Manistee County, Michigan

Manistee County, Michigan
Location in the U.S. state of Michigan
Michigan's location in the U.S.
Founded	1840, organized in 1855
Seat	Manistee
Largest city	Manistee
Area
• Total	1,281 sq mi (3,318 km2)
• Land	542 sq mi (1,404 km2)
• Water	738 sq mi (1,911 km2), 58%
Population
• (2010)	24,733
• Density	46/sq mi (18/km²)
Congressional district	1st
Time zone	Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website	www.manisteecounty.net

Manistee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the population was 24,733. The county seat is Manistee. The name "Manistee" is from an Ojibwe word first applied to the principal river of the county. The derivation is not certain, but it may be from ministigweyaa, "river with islands at its mouth". See also, List of Michigan county name etymologies and Kaministiquia River.

History

The county was set off in 1840 and organized in 1855.

Historical markers

There are thirteen recognized Michigan historical markers in the county:

• Harriet Quimby / Childhood Home
• John J. Makinen Bottle House
• First Congregational Church, Manistee
• Great Fire of 1871
• Holy Trinity Episcopal Church
• Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Rectory
• Kaleva, Michigan
• Manistee City Library
• Manistee Fire Hall
• Our Saviour's Lutheran Church
• Ramsdell Theatre
• Trinity Lutheran Church [Arcadia]
• William Douglas House

Government

The county government operates the jail, maintains rural roads, operates the major local courts, keeps files of deeds and mortgages, maintains vital records, administers public health regulations, and participates with the state in the provision of welfare and other social services. The county board of commissioners controls the budget but has only limited authority to make laws or ordinances. In Michigan, most local government functions — police and fire, building and zoning, tax assessment, street maintenance, etc. — are the responsibility of individual cities and townships.

Elected officials

• Prosecuting Attorney: Ford Stone
• Sheriff: Dale Kowalkowski
• County Clerk: Jill Nowak
• County Treasurer: Russell Pomeroy
• Register of Deeds: Penny Pepera
• Drain Commissioner: Mark DiBenedetto
• County Surveyor: Patrick Bentley

(information as of February 2012)

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,281 square miles (3,320 km²), of which 542 square miles (1,400 km²) is land and 738 square miles (1,910 km²) (58%) is water. Manistee County is considered to be part of Northern Michigan.

Adjacent counties

• Benzie County - north
• Grand Traverse County - northeast
• Wexford County - east
• Lake County - southeast
• Mason County - south
• Manitowoc County, Wisconsin - southwest
• Kewaunee County, Wisconsin - west

National protected area

• Manistee National Forest (part)

Transportation

Airport

Manistee County-Blacker Airport is approximately three miles (4.8 km) northeast of Manistee.

Major highways

• US 31
• M-22
• M-55 starts two miles north of Manistee, and proceeds 155 miles across the Lower Peninsula to Tawas.
• M-115

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1860	975		—
1870	6,074		523.0%
1880	12,532		106.3%
1890	24,230		93.3%
1900	27,856		15.0%
1910	26,688		−4.2%
1920	20,899		−21.7%
1930	17,409		−16.7%
1940	18,450		6.0%
1950	18,524		0.4%
1960	19,042		2.8%
1970	20,094		5.5%
1980	23,019		14.6%
1990	21,265		−7.6%
2000	24,527		15.3%
2010	24,733		0.8%
Est. 2014	24,420		−1.3%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2013

As of the census of 2000, there were 24,527 people, 9,860 households, and 6,714 families residing in the county. The population density was 45 people per square mile (17/km²). There were 14,272 housing units at an average density of 26 per square mile (10/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.16% White, 1.63% Black or African American, 1.30% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.01% from other races, and 1.55% from two or more races. 2.61% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 23.5% were of German, 16.9% Polish, 8.8% English, 8.8% American and 7.1% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000. 96.2% spoke English and 2.3% Spanish as their first language.

There were 9,860 households out of which 27.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.10% were married couples living together, 9.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.90% were non-families. 27.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the county the population was spread out with 22.60% under the age of 18, 6.70% from 18 to 24, 26.30% from 25 to 44, 26.30% from 45 to 64, and 18.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 103.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,208, and the median income for a family was $41,664. Males had a median income of $33,211 versus $20,851 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,204. About 6.90% of families and 10.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.50% of those under age 18 and 7.90% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

City

• Manistee (county seat)

Villages

• Bear Lake
• Copemish
• Eastlake
• Kaleva
• Onekama

Unincorporated communities

• Arcadia
• Brethren
• Chief
• Marilla
• Norwalk
• Pierport
• Parkdale
• Wellston

Townships

• Arcadia Township
• Bear Lake Township
• Brown Township
• Cleon Township
• Dickson Township
• Filer Charter Township
• Manistee Township
• Maple Grove Township
• Marilla Township
• Norman Township
• Onekama Township
• Pleasanton Township
• Springdale Township
• Stronach Township

See also

• List of Michigan State Historic Sites in Manistee County, Michigan
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Manistee County, Michigan