Alger County is located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It is bordered by Marquette County on the east, Schoolcraft County on the south, Delta County on the west, and Mackinac County on the north. See Countryaah – Counties in Michigan. Alger county spans an area of 1,836 square miles and features a variety of terrain including forests, lakes, rivers, and wetlands.
The county is named after Russell Alger who served as Governor of Michigan from 1885 to 1889. The county seat is located in Munising which sits along the shores of Lake Superior. Other notable towns and villages include Christmas, Curtis, Grand Marais, Limestone Township and Wetmore Township.
Alger County is home to a variety of outdoor activities including camping, fishing, hunting, hiking trails, skiing and snowmobiling. The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is located within Alger County’s boundaries and offers breathtaking views of Lake Superior’s shoreline cliffs as well as access to numerous trails for biking and hiking enthusiasts.
The county also boasts several state parks such as Hiawatha National Forest which provides recreational opportunities such as camping sites, boat launches for kayaking or canoeing down the rivers that run through it; Seney National Wildlife Refuge which offers a variety of waterfowl viewing opportunities; Grand Island National Recreation Area for kayaking or fishing; and Garlyn Zoo Nature Park where visitors can observe animals from around the world in their natural habitats.
Alger County provides visitors with plenty to explore including its picturesque landscapes that feature stunning views of Lake Superior’s shoreline cliffs as well as its many outdoor recreational activities that can be enjoyed year-round. Whether you’re looking for an adventure or just want to relax in nature’s beauty Alger County has something for everyone.
Demographics of Alger County, Michigan
Alger County is located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and has a population of approximately 9,000 people. The population is spread out over an area of 1,836 square miles and is made up of a mix of rural and urban communities.
The racial makeup of Alger County is primarily white (90.4%), with small percentages of Native American (2.7%), African American (1.5%), Asian (0.5%) and Hispanic or Latino (1.6%). The median age in the county is 42 years old, with 25% under the age of 18, 8% between 18-24, 28% between 25-44, 20% between 45-64 and 19% who are 65 years old or older.
The median household income for Alger County is $37,640 which is slightly lower than the Michigan state average ($48,977). Additionally, 17.4% of the population lives below the poverty line which is higher than the state average at 14.2%.
The largest industries in Alger County are health care and social assistance (11%) followed by retail trade (10%). Other major industries include educational services; accommodation and food services; construction; manufacturing; professional scientific and technical services; transportation and warehousing; finance and insurance; real estate rental and leasing; administrative support waste management; arts entertainment recreation etc.; management occupations; business/finance occupations etc.
Overall, Alger County has diverse demographics that make up its communities with a mix of rural areas as well as cities that provide essential services for its residents such as health care, education and more.
Places of Interest in Alger County, Michigan
Alger County, Michigan is home to some of the most stunning natural landscapes in the world. From its picturesque shorelines to its rolling hills and deep forested areas, the county offers an abundance of outdoor activities and attractions that can be enjoyed year-round.
The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is a must-see destination in Alger County. Located along Lake Superior’s shoreline, the park contains some of the most beautiful sandstone cliffs in the world. Visitors can explore hiking trails, go kayaking or canoeing on lake waters and take in breathtaking views of the lake’s many waterfalls.
Other popular outdoor attractions include Grand Island National Recreation Area which features miles of pristine beaches and forests as well as a variety of bird watching opportunities; Seney National Wildlife Refuge which covers over 90,000 acres and has abundant wildlife; Hiawatha National Forest which is home to a variety of wildlife including black bears, deer, moose and more; and Tahquamenon Falls State Park where visitors can view two spectacular waterfalls that are over 200 feet tall.
In addition to outdoor activities, Alger County also has several cultural attractions such as historical sites like Fort Wilkins Historic State Park which offers guided tours of an old military outpost from the 1800s; museums like Pickford Community Museum which showcases artifacts from early settlers; art galleries like UPCAP Art Gallery where visitors can view works from local artists; and theaters like The Playhouse at Grand Marais where live performances are held throughout the year.
Alger County offers something for everyone with its wide range of attractions both outdoors and indoors. Whether you’re looking for an adventure or just want to relax in nature’s beauty Alger County has something for everyone.
Notable People of Alger County, Michigan
Alger County, Michigan is home to a number of notable individuals who have achieved success in a variety of fields. From politicians and activists to artists and athletes, the county has produced some of the most influential people in the world.
The first prominent figure from Alger County was John P. Hale, an American politician and lawyer who served as a United States Senator from New Hampshire and was also involved in the abolitionist movement. Another notable figure was artist Frederick MacMonnies who is known for his public monuments such as the Nathan Hale Memorial in Washington D.C., the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument in Indianapolis, Indiana, and many more.
Other prominent figures include author Ernest Hemingway who spent much of his life in Alger County; Senator Arthur Vandenberg who was a prominent Republican leader during World War II; astronaut Jerry Linenger who became the first American to perform an extravehicular activity outside of the Space Shuttle Mir; NFL quarterback Tom Brady who grew up in Alger County; musician Chris Ballew who is best known for being part of The Presidents of The United States Of America; and actress Jan Hooks who starred on Saturday Night Live for five years.
Alger County has also been home to many other notable individuals including actors Bill Murray, Jeff Daniels, Michael Moore, musicians Kid Rock, Bob Seger, writers Elmore Leonard, David Maraniss as well as scientists like Dr. Robert Ballard who discovered the wreck site of Titanic. All these people have made significant contributions to their respective fields which have made them well-known around the world.