Luna Pier, Michigan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Luna Pier is a small city in Monroe County of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located 6 miles from the Ohio border along the coast of Lake Erie. It was established in the early 1900s and incorporated as a city in 1963. It functions primarily as a resort for people living in the greater Toledo, Ohio area. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 1,483.
Its most prominent feature is a large crescent-shaped pier made of concrete, stretching about a quarter mile out into Lake Erie. The pier is flanked by sandy beaches and man-made rock and concrete embankments. On most days, the Davis-Besse nuclear power plant can be seen from on the pier.
Luna Pier now attracts tourists mainly due to fishing, although some visit because of the scenery and the small-town atmosphere.
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[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.4 km² (1.7 mi²). 4.0 km² (1.5 mi²) of it is land and 0.4 km² (0.2 mi²) of it (9.36%) is water.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 1,483 people, 592 households, and 406 families residing in the city. The population density was 369.4/km² (956.9/mi²). There were 661 housing units at an average density of 164.7/km² (426.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.48% White, 0.20% African American, 1.01% Native American, 0.94% from other races, and 2.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.03% of the population.
There were 592 households out of which 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.2% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.4% were non-families. 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the city the population was spread out with 29.2% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 31.2% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64, and 9.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 98.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $40,909, and the median income for a family was $50,000. Males had a median income of $40,850 versus $25,750 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,325. About 10.9% of families and 14.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.9% of those under age 18 and 11.6% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] City officials
- Mayor: Todd Deal
- Treasurer: DeAnn Parran
- Police Chief: Darryl Ansel
- Fire Chief: Kenneth Kruzel
- City Administrator: Tom Treece
- City Clerk: Michelle Cureton
- Building Inspector/Assessor: Michael Demski
- City Council: Darrell Adams, Chris Heid, Kenneth Kruzel, Richard Murry Jr., Richard Russell Jr., Nola Young
[edit] Current Political Environment
In the summer of 2006, Luna Pier residents are joining with members of Erie Neighbors & Residents Against Eminent Domain (ENRAGED)[1] in local Erie Township to fight against the proposed development of an intermodal rail yard on 400 acres southwest of Luna Pier Road and I-75, on Luna Pier's doorstep. Along with the immediate threat of eminent domain being used to possibly seize 42 homes and farms, there are numerous environmental concerns[2], concerns about the possibility of an additional 1300 trucks in the area each day and the facility not being required to pay into the local tax base. The Monroe County Board of Commissioners has approved a resolution[3] opposing the proposed facility. On August 21, 2006, Larry Arreguin, adviser for the governor's office for southeast Michigan, fielded questions and comments at a meeting of ENRAGED[4]. On September 23, 2006, Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm called on Erie residents Gary Wilmoth and Jeff Benore to state that she will not support the railyard project.[5]
[edit] Events
- Annual City-Wide Yard Sale & Fireworks, 1st Saturday in July
- Annual Kids' Day (Bike & Pet Parade, Luna Pier Idol Contest, Cardboard Boat Race), 3rd Saturday in August
- Annual Luna Pier Art Festival & Classic Car Show, 4th Saturday in August
