Muskegon County

Muskegon County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of 2019, the population was 173,566.[2] The county seat is Muskegon.[3] Muskegon County comprises the Muskegon, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is part of the larger Grand Rapids-Kentwood-Muskegon, MI Combined Statistical Area. The White River flows through the county to its mouth at Lake Michigan. Contents 1 History 2 Geography 2.1 Bodies of water 2.2 National protected area 2.3 Major highways 2.4 Adjacent counties 3 Demographics 4 Government 4.1 County government 4.1.1 Elected officials 4.2 State representation 5 Education 6 Historical markers 7 Communities 7.1 Cities 7.2 Villages 7.3 Census-designated places 7.4 Unincorporated communities 7.5 Townships 8 See also 9 References 10 Further reading 11 External links History Around 1812, Jean Baptiste Recollect and Pierre Constant set up trading posts in the area. By the Treaty of Washington (1836), Native Americans ceded parts of Michigan, including future Muskegon County, to the United States. This opened up the area to greater settlement by European Americans, who developed farms.[4] Muskegon County was organized in 1859. Its name is from the Muskegon River, which runs through it and empties into Muskegon Lake and subsequently flows into Lake Michigan. The word "Muskegon" comes from the Ojibwa/Chippewa word mashkig, meaning "marsh" or "swamp".[1][5] See List of Michigan county name etymologies. Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,460 square miles (3,800 km2), of which 499 square miles (1,290 km2) is land and 961 square miles (2,490 km2) (66%) is water.[6] Bodies of water White Lake White River Muskegon Lake Muskegon River Mona Lake Little Black Lake Little Blue Lake Wolf Lake Fox Lake Big Blue Lake Bear Lake Duck Lake Twin Lake National protected area Manistee National Forest (part) Major highways I-96 US 31 Bus. US 31 (Muskegon) Bus. US 31 (Whitehall-Montague) M-37 M-46 M-120 B-15 B-23 B-31 B-35 B-72 B-86 Adjacent counties Oceana County, Michigan - north Newaygo County, Michigan - northeast Kent County, Michigan - east Ottawa County, Michigan - east Ottawa County, Michigan - south Milwaukee County, Wisconsin - southwest Ozaukee County, Wisconsin - west Demographics Historical population Census Pop. %± 1860 3,947 — 1870 14,894 277.3% 1880 26,586 78.5% 1890 40,013 50.5% 1900 37,036 −7.4% 1910 40,577 9.6% 1920 62,362 53.7% 1930 84,630 35.7% 1940 94,501 11.7% 1950 121,545 28.6% 1960 129,943 6.9% 1970 157,426 21.2% 1980 157,589 0.1% 1990 158,983 0.9% 2000 170,200 7.1% 2010 172,188 1.2% 2019 (est.) 173,566 [7] 0.8% U.S. Decennial Census[8] 1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10] 1990-2000[11] 2010-2019[12] As of the 2010 United States Census,[13] there were 172,188 people living in the county. 77.4% were non-Hispanic White, 14.6% Black or African American, 0.6% Asian, 0.9% Native American, and 2.5% of two or more races. 4.8% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). As of the census[14] of 2000, there were 170,200 people, 63,330 households, and 44,267 families living in the county. The population density was 334 people per square mile (129/km2). There were 68,556 housing units at an average density of 135 per square mile (52/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 81.25% White, 14.20% Black or African American, 0.82% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.28% from other races, and 2.01% from two or more races. 3.53% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 17.2% were of German, 9.8% Dutch, 7.3% American, 7.2% English, 6.8% Irish and 5.5% Polish ancestry, 95.9% spoke English and 2.6% Spanish as their first language. There were 63,330 households, of which 34.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.60% were married couples living together, 13.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.10% were non-families. 25.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.40% 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 3.10. In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.50% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 29.00% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64, and 12.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.40 males. The county's median household income was $38,008, and the median family income was $45,710. Males had a median income of $35,952 versus $25,430 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,967. About 8.80% of families and 11.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.00% of those under age 18 and 8.20% of those age 65 or over. Government Prior to 1932, Muskegon County was a Republican Party stronghold in presidential elections, aside from 1912 where the split Republican vote primarily backed former president & third-party candidate Theodore Roosevelt. The county became a Republican-leaning swing county from 1932 to 1988, backing the national winner from 1920 to 1996 except for 1960 & 1976. Starting with the 1992 election, the county has consistently backed Democratic Party presidential candidates, usually by wide margins aside from 2016 where Donald Trump only lost the county by 1.5% as he won statewide albeit only by a plurality due to higher than usual third party voting, and again in 2020 when Muskegon voters narrowed Trump's deficit to 1.0% behind Joe Biden. Presidential election results County 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: D.J. Hilson [1] Sheriff: Michael J. Poulin [2] County Clerk: Nancy A. Waters [3] County Treasurer: Tony Moulatsiotis [4] Register of Deeds: Mark F. Fairchild [5] Drain Commissioner: Brenda M Moore [6] County Surveyor: Stephen Vallier (information as of May 2017) State representation The Michigan Department of Corrections operates the Muskegon Correctional Facility in southeastern Muskegon. The prison first opened in 1974.[16] Education Public School Districts in Muskegon County: Fruitport Community Schools Holton Public Schools Mona Shores Public Schools Montague Area Public Schools Muskegon Public Schools Muskegon Heights Public Schools North Muskegon Public Schools Orchard View Schools Oakridge Public Schools Ravenna Public Schools Reeths-Puffer School District White Lake Area Community Ed. Whitehall District Schools Private School Districts in Muskegon County: Broadway Baptist School Fruitport Calvary Christian Muskegon Catholic Central West Michigan Christian Colleges and Universities: Baker College Muskegon Community College Ross Medical Education Center - Muskegon Historical markers There are twenty-three recognized historical markers in the county:[17] They are: Bluffton Actors' Colony / Buster Keaton Central United Methodist Church [Muskegon] Evergreen Cemetery Fruitland District No.6 School Hackley House Hackley Public Library Hackley-Holt House Hume House Jean Baptiste Recollect Trading Post Lakeside Lebanon Lutheran Church Lumbering on White Lake / Staples & Covell Mill Marsh Field Mouth Cemetery Muskegon Business College Muskegon Log Booming Company Muskegon Woman's Club Old Indian Cemetery Pinchtown Ruth Thompson Torrent House Union Depot (Muskegon) White Lake Yacht Club Communities Cities Montague Muskegon Heights Muskegon (county seat) North Muskegon Norton Shores Roosevelt Park Whitehall Villages Casnovia Fruitport Lakewood Club Ravenna Census-designated places Twin Lake Wolf Lake Unincorporated communities Wabaningo Townships Blue Lake Township Casnovia Township Cedar Creek Township Dalton Township Egelston Township Fruitland Township Fruitport Charter Township Holton Township Laketon Town