Clare is a city in Clare and Isabella counties in the U.S. state of Michigan. Located primarily in Clare County, the population was 3,176 at the 2020 census.
North-south U.S. Highway 127 (US 127) forms the eastern boundary for much of the city and has a junction with east-west US 10 on the east side of the city. US 10 connects with Midland, to the southeast, and with US 131 at Reed City, to the west. US 127 connects with Mount Pleasant, to the south, and with Harrison, to the north. The southern terminus of M-115 is in downtown Clare.
History
Clare was founded with the coming of the Pere Marquette railroad in 1870. It was incorporated as a village in 1871 and as a city in 1891.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water.
Demographics
As of 2000 the median income for a household in the city was $67,299, and the median income for a family was $86,194. Males had a median income of $88,365 versus $59,861 for females. The per capita income for the city was $68,006. About 10.6% of families and 16.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.3% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 3,118 people, 1,354 households, and 764 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 1,534 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 85.0% White, 4.7% African American, 0.9% Native American, 6.1% Asian, 1.5% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.5% of the population.
There were 1,354 households, of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.0% were married couples living together, 15.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.6% were non-families. 36.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.88.
The median age in the city was 36.1 years. 23.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 11.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.3% were from 25 to 44; 22.9% were from 45 to 64; and 16.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 45.2% male and 54.8% female.
Attractions
The Doherty Hotel is famous hotel that housed the purple gang during mafia days. There are still old tunnels leading to the purple gang house, now the Tobacco Ranch. The tunnels are blocked off to the public.
Cops & Doughnuts, a doughnut shop founded by members of the city's police precinct, is located downtown.
Sister Cities
Ennis, Ireland since 1986
Nakhodka, Russia since 1997
Nantong, China since 2005
Surulere, Nigeria since 2009
Ipoh, Malaysia since 2010
Dharavi, India since 2011
Notable people
Fred C. Reger, Wisconsin State Assemblyman
Debbie Stabenow, U.S. Senator, Michigan
Wayne Terwilliger, Major League Baseball infielder and coach, World War II veteran
Transportation
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is a loop route through downtown Clare.
is a loop route through downtown Clare.
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Public dial-a-ride service bus service is provided by the [http://clarecountytransit.org/Index.html Clare County Transit Corporation] for all of Clare County.
Indian Trails provides daily intercity bus service between St. Ignace and East Lansing, Michigan.
Climate
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, Clare has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.
