'Algonac' is a city in
St. Clair County of the
U.S. state of
Michigan. As of the
2000 census, the city population was 4,613.
Algonac is located at the southern end of the
St. Clair River, just before it splits into a large delta region known as the
St. Clair Flats. (Coordinates ) The St. Clair River drains
Lake Huron into
Lake St. Clair and is part of the
Great Lakes Waterway.
In Algonac, near the city's center,
ferry service is available to
Russell Island (
Michigan) and
Walpole Island (
Ontario). Just to the west of the city, ferry service is also offered to
Harsens Island.
At the center of Algonac is Algonac City Park, a
park which contains a quarter-mile long
boardwalk along the St. Clair River. Just to the north of the city is
Algonac State Park.
Algonac was the birthplace of artist and first female licensed architect in Michigan
Emily Helen Butterfield who was famous as a church architecture innovator.
Geography

Location of Algonac, Michigan
According to the
United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.6
km² (1.4
mi²), all land. However, Algonac is susceptible to
flooding, particularly in cold winters when the St. Clair river jams up with
ice, causing excess water
to spill over into some parts of the city. Streets may flood, and water levels may raise to a point where it enters houses. (Basements are uncommon in Algonac, as it is so close to the
water table.) During flooding, therefore, some locals may semi-seriously place "No
Wake" signs in their front yards, encouraging drivers to proceed slowly, so as not to cause waves to enter their homes.
Algonac is situated on what is called "the largest fresh-water delta in the world", at the mouth of the St. Clair River. Many
canals wind their way throughout the city, which has given Algonac its nickname of "The
Venice of Michigan."
Demographics
As of the
census2 of 2000, there were 4,613 people, 1,871 households, and 1,212 families residing in the city. The
population density was 1,272.2/km² (3,291.7/mi²). There were 2,014 housing units at an average density of 555.4/km² (1,437.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.36%
White, 0.15%
African American, 0.95%
Native American, 0.20%
Asian, 0.02%
Pacific Islander, 0.17% from
other races, and 1.15% from two or more races.
Hispanic or
Latino of any race were 1.02% of the population.
There were 1,871 households out of which 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% were
married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.2% were non-families. 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.5% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 93.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $42,133, and the median income for a family was $55,000. Males had a median income of $41,644 versus $25,000 for females. The
per capita income for the city was $22,441. About 8.6% of families and 9.4% of the population were below the
poverty line, including 10.7% of those under age 18 and 15.2% of those age 65 or over.
See also
★
Chris-Craft - boating manufacturer, which started in Algonac
★
Tashmoo Park
★
Gar Wood - racing legend; One time resident of Algonac
★
Killshot -
1989 novel by
Elmore Leonard, partially set in Algonac
External links
★
Official City Website
★
Algonac State Park - Michigan DNR website
★
Algonac High School - local public high school