Arenac County, Michigan

Arenac County
County
Michigan Central Railroad Standish Depot
Michigan Central Railroad Standish Depot
Map of Michigan highlighting Arenac County
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Map of the United States highlighting Michigan
Michigan's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 44°03′N 83°45′W / 44.05°N 83.75°W / 44.05; -83.75
Country United States
State Michigan
FoundedApril 21, 1883; 141 years ago (1883-04-21)[1]
SeatStandish
Largest cityStandish
Area
 • Total
681 sq mi (1,760 km2)
 • Land363 sq mi (940 km2)
 • Water317 sq mi (820 km2)  47%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
15,002
 • Density44/sq mi (17/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitehttps://www.arenaccountymi.gov/

Arenac County (/ˈɛərənæk/ AIR-ə-nak) is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 15,002.[2] The county seat is Standish.[3]

History

Arenac County was created by the Michigan Territory on 2 March 1831, then attached on 2 March 1836 to Saginaw County for administration. The creation and organization of Bay County overlaid Arenac and annexed portions of Saginaw and Midland Counties, causing the legal elimination of Arenac County on 20 April 1857. On 21 April 1883 Arenac County was re-created from the then existing northern townships of Bay County, with somewhat different boundaries than its previous creation.[4][5] The name Arenac, coined by Henry Rowe Schoolcraft, a US Indian Agent and ethnologist, is a derivation of the Latin arena and the Native American ac. The combined words mean “A sandy place for a good footing.”[1][6]

The county includes some off-reservation trust lands held by the federal government for the federally recognized Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Nation, which is based in Isabella County. In early 2007, plans were confirmed for a casino to be constructed outside of the city of Standish with a scheduled opening by the end of the year. It is owned and operated by the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe.[7] The Saganing Eagles Landing Casino grand opening was held on January 24, 2008.[8]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 681 square miles (1,760 km2), of which 363 square miles (940 km2) is land and 317 square miles (820 km2) (47%) is water.[9] It is the third-smallest county in Michigan by land area. Arenac County can be considered a part of either Northern Michigan or Central Michigan.

Geographic features

Major highways

Adjacent counties

By land

By water

National protected area

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18905,683—
19009,82172.8%
19109,640−1.8%
19209,460−1.9%
19308,007−15.4%
19409,23315.3%
19509,6444.5%
19609,8602.2%
197011,14913.1%
198014,70631.9%
199014,9311.5%
200017,26915.7%
201015,899−7.9%
202015,002−5.6%
2023 (est.)15,145[10]1.0%
US Decennial Census[11]
1790-1960[12] 1900-1990[13]
1990-2000[14] 2010-2018[2]

As of the 2000 United States Census,[15] there were 17,269 people, 6,710 households, and 4,717 families in the county. The population density was 47 people per square mile (18 people/km2). There were 9,563 housing units at an average density of 26 per square mile (10/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.38% White, 1.82% Black or African American, 0.95% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races, and 1.33% from two or more races. 1.38% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 24.0% were of German, 14.1% Polish, 11.6% French, 10.6% American, 7.9% English, 6.8% Irish and 5.3% French Canadian ancestry. 96.9% spoke English and 1.3% Spanish as their first language.

There were 6,710 households, out of which 29.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.00% were married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.70% were non-families. 25.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.92.

The county population contained 23.30% under the age of 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 26.80% from 25 to 44, 25.50% from 45 to 64, and 16.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 105.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,805, and the median income for a family was $39,033. Males had a median income of $31,205 versus $20,363 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,300. About 11.30% of families and 13.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.70% of those under age 18 and 7.80% of those age 65 or over.

Religion

Government

Arenac County could be described as slightly Republican-leaning. Since 1884, the Republican Party nominee has carried the county vote in 56% of the elections (20 of 36 elections). Due to 4 elections won by independent candidates during that period, the Democratic record is only 33% (12 of 36).

In 2024, Donald Trump won nearly 70% of the vote in Arenac County, the largest vote share any candidate has received in the county's history.

United States presidential election results for Arenac County, Michigan[18]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 6,379 69.62% 2,662 29.05% 122 1.33%
2020 5,928 67.07% 2,774 31.38% 137 1.55%
2016 4,950 64.04% 2,384 30.84% 395 5.11%
2012 4,057 51.74% 3,669 46.79% 115 1.47%
2008 3,807 46.84% 4,155 51.12% 166 2.04%
2004 4,071 49.55% 4,076 49.61% 69 0.84%
2000 3,421 47.08% 3,685 50.71% 161 2.22%
1996 2,247 34.09% 3,472 52.68% 872 13.23%
1992 2,330 32.33% 3,244 45.02% 1,632 22.65%
1988 3,064 48.63% 3,211 50.97% 25 0.40%
1984 3,483 58.63% 2,436 41.00% 22 0.37%
1980 3,436 53.43% 2,547 39.61% 448 6.97%
1976 2,687 49.55% 2,695 49.70% 41 0.76%
1972 2,588 57.43% 1,829 40.59% 89 1.98%
1968 2,089 52.37% 1,573 39.43% 327 8.20%
1964 1,413 36.68% 2,436 63.24% 3 0.08%
1960 2,352 55.34% 1,888 44.42% 10 0.24%
1956 2,631 63.32% 1,520 36.58% 4 0.10%
1952 2,753 67.74% 1,290 31.74% 21 0.52%
1948 1,790 58.86% 1,203 39.56% 48 1.58%
1944 1,978 60.47% 1,280 39.13% 13 0.40%
1940 2,293 60.23% 1,499 39.37% 15 0.39%
1936 1,505 43.50% 1,761 50.90% 194 5.61%
1932 1,471 40.13% 2,086 56.90% 109 2.97%
1928 1,612 67.87% 749 31.54% 14 0.59%
1924 1,767 67.57% 575 21.99% 273 10.44%
1920 1,521 66.36% 669 29.19% 102 4.45%
1916 911 46.86% 938 48.25% 95 4.89%
1912 421 21.17% 452 22.72% 1,116 56.11%
1908 1,081 56.19% 714 37.11% 129 6.70%
1904 1,372 68.77% 458 22.96% 165 8.27%
1900 972 51.02% 861 45.20% 72 3.78%
1896 611 37.39% 997 61.02% 26 1.59%
1892 322 27.81% 373 32.21% 463 39.98%
1888 357 31.85% 261 23.28% 503 44.87%
1884 323 35.57% 17 1.87% 568 62.56%

The county government operates the jail, maintains rural roads, operates the major local courts, records deeds, mortgages, and vital records, administers public health regulations, and participates with the state in the provision of social services. The county board of commissioners controls the budget and has 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 March 2009)

Communities

U.S. Census data map showing local municipal boundaries within Arenac County. Shaded areas represent incorporated cities.

Cities

Villages

Civil townships

Unincorporated communities

Indian reservation

Events

  • Sunrise Side Heritage Bike Ride, first weekend in September. Ride Along Lake Huron Shoreline (US 23) from the Arenac County fairgrounds to Mackinac Bridge then South to West Branch on M-33 and M-55 . This is a 400-mile long organized ride.[19]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Bibliography on Arenac County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  2. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ Arenac County Local History Timeline, 1890-1967. Arenac County Historical Society. Accessed 23 August 2024.
  5. ^ Michigan: Consolidated Chronology of State and County Boundaries. Michigan Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library 2007. Accessed 23 August 2024.
  6. ^ "Arenac County Michigan History Information". outdoor-michigan.com. Archived from the original on June 22, 2010.
  7. ^ "Michigan Ann Arbor Bay City Detroit Flint Grand Rapids Jackson Kalamazoo Lansing Muskegon Saginaw All Michigan". mlive.com.
  8. ^ "Saganing Eagles Landing grand opening" Archived April 10, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, casino website
  9. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  10. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  11. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on April 26, 2015. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  12. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  13. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  14. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  15. ^ Statistical profile of Arenac County, Michigan Archived April 10, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  16. ^ "Diocese of Saginaw". saginaw.org.
  17. ^ LDS.ord Meetinghouse Locator (accessed 3 September 2018)
  18. ^ US Election Atlas
  19. ^ "Sunrise side bike ride" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on February 11, 2012. Retrieved April 24, 2008.

Further reading

  • Romig, Walter (1986) [1973]. Michigan Place Names: The History of the Founding and the Naming of More than Five Thousand Past and Present Michigan Communities. Great Lakes Books. Detroit: Wayne State University Press. ISBN 978-0814318386.

44°03′N 83°45′W / 44.05°N 83.75°W / 44.05; -83.75