Editing Grayling, Michigan

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name = Grayling, Michigan
|official_name = City of Grayling
|settlement_type = [[City]]
|nickname = 
|motto =

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline = Grayling, Michigan (Michigan Ave)2.jpg
|imagesize = 275
|image_caption = Michigan Avenue facing [[Business routes of Interstate 75 in Michigan#Grayling|I-75 BL]] / [[M-72 (Michigan highway)|M-72]]
|image_flag = 
|image_seal =

<!-- Maps -->
|pushpin_map            = Michigan#USA
|pushpin_label_position = right<!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
|pushpin_label          = Grayling
|pushpin_map_caption    = Location within the state of Michigan##Location within the United States
|pushpin_mapsize        = 
|image_map = Grayling, MI location2.png
|mapsize = 250
|map_caption = Location within [[Crawford County, Michigan|Crawford County]]
|image_map1 = 
|mapsize1 = 
|map_caption1 =

<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name = United States
|subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1 = [[Michigan]]
|subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Michigan|County]]
|subdivision_name2 = [[Crawford County, Michigan|Crawford]]

<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes = 
|government_type = [[Mayor–council government|Mayor–council]]
|leader_title = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name = Heather Forbes
|leader_title1 = [[Municipal clerk|Clerk]]
|leader_name1 = Lisa Johnson
|established_title = Founded
|established_date = 1872

<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|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_magnitude = 
|area_total_km2           = 5.39
|area_land_km2            = 5.31
|area_water_km2           = 0.08
|area_total_sq_mi         = 2.08
|area_land_sq_mi          = 2.05
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.03

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_est           = 
|pop_est_as_of            = 
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 1867
|population_density_km2   = 351.71
|population_density_sq_mi = 910.73

<!-- General information -->
|timezone = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
|utc_offset = -5
|timezone_DST = EDT
|utc_offset_DST = -4
|elevation_footnotes = 
|elevation_m = 347
|elevation_ft = 1138
|coordinates              = {{coord|44|39|47|N|84|42|39|W|region:US-MI|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type = [[ZIP Code|ZIP code(s)]]
|postal_code = 49738, 49739
|area_code = [[Area code 989|989]]
|blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info = 26-34640<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 = 0627264<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>
|website = {{URL|https://www.cityofgrayling.org/default.asp|Official website}}
|footnotes = 
|pop_est_footnotes = 
}}
'''Grayling''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɡ|r|eɪ|l|ɪ|ŋ}} ''{{respell|GRAY|ling}}'') is a city and the [[county seat]] of [[Crawford County, Michigan|Crawford County]] in the U.S. state of [[Michigan]]. It is the only incorporated community in Crawford County.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=2011-06-07 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=2011-05-31 }}</ref> The population was 1,884 at the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]].<ref name=CENS>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/cph-2-24.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019111423/http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/cph-2-24.pdf |archive-date=2012-10-19 |url-status=live|title=Michigan: 2010 Population and Housing Unit Counts 2010 Census of Population and Housing | date = September 2012|publisher = [[United States Census Bureau]]| work = [[2010 United States Census]]| access-date = May 8, 2020|page=20 Michigan}}</ref>  The city is surrounded by [[Grayling Charter Township, Michigan|Grayling Charter Township]], but the two are administered autonomously.

The city is located in the middle of the [[Northern Michigan]] region at the junctions of [[Interstate 75 in Michigan|Interstate 75]], [[U.S. Route 127 in Michigan|U.S. Route 127]], [[M-72 (Michigan highway)|M-72]], and [[M-93 (Michigan highway)|M-93]].  Grayling is well known for hosting the [[Au Sable River (Michigan)|Au Sable River]] [[Au Sable River Canoe Marathon|Canoe Marathon]] in July of every year since 1947. The city is named after the [[Thymallus|grayling]] species of fish once abundant in the Au Sable River, although the species has been [[Local extinction|extirpated]] in Michigan since 1936.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-10364_18958-53612--,00.html|title=Michigan Grayling Only a Memory|publisher=Michigan Department of Natural Resources}}</ref><ref name=Goble>{{cite journal |title=Fish Distributions and Habitat Associations in Manistee River, Michigan, Tributaries: Implications for Arctic Grayling Restoration |author=Goble, C. W. |author2=Auer, N. A. |author3=Huckins, C. J. |author4=Danhoff, B. M. |author5=Holtgren, J. M. |author6=Ogren, S. A. |year=2018 |journal=North American Journal of Fisheries Management |volume=38 |issue=2 |pages=469–486 |doi=10.1002/nafm.10049 }}</ref> There have been many attempts to bring grayling back to the area but none have been successful.

==History==
{{See also|History of Northern Michigan}}
Michael Shoat Hartwick was Grayling's first settler. On the west side of the railroad tracks, he built a log hotel. The railroad platted out 40&nbsp;acres (where Grayling now stands), naming it "Crawford". Fish swimming in the river were identified as grayling, and it is said that the residents preferred the name "Grayling" to "Crawford," and renamed the area after the fish.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=21831 |title= Profile for Grayling, Michigan, MI |publisher= ePodunk |access-date= August 26, 2012 |archive-date= August 29, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160829175130/http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=21831 |url-status= dead }}</ref>

Grayling's access to two major rivers ([[Au Sable River (Michigan)|Au Sable River]] and [[Manistee River]]), and the presence of the vast forest around it, made it important in the lumber era. Logs were floated down the rivers to the lakes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.grayling-mi.com/attractions.html |title=Grayling Area Visitors Bureau. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071221032128/http://www.grayling-mi.com/attractions.html |archive-date=2007-12-21 }}</ref>

Grayling has had other names through the years. It was called "AuSable", "Forest", "Crawford Station", and during the lumbering era "Milltown".<ref>[http://www.grayling-mi.com/attractions.html ''Ibid.''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071221032128/http://www.grayling-mi.com/attractions.html |date=2007-12-21 }}</ref>

[[File:Arctic Grayling Thymallus arcticus arcticus.jpg|thumb|left|Lumbering practices destroyed [[Arctic grayling]] breeding grounds in rivers and contributed to their slow decline and eventual disappearance from Northern Michigan.]]

The [[Arctic grayling]] that had inhabited much of Northern Michigan<ref>{{cite web|last1=Fuller|first1=Pam|last2=Cannister|first2=Matt|last3=Neilson|first3=Matt|title=Thymallus arcticus (Pallas, 1776)|url=https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.aspx?SpeciesID=943|website=US Geological Survey|access-date=22 April 2016|quote="Formerly in Great Lakes basin, Michigan" (with map showing Northern Michigan highlighted)}}</ref> was eventually wiped out. The logging practice of using river beds to move logs in the springtime destroyed the breeding grounds for these fish.<ref>{{cite web|title=Michigan Grayling Only a Memory|url=https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10364_18958-53612--,00.html|website=Michigan Department of Natural Resources|access-date=22 April 2016}}</ref> Before they could recover, non-native sport fish such as [[brook trout]] were introduced in the 1890s<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Borgelt|first1=Bryon|title=Flies only: early sportfishing conservation on Michigan's Au Sable River|journal=University of Toledo Theses and Dissertations|date=2009|volume=Paper 1042|page=ii|quote="By the 1890s, the grayling were all but gone due in part to overfishing, commercial lumbering, and the introduction of non-native brook trout.}}</ref> and competed with the grayling for food.

The '''Grayling Fish Hatchery''' was founded in 1914 by timber baron [[Rasmus Hanson]] (1846–1927).<ref name="graylingfishhatchery.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.graylingfishhatchery.com/hanson.htm|title=Rasmus Hanson picture and biography|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107023227/http://www.graylingfishhatchery.com/hanson.htm|archive-date=2009-01-07}}</ref> He hoped to restore the grayling to the Au Sable River system; ironically, its disappearance was caused, at least in part, by the massive habitat destruction caused by logging, which was the source of Mr. Hanson's and other [[lumber baron]]s' immense wealth. Other famous contributors to the initial costs of the hatchery included [[Henry Ford]], [[Edsel Ford]], and [[Thomas Edison]].<ref name="graylingfishhatchery.com"/> The grayling became extinct in Michigan. Nevertheless, the hatchery continued to play an important role in natural resource conservation. In 1926, it was sold to the state of Michigan. It continued to be operated as a fish hatchery and tourist attraction until the mid-1960s. In 1995, Michigan sold the property to Crawford County. It is being operated by a privately owned fish farm, although continues to be open to the public during the summer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hansonhills.org/|title=Grayling Recreation Authority, fish hatchery.}}</ref>

Rasmus Hanson is an important person in the history of Grayling. He was born in 1846 in Denmark and emigrated to the United States some time later. At age 16 he began working in the lumber field. Two years later, E. N. Salling, Nelson Michelson, and Hanson organized the first Salling-Hanson Company.  After nearly 50 years of service, the Salling Hanson Company had shut down its operation in January 1927. Hanson was a successful entrepreneur and created many businesses in Northern Michigan.  Along with being one of three lumber barons of Northern Michigan, Hanson owned the Michigan Sugar Company and the Bay City Sugar Company. In 1916, he donated 13,826 acres of cut-over land in Crawford County to the state of Michigan for use as a forest game preserve and military reservation. This land became the first state-owned game preserve. The area south of Lake Margrethe (named in honor of Hanson's wife, Margrethe) continues to be used as a National Guard base that serves Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana guards.<ref>{{cite news|last=Granlund|first=Bill|title=A Step Back in Time: Selling Hanson Co. saw mills cut last log in 1927|url=http://articles.petoskeynews.com/2013-01-25/lumber_36553392|access-date=15 April 2013|newspaper=petoskeynews.com|date=January 25, 2013}}, originally published in the ''Otsego County Herald Times'', October 6, 1927</ref> Since 1947, Grayling has been the starting point of the [[Au Sable River Canoe Marathon]], which is held every year on the last weekend of July.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ausablecanoemarathon.org|title=AuSable River Canoe Marathon|work=ausablecanoemarathon.org}}</ref><ref name="NOW">{{cite web |title=Now and Then: The Evolution of one of the Greatest Races on Earth |url=https://issuu.com/ausablecanoemarathon/docs/2024_arcm_spectator_guide |access-date=12 May 2025 |website=issuu.com |publisher=Crawford County Avalanche}}</ref> This is the longest nonstop canoe race in North America.

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|2.04|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|2.01|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.03|sqmi|sqkm|2}} (1.47%) is water.<ref name=CENS/>
*The middle branch of the Au Sable River passes through the city.
*According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|2.04|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|2.01|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.03|sqmi|sqkm|2}} 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 near [[Lake Margrethe (Crawford County, Michigan)|Lake Margrethe]].
*[[Hartwick Pines State Park]] is just {{convert|7|mi|km}} north and northeast of Grayling.
*The Huron portion of the [[Huron-Manistee National Forests]] is about the same distance due east.
*North Down River Road is east of the city along the Au Sable River, which runs parallel to it. It is a designated [[National Scenic Byway]] for the {{convert|23|mi|km}} that go into [[Oscoda, Michigan|Oscoda]]. The [[Lumberman's Monument]] is located along the byway.
*An oilfield is located about {{convert|4|mi|km}} south of M-93 on Military Road.

===Geographic features===
<!-- *[[Au Sable River (Michigan)|Au Sable River]]
*[[Manistee River]]
*[[Lake Margrethe (Crawford County, Michigan)|Lake Margrethe]]
 -->*Much of the area sits on the "Grayling outwash plain", a unique habitat named for the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/habitat/rlandscp/s7-2-2.htm |title=NPWRC :: Regional Landscape |work=usgs.gov |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625181556/http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/habitat/rlandscp/s7-2-2.htm |archive-date=2013-06-25 }}</ref>

===Climate===
This [[climate|climatic]] region has large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters.  According to the [[Köppen climate classification]] system, Grayling has a [[humid continental climate]], ''Dfb'' on climate maps.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=80457&cityname=Grayling%2C+Michigan%2C+United+States+of+America&units=|title=Grayling, Michigan Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)|work=Weatherbase}}</ref>

{{Weather box 
|location = Grayling, Michigan, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1891–present
|single line = Y
|Jan record high F = 57
|Feb record high F = 63
|Mar record high F = 85
|Apr record high F = 89
|May record high F = 98
|Jun record high F = 103
|Jul record high F = 104
|Aug record high F = 102
|Sep record high F = 101
|Oct record high F = 87
|Nov record high F = 75
|Dec record high F = 64
|year record high F =

|Jan avg record high F = 44.3
|Feb avg record high F = 47.2
|Mar avg record high F = 60.9
|Apr avg record high F = 74.8
|May avg record high F = 85.5
|Jun avg record high F = 90.3
|Jul avg record high F = 90.9
|Aug avg record high F = 89.5
|Sep avg record high F = 85.9
|Oct avg record high F = 76.7
|Nov avg record high F = 61.7
|Dec avg record high F = 48.7
|year avg record high F = 93.6

|Jan high F = 26.0
|Feb high F = 28.7
|Mar high F = 39.4
|Apr high F = 52.8
|May high F = 67.0
|Jun high F = 76.6
|Jul high F = 80.2
|Aug high F = 78.5
|Sep high F = 70.7
|Oct high F = 56.6
|Nov high F = 42.7
|Dec high F = 31.5
|year high F = 
|Jan mean F = 17.8
|Feb mean F = 18.7
|Mar mean F = 27.9
|Apr mean F = 40.8
|May mean F = 53.8
|Jun mean F = 63.7
|Jul mean F = 67.6
|Aug mean F = 66.0
|Sep mean F = 58.0
|Oct mean F = 46.0
|Nov mean F = 34.4
|Dec mean F = 24.6
|year mean F = 
|Jan low F = 9.7
|Feb low F = 8.7
|Mar low F = 16.4
|Apr low F = 28.8
|May low F = 40.7
|Jun low F = 50.8
|Jul low F = 55.1
|Aug low F = 53.4
|Sep low F = 45.3
|Oct low F = 35.4
|Nov low F = 26.2
|Dec low F = 17.7
|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = -15.6
|Feb avg record low F = -15.7
|Mar avg record low F = -8.5
|Apr avg record low F = 12.2
|May avg record low F = 24.8
|Jun avg record low F = 34.9
|Jul avg record low F = 41.7
|Aug avg record low F = 38.5
|Sep avg record low F = 30.6
|Oct avg record low F = 21.4
|Nov avg record low F = 8.7
|Dec avg record low F = -4.0
|year avg record low F = -21.3

|Jan record low F = -34
|Feb record low F = -42
|Mar record low F = -38
|Apr record low F = -12
|May record low F = 14
|Jun record low F = 23
|Jul record low F = 28
|Aug record low F = 26
|Sep record low F = 16
|Oct record low F = 7
|Nov record low F = -9
|Dec record low F = -28
|year record low F = -
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 1.82
|Feb precipitation inch = 1.39
|Mar precipitation inch = 1.68
|Apr precipitation inch = 3.39
|May precipitation inch = 3.23
|Jun precipitation inch = 3.64
|Jul precipitation inch = 3.07
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.26
|Sep precipitation inch = 3.22
|Oct precipitation inch = 4.01
|Nov precipitation inch = 2.58
|Dec precipitation inch = 1.95
|year precipitation inch = 
|Jan snow inch = 25.8
|Feb snow inch = 18.9
|Mar snow inch = 10.8
|Apr snow inch = 4.2
|May snow inch = 0.1
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 1.4
|Nov snow inch = 6.9
|Dec snow inch = 20.2
|year snow inch = 
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 18.6
|Feb precipitation days = 13.8
|Mar precipitation days = 11.6
|Apr precipitation days = 12.3
|May precipitation days = 13.6
|Jun precipitation days = 12.5
|Jul precipitation days = 12.0
|Aug precipitation days = 12.4
|Sep precipitation days = 13.7
|Oct precipitation days = 17.4
|Nov precipitation days = 16.0
|Dec precipitation days = 17.4
|year precipitation days = 
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 14.3
|Feb snow days = 10.5
|Mar snow days = 6.2
|Apr snow days = 2.1
|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 = 0.9
|Nov snow days = 4.9
|Dec snow days = 11.4
|year snow days = 
|source 1 = [[NOAA]]<ref name= NOAA >
{{cite web
| url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=apx
| title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = September 2, 2021}}</ref><ref name=NCEI>
{{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=USC00203391&format=pdf
| title = Station: Grayling, MI
| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020)
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = September 2, 2021}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1910= 1775
|1920= 2450
|1930= 1973
|1940= 2124
|1950= 2066
|1960= 2015
|1970= 2143
|1980= 1792
|1990= 1944
|2000= 1952
|2010= 1884
|2020= 1867
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}

===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 1,884 people, 764 households, and 419 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|937.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 890 housing units at an average density of {{convert|442.8|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 97.2% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.7% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.5% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.5% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.1% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.1% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 0.9% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.7% of the population.

There were 764 households, of which 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.9% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 16.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 45.2% were non-families. 37.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 3.00.

The median age in the city was 38.6 years. 23.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.9% were from 25 to 44; 22.1% were from 45 to 64; and 20.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.7% male and 53.3% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 1,952 people, 828 households, and 481 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|972.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 895 housing units at an average density of {{convert|445.7|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 96.88% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.51% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.87% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.77% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.15% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.82% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.54% of the population.

There were 828 households, out of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.4% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 16.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.8% were non-families. 38.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.3% 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 2.94.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.1% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 24.5% from 25 to 44, 19.1% from 45 to 64, and 22.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 78.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 70.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $24,250, and the median income for a family was $29,850. Males had a median income of $29,167 versus $20,060 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $13,089. About 21.6% of families and 21.8% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 29.5% of those under age 18 and 17.5% of those age 65 or over.

==Arts and culture==

===Historical sites and local events===
The area is proud of its history, and has preserved landmarks, which it uses for historical events, including reenactments.<ref>[http://www.grayling-mi.com/attractions.html Grayling Area Visitors Bureau.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071221032128/http://www.grayling-mi.com/attractions.html |date=2007-12-21 }}</ref>
*Crawford County Historical Museum: Located in downtown's restored railroad depot, the museum offers a nostalgic look at the 19th and 20th centuries, particularly the lumbering era. The depot was saved from demolition by a community effort. The grounds also include a caboose, a military building dedicated to Camp Grayling and local ex-military personnel, a trapper's cabin, and an old-fashioned fire station.
*Wellington Farm Park is a {{convert|60|acre|m2|adj=on}}, non-profit living history museum It is dedicated to interpretation of farm life during the Great Depression. Many farming activities are conducted daily with vintage equipment, tools, and methods. The park has many historical buildings including a blacksmith shop, farm market, gristmill, pavilion, sawmill, and summer kitchen. A nature trail is there. Several events are hosted throughout the summer and fall, including "Dairy Days", "Tractor & Engine Show", "Punkin-Chunkin", Halloween Hayrides, and numerous weekend activities. The farm is located on Military Road West of I-75. 
*[[Lake Margrethe (Crawford County, Michigan)|Lake Margrethe]] is an important attraction of [[Camp Grayling]], and was named after the wife of Rasmus Hanson. It is a favorite fishing and recreation lake for soldiers in their off-duty hours, but also has much use from area residents, campers, and tourists, who access it from the state forest campground located at the lake's northwest corner.
*A number of recurring events occur in the area. A calendar is available.<ref name="graylingchamber.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.graylingchamber.com/events.html|title=Chember of Commerce calendar of events|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017050432/http://www.graylingchamber.com/events.html|archive-date=2007-10-17}}</ref>
* Grayling is the starting point for the Au Sable River Canoe Marathon, which runs {{convert|120|mi|km}} from Grayling to Oscoda. It is one of three marathon races that constitute [[canoe racing]]'s Triple Crown. The race is always held the last full weekend in July during the town's annual AuSable River Festival.
* [[Hartwick Pines State Park]] &ndash; the location of one of the few remaining old growth [[eastern white pine]] forests &ndash; has events throughout the year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.michigan.gov/hartwickpines|title=Hartwick Pines State Park}}</ref> Particularly notable are "cross country skiing by lantern light" on numerous dates throughout the winter.<ref name="graylingchamber.com"/>
* [[Kirtland Center for the Performing Arts]], located at the [[Kirtland Community College]] in [[Roscommon, Michigan]], hosts many visiting performers, including regular visits from [[The Second City]] traveling ensemble.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kirtland.edu/kcpa|title=Kirtland Center for the Performing Arts, Kirtland College}}</ref>
* In 1884 The Grayling Hospital, a forty-patient hospital was built. It was destroyed by fire a little over a year later on January 28, 1886. The hospital largely cared for lumber and mill workers injured on the job.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Crawford Avalanche Newspaper Article |url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn96076998/1884-12-25/ed-1/seq-4/#date1=1884&index=12&rows=20&words=Grayling+Hospital&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=Michigan&date2=1963&proxtext=grayling+hospital&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Crawford Avalanche Newspaper Article |url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn96076998/1886-01-28/ed-1/seq-3/#date1=1884&index=10&rows=20&words=Grayling+Hospital&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=Michigan&date2=1963&proxtext=grayling+hospital&y=0&x=0&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1}}</ref> In 1911, the Sisters of Mercy opened Mercy Hospital in Grayling, Michigan. The hospital was built by logging barons as a tribute to the lumbermen of Michigan.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mercy Hospital Crawford County, MI |url=https://genealogytrails.com/mich/crawford/mercyhistory.html}}</ref> The hospital held 30 beds and remained for 48 years. In 1956, construction of the new hospital began which had accommodation for 48 people. Construction was finished in 1958. In 1970, the long-term care unit was added to the hospital which had 40 beds. In 2015, the hospital was sold, and the name of the hospital was changed to Munson Healthcare Grayling Hospital.

==Parks and recreation==
* Grayling is noted as the "Canoe Capital of the World". Several canoe liveries operate on the Au Sable River in Grayling; Carlisle's Canoe, Penrods Resort, and Borchers Canoe & Kayak, the [[Manistee River]] is located just west of Grayling.
* Cross-country skiing is an important opportunity in Grayling, which has two of the top-rated cross-country venues in Michigan, namely [[Hartwick Pines State Park]] Trails and [[Mason Tract Pathway]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.trails.com/toptrails.aspx?state=mi&activity=xc|title=Rankings of best cross country skiing in Michigan.|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080404180709/http://www.trails.com/stateactivity.asp?area=13715|archive-date=2008-04-04}}</ref> Forbush Corners in nearby [[Frederic, Michigan]], is a world-recognized center for education and training in cross-country skiing, and benefits from early and late snow due to a snow-belt microclimate. Accomplished amateur ski racer David Forbush designed, maintains, and grooms "one of the finest privately owned systems in the Midwest."<ref>[http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.asp?trailid=SGM005-037 Rankings and Discussion of Forbush corners] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050507131933/http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.asp?trailid=SGM005-037 |date=2005-05-07 }} [http://www.forbushcorner.com/ Forbush Corners website]</ref>
* The grayling are gone, but the [[rainbow trout]], [[brook trout]], and [[brown trout]] remain. Grayling is a hotbed of [[fly fishing]] and [[angling]] on the edge of some world-class streams, rivers, and lakes. Particularly notable are two nearby rivers which parallel each other: the Au Sable River, which runs east to [[Lake Huron]] and the Manistee River, which runs West to [[Lake Michigan]]. Trout abound, driven to a feeding frenzy by prolific and multiple insect hatches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flyfishingconnection.com/michausable.html|title=Fly fish connection|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071218151142/http://www.flyfishingconnection.com/michausable.html|archive-date=2007-12-18}}</ref>
*As is true in the rest of Michigan, [[white-tailed deer]] [[hunting]] is locally considered to be a 'sacrament' and the firearms deer opener (November 15) its 'holy day of obligation.' With 70% of Crawford County owned by federal and state government, and open to the public, it is a popular hunting destination.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.crawfordcountyavalanche.com/articles/2012/11/21/sports/doc50abb4c369f4d029719906.txt |title=Archived copy |access-date=2012-12-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130121091620/http://www.crawfordcountyavalanche.com/articles/2012/11/21/sports/doc50abb4c369f4d029719906.txt |archive-date=2013-01-21 }}</ref>
*[[Snow shoe]]ing and [[snow mobile]] riding are activities that fit right into the local weather and topography.<ref name="gvc">{{cite web|url=http://grayling-mi.net/pressreleases|title=Grayling visitor center|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080703162853/http://grayling-mi.net/pressreleases|archive-date=2008-07-03}}</ref>
*Hanson Hills was the first [[skiing|downhill ski]] area in Michigan. It opened in 1929. It also is a 1000-acre sports park. Being the second downhill ski area to open in the Midwest. It offers a variety of activities throughout the summer and winter. In the summer they offer disc golf, 3D archery, mountain bike and hiking trails. In the winter they have downhill skiing, snowboarding, tubing, snowshoe trails and over 35&nbsp;km of Nordic Ski Trails. Lessons are provided for skiing and snowboarding. They also have a diversity of trails and slopes with different levels of difficulty. A top Mount Franklin where guests use as a tubing hill, lies the smallest cemetery. This cemetery holds the graves of Pfc. John A. Conroy of Company D (died August 1927) and Pvt. George A. Laine of Company A (died July 14, 1939), from Michigan's storied 125th Infantry Regiment. In 1958 the two headstones had been updated for both graves.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hansonhills.org/|title=Hanson Hills.}}</ref>
*Michigan [[Shore to Shore Riding & Hiking Trail]] passes through Grayling. It runs from [[Empire, Michigan|Empire]] to Oscoda, and points north and south. It is a {{convert|500|mi|km|adj=on}} interconnected system of trails.<ref>[http://www.kerchevalave.com/mtra/sh2sh.html Michigan Shore to Shore Riding and Hiking Trail].</ref>
*[[Kirtland's warbler]] has its habitat in the area.<ref>[http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10371_10402-175411--,00.html Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Kirtland's Warbler Populations Continue to Grow.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071223080704/http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0%2C1607%2C7-153-10371_10402-175411--%2C00.html |date=2007-12-23 }}</ref> 
*Grayling was home to [[Fred Bear]] and [[Bear Archery]] Company from 1947 to 1978 when a labor strike prompted both to relocate to [[Gainesville, Florida]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fredbear-online.com/bowmaking.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080214144353/http://www.fredbear-online.com/bowmaking.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=February 14, 2008 |title=Fred Bear |access-date=August 21, 2012}}</ref>

==Military==
[[Camp Grayling]] is a [[Michigan National Guard]] training facility located near the city. It is the largest National Guard training base in the United States. Through the year, around 10,000 troops train at the base, and it generates an estimated $20 million in local economic activity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://grayling-mi.com/attractions/historical-sites-2/camp-grayling-military-installation|title=Camp Grayling Military Installation|date=24 March 2009 |publisher=Grayling Visitor's Bureau}}</ref> 
The Guard base sits on land originally donated by Rasmus Hanson and is the nation's largest [[National Guard of the United States|National Guard]] training site and the largest military installation east of the [[Mississippi River]]. The {{convert|147,000|acre|km2}} are used for year-round training with participation by active and reserve components of the Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy.

==Government==
[[File:Grayling, Michigan city hall.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Grayling City Hall]]
The city levies an income tax of 1% on residents and 0.5% on nonresidents.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Gibbons|first1=Lauren|title=Michigan State University, city of East Lansing at odds over proposed income tax|url=http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2017/08/michigan_state_university_city.html#incart_river_home|access-date=August 16, 2017|work=MLive Lansing|publisher=Mlive Media Group|date=August 16, 2017}}</ref> <!-- City Manager is Doug Baum <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityofgrayling.org/Departments/CityManager.aspx|title=City of Grayling > Departments > City Manager|work=cityofgrayling.org}}</ref> --> Grayling is the smallest municipality in Michigan to collect such a tax.

==Education==
The Crawford AuSable School District is the primary school district for the county, serving the  city of Grayling and the nearby community. The district consists of one high school, one middle school, and one elementary school, which serve about 1600 students. In 2013, Grayling High School was ranked at 1503 on ''[[Newsweek]]'s'' America's best high school rating, which rated the top 2000 public high schools in the US based on graduation rate, college acceptance rate, AP tests taken per student, average AP scores, number of students enrolled in AP courses, and average SAT/ACT scores. In 2014, the [[National Association of State Boards of Education]] named the district as the top performing rural school district in Michigan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nwea.org/content/uploads/2014/11/Case-Study-MAP-Crawford-AuSable-School-District-MI-MAY15.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912193219/https://www.nwea.org/content/uploads/2014/11/Case-Study-MAP-Crawford-AuSable-School-District-MI-MAY15.pdf |archive-date=2015-09-12 |url-status=live|title=Crawford AuSable School District|publisher=National Association of State Boards of Education}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metavisions.net/Blog/Post/23/Dr--Richard-Zeile-visits-a-Top-Perfoming-Rural-School-District-in-Michigan|title=Dr. Richard Zeile visits a Top-Performing Rural School District in Michigan|publisher=Metavision}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.newsweek.com/2013/05/06/america-s-best-high-schools.html|title=2013 America's Best High Schools|magazine=Newsweek|access-date=2016-08-22|archive-date=2014-08-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140817020128/http://www.newsweek.com/2013/05/06/america-s-best-high-schools.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Media==
* The [[Crawford County Avalanche]] is the newspaper of record for Crawford County, and is published in Grayling, Michigan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crawfordcountyavalanche.com/|title=''Crawford County Avalanche''}}</ref>

==Transportation==

===Major highways===
Grayling is {{convert|4|mi|km}} north of the confluence of two major north–south freeways: I-75 and US&nbsp;127, and the junction with M-72, an east–west cross-peninsular state highway route.

*{{jct|state=MI|I|75}} passes to the east the city and connects with the [[Mackinac Bridge]] to the north and [[Saginaw, Michigan|Saginaw]] and [[Detroit, Michigan|Detroit]] to the south
*{{jct|state=MI|BL|75|dab1=Grayling}} is a loop route running through Grayling. It follows the former route of [[U.S. Route 27 in Michigan|US&nbsp;27]], in part.
*{{jct|state=MI|US|127}} ends south of Grayling<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.state-ends.com/michigan/us127/|title=Picture of northern terminus US 127 at Grayling, Michigan|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080523115330/http://www.state-ends.com/michigan/us127/|archive-date=2008-05-23}}</ref> and continues southerly toward [[Clare, Michigan|Clare]] and [[Lansing, Michigan|Lansing]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geocities.com/usend2029/End127/end127.htm|title=Endpoints of US highways|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027072021/http://www.geocities.com/usend2029/End127/end127.htm|archive-date=2009-10-27}}</ref>
*{{jct|state=MI|M|72}} passes through the city and is one of three state highway routes that runs east–west across the entire [[lower peninsula]], from [[Empire, Michigan|Empire]] on [[Lake Michigan]] to Grayling and east to [[Harrisville, Michigan|Harrisville]] on [[Lake Huron]].
*{{jct|state=MI|M|93}} is an {{convert|11|mi|km|adj=on}} route connecting the main gate of Michigan [[Army National Guard]]'s [[Camp Grayling]], {{convert|4|mi|km}} southwest of Grayling, with [[Hartwick Pines State Park]], {{convert|7|mi|km}} northeast of Grayling.
*{{jct|state=MI|CDH|F-32}} begins at BL I-75/M-93 on the northern edge of the city and continues toward [[Mio, Michigan|Mio]].

===Bus travel===
*[[Indian Trails]] provides daily intercity bus service between [[St. Ignace, Michigan|St. Ignace]] and [[East Lansing, Michigan]].<ref>{{cite web|title=EAST LANSING-PETOSKEY-ST. IGNACE |publisher=[[Indian Trails]] |date=January 15, 2013 |access-date=2013-02-27 |url=http://www.indiantrails.com/sites/default/files/1488.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140629095410/http://www.indiantrails.com/sites/default/files/1488.pdf |archive-date=June 29, 2014 }}</ref>

==Notable people==
* [[Jim Harrison]], writer and poet, author of ''[[Legends of the Fall]]'', was born in Grayling.
* [[Norman Z. McLeod]], director of films such as ''[[Horse Feathers]]'', ''[[The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1947 film)|The Secret Life of Walter Mitty]]'' and ''[[Topper (film)|Topper]]'' was born in Grayling.
* [[Edward Hartwick]], famous soldier and personal friend of [[Theodore Roosevelt]] graduated from Grayling High School.
* [[Fred Bear]], founder of [[Bear Archery]], expanded his company during 30 years in Grayling.

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [http://www.cityofgrayling.org/ City of Grayling home page.]
* [http://clarke.cmich.edu/localhistory/Crawford.htm Clarke Historical Collection, Bibliography on Crawford County]
* [http://www.graylingchamber.com/ Grayling Chamber of Commerce.]
* [http://www.grayling-mi.com/ Grayling Visitors Bureau.]

{{Crawford County, Michigan}}
{{Michigan county seats}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Crawford County, Michigan]]
[[Category:County seats in Michigan]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1872]]
[[Category:1872 establishments in Michigan]]
[[Category:Tourism in Michigan]]
[[Category:Military in Michigan]]
[[Category:Crawford County, Michigan]]