[4] The population was 3,816 at the 2020 census, making it the largest city in Charlevoix County.

A post office named Boyne opened on September 29, 1869, with Miller serving as the first postmaster.

By 1910, the Buelah Home housed approximately 200 boys, who were also reviled by the community for committing numerous crimes and causing mischief.

Soon after, Swift was accused of molesting numerous boys under his care, and criminal charges were filed.

It became a cause célèbre in Northern Michigan, and it made headlines throughout the country.

Many boys who accused Swift of the charges dropped out of the lawsuit to avoid public scrutiny.

The case dragged on for three years before eventually making its way to the Michigan Supreme Court under chief justice Joseph H. Steere.

The Chicago and West Michigan Railroad Charlevoix Station was built in 1892 as a station along the Chicago and Michigan Lake Shore Railroad, and it now serves as a museum and rental hall.

Young State Park is just northwest of the city limits in Evangeline Township.

[9] As of the 2010[update] census,[13] there were 3,735 people, 1,635 households, and 1,011 families living in the city.

As of the 2000[update] census,[5] there were 3,503 people, 1,468 households, and 932 families living in the city.