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Hillsdale County, Michigan

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Hillsdale County is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 45,746.[2] The county seat is Hillsdale.[3] Hillsdale County is the only county in Michigan to border both Indiana and Ohio. Due to an angle in the state's border with Ohio, Hillsdale County has the southernmost point in Michigan. Hillsdale County is conterminous with the Hillsdale, MI Micropolitan Statistical Area. The Hillsdale County Courthouse was designed by Claire Allen, a prominent southern Michigan architect.

Hillsdale County
County
Hillsdale County Courthouse in Hillsdale
Hillsdale County Courthouse in Hillsdale
Map of Michigan highlighting Hillsdale County
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Map of the United States highlighting Michigan
Michigan's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°53′N 84°35′W / 41.89°N 84.59°W / 41.89; -84.59
Country United States
State Michigan
Founded1835[1]
SeatHillsdale
Largest cityHillsdale
Area
 • Total
607 sq mi (1,570 km2)
 • Land598 sq mi (1,550 km2)
 • Water8.9 sq mi (23 km2)  1.5%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
45,746 Decrease
 • Density75/sq mi (29/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district5th
Websitehttps://www.co.hillsdale.mi.us/

History

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The county is named for its rolling terrain.[4] It was described by action of the Michigan Territorial legislature in 1829, and was organized six years later.[1] See List of Michigan county name etymologies.

Hillsdale County was a New England settlement; its early settlers came from the northern coastal colonies – "Yankees", descended from the English Puritans who emigrated from the Old World in the 1600s. There was a wave of such settlers into the Northwest Territory during the early 1800s, many traveling on the newly completed Erie Canal, and made safe by the conclusion of the Black Hawk War. They brought with them a passion for education, establishing many schools. Many were abolitionists.[5]

Geography

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According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 607 square miles (1,570 km2), of which 598 square miles (1,550 km2) is land and 8.9 square miles (23 km2) (1.5%) is water.[6] Hillsdale is the only county in Michigan to have a land border with two other states – Ohio and Indiana. The headwaters of two St. Joseph Rivers rise in Hillsdale County: the St. Joseph River (Lake Michigan) and the St. Joseph River (Maumee River).

Parks

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Adjacent counties

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Climate

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Hillsdale County experiences four distinct seasons. July is the hottest month with an average high of 82 °F or 27.8 °C and January the coldest with an average high of 29 °F or −1.7 °C. June is the wettest month with 4.29 inches or 109.0 millimetres of rain on average.

Climate data for Hillsdale, Michigan
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 29
(−2) 		33
(1) 		43
(6) 		56
(13) 		68
(20) 		78
(26) 		82
(28) 		80
(27) 		72
(22) 		60
(16) 		46
(8) 		34
(1) 		57
(14)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 13
(−11) 		14
(−10) 		24
(−4) 		35
(2) 		45
(7) 		55
(13) 		59
(15) 		57
(14) 		49
(9) 		38
(3) 		29
(−2) 		19
(−7) 		36
(2)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 2.10
(53) 		1.82
(46) 		2.77
(70) 		3.39
(86) 		3.82
(97) 		4.29
(109) 		3.54
(90) 		3.70
(94) 		3.71
(94) 		2.82
(72) 		3.07
(78) 		2.66
(68) 		37.69
(957)
Source: weather.com

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18407,240—
185016,159123.2%
186025,67558.9%
187031,68423.4%
188032,7233.3%
189030,660−6.3%
190029,865−2.6%
191029,673−0.6%
192028,161−5.1%
193027,417−2.6%
194029,0926.1%
195031,9169.7%
196034,7428.9%
197037,1717.0%
198042,07113.2%
199043,4313.2%
200046,5277.1%
201046,6880.3%
202045,746−2.0%
2023 (est.)45,587[7]−0.3%
US Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2018[2]

As of the 2000 United States Census,[12] there were 46,527 people, 17,335 households, and 12,550 families residing in the county. The population density was 78 people per square mile (30 people/km2). There were 20,189 housing units at an average density of 34 per square mile (13/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.56% White, 0.43% Black or African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.34% from other races, and 0.98% from two or more races. 1.20% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 28.4% were of German, 28.2% English and 9.3% Irish ancestry, 97.0% spoke English, 1.2% Spanish and 1.2% German as their first language.

There were 17,335 households, out of which 32.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.90% were married couples living together, 8.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.60% were non-families. 22.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.05.

The county's population contained 26.30% under the age of 18, 10.00% from 18 to 24, 26.80% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 13.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 99.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $40,396, and the median income for a family was $45,895. Males had a median income of $35,349 versus $23,718 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,255. About 5.20% of families and 8.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.80% of those under age 18 and 8.60% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

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Hillsdale County has been a reliably Republican county since the 19th century. Since 1884, the Republican nominee has carried the county in 34 of 36 presidential elections, the lone exceptions being when it was carried by Democrat Lyndon B. Johnson amidst a national landslide in 1964 (albeit by only 144 votes), and when it was carried by Progressive nominee Theodore Roosevelt when the Republican electorate had a schism in 1912.

United States presidential election results for Hillsdale County, Michigan[13]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 18,631 75.04% 5,875 23.66% 322 1.30%
2020 17,037 73.11% 5,883 25.25% 382 1.64%
2016 14,095 70.69% 4,799 24.07% 1,046 5.25%
2012 11,727 61.40% 7,106 37.20% 267 1.40%
2008 11,221 54.87% 8,765 42.86% 463 2.26%
2004 12,804 63.34% 7,123 35.23% 289 1.43%
2000 10,483 60.00% 6,495 37.17% 495 2.83%
1996 7,947 48.56% 5,955 36.39% 2,464 15.06%
1992 7,579 42.36% 5,244 29.31% 5,068 28.33%
1988 10,571 68.29% 4,763 30.77% 145 0.94%
1984 12,063 76.50% 3,616 22.93% 89 0.56%
1980 10,951 66.37% 4,375 26.52% 1,173 7.11%
1976 9,307 62.23% 5,427 36.29% 221 1.48%
1972 9,261 68.64% 3,942 29.22% 289 2.14%
1968 8,506 63.27% 3,803 28.29% 1,135 8.44%
1964 6,420 49.05% 6,564 50.15% 106 0.81%
1960 10,208 71.19% 4,069 28.38% 63 0.44%
1956 10,311 74.68% 3,428 24.83% 67 0.49%
1952 10,680 75.51% 3,340 23.62% 123 0.87%
1948 7,232 67.21% 3,095 28.76% 433 4.02%
1944 9,364 74.33% 3,153 25.03% 81 0.64%
1940 9,398 72.25% 3,538 27.20% 71 0.55%
1936 6,723 55.03% 5,023 41.11% 471 3.86%
1932 5,879 49.54% 5,696 48.00% 292 2.46%
1928 8,282 80.99% 1,893 18.51% 51 0.50%
1924 6,556 68.45% 1,980 20.67% 1,042 10.88%
1920 6,690 71.12% 2,467 26.23% 249 2.65%
1916 3,463 48.69% 3,424 48.14% 226 3.18%
1912 1,437 20.68% 2,229 32.08% 3,283 47.24%
1908 4,463 60.98% 2,516 34.38% 340 4.65%
1904 4,951 70.45% 1,659 23.61% 418 5.95%
1900 4,780 56.93% 3,324 39.59% 293 3.49%
1896 4,564 52.12% 3,986 45.52% 206 2.35%
1892 4,119 53.65% 2,613 34.03% 946 12.32%
1888 4,959 57.00% 3,035 34.89% 706 8.11%
1884 4,315 52.80% 3,222 39.43% 635 7.77%

The county government operates the county 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

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Republican Party Split

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On August 12, 2022, the Hillsdale County Republican Party refused to let duly elected precinct delegates from entering the County Convention. This was under the claim that Hillsdale County Clerk, Marney Kast, had purposely spoiled certain candidates ballots past the filing deadline. They held the convention with those who were not disavowed inside the Sozo Church. The duly elected precinct delegates held their own convention outside in the parking lot. The party split, and multiple lawsuits followed.

Currently, the Michigan Republican Party recognizes Brent Leininger as the Chair of the Hillsdale County Republican Party, who was one of the precinct delegates previously disavowed.

Transportation

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Major highways

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  •   US 12 crosses the county in a generally east–west direction for a distance of about 23 miles. US 12 is the southernmost US Highway in Michigan to go east and west.
  •   US 127 is the north–south highway running along a portion of the eastern boundary of the county and is also called Meridian Road as it runs along the Michigan meridian.
  •   M-34 is a highway from the eastern border of the county westward until it joins M-99. It is also known as Hudson Road.
  •   M-49 is a north–south highway running north from the Ohio border and intersects M-99 in the northwest corner of the county.
  •   M-99 crosses the county in a generally north–south direction for a distance of about 30 miles. It is also known as Carleton Road (named after the poet Will Carleton who attended Hillsdale College and lived in Hillsdale for a time.)

Airports

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Hillsdale Municipal Airport (KJYM) established in 1963, has a 5000' paved and lighted runway with instrument approaches, hangars, tie-downs, and fuel services available. It allows general aviation access to Hillsdale County and nearby areas.

Trails

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The 4000 mile National Scenic North Country Trail passes through the county in a north–south direction.

Communities

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

Cities

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Villages

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Civil townships

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Unincorporated communities

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Notable people

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Bibliography on Hillsdale 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 July 7, 2011.
  4. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 157.
  5. ^ The Expansion of New England: The Spread of New England Settlement and Institutions to the Mississippi River, 1620-1865. Lois Kimball Mathews Rosenberry, Houghton Mifflin, 1909. pp. 227-8
  6. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved September 25, 2014.
  7. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  8. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 25, 2014.
  9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 25, 2014.
  10. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 25, 2014.
  11. ^ "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 25, 2014.
  12. ^ "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  13. ^ US Election Atlas

Further reading

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  • 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.
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41°53′N 84°35′W / 41.89°N 84.59°W / 41.89; -84.59

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