West Branch, Michigan
City
Downtown West Branch
Nickname(s): "The City with a Smile"
Location of West Branch, Michigan
Coordinates: 44°16′32″N 84°14′7″W / 44.27556°N 84.23528°W / 44.27556; -84.23528Coordinates: 44°16′32″N 84°14′7″W / 44.27556°N 84.23528°W / 44.27556; -84.23528
Country	United States
State	Michigan
County	Ogemaw
Area[1]
• Total	1.48 sq mi (3.8 km2)
• Land	1.48 sq mi (3.8 km2)
• Water	0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation	955 ft (291 m)
Population (2010)[2]
• Total	2,139
• Estimate (2016)[3]	2,063
• Density	1,400/sq mi (560/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	48661
Area code(s)	989
FIPS code	26-85580[4]
GNIS feature ID	1627248[5]
Website	westbranch.com

West Branch is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 2,139. It is the county seat of Ogemaw County.^[6]

Geography[edit]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.48 square miles (3.83 km²), all land.^[1]

Climate[edit]

This climatic region is typified by 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, West Branch has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.^[7]

Major highways[edit]

• 
  I-75
  


• 
  BL I-75
  


• 
  M-30
  


• 
  M-55
  


• 
  M-33
  

Demographics[edit]

2010 census[edit]

As of the census^[2] of 2010, there were 2,139 people, 1,006 households, and 489 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,445.3 inhabitants per square mile (558.0/km²). There were 1,147 housing units at an average density of 775.0 per square mile (299.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.9% White, 0.5% African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.7% of the population.

There were 1,006 households of which 24.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 28.9% were married couples living together, 15.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 51.4% were non-families. 45.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 23.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.99 and the average family size was 2.74.

The median age in the city was 44.3 years. 20.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21% were from 25 to 44; 25.2% were from 45 to 64; and 24.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 42.9% male and 57.1% female.

2000 census[edit]

As of the census^[4] of 2000, there were 1,926 people, 833 households, and 475 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,447.6 per square mile (559.1/km²). There were 916 housing units at an average density of 688.5 per square mile (265.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.17% White, 0.10% African American, 0.52% Native American, 2.60% Asian, 0.16% from other races, and 1.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.73% of the population.

There were 833 households out of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.8% were married couples living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.9% were non-families. 37.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.1% 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 2.95.

In the city, the population was spread out with 25.6% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,132, and the median income for a family was $35,385. Males had a median income of $30,677 versus $21,343 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,852. About 9.9% of families and 14.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.4% of those under age 18 and 15.7% of those age 65 or over.

Education[edit]

West Branch-Rose City Area Schools is a local public school district. Residents are served by Surline Elementary and Middle Schools, as well as by Ogemaw Heights High School which serves both West Branch and Rose City. The high school's mascot is a Falcon.^[9] Saint Joseph School is a private parochial elementary school in West Branch serving students in grades K-8.^[10] It is affiliated with the Diocese of Gaylord of the Roman Catholic Church, and is a member of the National Catholic Educational Association. Post-secondary education in the area is provided by Kirtland Community College.

Medical[edit]

West Branch Regional Medical Center is located on 2463 S. M-30. They offer many different specialties such as rehabilitation programs, educational sources specific to the condition shown and a revolutionary Wound Care Center.^[11] The rehabilitation programs offered range from neurological to physical. The three main programs they offer are Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy. A couple of the Physical Therapy treatments offered are Post-surgical hip rehabilitation and even a Weight-management program. Their Occupation therapy offers the ailments of Functional Capacity Evaluations and shoulder pain and post-surgical shoulder rehabilitation. Speech Therapy programs help with speech and cognitive disorders and also swallowing disorders.^[12] The Wound Care Center at West Branch Regional Medical Center offers many opportunities to patients who suffer from non-healing wounds or from a chronic pain wound. This program offers cutting edge treatment including but not limited to; debridement, specialized wound dressings, compression therapy, bioengineered skin grafts, hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This gives patients hope that maybe their wounds really will heal. Non-healing wounds usually can be caused by poor circulation to the wound or if the patient is unable to move shortly after a surgery or serious wounds. The Wound Care Center is a place that gives patients that they will one day heal from their serious wounds.^[13]

On July 1, 2010, West Branch Regional Medical Center closed its obstetric ward, no longer serving expectant mothers in the community. No other units were anticipated to close at the time, and expectant mothers were referred to nearby hospitals in cities like Tawas, Saginaw, or Bay City for delivery, after consulting with their physician.^[14]

Activities[edit]

West Branch contains a city park named Irons Park, which is named for former land owner Archie Irons; it was established in 1955. Many events are held in the park yearly. These include the Easter egg hunt, Humane Society Mutt March, Summer Music Series, Victorian Art Fair, fishing derby and duck races to name a few. The Park is the home of Fort Austin, in memory of Austin Clark. It consists of a large complex modern wooden play-scape. The park has many activities available, including biking, fishing, bird watching and many children's activities.^[15] The park also has two tennis courts, basketball courts, picnic tables, grills, and two bathroom facilities. In the winter, Irons Park is often used for sledding. West Branch also has two bowling alleys, Ogemaw Lanes and Hi-Skore. The movie theater, West Branch Cinema 3, is located in the downtown Victorian district. Special seasonal activities also abound in the area. Kirtland Community College hosts R.O.A.R. (Rock Out Against Rape) Battle of the Bands for the River House of Grayling. In February, West Branch is home to the Ogemaw County Winterfest. The Ogemaw County Fair is held on the third week in August on Rifle River Trail, just 8 miles east of the city.^[16] West Branch hosts Relay For Life during the last week of July in Irons Park. Relay for Life supports the fight against breast cancer and raises money for charities as well as increasing awareness of supporting breast cancer.^[17]

Airsoft, a game similar to paintball except focusing more on realism and using 6 mm (0.24 in) plastic bbs as opposed to paintballs, is also a growing recreational activity in the West Branch area. Since 2012 the Ogemaw County Airsoft Association has been working to grow the sport of Airsoft in the area. They have even gone as far to set up displays at West Branch's own Fabulous Fridays the past two years. They have hosted games that have attracted players from all across Michigan. They most often operate in the summer months but have been known to host games in the spring, fall and winter. They currently operate an airsoft field on a 20-acre plot of land about 5 miles outside of West Branch. The field has started major maintenance in August 2014 and will still be ongoing construction into the summer of 2015.^[18][19]

References[edit]

External links[edit]

• West Branch Website