Whitehall is a city in Muskegon County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,909 at the 2020 census.

Geography

Whitehall is in northwestern Muskegon County, about inland from Lake Michigan. White Lake originally emptied into Lake Michigan through a natural channel (see Logging the White: The White Lake Lumber Industry: 1837-1900 by Daniel J. Yakes, Ph. D. and Steven S. Demos, M.D.[Montague, Michigan: Looking Aft Publications, 2010], p 2). It is now connected to Lake Michigan by a dredged canal. The city is bordered to the west, across White Lake, by the city of Montague. Montague Township is to the north, Whitehall Township is to the east, and Fruitland Township is to the south.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Whitehall has a total area of , of which are land and , or 15.3%, are water.

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2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Whitehall had a population of 2,909. The median age was 46.0 years. 21.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 25.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 89.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 85.6 males age 18 and over.

98.2% of residents lived in urban areas, while 1.8% lived in rural areas.

There were 1,276 households in Whitehall, of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 39.3% were married-couple households, 18.7% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 35.9% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 38.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 21.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. of 2010, there were 2,706 people, 1,153 households, and 678 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 1,288 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 95.0% White, 1.4% African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.5% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.7% of the population.

There were 1,153 households, of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.4% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.2% were non-families. 35.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.3% 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 2.89.

The median age in the city was 42.9 years. 22.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.9% were from 25 to 44; 26.6% were from 45 to 64; and 20.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 45.8% male and 54.2% female.

2000 census

As of the census Community fund raising efforts to improve the playhouse and keep it running are ongoing.

The Arts Council of White Lake was founded in 1985 and provides arts programming and education to the community. ACWL sponsors a local Summer Concert Series and Artisan Market the first Saturday of the summer months.

Whitehall is also home to three Frank Lloyd Wright cottages and a house, built from 1897 to 1905.

The White River Lighthouse was built in 1875 by Captain William Robinson and served the White Lake area until 1960, when it was deactivated by the U.S. Coast Guard. The brick lighthouse is now a museum and features exhibits about the area's history related to the shipping and logging industries. On May 17, 1953, Mrs. Frances Johnson, the then-keeper of the lighthouse, was a contestant on the long-running TV panel show What's My Line?.

thumb|Previously approved Inspiration Art Wall on the White Lake Pathway

In July 2023, the idea of a public inspirational graffiti art wall was approved by the city council. It was located on the White Lake Pathway bike trail under the Colby Street overpass in downtown Whitehall. Less than a year later, on March 12, 2024, the city council announced that the art wall would no longer be open for artistic expression and would be painted over later that day.

Recreation

The main bike trail that runs through Whitehall, Michigan, is the Hart-Montague Bicycle Trail, which extends into the town from Montague. This is a 22-mile long paved trail, considered Michigan's first linear state park

Festivals

  • Memorial Day Parade from downtown Montague and downtown Whitehall, meeting in the middle at Covell Park for a ceremony, near the White Lake Bridge causeway. - Last Monday in May.
  • White Lake Area Arts & Crafts Festival in Goodrich Park features more than 150 talented and creative artists, live entertainment, jump houses, and food. - 3rd Saturday of June.
  • Fourth of July Parade from downtown Whitehall to downtown Montague.
  • Cruz'in: A parade and display of over 400 classic cars. Starts at Funnell Field in Whitehall and parades to downtown Montague. - Last Friday in July.
  • Taste of White Lake: Area business and food trucks come together at the Playhouse for an evening.
  • FetchFest: Beer tent and food vendors come together in local brewery, Fetch Brewing Company, back parking lot.
  • White Lake Chamber Music Festival: Features over 30 events during the 1st week of August.
  • Christmas Parade from downtown Whitehall to downtown Montague - First Saturday of December.

Economy

Major employers

  • Howmet (Whitehall, Michigan, formerly Alcoa) – aerospace components manufacturing
  • Michigan's Adventure – amusement park (Michigan's largest amusement park and water park)

Media

Radio

Whitehall is home to several radio stations.

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| WGVS

| 95.3

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| WLAW-FM

| 97.5

| Country

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| WAXT

| 98.9

| Oldies

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|WLAW-AM

|1490 AM

|Country

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Notable people

  • Nate McLouth, former professional baseball player and Gold Glove winner
  • Adella M. Parker, suffragist, politician, lawyer, and educator
  • Ruth Thompson, first female state representative of Michigan, first female U.S. representative from Michigan, first female on the U.S. House Judiciary Committee
  • Ryan Van Bergen, played defensive end for the University of Michigan, 2008-2011

References

  • White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce