Wexford County, Michigan

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search

<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>

This article is about Wexford County in Michigan. For the county in Ireland, see County Wexford.
Wexford County, Michigan
Seal of Wexford County, Michigan
Seal
Map of Michigan highlighting Wexford County
Location in the U.S. state of Michigan
Map of the United States highlighting Michigan
Michigan's location in the U.S.
Founded 1840 (created)
1869 (organized)[1][2]
Named for County Wexford
Seat Cadillac
Largest city Cadillac
Area
 • Total 575 sq mi (1,489 km2)
 • Land 565 sq mi (1,463 km2)
 • Water 10 sq mi (26 km2), 1.8%
Population
 • (2010) 32,735
 • Density 58/sq mi (22/km²)
Congressional district 4th
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website www.wexfordcounty.org

Wexford County is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the population was 32,735.[3] The county seat is Cadillac.[4] When established in 1840 by the Michigan Legislature, the county was given the name Kautawabet, a Potawatomi phrase meaning "broken tooth" and the name of an area Potawatomi chief. In 1843, legislators renamed the county Wexford, after County Wexford in Ireland.[1] It was later formally organized in 1869.[1]

Wexford County is part of the Cadillac, MI Micropolitan Statistical Area, which also includes Missaukee County. It is considered to be part of Northern Michigan.

The county is also known for being the location of the first known sighting of the Michigan dogman.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 575 square miles (1,490 km2), of which 565 square miles (1,460 km2) is land and 10 square miles (26 km2) (1.8%) is water.[5]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1870 650 —
1880 6,815 948.5%
1890 11,278 65.5%
1900 16,845 49.4%
1910 20,769 23.3%
1920 18,207 −12.3%
1930 16,827 −7.6%
1940 17,976 6.8%
1950 18,628 3.6%
1960 18,466 −0.9%
1970 19,717 6.8%
1980 25,102 27.3%
1990 26,360 5.0%
2000 30,484 15.6%
2010 32,735 7.4%
Est. 2014 32,886 [6] 0.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2013[3]

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 30,484 people, 11,824 households, and 8,383 families residing in the county. The population density was 54 people per square mile (21/km²). There were 14,872 housing units at an average density of 26 per square mile (10/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.29% White, 0.19% Black or African American, 0.74% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. 1.01% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 21.4% were of German, 11.3% English, 9.5% American, 9.4% Irish, 6.1% Dutch, 5.8% Swedish and 5.3% Polish ancestry according to Census 2000. 97.7% spoke English and 1.1% Spanish as their first language.

There were 11,824 households out of which 33.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.20% were married couples living together, 10.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.10% were non-families. 24.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the county the population was spread out with 26.80% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 14.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 98.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,363, and the median income for a family was $39,915. Males had a median income of $31,198 versus $21,733 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,144. About 7.70% of families and 10.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.50% of those under age 18 and 8.50% of those age 65 or over.

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

(information as of September 2005)

Politics

The county is one of the few counties to have given majorities to the both the first Republican candidate, John C. Frémont,[12] and to John McCain.[13] That stated, the county went for Bill Clinton twice.[14]

Tourism

There are many attractions and hot spots in Wexford county to check out. The Manistee National Forest is a great recreation site. The Manistee River is great for fisherman, kayakers and canoers, and other outdoor lovers.

Communities

Cities

Villages

Unincorporated communities

Townships

<templatestyles src="Div col/styles.css"/>

Historical markers

There are ten recognized Michigan historical markers in the county:[15] They are:

  • Battle of Manton
  • Caberfae Ski Resort
  • Cadillac Carnegie Library
  • Charles T. Mitchell House
  • Clam Lake Canal
  • Cobbs & Mitchell Building
  • Cobbs and Mitchell Mill No.1
  • First Wexford County Courthouse
  • Greenwood Disciples of Christ Church
  • Shay Locomotive

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Cadillact History Archived February 29, 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ The New York Times electoral map, 2008 (Zoom in on Michigan)
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

Further reading

  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

 Benzie County Grand Traverse County Kalkaska County
Manistee County Missaukee County
  Wexford County, Michigan  
Lake County Osceola County

Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

Retrieved from "https://infogalactic.com/w/index.php?title=Wexford_County,_Michigan&oldid=63807"