Advance, Michigan

Advance is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Charlevoix County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population of the CDP was 340 at the 2020 census. The community is located along Lake Charlevoix within Eveline Township.

History
Advance was settled in Eveline Township as early as 1865 along the shores of Pine Lake (now known as Lake Charlevoix) about 12.0 mi from Charlevoix. A post office in Advance began operating on October 20, 1870. In 1877, the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad opened a depot in Advance, and the community recorded a population of 10 at the time. By 1905, the community recorded a population of 105. The post office was disestablished on October 15, 1906. When the depot closed, the community soon dwindled and recorded 62 residents in 1910.

The community of Advance was listed as a newly defined census designated place for the 2010 census, meaning it now has officially defined boundaries and population statistics for the first time.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Advance CDP has a total area of 2.75 sqmi, of which 2.72 sqmi is land and 0.03 sqmi (1.10%) is water.

Education
The community of Advance is served primarily by Boyne City Public Schools to the east in Boyne City. A smaller western portion of the community may be served by East Jordan Public Schools to the south in East Jordan.