City Town Info

Houghton, MI


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Houghton, Michigan

Introduction to Houghton, Michigan

Houghton, Michigan, in Houghton county, is 168 miles E of Duluth, Minnesota (center to center) and 263 miles NE of St. Paul, Minnesota. The city is home to some 7,010 residents.

Houghton History

Douglas Houghton is believed to have discovered copper in Houghton which explains the city's name. However, before the European settlement, the Native Americans had also mined copper. Numerous Cornish and Finnish immigrants came to work in the copper mines, and The Michigan School of Mines was founded in 1885. The earliest European settler was Ransom Sheldon. When the Keweenaw Waterway opened in 1873, it established Houghton as an important port. The post war boom and increased demand for copper wiring led to rapid development of Houghton during the 1860s and 1870s. By 1880, Houghton had become a prosperous city in Michigan.

Houghton and Nearby Attractions

  • Coppertown USA Mining Museum Complex
  • Fort Wilkins Historic Complex
  • F.J. McLain State Park
  • Hancock Recreation Area
  • Twin Lakes State Park

Things To Do In Houghton

Fort Wilkins Historic Complex and Coppertown USA Mining Museum Complex have historical artifacts on display. The Wilkins Historic State Park, Twin Lakes State Park, and Hancock Recreation Area offers provisions for various recreational activities like hiking, fishing, and mountain biking. Golf can be played at Portage Lake Golf Course.

Houghton Transportation

Air transportation is available from Sawyer International Airport.

Houghton Higher Education

Colleges and universities located near Houghton are Northern Michigan University, North Central Technical College, University of Wisconsin, and Northeast Wisconsin Technical College.

High Points

Houghton strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Michigan):

CategoryTrophy
Short Commute Times
(vs. Peers)		Top 1%trophyHoughton Short Commute Times
Walking and Biking to Work
(vs. Peers)		Top 1%trophyHoughton Walking and Biking to Work
College Educated Adults
(vs. State)		Top 6%Houghton College Educated Adults
Public Transportation Use
(vs. State)		Top 6%Houghton Public Transportation Use
Affordability of Rents
(vs. Peers)		Top 7%Houghton Affordability of Rents
Low Property Crime
(vs. Peers)		Top 9%Houghton Low Property Crime
Low Violent Crime
(vs. Peers)		Top 15%Houghton Low Violent Crime
Racial Diversity
(vs. State)		Top 17%Houghton Racial Diversity

Comparative Profile of Houghton, MI

Comparing Houghton to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Michigan (State):

Ratings range from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).


The People

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Male Share of the Population1010
Racial Diversity69
Well-Paid Single Men55
Senior Citizens11
Children Under 5 Years Old11
Female Share of the Population11
Age of the Population11

Families

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Average Household Size34
Portion of People Married11

Wealth

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
College Educated Adults910
Median Family Income44
People in Middle Class or Better11
People Above Poverty11

Commute & Sprawl

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Short Commute Times1010
Walking and Biking to Work1010
Working at Home99
Public Transportation Use810

Housing

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals1010
Affordability of Rents1010
People Living Alone98
Seasonal and Vacation Housing86
Affordability of Property Taxes54
Housing Recently Built47

Crime

CharacteristicCompared
to Peers		Compared
to State
Low Property Crime1010
Low Violent Crime99

Detailed pages on related topics: Houghton colleges • Houghton travel.

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Additional Details

Houghton CollegesHoughton Colleges
Houghton colleges and trade schools.
Houghton Hotels & TravelHoughton Hotels & Travel
Houghton hotels, landmarks, tourism, transportation.

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Historic Houghton

photo

Douglass i.e. Douglas House c1908.

Select a photo to view (Source):

Douglass i.e. Douglas House c1908.

Michigan School of Mines c1906.

Michigan School of Mines between 1900 and 1910

Additional Resources


Large City Map

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