Fife Lake, Michigan

{{Hatnote|This article is about the community in Michigan. For the lake of the same name, see [[Fife Lake (Michigan)]]. For other uses, see [[Fife Lake (disambiguation)]].}} {{Use American English|date=January 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Fife Lake, Michigan | official_name = Village of Fife Lake | settlement_type = [[Village (United States)|Village]] | image_skyline = Downtown Fife Lake.jpg | imagesize = 275 | image_caption = Buildings along E. State Street in Fife Lake | image_flag = | image_seal =  | nicknames = "Fife", "F.L." | motto = In the Heart of the Forest | pushpin_map = Michigan | pushpin_label_position = left | pushpin_label = Fife Lake | pushpin_map_caption = Location within the state of Michigan | pushpin_mapsize = | image_map = Fife Lake (village), MI location.png | mapsize = 250 | map_caption = Location within [[Grand Traverse County, Michigan|Grand Traverse County]] | coordinates = {{coord|44|34|34|N|85|21|06|W|region:US-MI|display=inline}} | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{Flagu|United States}} | subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]] | subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Michigan|County]] | subdivision_type3 = [[Civil township|Township]] | subdivision_name1 = {{Flag|Michigan}} | subdivision_name2 = [[Grand Traverse County, Michigan|Grand Traverse]] | subdivision_name3 = [[Fife Lake Township, Michigan|Fife Lake]]

| established_title = Founded | established_date = 1872 | founder = J.L. Shaw | government_footnotes = | government_type = | leader_title = [[Mayor|Village president]] | leader_name = Tom Hempsted | leader_title1 = | leader_name1 = | unit_pref = Imperial | area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_26.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=May 21, 2022}}</ref> | area_magnitude = | area_total_km2 = 3.03 | area_total_sq_mi = 1.17 | area_land_km2 = 1.88 | area_land_sq_mi = 0.73 | area_water_km2 = 1.15 | area_water_sq_mi = 0.44

| population_est = | pop_est_as_of = | pop_est_footnotes = | postal_code_type = [[ZIP Code|ZIP code(s)]] | postal_code = 49633 | area_code = [[Area code 231|231]] | website = {{URL|http://www.fifelake.com}} | footnotes = | timezone = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]] | utc_offset = -5 | timezone_DST = EDT | utc_offset_DST = -4 | blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]] | blank_info = 26-28000<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> | blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID | blank1_info = 0625937<ref name="GR3-u">{{cite gnis|625937|Fife Lake|2026-03-31}}</ref> | established_title1 = Incorporated | established_date1 = 1889 }}

'''Fife Lake''' ({{IPAc-en|f|aɪ|f}} {{respell|FYFE}}) is a [[Village (United States)|village]] in southeastern [[Grand Traverse County, Michigan|Grand Traverse County]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Michigan]]. Its population was 456 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], up from 443 at the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]]. The village is part of the [[Traverse City metropolitan area]], and lies upon the shore of the [[Fife Lake (Michigan)|lake of the same name]]. [[File:Fife Lake from Lakeside Park.jpg|thumb|[[Fife Lake (Michigan)|Fife Lake]] from Lakeside Park]] [[File:St. Aloysius-Fife Lake.jpg|thumb|St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Fife Lake]]

== History == In 1872, J.L. Shaw and others platted two small settlements on a lake on the new [[Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=michiganrailroads.com - Evolution Map - Lower - 1872 |url=http://www.michiganrailroads.com/evolution-of-michigan-railroads/176-evolution-lower-peninsula/evolution-1870s/4367-evolution-map-lower-1872 |access-date=November 14, 2022 |website=www.michiganrailroads.com}}</ref> These were known as '''North Fife Lake''' and '''Fyfe Lake''' (a misspelling of Fife), which were on the north and west sides of [[Fife Lake (Michigan)|Fife Lake]], respectively. Later that year, [[Fife Lake Township, Michigan|Fife Lake Township]] was created.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fifelake.com/history/|title=Welcome to Fife Lake History|website=www.fifelake.com|access-date=November 18, 2017|archive-date=April 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180416103936/http://www.fifelake.com/history/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The first church in the village was established in 1884.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://villageoffifelake.weebly.com/about.html|title=About|website=Village of Fife Lake|access-date=March 19, 2018}}</ref> In 1889, Fife Lake was incorporated as a village.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fife Lake Township - General Information|url=http://fifelaketwp.com/all-categories/8-home-page/32-general-information|access-date=June 29, 2020|website=fifelaketwp.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=michiganrailroads.com - Fife Lake, MI|url=http://www.michiganrailroads.com/stations-locations/92-grand-traverse-county-28/824-fife-lake-mi|access-date=June 29, 2020|website=www.michiganrailroads.com}}</ref>

The village annually hosts the Fife Lake [[Ice fishing|Ice Fishing]] Derby near the end of January.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/fishingtournaments/#/tournamentDetails?id=5604|title=Fishing Tournaments|website=www.mcgi.state.mi.us|access-date=January 2, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cadillacmichigan.com/events/4/1227/|title=2018 Fife Lake Ice Fishing Derby - Events and Festivals Cadillac Michigan - Cadillac|website=www.cadillacmichigan.com|language=en|access-date=January 2, 2019}}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

==Geography== According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the village has a total area of {{convert|1.20|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|0.75|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.45|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=November 25, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112090031/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=January 12, 2012 }}</ref> The village is located in [[Fife Lake Township, Michigan|Fife Lake Township]], and is adjacent to the eponymous lake, upon the lake's northern and western shores.

The village is located immediately west of the [[Kalkaska County, Michigan|Kalkaska County]] line. Fife Lake is the only community in Grand Traverse County to be located east of [[U.S. Route 131|US Highway 131]].

== Demographics == {{US Census population |1890= 394 |1900= 456 |1910= 340 |1920= 215 |1930= 227 |1940= 303 |1950= 347 |1960= 218 |1970= 274 |1980= 402 |1990= 394 |2000= 466 |2010= 443 |2020= 456 |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref> }}

=== 2010 census === As of the [[census]]<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=November 25, 2012}}</ref> of 2010, there were 443 people, 189 households, and 110 families residing in the village. The [[population density]] was {{convert|590.7|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 265 housing units at an average density of {{convert|353.3|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the village was 95.7% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.7% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.6% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], and 2.0% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.8% of the population.

There were 189 households, of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.2% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.8% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.89.

The median age in the village was 41.1 years. 22.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.4% were from 25 to 44; 29.3% were from 45 to 64; and 15.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 49.0% male and 51.0% female.

=== 2000 census === As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 466 people, 185 households, and 120 families residing in the village. The population density was {{convert|632.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 256 housing units at an average density of {{convert|347.3|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the village was 90.77% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.64% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 3.22% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], and 5.36% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.21% of the population.

There were 185 households, out of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.4% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.6% were non-families. 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 28.8% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.4 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $32,361, and the median income for a family was $42,188. Males had a median income of $32,083 versus $24,375 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the village was $19,024. About 9.4% of families and 13.8% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 18.0% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

==Climate== This [[climate|climatic]] region has large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Fife Lake has a [[humid continental climate]], abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.<ref>[http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=487202&cityname=Fife+Lake%2C+Michigan%2C+United+States+of+America&units= Climate Summary for Fife Lake, Michigan]</ref> {{Weather box |location = Fife Lake, Michigan |single line = Yes |metric first = Yes |Jan high F = 32 |Feb high F = 27 |Mar high F = 29 |Apr high F = 38 |May high F = 53 |Jun high F = 67 |Jul high F = 77 |Aug high F = 81 |Sep high F = 78 |Oct high F = 70 |Nov high F = 58 |Dec high F = 43 |year high F = 54 |Jan low F = 10 |Feb low F = 8 |Mar low F = 17 |Apr low F = 29 |May low F = 39 |Jun low F = 49 |Jul low F = 53 |Aug low F = 52 |Sep low F = 46 |Oct low F = 37 |Nov low F = 27 |Dec low F = 16 |year low F = 32 |Jan precipitation inch = 1.9 |Feb precipitation inch = 1.4 |Mar precipitation inch = 1.8 |Apr precipitation inch = 2.6 |May precipitation inch = 2.6 |Jun precipitation inch = 3.1 |Jul precipitation inch = 3 |Aug precipitation inch = 2.9 |Sep precipitation inch = 3.5 |Oct precipitation inch = 2.9 |Nov precipitation inch = 2.8 |Dec precipitation inch = 2.2 |year precipitation inch = 30.8 |source 1 = Weatherbase <ref name=Weatherbase> {{cite web |url =http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=487202&cityname=Fife-Lake-Michigan |publisher=Weatherbase |title=Weatherbase.com |year=2013 }} Retrieved on September 22, 2013. </ref> |date=September 2013 }}

== Transportation ==

=== Air travel === The nearest [[airport]] with [[Airline|commercial service]] is [[Cherry Capital Airport]] in Traverse City. Smaller landing strips are nearby, though, such as Kalkaska City Airport in [[Kalkaska, Michigan|Kalkaska]].

=== Major highways === * {{jct|country=USA|US|131}} runs northeast–southwest just west of the village business district, providing access to [[Indiana]], [[Grand Rapids, Michigan|Grand Rapids]], [[Cadillac, Michigan|Cadillac]], [[Kalkaska, Michigan|Kalkaska]], and [[Petoskey, Michigan|Petoskey]] * {{jct|state=MI|M|186}} runs west from the town towards [[M-113 (Michigan highway)|M-113]], providing access to [[Kingsley, Michigan|Kingsley]] and the [[Traverse City, Michigan|Traverse City]] area.

=== Railroads === Fife Lake used to be a station on the [[Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad]]. Today, it is served by the [[Great Lakes Central Railroad]]. However, Fife Lake is no longer a station.

== Education == Fife Lake is served by the Forest Area Community Schools District. The district includes Fife Lake Elementary School and Forest Area Middle/High School, located in neighboring [[Springfield Township, Kalkaska County, Michigan|Springfield Township]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Forest Area Community Schools |url=https://forestarea.org/ |access-date=November 14, 2022 |website=forestarea.org |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Notable people == *[[Jerry Cannon]], retired [[Brigadier General]], [[U.S. Army]] *[[Ralph Crego]], [[List of mayors of Lansing, Michigan|mayor of Lansing, Michigan]], from 1943 to 1961

==References== <references />

==External links== *[http://www.fifelake.com/ Fife Lake Michigan Information] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20051124012210/http://www.fifelake.org/ Fife Lake Chamber of Commerce]

{{Coord|44|34|37|N|85|21|02|W|type:city_region:US-MI|display=title}}

[[Category:Villages in Grand Traverse County, Michigan]] [[Category:Villages in Michigan]] [[Category:1872 establishments in Michigan]] [[Category:Populated places in the United States established in 1872]] [[Category:Traverse City metropolitan area]]