Houghton, Michigan
Houghton (/ˈhoʊtən/; HOH-tən) is the largest city and county seat of Houghton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. Located on the Keweenaw Peninsula, Houghton is the largest city in the Copper Country region. It is the fifth-largest city in the Upper Peninsula, with a population of 8,386 at the 2020 census. Houghton is the principal city of the Houghton micropolitan area, which includes all of Houghton and Keweenaw counties. Houghton lies upon the Keweenaw Waterway, a partly natural, partly artificial waterway connecting at both ends to Lake Superior. Across the waterway from Houghton lies the city of Hancock.
Houghton, Michigan
Gakiiwe-onigamiing (Ojibwe) | |
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| City of Houghton | |
Aerial view of downtown Houghton and the Portage Lake Lift Bridge | |
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Seal | |
| Nickname(s): "Gateway to the Keweenaw", "Winter City" | |
Location within Houghton County | |
Houghton Location within the state of Michigan Houghton Houghton (the United States) | |
| Coordinates: 47°07′02″N 88°33′45″W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Houghton |
| Platted | 1854 |
| Incorporated | 1861 (village) 1970 (city) |
| Government | |
| • Type | City commission |
| • Mayor | Brian Irizarry |
| • City manager | Eric Waara |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4.65 sq mi (12.05 km2) |
| • Land | 4.41 sq mi (11.42 km2) |
| • Water | 0.24 sq mi (0.63 km2) 5.12% |
| Elevation | 643 ft (196 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 8,386 |
| • Density | 1,902.45/sq mi (734.53/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Code | 49931 |
| Area code | 906 |
| FIPS code | 26-39360 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0628661 |
| Website | Official website |
The city of Houghton was named for Douglass Houghton, an American geologist and physician, primarily known for his exploration of the Keweenaw Peninsula. Houghton is home to Michigan Technological University, a public research college founded in 1885. Michigan Tech hosts a yearly Winter Carnival in February, drawing thousands of visitors from around the world. Michigan Tech's athletic teams are nicknamed the Huskies, and compete primarily in the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). The Michigan Tech Huskies men's ice hockey team competes in the NCAA Division I Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA), and has won three national championships, in 1962, 1965, and 1975.