Whitmore Lake is a census-designated place (CDP) and unincorporated community in the U.S. state of Michigan. The community spans the boundary between Green Oak Township in Livingston County and Northfield Township in Washtenaw County. The population of the CDP was 7,584 at the 2020 census.

History

thumb|left|175px|Former railroad depot

The area was first settled by land surveyors Johnathon Stratton and Luke Whitmore, who came here from nearby Ann Arbor settlement in 1825. Stratton suggested the name of the new area and the surrounding lake as Whitmore, and it became mapped under that name. In 1829, Whitmore owned land in the area and became the first county treasurer. A post office began operating here on June 9, 1834, with George Dexter serving as the first postmaster. The post office was first named Northfield after its northern location in Northfield Township, but it was changed to Whitmore Lake on December 27, 1854.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of , of which is land and , or 20.37%, is water.

The community is located about north of Ann Arbor and about south of Brighton. It is situated around the shores of Whitmore Lake, and the CDP also includes the area around the smaller Horseshoe Lake to the south, Lawton Lake to the east and Monahan Lake to the northeast.

Major highways

  • runs south–north and forms most of the western boundary of the CDP.
  • has its eastern terminus with US 23 in Whitmore Lake.
  • Several of the Mile Roads have their western ends within Whitmore Lake, including 6 Mile Road, 7 Mile Road, 8 Mile Road, and 9 Mile Road.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Whitmore Lake had a population of 7,584. The median age was 38.8 years. 19.6% of residents were under the age of 18 and 14.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 98.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.6 males age 18 and over.

99.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 1.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 3,288 households in Whitmore Lake, of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 44.4% were married-couple households, 22.3% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 23.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

Harvest Festival

The Whitmore Lake Harvest Festival is a two-day event that occurs annually at the end of September, and was first established in 2007. The primary function of the 2009 Harvest Festival was to adopt a pet or donate money towards that cause.

Michigan Pond Hockey Classic

The Michigan Pond Hockey Classic is an annual adult pond hockey tournament held on Whitmore Lake. Established in 2008, the event raises funds for families and schools to support youth participation in athletics.

Education

Within Washtenaw County, all portions of the CDP are in the Whitmore Lake Public Schools<!--UNI 36330--> school district. Within Livingston County, a portion of the CDP is in the Whitmore Lake district, while other parts are in the South Lyon Community Schools<!--UNI 32250--> and the Brighton Area Schools<!--UNI 06870--> school districts.

The Whitmore Lake High School Trojans are members of the Tri-County Conference.

Notable people

  • Dave Alexander, musician, member of the highly influential band The Stooges, born in Whitmore Lake

References

  • Whitmore Lake Public Schools