Mackinac Island, Michigan Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

Mackinac Island, Michigan is an iconic city located in the Straits of Mackinac. It is situated between the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan and is accessible by ferry or boat. The island’s geography consists of lush green forests, limestone cliffs, and a winding coastline. There are three distinct seasons in Mackinac Island: spring, summer and fall. Springtime brings warm temperatures with occasional rain showers while summer offers hot days with cool nights. The fall season offers mild temperatures and vibrant colors as the leaves change on the trees.

The history of Mackinac Island dates back to 1670 when French explorers first arrived on the island. During the 1700s, it was a hub for fur trading between Native Americans and Europeans before becoming a popular tourist destination during Victorian times in the late 1800s. Today, Mackinac Island is home to a variety of attractions including Fort Mackinac, Grand Hotel, and historic downtown area.

Mackinac Island is governed by an elected mayor who serves as its chief executive officer along with several other elected officials from various departments such as police, fire protection services, public works departments and others. Most of its economy centers around tourism due to its popularity as a vacation spot for visitors from all over the world who come to experience its unique culture and beauty.

The schools on Mackinac Island are part of the Mackinac Island Public School District which consists of one elementary school (K-5th grade) and one high school (6th-12th grade). These schools offer a variety of academic programs including language arts, math, science, social studies as well as art classes for students to explore their creative side.

The landmarks on Mackinac Island include some that have been around since it was first settled like Fort Mackinaw which was built by British forces in 1780 during the American Revolutionary War; Grand Hotel which opened in 1887; Richard & Jane Manoogian Art Museum which showcases artwork from many different cultures; Biddle House which was built by fur trader John Jacob Astor in 1808; Wings of History Air Museum which has aircrafts from World War II era; plus many others that make up this city’s rich history and culture.

Population: 523. Estimated population in July 2024: 491 (-6.1% change)
Males: 273 (52.2%), Females: 250 (47.8%)

Mackinac County

Zip code: 49757

Demographics

Median resident age: 41.0 years
Median household income: $36,964
Median house value: $170,000

Population by Race

Races in Mackinac Island:

• White Non-Hispanic (75.3%)
• American Indian (23.7%)
• Two or more races (5.4%)
• Hispanic (0.6%)

Ancestries: German (23.9%), Irish (16.6%), English (11.9%), French (8.8%), Polish (6.3%), Scottish (5.2%).

Elevation: 590 feet

Land area: 4.4 square miles

Population by Education

Mackinac Island is a small island located in Lake Huron in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Its population in the year 2020 was estimated to be 492 people. The majority of the population are full-time residents, with a few seasonal workers and tourists.

The island is home to several ethnicities, including Native American, European-American, and African-American. Native Americans make up about 20% of the population, with most being affiliated with either the Ojibwe or Ottawa tribes. European-Americans account for about 70% of the population on Mackinac Island, while African-Americans make up about 8%.

The median age on Mackinac Island is 43 years old; this is slightly older than the national average of 37 years old. The majority of residents are married couples; only 18% of households consist of single individuals or unmarried couples. Most households have one or two children living at home; only 9% have three or more children living at home.

Most people who live on Mackinac Island work in either tourism or fishing industries. Tourism has been an important part of the local economy since the late 19th century when it became a popular tourist destination for those looking to experience its natural beauty and historical sites. Fishing has been a staple industry since colonial times as well; it continues to be an important source of employment for many locals today.

For population 25 years and over in Mackinac Island

• High school or higher: 84.1%
• Bachelor’s degree or higher: 31.1%
• Graduate or professional degree: 13.4%
• Unemployed: 25.3%
• Mean travel time to work: 10.9 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Mackinac Island city

• Never married: 29.8%
• Now married: 53.3%
• Separated: 0.7%
• Widowed: 4.2%
• Divorced: 12.1%

2.1% Foreign born (1.0% North America, 0.6% Asia, 0.6% Latin America).

Population change in the 1990s: +53 (+11.3%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Mackinac Island:

• MACKINAC STRAITS HOSPITAL (about 9 miles; SAINT IGNACE, MI)
• CHEBOYGAN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 22 miles; CHEBOYGAN, MI)
• NORTHERN MICHIGAN HOSPITAL (about 41 miles; PETOSKEY, MI)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Mackinac Island:

• PELLSTON REGIONAL AIRPORT OF EMMET COUNTY (about 23 miles; PELLSTON, MI; Abbreviation: PLN)
• CHIPPEWA COUNTY INTL (about 30 miles; SAULT STE MARIE, MI; Abbreviation: CIU)
• OTSEGO COUNTY (about 59 miles; GAYLORD, MI; Abbreviation: GLR)

Other public-use airports nearest to Mackinac Island:

• MACKINAC ISLAND (about 2 miles; MACKINAC ISLAND, MI; Abbreviation: MCD)
• MACKINAC COUNTY (about 9 miles; ST IGNACE, MI; Abbreviation: 83D)
• BOIS BLANC (about 11 miles; POINTE AUX PINS, MI; Abbreviation: 6Y1)

Amtrak stations near Mackinac Island:

• 8 miles: ST. IGNACE (448 N. STATE ST.) – Bus Station. Services: fully wheelchair accessible, public payphones.
• 9 miles: MACKINAW CITY (VALOT CITGO PLAZA) – Bus Station. Services: fully wheelchair accessible, snack bar.

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Mackinac Island:

• LAKE SUPERIOR STATE UNIVERSITY (about 47 miles; SAULT STE MARIE, MI; Full-time enrollment: 2,677)
• NORTHWESTERN MICHIGAN COLLEGE (about 101 miles; TRAVERSE CITY, MI; Full-time enrollment: 2,343)
• NORTHWOOD UNIVERSITY (about 157 miles; MIDLAND, MI; Full-time enrollment: 2,784)
• CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY (about 159 miles; MT PLEASANT, MI; Full-time enrollment: 21,353)
• FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY (about 160 miles; BIG RAPIDS, MI; Full-time enrollment: 8,593)
• SAGINAW VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY (about 164 miles; UNIVERSITY CENTER, MI; Full-time enrollment: 6,216)
• DELTA COLLEGE (about 164 miles; UNIVERSITY CENTER, MI; Full-time enrollment: 5,117)

Public primary/middle school in Mackinac Island:

• MACKINAC ISLAND SCHOOL (Students: 81; Location: LAKE SHORE DRIVE; Grades: KG – 12)

Libraries

Library in Mackinac Island:

• MACKINAC ISLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $54,411; Location: MAIN STREET; 10,731 books; 475 audio materials; 479 video materials; 39 serial subscriptions)