# L'Anse, Michigan

L'Anse (/lɑːns/ LAHNSS) is a village and the county seat of Baraga County, Michigan in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,874 at the 2020 census. The village is located within L'Anse Township in the Upper Peninsula and partially inside the L'Anse Indian Reservation.

## History

This area was long occupied by people of the Lake Superior Band of Ojibwa (Chippewa), who called it "Gichi-wiikwedong". Much later, French colonists had established a fur trading post here as a part of New France and a Jesuit mission, naming it L'Anse. In French, L'Anse translates as "the cove" or "the bay", a reference to its location in on the southern portion of L'Anse Bay, a portion of the larger Keweenaw Bay, at the base of the Keweenaw Peninsula. The modern-day village grew around this French trading post.
Following treaties with the United States in the 19th century, the Ojibwa/Chippewa ceded extensive amounts of land in Michigan. The L'Anse Indian Reservation was established by the U.S. here as the largest and the oldest in Michigan.
In 1896, the village was completely burned to the ground by a deadly fire which left many homeless.
In 2023, The Extra, a comedy and music venue opened up. They’ve had stars like Ahren Belisle, Sam Tallent, Sadie Bass, Macy Nicole, and others. The venue is sponsored by Skippers Bar N Grill and The American Legion Post 144.

## Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 2.53 square miles (6.55 km$^2$), all of it land.

### Attractions

* The Extra on Main St is a comedy and music venue that hosts national touring performers.
* The L'Anse Waterfront Park on Baraga Avenue within the downtown area is a nice and scenic location to rest.
* The Falls River Falls in downtown L'Anse is a very long series of cascading falls that spans the entire width of the Falls River.

## Demographics
### 2020 census

As of the census of 2020, the population was 1,874. The population density was 736.1 inhabitants per square mile (284.2/km$^2$). There were 980 housing units at an average density of 384.9 per square mile (148.6/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the village was 85.6% White, 5.8% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% Black or African American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.4% from other races, and 7.5% from two or more races. Ethnically, the population was 0.8% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

### 2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 2,011 people, 874 households and 502 families living in the village. The population density was 794.9 inhabitants per square mile (306.9/km$^2$). There were 988 housing units at an average density of 390.5 per square mile (150.8/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the village was 88.7% White, 1.4% African American, 5.0% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 4.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 0.9% of the population.
There were 874 households, of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.0% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.6% were non-families. 37.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.82.
The median age was 41.7 years. 22.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.3% were from 25 to 44; 24.1% were from 45 to 64; and 21.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 47.6% male and 52.4% female.

### 2000 census

At the 2000 census, there were 2,107 people, 894 households and 540 families living in the village. The population density was 821.9 inhabitants per square mile (317.3/km$^2$). There were 981 housing units at an average density of 382.7 per square mile (147.8/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the village was 91.22% White, 0.09% African American, 5.55% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, and 2.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 0.57% of the population. 27.9% were of Finnish, 11.6% German, 9.4% French, 7.5% Norwegian, 5.9% French Canadian and 5.1% English ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 894 households, of which 25.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.4% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.5% were non-families. 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.86.
21.3% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 21.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.3 males.
The median household income was $31,406 and the median family income was $38,984. Males had a median income of $31,583 and females $20,929. The per capita income was $15,857. About 6.6% of families and 11.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.6% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.

## Transportation

* US 41 runs through the southernmost portion of the village.
* M-38 begins in the Village of Baraga, across the bay from L'Anse.
* The bus line Indian Trails operates daily intercity bus service between Hancock, Michigan, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with a stop in L'Anse.

## Gallery

* The L'Anse Waterfront Park is in the village on the shore of Lake Superior
* A view across the Keweenaw Bay to L'Anse.
* the L'Anse Intersection on US 41
* The sign for L'Anse on US 41
* Going through L'Anse
* The L'Anse Township Hall
* The Baraga County Courthouse and Annex is located in L'Anse.
* A train of the now-defunct Soo Line Railroad at L'Anse in 1967.