Editing Alpena, Michigan

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
<!-- Infobox begins !-->
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Alpena, Michigan
| official_name      = City of Alpena
| native_name        = <!-- for cities whose native name is not in English -->
| settlement_type    = City
| nickname           = "Sanctuary of the Great Lakes"
| motto              = 
| image_skyline      = Alpena City Hall.jpg
| imagesize          = 275
| image_caption      = Alpena City Hall
| image_flag         = 
| image_seal         = 
| image_shield       = 
| pushpin_map        = Michigan
| pushpin_label_position = left<!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
| pushpin_label      = Alpena
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within the state of Michigan
| pushpin_mapsize    = 
| image_map          = Alpena, MI location.png
| mapsize            = 250
| map_caption        = Location within [[Alpena County, Michigan|Alpena County]]
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = {{Flagu|United States}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{Flag|Michigan}}
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Michigan|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Alpena County, Michigan|Alpena]]
| subdivision_type3  = 
| subdivision_name3  = 
| subdivision_type4  = 
| subdivision_name4  = 
| government_type    = [[Mayor–council government|Mayor–council]]
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name        = Cindy Johnson
| leader_title1      = [[Pro tempore|Mayor pro tem]]
| leader_name1       = Michael Nowak
| leader_title2      = [[City manager|Manager]]
| leader_name2       = Rachel Smolinski
| leader_title3      = 
| leader_name3       = 
| established_title  = Settled
| established_date   = 1835
| established_title2 = Founded
| established_date2  = 1840
| established_title3 = Incorporated
| established_date3  = 1871
| area_magnitude     = 
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_26.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=May 21, 2022}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 22.94
| area_total_sq_mi   = 8.86
| area_land_km2      = 21.17
| area_land_sq_mi    = 8.17
| area_water_km2     = 1.77
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.68
| area_water_percent = 
| area_urban_km2     = 
| area_urban_sq_mi   = 
| area_metro_km2     = 
| area_metro_sq_mi   = 
| population_footnotes = {{citation needed|date=May 2024}}
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_est     = 
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| population_note    = 
| population_total   = 10197
| population_density_km2 = 481.78
| population_density_sq_mi = 1247.80
| population_metro   = 
| population_density_metro_km2 = 
| population_density_metro_sq_mi = 
| timezone           = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|EST]]
| utc_offset         = -5
| timezone_DST       = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]
| utc_offset_DST     = -4
| coordinates        = {{coord|45|03|42|N|83|25|58|W|region:US-MI|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_m        = 180
| elevation_ft       = 591
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP Code|ZIP code(s)]]
| postal_code        = 49707
| area_code          = [[Area code 989|989]]
| website            = {{URL|http://www.alpena.mi.us}}
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 26-01740<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 0620017<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=2008-01-31|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=2007-10-25}}</ref>
| footnotes          = 
| pop_est_footnotes  = 
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| population_demonym = "Alpenan(s)"
}}
[[File:Alpena County Courthouse - Alpena Michigan.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Alpena County Courthouse]] in Alpena]]
'''Alpena''' ({{IPAc-en|æ|l|ˈ|p|iː|n|ə}} ''{{respell|al|PEE|nə}}'') is the only city and the [[county seat]] of [[Alpena County, Michigan]], United States.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web |title=Find a County |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=2011-05-31 |access-date=2011-06-07 |publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> The population was 10,197 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]],{{citation needed|date=May 2024}} making it the third most populated city in the [[Northern Michigan]] region, after [[Traverse City, Michigan|Traverse City]] and [[Cadillac, Michigan|Cadillac]]. The city is surrounded by [[Alpena Township, Michigan|Alpena Township]], but the two are administered autonomously. It is the core city of the Alpena [[List of micropolitan statistical areas|micropolitan statistical area]], which encompasses all of Alpena County and had a total population of 28,907 at the 2020 census.<ref name="QF">{{cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/alpenacountymichigan/POP010220 |access-date=September 15, 2021 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>

Alpena is located at the head of [[Thunder Bay (Michigan)|Thunder Bay]], a bay of [[Lake Huron]]. Offshore of Alpena is the [[Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary]], which protects an estimated 116 [[List of shipwrecks in the Great Lakes|historically significant shipwrecks]].<ref>[http://www.oceancommission.gov/meetings/sep24_25_02/gray_testimony.pdf Statement of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary Director] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070715071456/http://oceancommission.gov//meetings/sep24_25_02/gray_testimony.pdf|date=2007-07-15}}</ref> Alpena is the third-largest American city on Lake Huron, behind [[Bay City, Michigan|Bay City]] and [[Port Huron, Michigan|Port Huron]].

==History==
{{see also|History of Northern Michigan}}
The Alpena area is home to the [[Ojibwe]], [[Odawa|Ottawa]], and [[Potawatomi]] people. These people groups inhabit the area surrounding the [[Great Lakes]], including Michigan. The Thunder Bay Band of Chippewa and Ottawa merged with the [[Mackinac Bands of Chippewa and Ottawa Indians]] in the mid-1800s under Chief Way-ge-maw-waw-be.

Alpena County was originally set off from [[Michilimackinac County]] as Anamickee County founded in 1840, which in 1843 was changed to Alpena, a pseudo-Native American word — a [[neologism]] coined by [[Henry Schoolcraft]], meaning something like "a good partridge country."<ref name="Herron">{{cite journal |url=http://nelsonherron.tripod.com/family/alpena/placenames.htm |title=A History of the Place Names of Alpena County |journal=Wilderness Chronicle |issue=19–21 |date=1990–1991 |first1=Catherine |last1=Herron|first2=Nelston R. |last2=Herron|access-date=January 18, 2013}}</ref><ref name="place" /><ref name="Clarke">{{cite web |url=https://www.cmich.edu/research/clarke-historical-library/explore-collection/explore-in-person/bibliographies/michigan-local-history/countymaterial/a-c#a3 |publisher=[[Clarke Historical Library]], [[Central Michigan University]] |title=Bibliography on Alpena County|access-date=January 18, 2013}}</ref> This was part of a much larger effort to rename a great many of the Michigan counties at the time.<ref name="place">{{cite web|url=http://www.michigan.gov/hal/0,1607,7-160-15481_20826_20829-54126--,00.html |title=Michigan government on place names |access-date=January 18, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090728130613/http://www.michigan.gov/hal/0%2C1607%2C7-160-15481_20826_20829-54126--%2C00.html |archive-date=July 28, 2009 }}</ref>

The first European settler at modern-day Alpena was W.F. Cullings, a fisherman in 1835. In 1856, George W. Fletcher and three others from [[Detroit]] platted a village by the name of '''Fremont''', after [[John C. Frémont]]. The community was briefly renamed '''Thunder Bay''' in 1857 before being renamed again to Alpena in 1871.<ref name=":02">{{Cite book |last=Romig |first=Walter |title=Michigan Place Names: The History of the Founding and the Naming of More Than Five Thousand Past and Present Michigan Communities |publisher=[[Wayne State University Press]] |year=1986 |isbn=0-8143-1838-X |location=[[Detroit]] |pages=20}}</ref> The city of Alpena was officially incorporated by Michigan State Legislature on March 29, 1871.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YcziAAAAMAAJ|title=Complete History &#91;of&#93; Alpena County, Michigan|year=1876|publisher=Argus}}</ref>

Most of the city was lost in the [[Great Michigan Fire]] of 1871.<ref>{{cite web |last1= Hanines |first1= D. A. |last2= Sando |first2= R. W. |title= Climatic Conditions Preceding Historically Great Fires in the North Central Region |publisher= [[United States Forest Service]] |at= Research Paper NC-34, Figure 1 |year= 1969 |url= http://www.ncrs.fs.fed.us/pubs/rp/rp_nc034.pdf |access-date= 2016-06-04 |archive-date= 2012-02-08 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120208132439/http://www.ncrs.fs.fed.us/pubs/rp/rp_nc034.pdf |url-status= dead }}</ref> Less than one year later, on July 12, 1872, Alpena was hit by another fire, the largest in its history, which destroyed {{convert|15|acre}} of homes and businesses<ref name="Haltiner">{{cite book |url=http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mialpena/HistDoc/townthat.htm |work=Stories of Alpena Life |title=The Town That Wouldn't Die: Alpena, Michigan |first1=Robert E. |last1=Haltiner |first2=Ann |last2=Tabe |access-date=June 4, 2016 |publisher=Village Press |year=1986 |isbn=978-0-9617779-0-6}}</ref> for a total amount of 65 buildings.<ref>[http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn95077631/ About Alpena argus. (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909]. ''Chronicling America''. Retrieved June 5, 2016.</ref> The blaze started in a barn and lasted for two hours, killing at least four people and causing at least {{US$|180,000|1872|long=no|link=yes|round=-4}} in damages.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Viall |first1=John C. |year=1914 |url=https://archive.org/details/3119004.0001.001.umich.edu |title=Alpena: Dates of Early Events |location=Alpena, MI |publisher=The News |pages=[https://archive.org/details/3119004.0001.001.umich.edu/page/8 8]–9 |access-date=June 5, 2016 |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref><ref name="Jerlecki">{{Cite book | author= Jerlecki, Constance M. | title=Tales of Michigan II| publisher=Clinton Township, MI: Inland Expressions| year=2015| isbn=978-1-939150-10-3}} pp. 52–55.</ref><ref name="form">{{cite web |url=https://www.nps.gov/nr/feature/places/pdfs/15000944.pdf |title=National Register of Historic Places, Registration Form  |publisher=National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior |date=November 13, 2015 |pages=2–3 (Section 8) |access-date=June 5, 2016}}</ref> Alpena was again hit by a disastrous fire on July 11, 1888.<ref name="Jerlecki" /><ref name="form" /> In the early 1910s a failed attempt was led by the [[Alpena Motor Car Company]] to turn the city into "Automobile City" and compete with [[Detroit]].

In 1920 the population of the city was 11,101, and in 1927 the trade through the city's port was valued over 8 million dollars, and the output of the 24 factories at a little under another 8 million.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |year=1930 |title=Alpena |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopaedia Britannica]] |edition=14|volume=1|page=677 |language=en}}</ref>

The city has a number of notable buildings, including the [[Art deco]] [[Alpena County Courthouse]], the [[I.O.O.F. Centennial Building]], and [[Temple Beth El (Alpena, Michigan)|Temple Beth El]], one of the [[oldest synagogues in the United States]].{{efn-ua|In Michigan, it is the only synagogue in the northeast ([[Northern Michigan]]) of the [[Lower Peninsula]].<ref name="Schwartz">{{cite news |url=https://thejewishnews.com/lifecycle-announcements/announcement-order-form/ |title=Synagogue Spotlight: Thriving on Michigan's Coastline |first1=Danny |last1=Schwartz |date=October 4, 2022 |newspaper=[[The Detroit Jewish News]]|quote=Alpena’s Temple Beth-El is Michigan’s only synagogue east of I-75 from Bay City to Sault Ste. Marie.|accessdate=April 18, 2023}}</ref>  It is closely associated with the Hebrew Benevolent Society Cemetery.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.patronicity.com/project/jewish_alpena_is_back#!/ |title=Jewish Alpena is back! Temple Beth-El: A Campaign to document the history and special story of Alpena's Jewish Sanctuary. |quote=In 1875, the Hebrew Benevolent Society was formed for the purpose of “buying a burial ground." Founders then chartered a society and rented a room in which to hold regular meetings and prayer services (1877). As with all newly emerging Jewish congregations of the era, the Hebrew Benevolent Society was chartered to take care of its sick, bury the dead, and hold Sabbath and holiday services, which at the time, were conducted by officers and selected members. |publisher=Patroncity |accessdate=April 18, 2023}}</ref>}}

===Historical markers===
There are seven recognized historical markers in the city:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.michmarkers.com/Frameset.htm|title=Michigan Historical Markers|work=michmarkers.com|access-date=2008-01-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100315141338/http://www.michmarkers.com/Frameset.htm|archive-date=2010-03-15|url-status=usurped}}</ref>

* Alpena City Hall
* Alpena County Courthouse
* The Daniel Carter Family, Alpena's first settlers.
* First Congregational Church
* Monarch Mill
* St. Bernard Catholic Church
* World's Largest Cement Plant (see [[Lafarge (company)|Lafarge]])

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|9.23|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which, {{convert|8.54|sqmi|sqkm|2}} of it is land and {{convert|0.69|sqmi|sqkm|2}} (7.48%) is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2012-11-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=2012-01-25 }}</ref> The city is on the shore of [[Lake Huron]]'s [[Thunder Bay (Michigan)|Thunder Bay]], with [[Alpena Township, Michigan|Alpena Township]] surrounding it on land.

===Climate===
Alpena has a [[humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Dfb]]) with warm summers along with cool nights, moderated by nearby [[Lake Huron]] and cold, snowy winters with annual snowfall averaging 84 inches (210&nbsp;cm).<ref>{{Cite web|last=Team|first=National Weather Service Corporate Image Web|title=National Weather Service Climate|url=https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=apx|access-date=2020-06-11|website=w2.weather.gov|language=EN-US}}</ref>

{{Weather box
|single line=Y
|collapsed=Y
|location= Alpena County Regional Airport, Michigan (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1916–present)
|Jan record high F = 62
|Feb record high F = 65
|Mar record high F = 87
|Apr record high F = 90
|May record high F = 94
|Jun record high F = 104
|Jul record high F = 106
|Aug record high F = 102
|Sep record high F = 99
|Oct record high F = 90
|Nov record high F = 77
|Dec record high F = 65
|year record high F = 106
|Jan avg record high F = 45
|Feb avg record high F = 49
|Mar avg record high F = 62
|Apr avg record high F = 75
|May avg record high F = 86
|Jun avg record high F = 92
|Jul avg record high F = 92
|Aug avg record high F = 91
|Sep avg record high F = 86
|Oct avg record high F = 79
|Nov avg record high F = 62
|Dec avg record high F = 50
|year avg record high F = 95
|Jan high F = 28.1
|Feb high F = 30.2
|Mar high F = 38.4
|Apr high F = 52.2
|May high F = 65.8
|Jun high F = 75.9
|Jul high F = 80.5
|Aug high F = 78.8
|Sep high F = 71.0
|Oct high F = 57.6
|Nov high F = 44.6
|Dec high F = 33.6
|year high F = 54.8
|Jan mean F = 20.0
|Feb mean F = 20.7
|Mar mean F = 29.3
|Apr mean F = 41.2
|May mean F = 53.4
|Jun mean F = 63.2
|Jul mean F = 68.2
|Aug mean F = 66.6
|Sep mean F = 59.0
|Oct mean F = 47.4
|Nov mean F = 36.6
|Dec mean F = 26.6
|year mean F = 44.4
|Jan low F = 11.9
|Feb low F = 11.2
|Mar low F = 19.1
|Apr low F = 30.2
|May low F = 40.9
|Jun low F = 50.4
|Jul low F = 55.9
|Aug low F = 54.5
|Sep low F = 47.0
|Oct low F = 37.2
|Nov low F = 28.6
|Dec low F = 19.6
|year low F = 33.9
|Jan avg record low F = −10
|Feb avg record low F = −11
|Mar avg record low F = −4
|Apr avg record low F = 17
|May avg record low F = 28
|Jun avg record low F = 37
|Jul avg record low F = 44
|Aug avg record low F = 42
|Sep avg record low F = 32
|Oct avg record low F = 23
|Nov avg record low F = 12
|Dec avg record low F = −1
|year avg record low F = −15
|Jan record low F = −28
|Feb record low F = −37
|Mar record low F = −27
|Apr record low F = −7
|May record low F = 20
|Jun record low F = 27
|Jul record low F = 34
|Aug record low F = 29
|Sep record low F = 23
|Oct record low F = 12
|Nov record low F = −6
|Dec record low F = −27
|year record low F = -37
|precipitation colour= green
|Jan precipitation inch = 1.81
|Feb precipitation inch = 1.52
|Mar precipitation inch = 1.81
|Apr precipitation inch = 2.93
|May precipitation inch = 2.78
|Jun precipitation inch = 2.74
|Jul precipitation inch = 3.20
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.09
|Sep precipitation inch = 2.84
|Oct precipitation inch = 3.01
|Nov precipitation inch = 2.07
|Dec precipitation inch = 1.87
|year precipitation inch = 29.67
|Jan snow inch = 19.3
|Feb snow inch = 17.0
|Mar snow inch = 10.6
|Apr snow inch = 6.6
|May snow inch = 0.2
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.4
|Nov snow inch = 6.6
|Dec snow inch = 16.9
|year snow inch = 77.6
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 15.6
|Feb precipitation days = 11.8
|Mar precipitation days = 11.0
|Apr precipitation days = 11.5
|May precipitation days = 11.7
|Jun precipitation days = 10.4
|Jul precipitation days = 10.9
|Aug precipitation days = 9.6
|Sep precipitation days = 11.2
|Oct precipitation days = 13.9
|Nov precipitation days = 13.8
|Dec precipitation days = 14.0
|year precipitation days = 145.4
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 15.1
|Feb snow days = 12.5
|Mar snow days = 7.1
|Apr snow days = 3.2
|May snow days = 0.2
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.4
|Nov snow days = 5.9
|Dec snow days = 11.6
|year snow days = 56.0
|Jan humidity = 76.2
|Feb humidity = 73.3
|Mar humidity = 71.6
|Apr humidity = 66.8
|May humidity = 66.0
|Jun humidity = 70.5
|Jul humidity = 71.0
|Aug humidity = 76.1
|Sep humidity = 78.5
|Oct humidity = 76.4
|Nov humidity = 78.2
|Dec humidity = 79.6
|year humidity = 73.7
| Jan dew point C = −10.9
| Feb dew point C = −11.2
| Mar dew point C = −6.7
| Apr dew point C = −1.5
| May dew point C =  4.2
| Jun dew point C = 10.3
| Jul dew point C = 13.7
| Aug dew point C = 13.5
| Sep dew point C =  9.8
| Oct dew point C =  3.7
| Nov dew point C = −1.8
| Dec dew point C = −7.2
|Jan sun = 108.8
|Feb sun = 133.5
|Mar sun = 195.5
|Apr sun = 222.9
|May sun = 279.5
|Jun sun = 294.6
|Jul sun = 316.9
|Aug sun = 257.1
|Sep sun = 193.9
|Oct sun = 143.5
|Nov sun = 82.8
|Dec sun = 73.9
|year sun = 2302.9
|Jan percentsun = 38
|Feb percentsun = 46
|Mar percentsun = 53
|Apr percentsun = 55
|May percentsun = 61
|Jun percentsun = 63
|Jul percentsun = 67
|Aug percentsun = 59
|Sep percentsun = 52
|Oct percentsun = 42
|Nov percentsun = 29
|Dec percentsun = 27
|year percentsun = 52
|source 1= [[NOAA]] (relative humidity, dew point, and sun 1961–1990)<ref name=NOAA>{{cite web |url = http://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=apx |title = NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data |publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date =  May 8, 2021}}</ref><ref name=NOAAtxt>{{cite web |url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USW00094849&format=pdf |title = Station: Alpena CO RGNL AP, MI | work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020) |publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date = May 8, 2021}}</ref><ref name=NOAAsun>{{cite web |url = ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_IV/US/GROUP4/72639.TXT |title = WMO Climate Normals for Alpena/Phelps Collins AP, MI 1961–1990 |publisher =[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |access-date = May 8, 2021}}</ref>
}}

{{Weather box
|single line=  yes
|collapsed= yes
|location= Alpena, Michigan (Water Treatment Plant near downtown), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1873–present
|Jan record high F = 62
|Feb record high F = 62
|Mar record high F = 81
|Apr record high F = 88
|May record high F = 95
|Jun record high F = 100
|Jul record high F = 104
|Aug record high F = 100
|Sep record high F = 99
|Oct record high F = 87
|Nov record high F = 77
|Dec record high F = 65
|year record high F = 104
|Jan high F = 27.1
|Feb high F = 28.6
|Mar high F = 36.8
|Apr high F = 48.4
|May high F = 60.8
|Jun high F = 71.0
|Jul high F = 77.1
|Aug high F = 76.2
|Sep high F = 68.9
|Oct high F = 55.9
|Nov high F = 43.0
|Dec high F = 32.8
|year high F = 52.2
|Jan mean F = 20.2
|Feb mean F = 20.6
|Mar mean F = 28.8
|Apr mean F = 40.3
|May mean F = 51.9
|Jun mean F = 62.4
|Jul mean F = 68.3
|Aug mean F = 67.2
|Sep mean F = 59.8
|Oct mean F = 47.7
|Nov mean F = 36.4
|Dec mean F = 26.9
|year mean F = 44.2
|Jan low F = 13.4
|Feb low F = 12.7
|Mar low F = 20.8
|Apr low F = 32.1
|May low F = 43.1
|Jun low F = 53.7
|Jul low F = 59.4
|Aug low F = 58.1
|Sep low F = 50.7
|Oct low F = 39.6
|Nov low F = 29.9
|Dec low F = 20.9
|year low F = 36.2
|Jan record low F = −27
|Feb record low F = −28
|Mar record low F = −19
|Apr record low F = -2
|May record low F = 21
|Jun record low F = 34
|Jul record low F = 33
|Aug record low F = 36
|Sep record low F = 25
|Oct record low F = 15
|Nov record low F = −4
|Dec record low F = −15
|year record low F = −28
|precipitation colour= green
|Jan precipitation inch = 2.19
|Feb precipitation inch = 1.70
|Mar precipitation inch = 1.81
|Apr precipitation inch = 3.11
|May precipitation inch = 3.17
|Jun precipitation inch = 2.72
|Jul precipitation inch = 3.29
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.45
|Sep precipitation inch = 2.94
|Oct precipitation inch = 3.24
|Nov precipitation inch = 2.27
|Dec precipitation inch = 2.05
|year precipitation inch = 31.94
|Jan snow inch = 15.6
|Feb snow inch = 14.4
|Mar snow inch = 6.2
|Apr snow inch = 3.5
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.1
|Nov snow inch = 3.0
|Dec snow inch = 16.6
|year snow inch = 59.4
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 19.8
|Feb precipitation days = 15.5
|Mar precipitation days = 13.0
|Apr precipitation days = 13.7
|May precipitation days = 14.1
|Jun precipitation days = 12.2
|Jul precipitation days = 12.4
|Aug precipitation days = 12.0
|Sep precipitation days = 12.9
|Oct precipitation days = 16.6
|Nov precipitation days = 16.1
|Dec precipitation days = 17.3
|year precipitation days = 175.6
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 9.1
|Feb snow days = 6.8
|Mar snow days = 3.7
|Apr snow days = 1.3
|May snow days = 0.1
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.2
|Nov snow days = 1.7
|Dec snow days = 6.9
|year snow days = 29.8
|source 1 = [[NOAA]]<ref name=NOAA/><ref>
{{cite web 
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USW00014814&format=pdf
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
| title = Station: Alpena WWTP, MI
| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020)
| access-date = May 6, 2021}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 6153
|1890= 11283
|1900= 11802
|1910= 12706
|1920= 11101
|1930= 12166
|1940= 12808
|1950= 13135
|1960= 14682
|1970= 13805
|1980= 12214
|1990= 11354
|2000= 11304
|2010= 10483
|2020= 10197
|footnote=source:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2014-01-19}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=May 2024|reason=No mention of Alpena at the given reference}}
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2012-11-25}}</ref> of 2010, there were 10,483 people, 4,734 households, and 2,565 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1227.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 5,278 housing units at an average density of {{convert|618.0|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 96.8% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.5% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.4% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.7% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.1% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.1% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 1.4% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.0% of the population.

There were 4,734 households, of which 24.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.3% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 45.8% were non-families. 39.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.84.

The median age in the city was 42.5 years. 20.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.7% were from 25 to 44; 27.9% were from 45 to 64; and 19.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.7% male and 52.3% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2"/> of 2000, there were 11,304 people, 4,874 households, and 2,865 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,348.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 5,200 housing units at an average density of {{convert|620.5|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 97.66% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.42% [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.43% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.48% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.01% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.09% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.91% from two or more races. [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.59% of the population.

There were 4,874 households, out of which 26.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.1% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.2% were non-families. 35.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.0% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,353, and the median income for a family was $40,056. Males had a median income of $34,534 versus $21,951 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $17,476. About 10.4% of families and 13.5% of the population were below the [[Poverty threshold|poverty line]], including 16.5% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over.
[[File:2nd Ave bridge, Alpena (8740751553).jpg|thumb|Alpena's 2nd Avenue Bridge, over the [[Thunder Bay River]]]]

==Economy==
While tourism is an important component of the area's economy, both Alpena and [[Rogers City]] have an industrial base. In particular, Alpena is home to Lafarge-Holcim cement plant and to Besser Company (maker of a concrete block making machinery), as well as a drywall board manufacturing facility owned by Decorative Panels International. Rogers City is the location of the world's largest [[limestone]] quarry (see [[Michigan Limestone and Chemical Company]]), which is used in [[steel]] making in the Great Lakes and [[Rust Belt]] regions.

[[MidMichigan Health]], a federally-designated rural regional medical referral center, is the largest employer in the city of Alpena.<ref>{{cite web |title=Alpena Regional Medical Center - Main |url=http://www.alpenaregionalmedicalcenter.org/index.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514111549/http://www.alpenaregionalmedicalcenter.org/index.php |archive-date=2013-05-14 |access-date=2006-02-16 |work=alpenaregionalmedicalcenter.org}}</ref>

Until it largely closed in 2022, Alpena's primary shopping center was the [[Alpena Mall]], the only enclosed [[shopping mall]] in the northeastern [[Lower Peninsula]].  In full operation, the former mall featured approximately 20 stores, with [[JCPenney]] and [[Gordon Food Service]] as the [[anchor store]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.michigan.org/property/alpena-mall/ |title=Alpena Mall |publisher=[[Pure Michigan]] |access-date=November 1, 2013 |archive-date=November 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103111133/http://www.michigan.org/property/alpena-mall/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Other retailers operate in this part of town and on [[M-32 (Michigan highway)|M-32]] west of town and south on [[US-23]].

Alpena was also home to the [[Alpena Thunder]] hockey team, which was disbanded in 2011.{{citation needed|date= February 2024}}

==Culture==
[[File:Cardboard boat regatta 2011 Alpena Michigan.png|thumb|300px|The 2011 running of the annual [[Cardboard boat race|Cardboard Boat Regatta]] in Alpena.]]
Alpena is served by a number of institutions that enhance the artistic and cultural character of the city, reflecting its rich heritage in Great Lakes shipping and industry. Alpena is the gateway to the [[Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary]], one of Michigan's [[Michigan Underwater Preserves|13 underwater preserves]]. The cold, fresh waters of the Great Lakes serve a valuable role in preserving the numerous shipwrecks in Lake Huron, documenting a history of tragedy that spans over 300 years. The Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center in Alpena is the interpretive and administrative center of the sanctuary, located on the banks of the Thunder Bay River.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gray |first=Jeff |date=September 24, 2002 |title=Statement of Jeff Gray Before the United States Commission on Ocean Policy Ninth Regional Meeting |url=http://oceancommission.gov//meetings/sep24_25_02/gray_testimony.pdf |publisher=[[United States Commission on Ocean Policy]] |place=Chicago |access-date=April 17, 2023 |archive-date=July 15, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070715071456/http://oceancommission.gov//meetings/sep24_25_02/gray_testimony.pdf |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thunderbay.noaa.gov/visit/welcome.html|title=Visiting Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary|work=noaa.gov}}</ref>

The local history of the Alpena area is documented by the [[Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan|Besser Museum]], founded with an endowment from industrialist [[Jesse Besser]]. The Besser Museum is located on an {{Convert|8|acre|ha}} campus in northern Alpena, and is accredited by the [[American Alliance of Museums]]. Permanent attractions at the Besser Museum include a planetarium and the [[Fishing tug Katherine V.|Katherine V.]], a wooden fishing tug that spent its entire life on Lake Huron. The Besser Museum also features rotating collections of art, science, and local history. The museum is the publisher of ''The Town that Wouldn't Die: A Photographic History of Alpena, Michigan from Its Beginnings Through 1940''.{{sfn|Haltiner|Taber|1986}}

The [[Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library]] serves [[Alpena County, Michigan|Alpena County]]. Its special collections include the Northeast Michigan Oral History Archive, the comprehensive Great Lakes Maritime Collection, and a full collection of Alpena newspapers dating back to 1871.

Arts organizations in the Alpena area include the Alpena Symphony Orchestra; the Alpena Civic Theatre; and the Thunder Bay Theatre, Northeast Michigan's year-round professional theatre located in the historic 1904 Spens Block on North Second Ave. Cinema in Alpena is supported by the newly opened Sanctuary Cinema, located in a former [[JCPenney]] store in Downtown Alpena, and the [[Maltz Opera House]], {{As of|2023|alt=currently}} under renovation to its 1920s-era appearance.

==Parks==
* Avery Park
* Duck Park 
* Island Park
* Mich-e-ke-wis Park
* McRae Park
* Rotary Island
* Starlite Beach
* Sytek Park
* Lamarre Park
* Thompson Park
* Washington Park<ref>[https://www.alpena.mi.us/residents/city_parks/washington_avenue_park.php Washington Park]</ref>
*[[Rockport State Recreation Area|Rockport State Park]] is Michigan's 100th state park and a [[dark sky preserve]], is situated just north of the city on the Lake Huron shore.{{efn-ua|The park was previously known as "The Rockport property."<ref name="MNA">{{cite web |url=http://michigannature.wordpress.com/2012/03/09/michigans-newest-state-park-rockport/ |title=Michigan's Newest State Park: Rockport |publisher=[[Michigan Nature Association]] |date=March 9, 2012 |access-date=April 13, 2012}}</ref>}}  Within its {{convert|4,237|acre}}s, it contains a {{convert|300|acre}} abandoned limestone quarry, Devonian fossils, [[sinkhole]]s and a protected deep water harbor.{{efn-ua|"... Rockport State Park, Michigan’s 100th State Park and an official Dark Sky Preserve includes a deep-water protected harbor, an old limestone quarry of approximately 300 acres, a unique series of sinkholes, Devonian Period fossils, the Besser Natural Area, and a broad range of land types, vegetative cover, cultural resources, and recreation opportunities<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.visitalpena.com/visit-alpena/rockport-state-recreation-area/ |title=Rockport State Recreation Area |accessdate=April 17, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://grkids.com/rockport-state-recreation-area/ |title=Rockport State Park 2023: Hit the Fossil Motherlode Explore a Ghost Town and Kayak to Shipwrecks |date=March 24, 2023 |first1=Melody |last1=VanderWeide |accessdate=April 17, 2023}}</ref>}}  It is a [[U.S. 23]] route heritage site.<ref>[http://www.us23heritageroute.org/location.asp?ait=av&aid=4521 U.S. 23 Heritage route] Discover Heritage Route 23</ref>  It is part of the "Alpena Blueway" [[paddling]] route.<ref>[http://www.us23heritageroute.org/location.asp?ait=cv&cid=49 Alpena Blueway] Discover Heritage Route 23</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.michiganwatertrails.org/trail.asp?ait=cv&cid=215 |title=Alpena Blueway - Michigan Water Trails |publisher=Michigan Water Trails |accessdate=April 18, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationalriversproject.com/mi/lake-huron-alpena |title=Lake Huron, Michigan. Alpena Blueway |publisher=National Rivers Project |accessdate=April 18, 2023}}</ref> There are many other state parks in the area.<ref>[https://www.americasstateparks.org/state-parks-near-alpena/ Five state parks near Alpena] (May 19, 2022) americasstateparks.org</ref>

==Infrastructure==

===Air===
[[File:HH-1N USAF Reserve in Michigan 1982.JPEG|thumb|right|180px|A U.S. Air Force Reserve Bell HH-1N Huey (s/n 69-6612) taking off on maneuvers during a reserve rescue exercise at Phelps Collins Air National Guard Base]]
[[Alpena County Regional Airport]] is the northeast [[lower peninsula]] of Michigan's main commercial airport and handles daily [[Delta Connection]] flights to [[Detroit]], [[Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota|Minneapolis/St. Paul]] via [[Detroit]], and to [[Pellston]] operated by [[SkyWest Airlines]]. It is a public-use airport located in Wilson Township, Michigan six miles (10&nbsp;km) west of the central business district of Alpena. The Michigan [[Air National Guard]]'s [[Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center]] co-utilizes the airfield.

===Rail===
Alpena is situated along the [[Lake State Railway]], formerly the [[Detroit and Mackinac Railway]] (D&M).<ref>[http://www.railroadmichigan.com/detroitmackinac.html Detroit and Mackinac Railway pictures and history] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113102440/http://www.railroadmichigan.com/detroitmackinac.html |date=2016-01-13 }}</ref>  Earlier railroads that served Alpena were built and owned by the [[Alger Smith and Co.]] logging company: (1) the [[Detroit, Bay City and Alpena Railroad]], which entered Alpena from the south around 1886, and (2) the [[Alpena and Northern Railroad]].<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.michiganrailroads.com/stories/5278-railroad-origins-in-alpena-michigan |title=Article: Railroad Origins in Alpena, Michigan |first1=Dale |last1=Berry}}</ref>{{efn-ua|The tracks of older railroads have been removed and the roadbeds are now used by snowmobiles. [http://www.michiganrailroads.com/RRHX/Stories/RailroadOriginsInAlpenaMI.htm Michigan Railroad history for Alpena.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130724173202/http://www.michiganrailroads.com/RRHX/Stories/RailroadOriginsInAlpenaMI.htm |date=2013-07-24 }}}}

===Bus===
*[[Indian Trails]] provides daily intercity bus service between [[St. Ignace, Michigan|St. Ignace]] and [[Bay City, Michigan]].<ref>{{cite web|title=BAY CITY-ALPENA-CHEBOYGAN-ST. IGNACE |publisher=[[Indian Trails]] |date=March 19, 2013 |access-date=2013-04-03 |url=http://www.indiantrails.com/sites/default/files/1485.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130724154150/http://www.indiantrails.com/sites/default/files/1485.pdf |archive-date=July 24, 2013 }}</ref> This route is the [[Amtrak Thruway]] service for Alpena.

===Major highways===
*{{jct|state=MI|US|23}} serves Alpena on its way along the [[Lake Huron]] shoreline. It has been designated the "Sunrise Side Coastal Highway", and runs along (or parallels) the Lake Huron shore. To the north, it passes [[Grand Lake (Presque Isle, Michigan)|Grand Lake]] and [[Long Lake (Alpena County, Michigan)|Long Lake]], then to [[Rogers City, Michigan|Rogers City]], through [[Cheboygan, Michigan|Cheboygan]], and on to [[Mackinaw City, Michigan|Mackinaw City]], where it ends at [[Interstate 75 in Michigan|I-75]] and the [[Mackinac Bridge]].  On US&nbsp;23 as it crosses Birdsong Bay just south of Alpena exists a sign which notes that it rests on the [[45th parallel north|45th parallel]], indicating travelers are halfway between the equator and the North Pole.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/236626|title=Google Groups|work=keyhole.com|access-date=2007-12-18|archive-date=2012-07-08|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708202849/http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/236626|url-status=dead}}</ref> This is one of 29 places (six are in Michigan) in the U.S. where such signs are known to exist.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wurlington-bros.com/Museum/45th/NAmer.html|title=45th Parallel North America|work=wurlington-bros.com}}</ref> US 23 continues south to [[Ossineke, Michigan|Ossineke]] then further south to [[Oscoda, Michigan|Oscoda]] and [[Tawas City]]. US 23 south joins [[Interstate 75 in Michigan|Interstate 75]] near [[Standish, Michigan|Standish]] where it continues south downstate. 
*{{jct|state=MI|M|32}} ends its {{convert|100|mi|km|adj=on}} easterly route from [[Lake Michigan]] to Lake Huron traversing the northern [[Lower Peninsula of Michigan|Lower Peninsula]] within downtown Alpena at an intersection with US 23.

===Trails===
*[[Alpena to Hillman Trail]] from Alpena to [[Hillman, Michigan|Hillman]] in [[Montmorency County, Michigan|Montmorency County]].
*[[North Eastern State Trail]] from Alpena to [[Cheboygan, Michigan|Cheboygan]] in [[Cheboygan County, Michigan|Cheboygan County]]

==Education==
{{More citations needed section|date=February 2024}}
Alpena, along with the rest of Alpena County and portions of [[Presque Isle County, Michigan|Presque Isle County]], is served by [[Alpena Public Schools]]. Alpena Public Schools was established as the first county-wide school district in the state of Michigan in 1963. The district has [[Alpena High School (Michigan)|one high school]], a junior high, an alternative/adult high school, and six elementary schools. The elementary schools are Besser, Ella White, Hinks, Lincoln, Sanborn, and Wilson Elementary Schools. Geographically, it is the largest school district in the Lower Peninsula, encompassing more than {{convert|620|sqmi|km2}}.

There are two private schools in Alpena. All Saints Catholic School is affiliated with the four Roman Catholic parishes in the city (St. Anne's, St. Bernard's, St. John the Baptist and St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception) and provides preschool to 8th grade education. Immanuel Lutheran School is supported by the Immanuel Lutheran Church and has preschool to 8th grade classes.

Alpena is also home to [[Alpena Community College]]. ACC is a two-year associates program that has partnerships with [[Spring Arbor University]]  and several other Michigan institutions.

==Media==

===Print===
* ''The [[Alpena News]]''<ref>[http://www.thealpenanews.com/ ''The Alpena News'']</ref> is the daily (Monday to Saturday) newspaper of record for much of northeastern [[lower peninsula]] of Michigan.
* Daily editions of the ''[[Detroit Free Press]]'' and ''[[The Detroit News]]'' are also available throughout the area.

===Radio===
Alpena is home to several [[radio station]]s.

====AM====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Call Sign
! Frequency
! Format
! City Broadcast From
|-
| [[WHAK (AM)|WHAK]]
| 960
| Talk
| [[Rogers City]]
|}

====FM====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Call Sign
! Frequency
! Format
! City Broadcast From
|-
| [[WPHN]]
| 90.5
| Religious
| [[Gaylord, Michigan|Gaylord]]
|-
|[[WCMU-FM|WCML]]
| 91.7
| Public
| Alpena
|-
| [[WFDX]]
| 92.5
| Off the Air
|[[Atlanta, Michigan|Atlanta]]
|-
| [[WKJZ]]
| 94.9
| Classic Hits
| [[Hillman, Michigan|Hillman]]
|-
| [[WRGZ-FM|WRGZ]]
| 96.7
| Classic Rock
| [[Rogers City]]
|-
| [[WATZ-FM|WATZ]]
| 99.3
| Country
| Alpena
|-
| [[WHAK-FM|WHAK]]
| 99.9
| Classic Hits
| [[Rogers City]]
|-
| [[WWTH]]
| 100.7
| Classic Rock
| [[Oscoda, Michigan|Oscoda]]
|-
| [[WMJZ]]
| 101.5
| Classic Hits
| [[Gaylord, Michigan|Gaylord]]
|-
| [[WKJC]]
| 104.7
| Country
| [[Tawas City]]
|-
| [[WGFM]]
| 105.1/103.7
| Rock
| [[Cheboygan, Michigan|Cheboygan]]
|-
| [[WZTK]]
| 105.7
| Oldies 
| Alpena
|-
|[[WWMK (FM)|WWMK]]
| 106.3/98.1
| Classic AC
| [[Cheboygan, Michigan|Cheboygan]]
|-
|[[WHSB]]
| 107.7
| Top 40
| Alpena
|}

===Television===
Alpena is the [[List of television stations in North America by media market|third smallest (208)]] [[Nielsen Media Research|Nielsen]] [[Media market|Designated Market Area (DMA)]] in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://oaaa.org/Portals/0/Public%20PDFs/OAAA%202021%20NIELSEN%20DMA%20Rankings%20Report.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812193716/https://oaaa.org/Portals/0/Public%20PDFs/OAAA%202021%20NIELSEN%20DMA%20Rankings%20Report.pdf |archive-date=2021-08-12 |url-status=live|title=OAAA 2021 Nielsen DMA Rankings Report|website=[[Out of Home Advertising Association of America|OAAA.org]]|accessdate=July 30, 2022}}</ref>

[[Television station]]s located within the [[Template: Alpena TV|Alpena DMA]]:
* Channel 11: [[WBKB-TV]] - ([[CBS]], [[NBC]] on DT2, [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] on DT3, [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]]/[[MyNetworkTV]] on DT4); the only locally programmed terrestrial station within the market
* Channel 6: [[WCMU-TV|WCML-TV]] - ([[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]]) - satellite of [[WCMU-TV]] [[Mount Pleasant, Michigan|Mount Pleasant]]

Cable only television:
* Cable 3: [[Alpena Community College]] educational television
* Cable 5: Alpena CW - ([[The CW Television Network|The CW]])

Northeast Michigan is also served by selected major network affiliates from the [[Template:Northern Michigan TV|Northern Michigan]] DMA, as well as [[CBC Television]] programming from [[CBMT-DT]] in [[Montreal]]. [[Cable television]] service is provided within Alpena and many outlying communities by [[Charter Communications]].

== Notable people ==
<!-- Note:
· Only people who already have a Wikipedia article may appear here. This establishes notability.
· The article must mention how they are associated with Alpena, whether born, raised, or residing.
· The fact of their association should have a reliable source cited.
· Alphabetical by last name please.
· All others will be deleted.
-->
{{div col}}
* [[Jesse Besser]], inventor and benefactor of the [[Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan]]; lived in Alpena
* [[Paul Bunker]], [[1901 College Football All-America Team|1901]] and [[1902 College Football All-America Team|1902 All-American]] football player; [[College Football Hall of Fame]]r; born in Alpena
* [[William Comstock]], [[List of Governors of Michigan|33rd governor of Michigan]]; born in Alpena
* [[Leon Czolgosz]], assassin of U.S. President [[William McKinley]]; lived in Alpena
* [[Bob Devaney]], football coach for [[Nebraska Cornhuskers football]] and [[Wyoming Cowboys football]]; [[College Football Hall of Fame]]r; lived in Alpena
* [[Brian Dutcher]], basketball coach for [[San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball|San Diego State]]; born in Alpena
* [[Jim Dutcher (basketball)|Jim Dutcher]], former basketball head coach for [[Minnesota Gophers men's basketball|University of Minnesota]]; born in Alpena
* [[Robert L. Emerson]], Michigan state Senator; born in Alpena
* [[The Frost]], psychedelic rock band of the '60s and '70s originated in Alpena. Several members were born there. 
* [[Stanley Grenz]], Christian theologian; born in Alpena
* [[Blaise Ilsley]], pitcher for the [[Chicago Cubs]]; born in Alpena
* [[Lloyd R. Leavitt, Jr.]], United States Air Force general; born in Alpena
* [[Betty Mahmoody]], author of ''[[Not Without My Daughter (book)|Not Without My Daughter]]''; lived in Alpena
* [[Harvey Marlatt]], shooting guard for the [[Detroit Pistons]]; born in Alpena
* [[Andrew Marwede]], professional disc golfer; born in Alpena
* [[Arthur William McLeod]], member of the [[Wisconsin State Assembly]]; born in Alpena
* [[Joel Potrykus]], filmmaker (''[[Ape (2012 film)]]''); born in Alpena
* [[Dan Rohn]], infielder for the [[Chicago Cubs]] and [[Cleveland Indians]]; born in Alpena
* [[Paul Fitzpatrick Russell]], Roman Catholic archbishop and diplomat; lived in Alpena
* [[Michael Bailey Smith]], actor (''[[Charmed]]''); born in Alpena
* [[K. J. Stevens]], novelist and short story writer; born in Alpena
* [[Kevin Young (baseball)|Kevin Young]], first baseman for the [[Kansas City Royals]] and [[Pittsburgh Pirates]]; born in Alpena{{div col end}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Michigan}}
* [[Alpena Light]]
* [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Gaylord]]

==References==

===Notes===
{{Reflist|group=upper-alpha}}

===Citations===
{{reflist|30em}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book |title=The Town that Wouldn't Die: A Photographic History of Alpena, Michigan from Its Beginnings Through 1940 |first1=Robert E. |last1=Haltiner |first2=Ann |last2=Taber |location=Alpena, Michigan |publisher=Jesse Besser Museum|year=1986  |isbn=0-9617779-0-7 }}

==External links==
{{commons category|Alpena, Michigan}}
* [http://www.alpena.mi.us/ City of Alpena's official website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080410053958/http://soildatamart.nrcs.usda.gov/Manuscripts/MI007/0/Alpena_MI.pdf Alpena County Soil Survey, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Michigan State University Extension Service (soil, history, good general information)]
* [https://www.cmich.edu/research/clarke-historical-library/explore-collection/explore-in-person/bibliographies/michigan-local-history/countymaterial/a-c#a3 Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University, Bibliography on Alpena, Michigan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605030415/http://www.clarke.cmich.edu/localhistory/Alpena.htm |date=2010-06-05 }}

{{Northern Michigan}}
{{Alpena County, Michigan}}
{{Michigan county seats}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Alpena County, Michigan]]
[[Category:County seats in Michigan]]
[[Category:Populated places on Lake Huron in the United States]]
[[Category:Micropolitan areas of Michigan]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1840]]
[[Category:1840 establishments in Michigan]]