Nunica, Michigan

Nunica, Michigan
Location within Ottawa County
Location within Ottawa County
Nunica is located in Michigan
Nunica
Nunica
Location within the state of Michigan
Nunica is located in the United States
Nunica
Nunica
Location within the United States
Coordinates: 43°04′47″N 86°04′02″W / 43.07972°N 86.06722°W / 43.07972; -86.06722
CountryUnited States
StateMichigan
CountyOttawa
TownshipCrockery
Area
 • Total1.83 sq mi (4.75 km2)
 • Land1.83 sq mi (4.74 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation630 ft (190 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total351
 • Density191.80/sq mi (74.05/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code(s)
49448
Area code616
GNIS feature ID633785[2]

Nunica is an unincorporated community in the U.S. state of Michigan. The community is located near the center of Crockery Township in Ottawa County, close to the junction of Interstate 96 (I-96) M-104 and M-231 at 43°04′47″N 86°04′02″W / 43.07972°N 86.06722°W / 43.07972; -86.06722 (Nunica, Michigan).[2] The first white settlers were Manley Patchin in 1836 and William Hathaway, Jr., in 1839. Hathaway became the first postmaster of Crockery Creek on February 7, 1848. The name of the post office was changed to Nunica on January 8, 1859. The settlement was first platted by Henry Ernst in 1865. The name Nunica is derived from the Native American word menonica, meaning "clay earth", from which pottery was made. This clay was also the origin for the name of Crockery Creek.[3] The Nunica ZIP code 49448 serves most of Crockery Township, as well as portions of Sullivan Township in Muskegon County to the north and small areas of Polkton Township to the east.[4]

  1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Nunica, Michigan
  3. ^ Romig, Walter (1986) [1973]. Michigan Place Names. Detroit: Wayne State University Press. ISBN 0-8143-1838-X.[page needed]
  4. ^ 49448 5-Digit ZCTA, 494 3-Digit ZCTA - Reference Map - American FactFinder[permanent dead link], U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 census