Gaastra is a city in Iron County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 347, making it Michigan's third-smallest incorporated city by population after Omer (259) and Lake Angelus (290). In 2020, its population was 316.
History
The land was first purchased in 1879 by Alfred Kidder of Marquette. It was then transferred to several other owners, including Andrew Young in 1884 and Edwin H. Piper in 1902. The city is named after Douwe Gaastra, a building contractor and real estate speculator who bought the land in October 1908 and platted the town. A post office was established with the first postmaster being Olaf A. Olson on September 26, 1914. It was incorporated as a village in 1919 and as a city in 1949. Olson retired as postmaster in 1953.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land.
Demographics
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 347 people, 151 households, and 102 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 179 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 98.3% White, 0.6% Native American, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.2% of the population.
There were 151 households, of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.0% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 32.5% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.82.
The median age in the city was 46.7 years. 23.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 17.9% were from 25 to 44; 25.9% were from 45 to 64; and 25.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 44.4% male and 55.6% female.
2000 census
As of the census