Bruce was originally called Lie, and under the latter name was founded in 1881. It was renamed in 1883, but the namesake is unclear. Some hold Bruce was named for the son one of a early Chicago Northwestern railroad official, while others believe it was named for Blanche K. Bruce, an African-American statesman and friend of Roscoe Conkling, U.S. Senator from New York at the time.
As of the census of 2010, there were 204 people, 95 households, and 58 families residing in the city. The population density was. There were 111 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 95.6% White, 1.5% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.5% Pacific Islander, and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.5% of the population. There were 95 households, of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were married couplesliving together, 4.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.9% were non-families. 34.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.78. The median age in the city was 43 years. 24.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 3.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.5% were from 25 to 44; 29.5% were from 45 to 64; and 15.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.0% male and 51.0% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 272 people, 105 households, and 72 families residing in the city. The population density was 761.8 people per square mile. There were 117 housing units at an average density of 327.7 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 99.26% White, 0.37% Asian, and 0.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.47% of the population. There were 105 households, out of which 39.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.9% were married couples living together, 4.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.5% were non-families. 29.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.21. In the city, the population was spread out, with 31.3% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.8 males. The median income for a household in the city was $37,188, and the median income for a family was $46,786. Males had a median income of $31,071 versus $23,750 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,282. About 4.1% of families and 7.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.3% of those under the age of eighteen and none of those 65 or over.
Honey Days Festival
During the last week of July, Bruce celebrates Honey Days, its town holiday. The name and theme of Honey Days is inspired by the company Adee Honey Farms which originated and is based in Bruce. Adee Honey farms is the largest producer of honey in the world and is a large employer in the small town. The festival features many activities such as a street dance, bingo, barbecue feed, pancake breakfast, an outdoor church service, and many recreational tournaments such as softball, horseshoes, volleyball, and beanbags. Honey Days also displays a large parade on its main street.
