 1,983 housing units at an average density of 306.3/km² (792.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.95% White, 0.76% Black or African American, 0.93% Native American, 1.06% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. 0.76% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,769 households out of which 23.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.2% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 49.0% were non-families. 38.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the city the population was spread out with 19.0% under the age of 18, 18.0% from 18 to 24, 22.6% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 20.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 98.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,118, and the median income for a family was $36,625. Males had a median income of $27,090 versus $22,150 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,669. About 6.9% of families and 14.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.0% of those under age 18 and 15.1% of those age 65 or over.

Museums and Galleries

The birthplace of Mary Chase Perry-Stratton, founder of Pewabic Pottery is located in Hancock and is now run as a museum, Pewabic House.

The Kerredge Gallery and the Republic Bank Gallery are both located inside the Copper Country Community Arts Center.^*

Turquoise Art Gallery is also located in Hancock.

Education

Public Education

Elementary-school students attend the Gordon Barkell Elementary School (formerly Hancock Elementary School), middle school students Hancock Middle School and high-school students Hancock Central High School.

Higher Education

Hancock is the home of Finlandia University (formerly Suomi College), and a small part of the campus of Michigan Technological University is also located in Hancock. Ripley, Michigan is located immediately east of, and Franklin Mine, Michigan southeast of the city.

Transportation

Highways

U.S. Highway 41 runs through Hancock.

Intercity Bus

Greyhound Bus Lines operates a terminal at the Shottle Bop Party Store, 125 Quincy Street.

Public Transportation

In 1902 "Houghton County Traction Company" ran "a trolley system" with service "to nearby towns".^*

Hancock Public Transit operates a demand bus which will take riders to anywhere in Hancock, Houghton, or Ripley.

Airport

The Houghton County Memorial Airport is often said to serve Houghton, though it is closer to Hancock and sometimes referred to as "Hancock".

External links

Houghton County, Michigan | Cities in Michigan

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