Luna Pier, Michigan
Luna Pier is a city in Monroe County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located from the Ohio border along the coast of Lake Erie. Previously known as Lakewood, it was established in the early 1900s and incorporated as a city in 1963. It functioned primarily as a resort for people living in the greater Toledo, Ohio and Metro Detroit area. The population was 1,436 at the 2010 census. Its most prominent feature is a large crescent-shaped pier made of concrete, approximately long and reaching around out into Lake Erie. The pier is flanked  by sandy beaches and man-made rock and concrete embankments. On most days, the Davis–Besse Nuclear Power Station in Port Clinton and Toledo Harbor Light can be seen from the pier. The city is served by Mason Consolidated Schools. Geography. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water. Transportation. The city of Luna Pier is served by Interstate 75 (I-75), with connections north to Detroit and Flint (via I-275), and connections south to Toledo, Ohio. Two roads go in and out of Luna Pier, one being  Luna Pier Road, which runs west to US Highway 23 (US 23), US 24, and US 223. The other is Gaynier Road, which leads northwest out of town. Luna Pier was formerly served by Canadian National Railway via BNSF-contracted coal trains that served the Consumers Energy J.R. Whiting Generating Plant, located on Erie Road south of Luna Pier. Trains to the plant ceased in late April 2016 following its closing. Norfolk Southern Railway also has railroad tracks through the area, but does not serve any industries. Demographics. 2010 census. As of the census of 2010, there were 1,436 people , 608 households, and 373 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 702 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 93.2% White, 0.8% African American, 0.8% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 1.1% from other races, and 3.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.0% of the population. There were 608 households, of which 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.1% were married couples living together, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.9% had a male householder with  no wife present, and 38.7% were non-families. 32.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 3.00. The median age in the city was 41.7 years. 22.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22% were from 25 to 44; 35.8% were from 45 to 64; and 10.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.3 % male and 51.7% female. 2000 census. As of the census of 2000, there were 1,483 people, 592 households, and 406 families living in the city. The population density was 956.9 per square mile (369.4/km). There were 661 housing units at an average density of 426.5 per square mile (164.7/km). The racial makeup of the city was 95.48% White, 1.01% Native American, 0.94% from other races, 0.20% African American, and 2.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.03% of the population. There were 592 households, out of which 35.3% had children under the  age of 18 living with them, 50.2% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.4% were non-families. 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.05. In the city, the population was spread out, with 29.2% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 31.2% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64, and 9.2% who were 65 years of age  or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.1 males. The median income for a household in the city was $40,909, and the median income for a family was $50,000. Males had a median income of $40,850 versus $25,750 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,325. About 10.9% of families and 14.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.9% of those under age 18 and 11.6% of those age 65  or over.