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Moving to Alpena, Michigan

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The current estimated population of Alpena, Michigan is 10,081, with 47.4% male and 52.6% female. Alpena has experienced steady growth due to its status as a regional hub for northeastern Michigan.

City Facts

  • Year founded: 1840
  • County: Alpena
  • Land area: 8.9 square miles
  • Population density: Approximately 1,133 people per square mile
  • Area code: 989
  • Zip codes: 49707, 49753

Geography and Location

Alpena, Michigan is located in northeastern Michigan, along the shores of Lake Huron’s Thunder Bay. The city serves as a regional hub for commerce, healthcare, and education, and is known for its natural beauty, particularly its proximity to Lake Huron. Alpena’s waterfront location provides opportunities for boating, fishing, and other water-based activities. The city is also home to the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, which protects a significant collection of shipwrecks in the lake. Alpena’s mix of small-town charm and access to outdoor recreation makes it a popular place to live and visit.

Demographics

Median resident age: 39.6 years
Median household income: $30,353
Median house value: $70,600

Population by Race

Races in Alpena:

  • White Non-Hispanic (97.2%)
  • American Indian (1.0%)
  • Two or more races (0.9%)
  • Hispanic (0.6%)

Ancestries: Polish (26.2%), German (24.7%), French (14.0%), English (9.4%), Irish (7.6%), French Canadian (4.8%).

Elevation: 590 feet

Land area: 8.4 square miles

Map of Alpena, MI

Population by Education

For population 25 years and over in Alpena

  • High school or higher: 84.0%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 14.5%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 5.8%
  • Unemployed: 6.6%
  • Mean travel time to work: 12.1 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Alpena city

  • Never married: 25.0%
  • Now married: 49.9%
  • Separated: 1.0%
  • Widowed: 11.6%
  • Divorced: 12.6%

1.3% Foreign born

Population change in the 1990s: -104 (-0.9%).

Hospitals

Hospital/medical center in Alpena:

  • ALPENA GENERAL HOSPITAL (1501-1511 W CHISHOLM ST)

Other hospitals/medical centers near Alpena:

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Alpena:

  • ALPENA COUNTY REGIONAL (about 8 miles; ALPENA, MI; Abbreviation: APN)
  • OTSEGO COUNTY (about 88 miles; GAYLORD, MI; Abbreviation: GLR)
  • PELLSTON REGIONAL AIRPORT OF EMMET COUNTY (about 100 miles; PELLSTON, MI; Abbreviation: PLN)

Other public-use airports nearest to Alpena:

  • SILVER CITY AIRPARK (about 4 miles; ALPENA, MI; Abbreviation: 53M)
  • FLYING M RANCH (about 24 miles; LINCOLN, MI; Abbreviation: 3L7)
  • HARRISVILLE (about 30 miles; HARRISVILLE, MI; Abbreviation: 5Y0)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/Universities in Alpena:

  • ALPENA COMMUNITY COLLEGE (Full-time enrollment: 1,142; Location: 666 JOHNSON ST; Public; Website: alpenacc.org)
  • ALPENAS HOLLYWOOD SCHOOL OF BEAUTY INC (Location: 1036 US 23 N; Private, for-profit)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Alpena:

  • SAGINAW VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY (about 111 miles; UNIVERSITY CENTER, MI; Full-time enrollment: 6,216)
  • DELTA COLLEGE (about 111 miles; UNIVERSITY CENTER, MI; Full-time enrollment: 5,117)
  • LAKE SUPERIOR STATE UNIVERSITY (about 114 miles; SAULT STE MARIE, MI; Full-time enrollment: 2,677)
  • NORTHWOOD UNIVERSITY (about 116 miles; MIDLAND, MI; Full-time enrollment: 2,784)
  • KETTERING UNIVERSITY (about 141 miles; FLINT, MI; Full-time enrollment: 2,900)
  • CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY (about 142 miles; MT PLEASANT, MI; Full-time enrollment: 21,353)
  • UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN-FLINT (about 142 miles; FLINT, MI; Full-time enrollment: 4,544)

Schools

Public high school in Alpena:

  • ALPENA HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,678; Location: 3303 S. 3RD AVENUE; Grades: 09 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Alpena:

  • THUNDER BAY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 860; Location: 3500 3RD AVENUE; Grades: 07 – 08)
  • BESSER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 500; Location: 375 WILSON STREET; Grades: PK – 06)
  • ELLA M. WHITE SCHOOL (Students: 444; Location: 201 N. RIPLEY BOULEVARD; Grades: KG – 06)
  • HINKS SCHOOL (Students: 307; Location: 7667 US 23 NORTH; Grades: KG – 06)
  • LINCOLN COMMUNITY SCHOOL (Students: 250; Location: 309 W. LAKE STREET; Grades: KG – 06)
  • SUNSET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 249; Location: 1421 HOBBS DRIVE; Grades: PK – 06)
  • OXBOW ACES ACADEMY/ALTERNATIVE & ADULT ED (Students: 148; Location: 700 PINECREST; Grades: UG – UG)
  • PIED PIPER OPPORTUNITY CENTER (Students: 94; Location: 444 WILSON STREET; Grades: UG – UG)

Private primary/middle schools in Alpena:

  • ST ANNE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 211; Location: 205 SO NINTH AVENUE; Grades: PK – 8)
  • IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL (Students: 136; Location: 355 WILSON STREET; Grades: PK – 8)
  • ST MARY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 82; Location: 500 NORTH 2ND STREET; Grades: PK – 6)

Libraries

Library in Alpena:

  • ALPENA COUNTY LIBRARY (Operating income: $788,053; Location: 211 NORTH FIRST AVENUE; 78,277 books; 1,463 audio materials; 1,795 video materials; 246 serial subscriptions)

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