Overview

Introduction to Cheboygan, Michigan

Cheboygan, Michigan, in Cheboygan county, is 156 miles N of Saginaw, Michigan (center to center) and 240 miles N of Detroit, Michigan.

Cheboygan History

Originally, this region was home to Native American tribes. White settlers arrived in 1844, and Cheboygan was declared the county seat of Cheboygan County in 1853. The name was likely derived from the Cheboygan River. The origin of the word "Cheboygan" has been traced to "zhaabonigan," which in the Ojibwe language meant "sewing needle." Another tradition states that it was derived from the word "Chabwegan" which meant "a place of ore." In 1877, a theater was constructed, and the community served as the home port for ferryboats to Bois Blanc. Flagler, the pioneering brass era cyclecar maker, was based in this city during the early 1900s. In 1944, Cheboygan was home to Mackinaw, the former U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker and cutter.

Cheboygan and Nearby Attractions

  • Cheboygan County Historical Museum Complex
  • Colonial Michilimackinac
  • Cheboygan State Park
  • Father Marquette National Memorial and Museum
  • Cheboygan Crib Light

Things To Do In Cheboygan

Cheboygan has numerous historical places of interest. The Cheboygan Crib Light, which was originally built in 1884 on Lake Huron, has been preserved as a centerpiece in Gordon Turner Park. The 1877 Cheboygan Opera House, and the Carnegie Free Library are also located in the city. Cheboygan County Historical Museum Complex, which houses artifacts depicting the region's history, also includes the Cheboygan County Sheriff Residence, the Spies Heritage Hall, a jail built in the early 1900s, a log cabin belonging to the Native Indians, and the Memorial Rose Garden. Cheboygan offers easy access to other museums and historic sites like the Colonial Michilimackinac, Father Marquette National Memorial and Museum, and Fort de Buade Museum. Camping, boating, hiking, fishing, and picnicking can be enjoyed at the Cheboygan State Park. The community also hosts the Cheboygan County Fair during August every year.

Cheboygan Transportation

Air transportation is available from the Chippewa International Airport.

Cheboygan Higher Education

Nearby colleges are Lake Superior State University, Northwestern Michigan College, and Northwood College.

Demographics

People

Total Population4,726
Male Share of the Population47.9%
Female Share of the Population52.1%
Senior Citizens22.7%
Employed Population 16+1,913
Age of the Population42

Families

% of people married47.2%
Average household size2

Education and Earnings

Population % with Bachelor Degree or Higher14.7%
Median Earnings25+$27,672
Median Earnings Without High School Qualification$17,237
Median Earnings With High School Degree$30,455

Wealth

Median Family Income$51,216
% Above Poverty Level80.8%
% Below Poverty Level19.2%

Commute & Sprawl

Average Commute Time21 minutes
% Working from Home1.9%
% Walking and Biking to Work5.4%
% Using Public Transportation2.1%

Housing

People Living Alone41.2%
Median Gross Rent$537
Median House Value$81,800

Ancestry

German23.8%
Irish15.3%
Other(often includes Hispanic and African American)13.2%
French Except Basque12.3%
Polish10.3%
English9%
Canadian3.9%
Italian3.4%
Swedish2.3%
Scottish1.5%
Dutch1.4%
Russian1.1%
Norwegian1.1%
Czech0.9%
Welsh0.7%
African0.5%
Slovak0.5%
Ukrainian0.4%
Danishn0.4%
Belgian0.2%
Lithuanian0.2%
Maltese0.2%
Finnish0.2%
Romanian0.1%
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Cheboygan Almanac

CategoryValue
CountyCheboygan County
Standard Zip Codes49721
Phone Area Codes9,89,231
Time ZoneAmerica/Detroit
Approximate Latitude45.64
Approximate Longitude-84.46

Cheboygan Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

Notes:

  • Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
  • Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

StationCHEBOYGAN
Distance0.4 miles
Jan Temp8 to 26 F
Apr Temp30 to 49 F
Jul Temp57 to 77 F
Oct Temp37 to 56 F
Annual Precip29.5 inches
StationONAWAY STATE PARK
Distance18.8 miles
Jan Temp11 to 28 F
Apr Temp31 to 55 F
Jul Temp56 to 82 F
Oct Temp38 to 60 F
Annual Precip30.1 inches
StationPETOSKEY
Distance31.4 miles
Jan Temp14 to 26 F
Apr Temp33 to 48 F
Jul Temp59 to 75 F
Oct Temp40 to 56 F
Annual Precip31.1 inches

Nearby Cities and Towns

LocationPopulationMedian Family Income
Alanson787$42,750
Mackinac Island960$69,643
Onaway782$40,139
Pellston822$46,500
St. Ignace2,257$50,956

Cheboygan Public Libraries

Cheboygan Area Public Library
100 SOUTH BAILEY STREET
Cheboygan, Michigan
(231) 627-2381

library logo

More Information for Librarians

Cheboygan Public Schools

Cheboygan Area High School
801 West Lincoln Ave
ZIP: 49721
(231) 627-7191
High
Total Enrollment 704
Cheboygan Intermediate School
905 West Lincoln Ave
ZIP: 49721
(231) 627-7103
Primary
Total Enrollment 672
Cheboygan Virtual Academy
7461 N Straits Hwy
ZIP: 49721
(231) 627-4436
High
Total Enrollment 35
East Elementary School
440 Garfield Ave
ZIP: 49721
(231) 627-5211
Primary
Total Enrollment 307
Inverness Academy
7461 N Straits Hwy
ZIP: 49721
(231) 627-5613
Other
Total Enrollment 59
West Elementary School
512 Pine St
ZIP: 49721
(231) 627-2362

Cheboygan Private Schools

Bishop Baraga Catholic School
623 W Lincoln Ave
ZIP: 49721
Elementary
Total Enrollment 116
Cornerstone Christian School
900 S Western Ave
ZIP: 49721
Elementary
Total Enrollment 30
St John Lutheran Early Childhood Program
8759 N Straits Hwy
ZIP: 49721
Elementary
Total Enrollment 8
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Historic Cheboygan

photo

Cheboygan landing (inland route) between 1900 and 1910

Select a photo to view (Source):

Cheboygan landing (inland route) between 1900 and 1910

D. & C. Detroit & Cleveland Navigation Co. steamer at dock between 1900 and 1910

The Dock between 1900 and 1910

Additional Resources
Info for Cheboygan Government Officials


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