Marquette County Demographic Analysis

In 1995, the closure of K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base led to a reduction in the population of Marquette County by approximately 9,000 residents. Since that time, the population of the county has stabilized and even grown slightly with the 2010 U.S. Census reporting 67,077 residents. With the closing of K.I.Sawyer Air Force Base, Marquette County was faced with a myriad of challenges. In the ensuing years, the County has rebounded resulting in an economy that is not only more diverse, but also better suited to meet the global economic demands of the 21st century.

Marquette County serves as a regional shopping destination. Kohl’s, Gander Mountain, Target, Pier I, Michael’s, Lowe’s Home Improvement Store, Tractor Supply Company, Best Buy and Walgreen’s have all opened new stores in recent years. Several new restaurants that now call Marquette County home are Starbucks, Papa Murphy’s, and Quizno’s, along with other restaurants popping up in multiple locations such as Subway, McDonald’s and Jimmy John’s.

Air travel at Sawyer International Airport located at the former K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base since 1998, had 114,295 passengers in 2010, a nearly 7.0% increase over 2009. Sawyer International Airport provided flights for 55% of passengers to and from the U.P. for the fifth year in a row according to the YTD-2010 records.

Property values total $2.48 billion. Median household income for county residents has increased 15% between the years 1995 and 2004.

All of these indicators predict a bright future for Marquette County.

Population as a Regional Destination

2010 population estimates show 311,361 residents including the eight surrounding counties. Many local arts and culture activities, festivals, music concerts, high school and university sporting events, recreational sports tournaments and conferences/seminars draw people to Marquette County for day and weekend trips that include shopping, dining and recreation. Marquette County is truly the hub of the Upper Peninsula.

PASSENGER  AIR  TRAFFIC  AT SAWYER  INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Year                Number of Passengers      

2005               115,543

2006               132,169

2007               133,681

2008               112,072

2009               107,353

2010               114,295

MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD MONEY INCOME

2007               $45,536

2008               $43,599

2009               $41,273

2010               $40,038

PER CAPITA INCOME

2008:              $29,552

2009:              $31,316

2010:              $31,461

PROPERTY VALUE-MARQUETTE COUNTY

2005 - $1.96 billion

2006 - $2.16 billion

2009 - $2.48 billion

MEDIAN HOME SALES PRICE

2005 - $135,000

2006 - $147,000

2007 - $150,000

2008 - $152,400

2009 - $142,000

2010 - $152,000

HOUSING  MARKET-AVERAGE  NUMBER  OF DAYS ON MARKET

In 2010, the average selling time was 146 days.

Source: Marquette Area Residential Market Analysis by Closser Associates, Inc. 2010

POPULATION 2010

City of Ishpeming:                       6,470

City of Marquette:                      21,355

City of Negaunee:                        4,568

Champion Township:                      297

Chocolay Township:                     5,903

Ely Township:                              1,952

Ewing Township:                             160

Forsyth Township:                        6,164

Humboldt Township:                       464

Ishpeming Township:                    3,513

Marquette Township:                    3,905

Michigamme:                                349

Negaunee Township:                    3,088

Powell Township:                            816

Republic Township:                      1,060

Richmond Township:                       882

Sands Township:                          2,285

Skandia Township:                          826

Tilden Township:                           1,013

Turin Township:                               153

Wells Township:                              231

West Branch:                                1,623

 LABOR FORCE 2010

2010 Total labor force (annual average):               35,711

2010 Unemployment rate (annual average):          10.3%

2010 Upper Peninsula population:                      311,361

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau and Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth

POPULATION BY GENDER AND MINORITY GROUP

Female:             49.8%

White:                93.8%

Black:                  1.7%

American Indian:  1.1%

POPULATION BY AGE - 2009

Persons under 5 years old:             4.9%

Persons under 18 years old:          18.2%

Persons 65 years old and over:      14.6%

Source: U.S. Quick Facts