Editing Houghton, Michigan

{{distinguish|Houghton Lake, Michigan}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2019}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Houghton, Michigan
| official_name      = City of Houghton
| other_name         = 
| native_name        = {{native name|oj|Gakiiwe-onigamiing}}
| nickname           = "Gateway to the [[Keweenaw Peninsula|Keweenaw]]", "Winter City"
| motto              = 
| image_skyline      = Houghton 2019 Aerial.jpg
| imagesize          = 275
| image_caption      = Aerial view of downtown Houghton and the [[Portage Lake Lift Bridge]]
| image_flag         = 
| flag_size          = 
| image_seal         = houghton.jpg
| seal_size          = 150
| image_shield       = 
| shield_size        = 
| image_blank_emblem = 
| blank_emblem_size  = 
| image_map          = Houghton, MI county location map2.png
| mapsize            = 250
| map_caption        = Location within [[Houghton County, Michigan|Houghton County]]
| image_map1         = 
| mapsize1           = 
| map_caption1       = 
| pushpin_map        = Michigan#USA
| pushpin_label      = Houghton
| pushpin_label_position = left
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within the state of Michigan
| coordinates        = {{Wikidatacoord|Q12429|region:US-MI_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = {{Flagu|United States}}
| subdivision_type1  = State
| subdivision_name1  = {{Flag|Michigan}}
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Michigan|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Houghton County, Michigan|Houghton]]
| subdivision_type3  = 
| subdivision_name3  = 
| subdivision_type4  = 
| subdivision_name4  = 
| government_type    = [[City commission government|City commission]]
| leader_title1      = [[City manager]]
| leader_name1       = Eric Waara
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name        = Robert Backon <ref>{{Cite web |last=MDI |date=2020-01-21 |title=City Council |url=https://www.cityofhoughton.com/city-council/ |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=City of Houghton |language=en-US}}</ref>
| leader_title2      = 
| leader_name2       = 
| leader_title3      = 
| leader_name3       = 
| leader_title4      = 
| leader_name4       = 
| established_title  = Platted
| established_date   = 1854
| established_title2 = Incorporated
| established_date2  = 1861 (village)<br>1970 (city)
| area_magnitude     = 
| 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 |access-date=May 21, 2022 |archive-date=May 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528225240/https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_26.txt |url-status=live }}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 12.05
| area_land_km2      = 11.42
| area_water_km2     = 0.63
| area_total_sq_mi   = 4.65
| area_land_sq_mi    = 4.41
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.24
| area_water_percent = 5.12
| area_urban_km2     = 
| area_urban_sq_mi   = 
| area_metro_km2     = 
| area_metro_sq_mi   = 
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total   = 8386
| population_density_km2 = 734.53
| population_density_sq_mi = 1902.45
| population_note    = 
| settlement_type    = [[City]]
| population_metro   = 
| population_density_metro_km2 = 
| population_density_metro_sq_mi = 
| population_urban   = 
| population_density_urban_km2 = 
| population_density_urban_sq_mi = 
| timezone           = [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
| utc_offset         = -5
| timezone_DST       = EDT
| utc_offset_DST     = -4
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_m        = 
| elevation_ft       = 643
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP Code]]
| postal_code        = 49931
| area_code          = [[Area code 906|906]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 26-39360<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/ |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website |archive-date=July 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709054630/https://www.census.gov/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 0628661<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|628661}}</ref>
| website            = {{URL|cityofhoughton.com|Official website}}
}}
[[File:Waterfronttrail.bridge..jpg|thumb|View of the Portage Lift Bridge from Houghton's Waterfront Trail]]

'''Houghton''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|h|oʊ|t|ən}}; {{respell|HOH|tən}}) is the largest city and [[county seat]] of [[Houghton County, Michigan|Houghton County]] in the U.S. state of [[Michigan]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |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=May 31, 2011}}</ref>  Located on the [[Keweenaw Peninsula]], Houghton is the largest city in the [[Copper Country]] region. It is the fifth-largest city in the [[Upper Peninsula of Michigan|Upper Peninsula]], with a population of 8,386 at the [[2020 United States census]]. Houghton is the principal city of the [[Houghton micropolitan area, Michigan|Houghton micropolitan area]], which includes all of Houghton and [[Keweenaw County, Michigan|Keweenaw]] counties. Houghton lies upon the [[Keweenaw Waterway]], a partly natural, partly artificial waterway connecting at both ends to [[Lake Superior]]. Across the waterway from Houghton lies the city of [[Hancock, Michigan|Hancock]].

The city of Houghton was named for [[Douglass Houghton]], an American [[geologist]] and [[physician]], primarily known for his exploration of the Keweenaw Peninsula.<ref>{{cite web |title=Houghton, Michigan 49931 |website=InfoMI.com |url=http://www.infomi.com/city/houghton/ |access-date=October 2, 2007 |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927211022/http://www.infomi.com/city/houghton/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Houghton is home to [[Michigan Technological University]], a public research university founded in 1885. Michigan Tech hosts a yearly [[Michigan Technological University's Winter Carnival|Winter Carnival]] in February, drawing thousands of visitors from around the world. Michigan Tech's athletic teams are nicknamed the [[Michigan Tech Huskies|Huskies]], and compete primarily in the [[NCAA Division II]] [[Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference]] (GLIAC). The [[Michigan Tech Huskies men's ice hockey|Michigan Tech Huskies men's ice hockey team]] competes in the [[NCAA Division I]] [[Central Collegiate Hockey Association]] (CCHA), and has won three [[NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament|national championships]], in [[1962 NCAA men's ice hockey tournament|1962]], [[1965 NCAA University Division men's ice hockey tournament|1965]], and [[1975 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament|1975]].

== History ==
Native Americans [[Copper mining in Michigan#Native American|mined copper]] in and around what would later be Houghton thousands of years before European settlement.<ref name="Eckert 461">{{Harvp|Eckert|1993|p=461}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |first=Hariette |last=Mertz |title=The Mystic Symbol: Mark of the Michigan Mound Builders |publisher=Hayriver Press |isbn=0-9703985-4-9 |page=28 |year=2004}}</ref> "French explorers had noted... [its] existence [in the area] as early as the seventeenth century, [and in] 1772 Alexander Henry had prospected for copper on the [[Ontonagon River]] near [[Victoria, Michigan|Victoria]]."<ref name="Eckert 461"/>

[[File:Copper for shipment, Houghton, Mich. 1.jpg|thumb|Copper ready for shipment, c. 1906]]
Many [[Cornish people|Cornish]] and [[Finnish people|Finnish]] immigrants arrived in the Houghton area to work in the copper mines in the mining boom that made [[Copper Country]] on the Keweenaw Peninsula; both groups have had a great influence on the culture and cuisine of the local area. The Finns and others called much of the area [[Copper Island]]. Smaller numbers of [[French-Canadian]] immigrants moved to Houghton, while more of them settled elsewhere in Houghton County.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://habitant.org/houghton/fcgenealogy.htm |title=French-Canadian Genealogical Research in Houghton County, Michigan |work=habitant.org |access-date=April 22, 2007 |archive-date=March 15, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070315205111/http://habitant.org/houghton/fcgenealogy.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

The last nearby mines closed in the late 1960s, but a school founded in 1885 by the [[Michigan State Legislature]] to teach metallurgy and mining engineering, the Michigan College of Mines, continues today under the name of [[Michigan Technological University]] and is the primary employer in the city.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}

The first known European settler of Houghton was named [[Ransom Shelden]], who set up a store named Ransom's near Portage Lake,<ref>{{harvp|Taylor|2006|p= 11|ps=.}}</ref> though it is unclear whether this was in the same building as the 1852 Shelden and Shafer drugs, sometimes described as "the first commercial building constructed in Houghton," which Shelden owned with his son Ransom B.<ref>{{harvp|Taylor|2006|p= 40|ps=.}}</ref> The main street of Houghton, variously called "Sheldon Avenue," (incorrectly) Sheldon Street, and Shelden Avenue, is named for him. In the 1970s the construction of a parking deck and the connection of downtown stores<ref name="Eckert p. 409">{{harvp|Eckert|1993|p=409}}</ref> to create [[Shelden Center]] significantly changed the downtown.

William W. Henderson was appointed the first postmaster of Houghton in 1852.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}

In 1854, [[Ernest F. Pletschke]] platted Houghton, and was incorporated as a village in 1861.<ref name=village>{{cite book |title=History of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan |date=1883 |publisher=Western Historical Co. |location=Houghton County: Houghton |pages=272–276 |url=http://www.mfhn.com/houghton/1883HistUpperPenin/pages272-276.aspx |access-date=August 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804140238/http://www.mfhn.com/houghton/1883HistUpperPenin/pages272-276.aspx |archive-date=August 4, 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Taylor p. 39">{{harvp|Taylor|2006|p= 39|ps=}}</ref> In Houghton's first days it was said that "only thieves, crooks, murderers and [[Native Americans in the United States|Indians]]" lived there.{{citation needed|date=June 2021}}<!--and context for who the opinion-givers were--> The postwar boom and increasing demand for copper wiring fueled the development of Houghton in the 1860s and 1870s.<ref name="Taylor p. 39"/>

Houghton gained in importance as a port with the opening of the [[Keweenaw Waterway]] in 1873,<ref name="Eckert 461" /> the waterway being the cumulative dredging and extension of the Portage Lake, Portage Shipping Canal and Lily Pond so as to isolate the northern part of the Keweenaw Peninsula into Copper Island. By 1880 Houghton had become "a burgeoning city"<ref>{{harvp|Taylor|2006|p= 43|ps=.}}</ref> and in 1883, the [[railroad]] was extended from [[Marquette, Michigan|Marquette]].

1909 saw the founding of what would later become [[Portage Lake District Library]].{{cn|date=May 2024}}

During the bitter [[Copper Country Strike of 1913-1914]], the [[Michigan National Guard]] was called in after the sheriff petitioned the governor.{{cn|date=May 2024}}

Houghton was the birthplace of professional ice hockey in the United States when the [[Portage Lakes Hockey Club|Portage Lakers]] were formed in 1903. Houghton is the home of the Portage Lake Pioneers Senior Hockey Team. The team's home ice is [[Dee Stadium]], named after James R. Dee. Dee Stadium was originally called the [[Amphidrome]], before it was severely damaged in a 1927 fire.<ref>{{Cite web |last=MDI |date=2020-01-21 |title=Dee Stadium |url=https://www.cityofhoughton.com/dee-stadium/ |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=City of Houghton |language=en-US}}</ref>

Houghton was incorporated as a city in 1970.<ref name=city>{{cite web |title=City of Houghton Master Plan 2014-2018 |url=http://www.cityofhoughton.com/documents/Master_Plan_2013.pdf |publisher=City of Houghton |page=8 |access-date=August 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190906155116/http://www.cityofhoughton.com/documents/Master_Plan_2013.pdf |archive-date=September 6, 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In the winter of 2001, Houghton was the site of one of the first [[lumitalo]]s (Finnish temporary snow houses) to be constructed in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |last=Coleman |first=Patrick J |title=Building with Snow: Northern Michigan Towns to Construct Snow Houses |url=http://www.upea.com/winterhouse/paper.htm |access-date=March 12, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316133530/http://www.upea.com/winterhouse/paper.htm |archive-date=March 16, 2012}}</ref>

=== Philatelic history ===
On October 28, 2002, the first day of issue ceremony was held in Houghton for the "[[snowman]] stamps" issued by the [[United States Postal Service]].<ref>{{cite web |title=United States Postal Service Press Release: 'Four Whimsical Snowmen Figurines Featured On U.S. Postage Stamps' |url=http://www.usps.com/news/2002/philatelic/sr02_080.htm |access-date=September 26, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070313092456/http://www.usps.com/news/2002/philatelic/sr02_080.htm |archive-date=March 13, 2007}}</ref>

One of the 2006 United States Postal Service snowflake stamps ("photographed in Houghton by Caltech physicist [[Kenneth Libbrecht]] using a digital camera and special microscope") were unveiled in Houghton.<ref>{{cite news |last=Schneider |first=Dan |title=Houghton Puts Its Stamp on America |work=The Daily Mining Gazette |location=Houghton, MI |pages=1, 10 |date=February 12, 2007}}</ref>

A [[pictorial cancellation|pictorial postmark]] commemorating [[Michigan Technological University's Winter Carnival|Winter Carnival]] 2007, "Ancient Worlds Come to Play in Snowy Drifts of Modern Day", was applied at the Winter Carnival temporary station in Michigan Technological University's Memorial Union Building, February 10, 2007.
[[File:Houghton, Michigan panorama c1900.jpg|thumb|upright=3|center|Panorama of Houghton from Huron Street from 1900 to 1906. The [[Houghton County Courthouse]] is visible near the center of the photo.]]

==Geography==
[[File:Portage Lake Lift Bridge(Night).JPG|thumb|The Portage Lake Lift Bridge connecting the cities of Hancock and Houghton]]
The city is located on the south shore of the [[Keweenaw Waterway]], on rolling wooded hills, less than a mile across Portage Lake<ref>{{cite book |first=Clarence |last=Monette | author-link=Clarence J. Monette | title=Some Copper Country Names and Places: Fifth of a Local History Series |publisher=Welden H. Curtin |location=Lake Linden, MI |pages=22–23 |year=1975}}</ref> from [[Hancock, Michigan|Hancock]]. The city is bounded on the east by [[Portage Township, Houghton County, Michigan|Portage Township]] and Pilgrim, on the west by [[Dakota Heights, Michigan|Dakota Heights]] and [[Adams Township, Houghton County, Michigan|Adams Township]], and on the south by [[Hurontown, Michigan|Hurontown]] and Isle Royale Location, unincorporated communities that are part of Portage Township. Houghton is named after [[Douglass Houghton]], discoverer of [[copper]] nearby. Houghton is also the home of [[Michigan Technological University]]. The city is served by [[Houghton County Memorial Airport]] in nearby Oneco.

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|4.69|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|4.45|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.24|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=November 25, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112090031/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=January 12, 2012}}</ref>

In the West Houghton neighborhood is West Houghton Park, featuring an outdoor ice rink and lawn tennis courts. Along [[Portage Lake (Keweenaw)|Portage Lake]] is the Raymond Kestner Waterfront Recreation Area, the principal feature of which is a large "[[Chutes and Ladders]]" [[playground]]; it also includes Houghton Beach. Along the waterfront, in the area that used to be occupied by the railroad tracks, runs the flat, paved<ref name="keweenawnow.com">{{Cite web |url=http://www.keweenawnow.com/happenings/art_music_festival_05_05/festival_may_05.htm |title=Art and Music Festival May 2005<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=June 26, 2005 |archive-date=October 18, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051018055238/http://www.keweenawnow.com/happenings/art_music_festival_05_05/festival_may_05.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Waterfront Trail]] for cyclists and pedestrians; at one end of this is the Houghton RV Park,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cityofhoughton.com/rec-rv.php |title=RV Park - City of Houghton |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071005153035/http://www.cityofhoughton.com/rec-rv.php |archive-date=October 5, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> at the other end the Nara Nature Park and midway along this corridor is [[Mattila Square]].<ref name="keweenawnow.com"/> Prince's Point is also along this trail.<ref>http://usg.students.mtu.edu/usg/index.php?curpage=116 {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Veterans Park is just across the [[Portage Lake Lift Bridge]] from Hancock, and contains the memorial to the Houghton Company, which fought in the [[United States Civil War|Civil War]]. Houghton is the headquarters for [[Isle Royale National Park]].

The [[Portage Lake Lift Bridge|Portage Lift Bridge]] spans [[Keweenaw Waterway|Portage Lake]], which is part of the river and canal system that crosses the entire peninsula, connecting [[Hancock, Michigan|Hancock]] and Houghton. The bridge, which provides {{convert|100|ft|m}} of vertical clearance for ships when open, is the world's heaviest and widest double-decked vertical lift bridge. Since rail traffic was discontinued in the Keweenaw, the lower deck is used to accommodate [[snowmobile]] traffic in the winter. The bridge provides the only link between the north and south sections of the Keweenaw peninsula.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.keweenaw.info/virtualkeweenaw.aspx |title=Virtual Keweenaw Peninsula |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721215720/http://www.keweenaw.info/virtualkeweenaw.aspx |archive-date=July 21, 2011}}</ref>

===Climate===
[[File:ISS053-E-223431.jpg|thumb|Houghton, Michigan at center-right along the bottom. Taken at 1:58 a.m. Central on November 10, 2017, during ISS [[Expedition 53]].]]

Houghton has a [[humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Dfb'') but the (typically) long and snowy (due to lake-effect snow, with an average of {{convert|218|in|m|2|disp=or}})<ref>{{cite web |title=City of Houghton |url=http://www.cityofhoughton.com/ |access-date=June 29, 2004 |archive-date=November 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120183602/http://history.cityofhoughton.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> winters make the city feel as though it is in a climate much farther north. It holds the distinction of having the third-most (behind [[Duluth, Minnesota|Duluth]] and [[International Falls, Minnesota|International Falls]] in [[Minnesota]]) maxima below {{convert|32|F|C}} of any incorporated city in the contiguous US, with the top temperature failing to rise above freezing an average of 100.9 days per year.<ref name="NOAA"/> It is sometimes said that Houghton has "two seasons: winter’s here and winter’s coming".<ref>{{cite book |first=Michael |last=McKinley |title=Hockey: A People's History |publisher=McClelland & Stewart Ltd. |isbn=0-7710-5769-5 |page=[https://archive.org/details/hockeypeopleshis0000mcki/page/43 43] |year=2006 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/hockeypeopleshis0000mcki/page/43}}</ref>

While Houghton's winters may be the subject of humor, residents take the subject of snow and winter very seriously. Houghton is a [[Winter City]]—a community that accommodates winter, celebrates it, and whose residents generally enjoy the season by participating in a variety of outdoor activities. Among those activities are cross country skiing, snow-shoeing, ice fishing, snowmobiling, ice skating and outdoor ice hockey, among other activities. Houghton celebrates winter through the “Winter Carnival” organized by Michigan Tech every year in February.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bluekey.students.mtu.edu/exe/index.php |title=Winter Carnival 2012 Theme: "From all over the state, what makes Michigan great" February 8 - 11 |website=Blue Key Honor Society |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111105055220/http://bluekey.students.mtu.edu/exe/index.php |archive-date=November 5, 2011}}</ref>

Houghton's summer climate tends to be especially pleasant, as hot temperatures are often moderated by the cool waters of nearby Lake Superior. The city's record high temperature of {{convert|102|F|C|1}} was recorded July 7, 1988; this is the only day in the city's history with a temperature over {{convert|100|F|C|1|disp=or}}. Temperatures below {{convert|0|F|C|1|disp=or}} are also relatively infrequent due to the moderating effect of the lake, being reached only on 18.3 nights per year as against over fifty at International Falls. The coldest temperature on record is {{convert|-30|F|C|1}}, set on February 9, 1951. The heaviest monthly snow total was {{convert|119|in|m|2}} in December 1978; the winter of 1978–1979 saw {{convert|354.1|in|m|2}} of snow fall, making it the snowiest in 109 years of continuous records at the [[Houghton County Memorial Airport|county airport]] (1891–2000). The greatest snow depth recorded was {{convert|73|in|m|2}} at the end of February 1937; in only two winters between 1891–1892 and 1999–2000 (1925–26 with {{convert|16|in|m|2|disp=or}} and 1932–33 with {{convert|19|in|m|2|disp=or}}) has the snow depth never reached at least two feet ({{convert|24|in|m|2|disp=or}}).

{{Weather box
|width = auto
|location = Houghton, Michigan ([[Houghton County Memorial Airport|Houghton Co. Airport]]), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1887–present
|single line = Y
|Jan record high F = 50
|Feb record high F = 60
|Mar record high F = 79
|Apr record high F = 88
|May record high F = 95
|Jun record high F = 99
|Jul record high F = 102
|Aug record high F = 98
|Sep record high F = 95
|Oct record high F = 86
|Nov record high F = 77
|Dec record high F = 64
|year record high F = 102
|Jan avg record high F = 37.8
|Feb avg record high F = 41.8
|Mar avg record high F = 53.7
|Apr avg record high F = 69.3
|May avg record high F = 83.1
|Jun avg record high F = 87.5
|Jul avg record high F = 88.4
|Aug avg record high F = 87.9
|Sep avg record high F = 82.4
|Oct avg record high F = 73.9
|Nov avg record high F = 56.2
|Dec avg record high F = 43.4
|year avg record high F = 91.5
|Jan high F = 22.2
|Feb high F = 24.6
|Mar high F = 33.7
|Apr high F = 45.7
|May high F = 60.6
|Jun high F = 70.5
|Jul high F = 75.4
|Aug high F = 74.1
|Sep high F = 65.7
|Oct high F = 51.5
|Nov high F = 38.0
|Dec high F = 27.7
|year high F = 49.1
|Jan mean F = 16.1
|Feb mean F = 17.0
|Mar mean F = 25.2
|Apr mean F = 37.2
|May mean F = 50.2
|Jun mean F = 59.7
|Jul mean F = 65.0
|Aug mean F = 64.2
|Sep mean F = 56.4
|Oct mean F = 44.0
|Nov mean F = 32.0
|Dec mean F = 21.9
|year mean F = 40.7
|Jan low F = 10.0
|Feb low F = 9.3
|Mar low F = 16.7
|Apr low F = 28.6
|May low F = 39.7
|Jun low F = 48.9
|Jul low F = 54.7
|Aug low F = 54.2
|Sep low F = 47.2
|Oct low F = 36.5
|Nov low F = 26.0
|Dec low F = 16.2
|year low F = 32.3
|Jan avg record low F = -6.6
|Feb avg record low F = -8.8
|Mar avg record low F = -5.4
|Apr avg record low F = 14.1
|May avg record low F = 28.7
|Jun avg record low F = 36.9
|Jul avg record low F = 44.4
|Aug avg record low F = 43.0
|Sep avg record low F = 32.3
|Oct avg record low F = 24.5
|Nov avg record low F = 11.5
|Dec avg record low F = -1.6
|year avg record low F = -12.8
|Jan record low F = −29
|Feb record low F = −30
|Mar record low F = −23
|Apr record low F = -4
|May record low F = 19
|Jun record low F = 28
|Jul record low F = 32
|Aug record low F = 34
|Sep record low F = 24
|Oct record low F = 12
|Nov record low F = −7
|Dec record low F = −19
|year record low F = -30

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 2.58
|Feb precipitation inch = 1.37
|Mar precipitation inch = 1.56
|Apr precipitation inch = 1.84
|May precipitation inch = 2.50
|Jun precipitation inch = 2.58
|Jul precipitation inch = 2.49
|Aug precipitation inch = 2.41
|Sep precipitation inch = 3.45
|Oct precipitation inch = 2.99
|Nov precipitation inch = 2.13
|Dec precipitation inch = 1.89
|year precipitation inch = 

|Jan snow inch = 68.8
|Feb snow inch = 30.9
|Mar snow inch = 19.2
|Apr snow inch = 7.8
|May snow inch = 1.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.2
|Oct snow inch = 4.7
|Nov snow inch = 22.2
|Dec snow inch = 52.9
|year snow inch = 207.7

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 17.4
|Feb precipitation days = 12.3
|Mar precipitation days = 11.5
|Apr precipitation days = 10.0
|May precipitation days = 11.1
|Jun precipitation days = 10.7
|Jul precipitation days = 10.8
|Aug precipitation days = 9.4
|Sep precipitation days = 13.5
|Oct precipitation days = 15.2
|Nov precipitation days = 14.9
|Dec precipitation days = 15.1
|year precipitation days = 

|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 23.2
|Feb snow days = 15.5
|Mar snow days = 10.3
|Apr snow days = 4.9
|May snow days = 0.8
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 3.5
|Nov snow days = 12.4
|Dec snow days = 19.7
|year snow days = 90.5
|humidity colour = green
|Jan humidity = 79.5
|Feb humidity = 76.1
|Mar humidity = 74.1
|Apr humidity = 67.9
|May humidity = 64.8
|Jun humidity = 70.4
|Jul humidity = 71.3
|Aug humidity = 75.5
|Sep humidity = 78.5
|Oct humidity = 77.0
|Nov humidity = 81.5
|Dec humidity = 82.6
|year humidity = 74.9
|Jan dew point C = -11.2
|Feb dew point C = -11.5
|Mar dew point C = -6.4
|Apr dew point C = -1.1
|May dew point C = 4.8
|Jun dew point C = 11.2
|Jul dew point C = 13.9
|Aug dew point C = 13.9
|Sep dew point C = 10.1
|Oct dew point C = 3.9
|Nov dew point C = -1.3
|Dec dew point C = -7.4
|source 1 = [[NOAA]] (relative humidity, dew points and sun 1961–1990, precip/snow 1981–2010)<ref name = NOAA>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=mqt
|title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = September 2, 2021
|archive-date = September 3, 2021
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210903042309/https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=mqt
|url-status = live
}}
</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=USW00014858&format=pdf
|title = Station: Hancock Houghton CO AP, 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
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230916055220/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USW00014858&format=pdf
|archive-date = September 16, 2023
}}
</ref><ref name = NCEIsnow>
{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USW00014858&format=pdf
|title=Station: Hancock Houghton CO Airport, MI
|work = U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1981–2010)
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = September 2, 2021
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230916055229/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USW00014858&format=pdf
|archive-date = September 16, 2023
}}
</ref><ref name = NOAA2>
{{cite web
|title = WMO climate normals for HOUGHTON LAKE, MI 1961–1990
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
|url = ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_IV/US/GROUP4/72638.TXT
|access-date = September 16, 2023
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230916052656/ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG_IV/US/GROUP4/72638.TXT
|archive-date = September 16, 2023
}}
</ref>
}}

==People and culture==
[[File:SheldenAve-HoughtonMich-1906.jpg|thumb|Looking west down Shelden Avenue around 1906. The Douglass House is on the left side of the picture.]]
[[File:2009-0617-DouglassHouse-Houghton.jpg|thumb|The landmark [[Douglass House (Houghton, Michigan)|Douglass House]] in downtown Houghton was originally a hotel but was converted into a mixed use building in the 1980s; it is listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Houghton County, Michigan|National Register of Historic Places]].]]
Every summer, the city of Houghton hosts a festival known as "Bridgefest", to commemorate the building of the [[Portage Lake Lift Bridge]]; this is often held in conjunction with "Seafoodfest".<ref>[http://www.flatbrokebluesband.com/photos.php Flat Broke Blues Band<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090625083454/http://www.flatbrokebluesband.com/photos.php |date=June 25, 2009 }}</ref> Every fall, the Parade of Nations takes place in downtown Houghton to commemorate the ethnic diversity of Michigan Technological University. "Strawberry Fest" is held in neighboring Chassell every summer, which not only celebrates the [[strawberry|fruit]], but also includes an art market with paintings, photos, sculptures, and crafts.

The city houses two museums. The [[Carnegie Museum of Houghton|Carnegie Museum]], located in the former Portage Lake District Library building, contains photographs from the Raffaelli Historical Photo Collection,<ref>{{cite web |title=Regular Meeting - Houghton City Council |url=http://www.cityofhoughton.com/documents/09-27-2006.pdf |date=September 27, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061024114545/http://www.cityofhoughton.com/documents/09-27-2006.pdf |archive-date=October 24, 2006}}</ref> other artifacts on the history of the local area, a mural depicting the history of [[Houghton County, Michigan|Houghton]], [[Ontonagon County, Michigan|Ontonagon]], [[Baraga County, Michigan|Baraga]] and [[Keweenaw County, Michigan|Keweenaw]] Counties<ref>{{cite news |last=Gahagan |first=Kayla |title=Mural in Motion |work=The Daily Mining Gazette |page=1}}</ref> and exhibits of [[Visual arts|artwork]]. The [[AE Seaman Mineral Museum]], state mineral museum of Michigan, is located on the campus of Michigan Technological University.<ref>{{cite news |last=Creager |first=Ellen |title=You haven't lived here until ... you've visited the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum at Michigan Tech |url=http://news.morningstar.com/all/acquire-news/ff8080813489486e0134bccbd58a7a1d/you-havent-lived-here-until-youve-visited-the-ae-seaman-mineral-museum-at-michigan-tech-detroit-free-press.aspx |access-date=January 30, 2012 |newspaper=[[Detroit Free Press]] |date=January 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140723151749/http://news.morningstar.com/all/acquire-news/ff8080813489486e0134bccbd58a7a1d/you-havent-lived-here-until-youve-visited-the-ae-seaman-mineral-museum-at-michigan-tech-detroit-free-press.aspx |archive-date=July 23, 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Houghton is often the host of winter sporting events, due to its long winters and many ski hills. The 2006 [[cross-country skiing (sport)|cross-country skiing]] Junior Olympics took place in Houghton.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.2006juniorolympics.org/ |title=2006 Junior Olympics site |access-date=December 3, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061206035117/http://www.2006juniorolympics.org/ |archive-date=December 6, 2006 |url-status=usurped}}</ref> The US National Championships for [[Nordic skiing]] took place in Houghton in January 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.seniornationals.org/ |title=Senior Nationals site |access-date=December 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928092741/http://www.seniornationals.org/ |archive-date=September 28, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In addition, the International [[Frisbee]] Tournament (IFT) takes place every year in Houghton and the roll-out of the distance events of the Keweenaw Chain Drive bike races of Houghton and Hancock takes place in downtown Houghton.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chaindrive.org/2007/events.htm |title=2007 Portage Health Keweenaw Chain Drive Festival |website=Keweenaw Chain Drive Festival |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070703065252/http://www.chaindrive.org/2007/events.htm |archive-date=July 3, 2007}}</ref>

Other winter events focus around [[Michigan Technological University]]. Michigan Tech hosts a yearly Winter Carnival in which thousands of visitors come to see snow sculptures built by members of fraternities, sororities,<ref>{{cite book |first1=Pam |last1=Reed |last2=Sisskind |first2=Mitch |name-list-style=amp |title=The Extra Mile: One Woman's Personal Journey to Ultra-Running Greatness |place=New York |publisher=Rodale, Inc. |year=2006 |url=https://archive.org/details/extramileonewoma0000reed |isbn=978-1-59486-415-5 |url-access=registration}}
</ref> other student organizations,<ref>{{cite book |first=Ander |last=Monson |title=Neck Deep and Other Predicaments: Essays |place=New York |publisher=[[Graywolf Press]] |year=2006 |page=13 |isbn=978-1-55597-459-6}}</ref> as well as a few community groups, and participate in the week-long celebration. Students at the university also receive several days of vacation for Carnival. As part of Winter Carnival 2006, the city of Houghton and the university broke three world records: the largest [[snowball]], the largest [[snowball fight]], and the largest number of people making [[snow angel]]s in one place. They currently still hold two of these records: largest snowball and largest snowball fight.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/weather/news/2007-03-28-snow-angel-record_N.htm |title=North Dakota Snow Angel Record Confirmed |work=USA Today |access-date=October 27, 2017 |archive-date=December 23, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111223060457/http://www.usatoday.com/weather/news/2007-03-28-snow-angel-record_N.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref>

''[[The Daily Mining Gazette]]'' (formerly ''The Mining Gazette'')<ref>{{cite web |title=Mining Gazette |url=http://history.cityofhoughton.com/history/Displays/Indust/industpop_gazette1.html |access-date=October 3, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071030162331/http://history.cityofhoughton.com/history/Displays/Indust/industpop_gazette1.html |archive-date=October 30, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> is a daily newspaper published in Houghton.

The town is sometimes referred to by locals as "Hoton" or "Ho-town." "Hoton" is even stenciled on city property. Since Houghton and [[Hancock, MI|Hancock]] are very near each other, their combined area is often referred to as "Houghton-Hancock," though the towns are often fierce<ref>{{harvp|Taylor|2006|p= 54|ps=.}}</ref> rivals, something particularly manifested by the sports rivalry between [[Houghton High School]] and [[Hancock Central High School (Hancock, Michigan)|Hancock Central High School]].

Tourism is a major industry in Houghton. Summer tourism is very popular, especially among those wishing to tour old mines, visit various historical sites, and camp. Winter tourism is also very active from November through April, for snowmobiling, skiing and other winter sports.{{cn|date=May 2024}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1860= 2157
|1880= 1438
|1890= 2062
|1900= 3359
|1910= 5113
|1920= 4406
|1930= 3757
|1940= 3693
|1950= 3829
|1960= 3393
|1970= 6067
|1980= 7512
|1990= 7498
|2000= 7010
|2010= 7708
|2020= 8386
|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=September 21, 2021 |archive-date=July 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701194652/https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name ="2020census">{{cite web |title=U.S. Census website |url=https://www.census.gov/ |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=September 21, 2021 |archive-date=July 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709054630/https://www.census.gov/ |url-status=live }}</ref> of 2020, there were 8,386 people residing in the city, living in 2,533 households with an average of 2.30 people per household.

===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=November 25, 2012 |archive-date=July 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709054630/https://www.census.gov/ |url-status=live }}</ref> of 2010, there were 7,708 people, 2,380 households, and 907 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1732.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 2,516 housing units at an average density of {{convert|565.4|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the city was 85.2% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.0% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.4% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 11.2% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.1% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.4% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 1.8% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] residents of any race were 1.8% of the population.

There were 2,380 households, of which 18.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 28.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 61.9% were non-families. 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.82.

The median age in the city was 22.1 years. 10.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 56.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 16.1% were from 25 to 44; 10.5% were from 45 to 64; and 7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 64.3% male and 35.7% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 7,010 people, 2,114 households, and 877 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,625.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 2,222 housing units at an average density of {{convert|515.2|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the city was 89.24% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|White]], 1.87% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Black or African American]], 0.40% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Native American]], 6.79% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Asian]], 0.01% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Pacific Islander]], 0.24% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.44% from two or more races. [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Hispanic]] or [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|Latino]] of any race were 0.77% of the population. 16.4% were of [[Germans|German]], 12.7% [[Finnish people|Finnish]], 8.2% [[Irish American|Irish]], 8.0% [[English people|English]], 6.0% [[Polish people|Polish]] and 5.1% [[Italian people|Italian]] ancestry according to [[2000 United States Census|Census 2000]]. 94.8% spoke [[English language|English]], 1.8% [[Spanish language|Spanish]] and 1.2% [[Chinese language|Chinese]] as their first language.

There were 2,114 households, out of which 21.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 31.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 58.5% were non-families. 35.2% of all households were one-person households, and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 12.0% under the age of 18, 55.2% from 18 to 24, 15.3% from 25 to 44, 10.3% from 45 to 64, and 7.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females, there were 160.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 173.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $21,186, and the median income for a family was $41,779. Males had a median income of $36,161 versus $28,639 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $11,750. About 20.3% of families and 36.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 21.9% of those under age 18 and 18.2% of those age 65 or over.

==Education==
[[File:2009-0617-MTU-MemorialUnion.jpg|thumb|Michigan Tech]]
The local school district is [[Houghton-Portage Township Schools]]. Students K-12 are served by Houghton Elementary (K-5), Middle (6–8), and High (9–12) Schools. Houghton is also the home of [[Michigan Technological University]].

==Transportation==

===Highways===
* {{jct|state=MI|US|41}} courses north to [[Hancock, Michigan|Hancock]] and [[Copper Harbor, Michigan|Copper Harbor]]. To the south and east US 41 routes to [[L'Anse, Michigan|L'Anse]] and [[Marquette, Michigan|Marquette]].
* {{jct|state=MI|M|26}} connects Houghton southwest to [[U.S. Route 45 in Michigan|US 45]].
* {{jct|state=MI|M|203}} provides a loop route from US 41 in neighboring Hancock to [[McLain State Park]]. and then back to US 41.

===Bus===
[[Indian Trails]] bus lines operates daily intercity bus service between [[Hancock, Michigan]], and [[Milwaukee, Wisconsin]].<ref>{{cite web |title=HANCOCK-MARQUETTE-GREEN BAY-MILWAUKEE |publisher=[[Indian Trails]] |date=January 15, 2013 |access-date=March 8, 2013 |url=http://www.indiantrails.com/sites/default/files/1490_0.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222225859/http://www.indiantrails.com/sites/default/files/1490_0.pdf |archive-date=February 22, 2014}}</ref>

Houghton Motor Transit operates both a demand bus and a route bus throughout Houghton and in nearby parts of Portage Township; there are also night trips to [[Mont Ripley]] in [[Ripley, Michigan|Ripley]].<ref>[http://www.cityofhoughton.com/citytransit.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070407200242/http://www.cityofhoughton.com/citytransit.html|date=April 7, 2007}}</ref>

===Ferry===
Houghton is the port of departure for [[Isle Royale National Park]].<ref>{{cite book |first=Dixie |last=Frankin |title=Michigan |publisher=Graphic Arts Center Publishing Company |isbn=1-55868-099-3 |page=7 |year=1994}}</ref> Cruise ships on the Great Lakes (in the 1950s) used to frequently stop in Houghton, but this is now an exceedingly rare occurrence.

===Airport===
Houghton is served by the [[Houghton County Memorial Airport]], which has limited commercial service.

Houghton was formerly served by airship.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://cchi.mtu.edu/copper-country-image-detail?duid=c74fb95d-625c-4199-ae28-ba498acbb9d6&width=1242&height=732&nid=28337 |title=Air ship, Houghton, near Amphidrome<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=December 9, 2022 |archive-date=December 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209152939/https://cchi.mtu.edu/copper-country-image-detail?duid=c74fb95d-625c-4199-ae28-ba498acbb9d6&width=1242&height=732&nid=28337 |url-status=live }}</ref> A [[seaplane]] departs from Houghton to Isle Royale National Park.

===Snowmobiling===
Snowmobiling is a major winter activity in the area, both locally (snowmobiles are often the best available means of transportation after a blizzard) and as a tourist industry. The Bill Nichols Snowmobile Trail has a terminus in Houghton.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.exploringthenorth.com/keweenaw/billnichols.html |title=Exploring the North article on Bill Nichols Snowmobile Trail |access-date=February 12, 2007 |archive-date=July 31, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731093641/http://www.exploringthenorth.com/keweenaw/billnichols.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Local radio==
*[[WMPL]] AM 920
*[[WCCY (AM)]] 1400
*[[WKMJ-FM]] FM 93.5
*[[WOLV (FM)|WOLV]] 97.7
*[[WUPY]] FM 101.1
*[[WHKB]] FM 102.3
*[[WMTU-FM]] 91.9
*[[WGGL-FM]] 91.1

==Neighborhoods==
[[File:Houghton, MI from Hancock.jpg|thumb|Downtown Houghton, as seen from Hancock]]
Houghton is generally said to be divided into East Houghton, the Central Houghton area (which includes the [[downtown]]) and West Houghton.

*'''East Houghton''' runs from Franklin Square to the eastern city limits. A principal street is College Avenue, characterized by Colonial Revival<ref name="Eckert p. 409"/> homes, which formerly ran from urbanized Houghton "farms, villas and mining operations... and the Michigan School of Mines, now Michigan Technological University;"<ref name="Eckert p. 411">{{harvp|Eckert|1993|p=411|ps=.}}</ref> today the main campus of MTU has taken over much of the College Avenue area and some of East Houghton generally,<ref name="Eckert p. 411"/> though it remains a primarily residential neighborhood. (However, this has changed somewhat with construction of the [[Pearl Street Mall (Houghton, Michigan)|Pearl Street Mall]]. The Chassell Sands, which are usually considered apart from it, are partially zoned "Industrial.") It is home to '''East Houghton Park'''. The park was established in 1974 and contains [[tennis]] courts and [[playground]] equipment. The Chassell sands may be technically said to be part of this neighborhood, but are usually considered as apart from it, as is [[Minoru Yamasaki]]-designed [[Daniell Heights]], married-student housing at Tech.<ref>{{harvp|Eckert|1993|p= 468|ps=.}}</ref>
*'''Central Houghton''' is a relatively urbanized area of the town, generally considered as being roughly between Franklin Square and the Portage Lake Lift Bridge. The "heart of Houghton's commercial district" is characterized by [[Jacobsville sandstone|sandstone]]<ref name="Eckert p. 409"/> (frequently mined from Jacobsville or Portage Entry) buildings with the frequent "classical detail";<ref>{{harvp|Eckert|1993|p=409|ps=.}}</ref> it is centered on Shelden Avenue, the downtown lying in Central Houghton between Montezuma Avenue and Lake Street / Brew Alley / Lakeshore Drive, which are generally considered one continuous street. South of this area are a series of streets with small wooden houses, primarily from mining days, rising over the arc of the hills that the city is built upon. Northward is the [[Dock (maritime)|waterfront]], which has several [[dockyard]]s, and older buildings alongside it. While '''Corktown''' is the area around St. Ignatius Catholic Church, this neighborhood is rarely spoken of today.
*'''West Houghton''' is the site of more recent construction compared to the other two neighborhoods. Therefore, the area has a more modern, [[suburban]] feel to it than the other areas. This includes larger middle-class houses built with large wooded lots between them. Most prominent in this area, however, are the retail stores which are becoming the new commercial heart of the city. These include [[Walmart]] and several recent strip malls, with numerous small stores housed under a single roof. Several prominent beach areas are located on this side of the city. It is often referred to by locals as "ShopKo Heights (Sho Hi)," the "neighborhood behind ShopKo," or "ShopKoville" as a [[Shopko|ShopKo]] store had been located there prior to the company's closure.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.postcrescent.com/story/money/2019/06/23/shopko-bankruptcy-shopper-search-deals-companys-last-day/1352370001/ |title=Shopko's last day: Stores shut down amidst empty shelves, sadness |website=Post-Crescent Media |language=en |access-date=July 9, 2019 |archive-date=June 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190624155931/https://www.postcrescent.com/story/money/2019/06/23/shopko-bankruptcy-shopper-search-deals-companys-last-day/1352370001/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Micropolitan area===
The [[Houghton, Michigan micropolitan area]] is a statistical aggregation of the United States census bureau.

{{See also|Pryor's Location, Michigan}}

==In popular culture==
Houghton features in the novels ''A Superior Death'' and ''Winter Study'' by [[Nevada Barr]] and the Robin Hamilton mystery series by [[Nancy Barr]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/577324/New-at-the-library.html?nav=5004 |title=New at the library |work=miningjournal.net |access-date=June 16, 2014 |archive-date=September 29, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929064150/https://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/577324/New-at-the-library.html?nav=5004 |url-status=live }}</ref> Much of [[Ander Monson]]'s ''Other Electricities'' takes place in Houghton.

==Notable people==
* [[Norm Breyfogle]], American comic book artist
* [[George Brunet]], [[Major League Baseball]] pitcher for nine teams
* [[Avis DeVoto]], American culinary editor, book reviewer, and cook<ref>{{cite book |last1=Child |first1=Julia |last2=DeVoto |first2=Avis |name-list-style=amp |year=2010 |title=As Always, Julia: The Letters of Julia Child and Avis DeVoto, Food, Friendship, and the Making of a Masterpiece |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780547417714 |url-access=registration |editor-first=Joan |editor-last=Reardon |location=Boston |publisher=Houghton Mifflin Harcourt |isbn=978-0-547-41771-4}}</ref>
* [[Dolly Gray (baseball)|Dolly Gray]], baseball player, [[Major League Baseball|MLB]] and [[Pacific Coast League Hall of Fame]]
* [[Chuck Klingbeil]], former [[National Football League]] player for the [[Miami Dolphins]]
* [[Nancy Harkness Love]], [[World War II]] pilot
* [[William A. Longacre]], archaeologist
* [[Charles O. McManiman]], former Mayor of Houghton and state Senator
* [[P.J. Olsson]], rock singer
* [[Eugene Parker]], solar [[Astrophysics|astrophysicist]] and namesake of the [[Parker Solar Probe]]
* [[Emery Ruelle]], ice hockey player
* [[Percy Loomis Sperr]], historical photographer

== See also ==
{{Portal|Michigan}}
*[[Keweenaw Brewing Company]]

== Citations ==
{{Reflist}}

== General and cited references ==
{{Sfn whitelist |CITEREFEckert1993}}
* {{Eckert-Buildings of Michigan}}
* {{cite book |last=Taylor |first=Richard E. |date=2006 |title=Houghton County 1870–1920 |publisher=Arcadia |isbn=9780738540511 |url={{GBurl|pGXdFB-hYd8C}}}}

==Further reading==
* {{Cite news |last=Maki |first=Wilbert |date=January 27, 2001 |title=Hockey Finals Here? |type=Letter to the editor |work=[[The Daily Mining Gazette]] |location=Houghton, MI}}
* {{Cite book |last=Gray |first=Dick |title=Our Story |publisher=Keweenaw Brewing Company |date=November 5, 2007}}{{full citation needed|date=May 2019}}

==External links==
{{Wikivoyage|Houghton-Hancock}}
{{Commons category|Houghton, Michigan}}
* [http://www.cityofhoughton.com/ City of Houghton]
* [http://www.mininggazette.com/ The Daily Mining Gazette Web site]

{{Houghton County, Michigan}}
{{Upper Peninsula of Michigan}}
{{Michigan county seats}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Houghton, Michigan| ]]
[[Category:Houghton micropolitan area, Michigan|.]]
[[Category:Cities in Houghton County, Michigan]]
[[Category:County seats in Michigan]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1854]]
[[Category:1854 establishments in Michigan]]
[[Category:Finnish-American culture in Michigan]]