Wolverine, Michigan

Wolverine is a village in Cheboygan County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 244 at the 2010 census.

The village is mostly located within Nunda Township with a small portion extending west into Wilmot Township. It is located directly west of Interstate 75 about 40 mi south of the Mackinac Bridge.

History
The area was originally settled by Jacob Shook and his family as early as 1874. The community was named "Torrey" when George Richards settled in the area soon after. Venturing to the area was difficult, as the nearest railway line ended in Gaylord about 20 mi to the south. Richards was a frequent traveler back and forth to Gaylord for mail and supplies, often staying mid-route at Vanderbilt. He requested a closer post office, which was granted under the name Wolverine in late 1880.

The post office was first established on January 3, 1881, and continues to remain in operation. Richards served as the first postmaster. As an early settler of the community, he helped organize and operate the local school district and was also a real estate dealer and lumberman. He was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 1903.

In 1881, Wolverine recorded 18 residents. Soon after, the Jackson, Lansing, and Saginaw Railroad Company received a deed and began railway construction at the community of Trowbridge about 5 mi to the southeast. By 1891, the population of Wolverine increased to about 1,000 residents, who mainly worked for the railway and lumbering industry. The community incorporated as a village in 1903. By 1905, the area population was around 1,800. When the lumber industry declined by the 1930s, the population drastically decreased as many people left Wolverine.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 0.99 sqmi, of which 0.98 sqmi is land and 0.01 sqmi (1.01%) is water.

Wolverine is situated on the Sturgeon River where the west branch joins the main branch at 45.27333°N, -84.60444°W.

Wolverine contains its own post office using the 49799 ZIP Code, which is the highest numeric ZIP Code in the state's Lower Peninsula. The Wolverine post office serves a much larger area that includes most of Nunda Township and Wilmot Township, as well as smaller portions of Ellis Township and Mentor Township. The post office also serves a very small portion of Corwith Township in Otsego County to the south, as well as very small portions of Chandler Township in Charlevoix County and Springvale Township in Emmet County to the west.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 244 people, 94 households, and 64 families residing in the village. The population density was 249.0 PD/sqmi. There were 146 housing units at an average density of 149.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 94.3% White, 0.8% Asian, and 4.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.2% of the population.

There were 94 households, of which 37.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.1% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.9% were non-families. 25.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.14.

The median age in the village was 40.3 years. 27% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.7% were from 25 to 44; 28.7% were from 45 to 64; and 15.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 46.3% male and 53.7% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 359 people, 131 households, and 91 families residing in the village. The population density was 403.5 PD/sqmi. There were 158 housing units at an average density of 177.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 98.33% White and 1.67% Native American. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.28% of the population.

There were 131 households, out of which 35.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.6% were married couples living together, 16.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.8% were non-families. 25.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.27.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 30.9% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.9 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $22,813, and the median income for a family was $26,500. Males had a median income of $27,500 versus $17,250 for females. The per capita income for the village was $9,612. About 14.4% of families and 20.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.6% of those under age 18 and 2.3% of those age 65 or over.