West Branch, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
West Branch
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| City of West Branch | |
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Downtown West Branch along Houghton Avenue
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| Motto(s):
"Up North. Down Home."
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Location within Ogemaw County
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 West Branch
Location in Michigan
West Branch
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Ogemaw |
| Incorporated | 1885 (village) 1905 (city) |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor–council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.54 sq mi (3.99 km2) |
| • Land | 1.54 sq mi (3.99 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 955 ft (291 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,351 |
| • Density | 1,527.62/sq mi (589.92/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code(s) |
48661
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| Area code(s) | 989 |
| FIPS code | 26-85580 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1627248 |
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West Branch is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the county seat and largest incorporated settlement of Ogemaw County. The city had a population of 2,351 at the 2020 census, an increase from 2,139 at the 2010 census. West Branch is mostly surrounded by West Branch Township, but the two are administered autonomously.
Contents
History
According to the Ogemaw County Genealogical and Historical Society, West Branch was previously known as Logan's Mills in 1863. It later became West Branch when lumberjacks named it after the "west branch" of the Rifle River. The founders of West Branch were Charles Taber and Mr. Goodar During the early settlement of West Branch laws and enforcement of laws were not set. But, the town never had a high crime problem then. Theft was unheard of to the settlers. Woodsmen would try to run the town for a while, but it never really lasted that long. With very low crime rates, running the town was a difficult thing to do. West Branch was a rich town in these times you could say. Workers were paid well and there was no lack of money for the new settlers. In 1883 there was a major fire that burnt down quite a few businesses on Houghton Avenue. Within a year, the businesses were rebuilt better than they were before. This fire was one of four to five devastating fires that had blazed through West Branch in the early years.
West Branch has many historical buildings and one of the oldest is the West Branch Public Library. The library was established on September 2, 1905. It has had many different locations and hardships throughout its long history. It first started off on the third floor of the West Branch Hotel and then after a fire took out the block it moved to the top floor of the Tolfree Livingston Block. Another fire hit it in January 1923 and then on November 1, 1926 it was stricken with another hardship when the Ogemaw County Bank failed. It was able to recover by getting funds from the city council. From June 1923 to 1952 the library had increased its hours from two to 30 hours. Finally in September 1949 the city council approved to move the library to the community building which would later be torn down and the land would be used for the library and the city hall. On June 1, 1973 it had reached 40 hours a week and then in 1974 was considered a Class III library serving 5,000-12,999 people. It has grown exponentially and by the time 2005 comes around it has a computerized circulation system accompanied with an automated card catalog.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.48 square miles (3.83 km2), all land.
Major highways
I-75
BL I-75
M-30
M-55
M-33
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 139 | — | |
| 1890 | 1,302 | 836.7% | |
| 1900 | 1,412 | 8.4% | |
| 1910 | 1,276 | −9.6% | |
| 1920 | 1,105 | −13.4% | |
| 1930 | 1,164 | 5.3% | |
| 1940 | 1,962 | 68.6% | |
| 1950 | 2,098 | 6.9% | |
| 1960 | 2,025 | −3.5% | |
| 1970 | 1,912 | −5.6% | |
| 1980 | 1,785 | −6.6% | |
| 1990 | 1,914 | 7.2% | |
| 2000 | 1,926 | 0.6% | |
| 2010 | 2,139 | 11.1% | |
| 2020 | 2,351 | 9.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2020 census
As of the census of 2020, there were 2,052 people, 979 households, with a median house income of $30,508. The percentage of people who drove to work alone was 77.7%, people who carpooled to work was 12.5%, and people who walked to work was 5.06%. Therefore, the most common way to commute was driving alone. Median earnings for men was $35,054 and for women it was $24,234. The industries in 2020 with the most median earnings for men are Construction ($42,353), Entertainment, Arts, Recreation, Accommodations and Food Services ($42,188), and Manufacturing ($35,677). The racial makeup of the city was 91% White, 4.68% Asian, 1.56% Hispanic, 1.51% Multiracial, 1.22% African American, .195% other. On average there is 2 cars per household. People have an average commute time of 19.1 minutes. Per capita personal health care spending in Michigan was $8,055 in 2014. This is a 4% increase from the previous year ($7,745). Insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 18.3% under 18 years, 20.7% between 18 and 34 years, 31.9% between 35 and 64 years, and 29.1% over 64 years.
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 2,139 people, 1,006 households, and 489 families living in the city. The population density was 1,445.3 inhabitants per square mile (558.0/km2). There were 1,147 housing units at an average density of 775.0 per square mile (299.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.9% White, 0.5% African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.7% of the population.
There were 1,006 households, of which 24.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 28.9% were married couples living together, 15.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 51.4% were non-families. 45.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 23.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.99 and the average family size was 2.74.
The median age in the city was 44.3 years. 20.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21% were from 25 to 44; 25.2% were from 45 to 64; and 24.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 42.9% male and 57.1% female.
Education
West Branch-Rose City Area Schools is a local public school district. Residents are served by Surline Elementary and Middle Schools, as well as by Ogemaw Heights High School, which serves both West Branch and Rose City. The high school's mascot is the falcon. Saint Joseph Catholic School is a private parochial elementary school in West Branch, serving students from preschool through eighth grade. It is affiliated with the Diocese of Gaylord of the Roman Catholic Church, and is a member of the National Catholic Educational Association. Post-secondary education in the area is provided by Kirtland Community College.
Medical facilities
MydMichigan Medical Center – West Branch (formerly West Branch Regional Medical Center before April 2, 2018) is located on 2463 S. M-30. They offer many different specialties, such as rehabilitation programs, condition-specific educational sources, and a wound care center. The rehabilitation programs offered range from neurological to physical. The three main programs offered are physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. A couple of the physical therapy treatments offered are post-surgical hip rehabilitation and even a weight management program. Their occupational therapy program offers functional capacity evaluations and shoulder pain and post-surgical shoulder rehabilitation. Speech therapy programs help with speech and cognitive disorders and also swallowing disorders.
The Wound Care Center at West Branch Regional Medical Center offers many opportunities to patients who suffer from non-healing wounds or from chronic pain related to a wound. This program offers treatment such as debridement, specialized wound dressings, compression therapy, bio-engineered skin grafts, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
On July 1, 2010, West Branch Regional Medical Center closed its obstetrics ward, no longer serving expectant mothers in the community. No other units were anticipated to close at the time, and expectant mothers were referred to nearby hospitals in cities like Tawas, Saginaw, Midland, or Bay City for delivery, after consulting with their physician. On March 1, 2021, MidMichigan Medical Center – West Branch reopened its obstetrics ward with a virtual grand reopening.
Local activities and attractions
West Branch contains Irons Park, a city park established in 1955 and named for former landowner Archie Irons. Many events are held in the park yearly, including an Easter egg hunt, the Humane Society Mutt March, the Summer Music Series, the Victorian Art Fair, a fishing derby, and duck races, to name a few. The park is also the home of Fort Austin, named in memory of Austin Clark, which consists of a large, complex, modern, wooden play-scape. The park has many activities available, including biking, fishing, bird-watching, and many children's activities; the park also has two tennis courts, basketball courts, picnic tables, grills, and two bathroom facilities. In the winter, Irons Park is often used for sledding.
In 2014, the John Tolfree Hospital installed the Tolfree Wellness Park on the West Branch Regional Medical Center’s campus. This was the first step to WBRMC's Go Outside! project to address childhood obesity in poverty-stricken families. The park houses a 3.3 mile trail, gardens, a greenhouse, and a pavilion. The park also sponsors the Soles for Cardio Run/Walk to promote fun and healthy lifestyles; all proceeds go to health and wellness programs at the medical center and to help maintain the Tolfree Wellness Park.
West Branch also has two bowling alleys, Ogemaw Lanes and Hi-Skore. West Branch Cinema 3, the local movie theater, is located in the downtown Victorian district. Special seasonal activities also abound in the area. ..... In February, West Branch is home to the Ogemaw County Winterfest. The Ogemaw County Fair is held on the third week in August on Rifle River Trail, just 8 miles east of the city. During the last week of July, West Branch hosts Relay for Life in Irons Park, supporting the fight against breast cancer, raising money for charities, and increasing awareness of breast cancer.
Notable people
- Catherine Laurion, Miss Michigan Teen USA 2005 and first runner-up in the national Miss Teen USA 2005 pageant
- Alex Rose, athlete who represented Samoa at the 2016 and 2020 Summer Olympics
- Dita Von Teese, vedette, burlesque dancer, model, and businesswoman, known as the "Queen of Burlesque"
- Dave Walter, former NFL quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals
- Daniel Way, comic book writer, known for his work on Wolverine: Origins and Deadpool
- Joy Williams, singer and songwriter who performed as half of the duo The Civil Wars
- Donny Winter, Pushcart Prize nominated poet
- Anthony Zettel, NFL defensive end who played for several teams and is currently a free agent
Images for kids
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U.S. Post Office in West Branch -
West Branch Library and City Hall -
Former West Branch train depot
See also
In Spanish: West Branch (Míchigan) para niños
