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Mackinac County, Michigan

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Mackinac County (/ˈmækənɔː/ MAK-ə-naw, locally /ˈmækənə/ MAK-ə-nə) is a county in the Upper Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the population was 10,834.[3] The county seat is St. Ignace.[4] Formerly known as Michilimackinac County, in 1818 it was one of the first counties of the Michigan Territory, as it had long been a center of French and British colonial fur trading, a Catholic church and Protestant mission, and associated settlement.[1]

Mackinac County
County
The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island
The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island
Map of Michigan highlighting Mackinac County
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Map of the United States highlighting Michigan
Michigan's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 46°01′N 85°01′W / 46.01°N 85.01°W / 46.01; -85.01
Country United States
State Michigan
FoundedOctober 26, 1818
organized 1849[1][2]
Named forStraits of Mackinac
SeatSt. Ignace
Largest citySt. Ignace
Area
 • Total
2,101 sq mi (5,440 km2)
 • Land1,022 sq mi (2,650 km2)
 • Water1,079 sq mi (2,790 km2)  51%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
10,834
 • Density11/sq mi (4/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitewww.mackinaccounty.net

The county's name is shortened from "Michilimackinac", which referred to the Straits of Mackinac area as well as the French settlement at the tip of the lower peninsula.[1] Mackinac County is one of two U.S. counties to feature shorelines on two Great Lakes, being Lake Huron and Lake Michigan (the other county being neighboring Chippewa County).

History

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See also: History of Northern Michigan

Michilimackinac County was created on October 26, 1818, by proclamation of territorial governor Lewis Cass. The county originally encompassed the Lower Peninsula of Michigan north of Macomb County and almost the entire present Upper Peninsula. As later counties were settled and organized, they were divided from this territory.

On April 1, 1840, areas in the Lower Peninsula were laid off to create 30 new counites.[5] By 1841, the County of Michilimackinac was confined to the Upper Peninsula and its nearby islands, bordering Chippewa and Menominee counties.[6]

On March 9, 1843, Michigan further divided the Upper Peninsula into six counties. At this time, the County of Michilimackinac more closely resembled its modern configuration, including only a portion of the Upper Peninsula closest to the Straits of Mackinac, plus several islands.[7]

At the time of founding, the county seat was the community of Michilimackinac Island on Michilimackinac Island, later known as Mackinac Island, Michigan. This has been an important center for fur trading before the 1830s, when European demand declined. The county was organized in 1849 as Mackinac County. In 1882 the county seat was moved from Mackinac Island to St. Ignace, Michigan, which had been founded as a French Jesuit mission village during the colonial years.

Mackinac County is home to the Mackinac Bands of Chippewa and Ottawa Indians, a Native American state recognized tribe located in St. Ignace.

An 1835 Map Of Michigan shows the County of Michilimackinac encompassing the Upper Peninsula and the entirety of Northern Michigan, as well as the "Township of Michilimackinac".
As settlers arrived between 1840 and 1853, the state broke up the single Michilimackinac County and established platted counties across Northern Michigan.

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,101 square miles (5,440 km2), of which 1,022 square miles (2,650 km2) is land and 1,079 square miles (2,790 km2) (51%) is water.[8] Mackinac County lies at the boundary of Lake Huron and Lake Michigan.

St. Ignace is the northern terminus of the Mackinac Bridge. Mackinac Island is within the county.

Due to its sparse population, the county has no weather stations.

Adjacent counties

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Taken on April 10, 2022, during Expedition 67 of the International Space Station; north is oriented to the right. Mackinac County's border with Emmet and Charlevoix counties is at the center.

By land

By water

National protected area

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Communities

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

Cities

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Civil townships

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Census-designated place

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Unincorporated communities

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Indian reservations

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1830877—
18409235.2%
18503,598289.8%
18601,938−46.1%
18701,716−11.5%
18802,90269.1%
18907,830169.8%
19007,703−1.6%
19109,24920.1%
19208,026−13.2%
19308,7839.4%
19409,4387.5%
19509,287−1.6%
196010,85316.9%
19709,660−11.0%
198010,1785.4%
199010,6744.9%
200011,94311.9%
201011,113−6.9%
202010,834−2.5%
2023 (est.)10,851[10]0.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[11]
1790–1960[12] 1900–1990[13]
1990–2000[14] 2010–2018[3]

The 2010 United States census reported that Mackinac County had a population of 11,113, a decrease of 830 (-6.9%) from the 2000 census.[15] In 2010 there were 5,024 households and 3,219 families in the county. The population density was 11 per square mile (4.2/km2). There were 11,010 housing units at an average density of 11 per square mile (4.2/km2)>). Racially, 76.5% of the population were White, 17.3% Native American, 0.5% Black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% of some other race and 5.3% of two or more races; 1.1% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). Culturally, 18.5% were of German, 8.8% English, 8.0% French, French Canadian or Cajun, 7.6% Irish and 5.1% Polish ancestry.[16] By the 2020 census, its population was 10,834.[3]

In 2010, there were 5,024 households, of which 20.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.9% were non-families. 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.7. Among them, 18.7% of the population were under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 19.3% from 25 to 44, 34.0% from 45 to 64, and 22.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49 years. The population was 50.5% male and 49.5% female.

The median household income was $39,055 and the median family income was $50,984. The per capita income was $22,195. About 10.5% of families and 14.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.3% of those under age 18 and 6.2% of those age 65 or over.

Religiously, Christianity is the predominant religion for the county and region of the Upper Peninsula. Mackinac County is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette.[17][18]

Education

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School districts include:[19]

K-12:

Elementary:

Media

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Newspapers

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Television

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The following television stations can be received in St. Ignace:

Radio

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The following stations can be heard in St. Ignace:

FM

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Call sign Frequency City broadcast from
WIAB 88.5 Mackinaw City
WSBX 94.5 Mackinaw City
WLXT 96.3 Petoskey
WWMK 106.3 Cheboygan
WAWM 98.9 Petoskey
WCBY - W264CF 100.7 St.Ignace, Michigan
WMKC 102.9 Indian River
WCMW 103.9 Harbor Springs
WKHQ 105.9 Petoskey

AM

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Call sign Frequency City broadcast from
WTCM 580 Traverse City
WOUF 750 Petoskey
WIDG 940 St. Ignace
WJML 1100 Petoskey
WCBY 1240 Cheboygan

Government

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Mackinac County Courthouse in St. Ignace

Mackinac County is reliably Republican. Since the 1964 landslide of Lyndon B. Johnson, it has only supported a Democrat twice, and neither time with a majority of the vote. Bill Clinton won the county in his 1992 and 1996 victories; the latter remains the last time a Democratic presidential candidate has won the county.

United States presidential election results for Mackinac County, Michigan[20]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 4,476 61.37% 2,674 36.66% 144 1.97%
2020 4,304 61.27% 2,632 37.47% 89 1.27%
2016 3,744 60.94% 2,085 33.94% 315 5.13%
2012 3,397 55.53% 2,652 43.35% 68 1.11%
2008 3,268 50.99% 3,027 47.23% 114 1.78%
2004 3,706 56.16% 2,819 42.72% 74 1.12%
2000 3,272 54.81% 2,533 42.43% 165 2.76%
1996 2,281 39.59% 2,700 46.86% 781 13.55%
1992 2,278 38.11% 2,293 38.36% 1,406 23.52%
1988 3,127 59.65% 2,093 39.93% 22 0.42%
1984 3,627 64.85% 1,949 34.85% 17 0.30%
1980 3,021 52.23% 2,262 39.11% 501 8.66%
1976 3,107 55.22% 2,452 43.58% 68 1.21%
1972 3,096 60.66% 1,937 37.95% 71 1.39%
1968 2,507 54.77% 1,751 38.26% 319 6.97%
1964 1,967 41.70% 2,748 58.26% 2 0.04%
1960 3,064 59.88% 2,042 39.91% 11 0.21%
1956 3,279 67.99% 1,540 31.93% 4 0.08%
1952 3,058 70.23% 1,285 29.51% 11 0.25%
1948 2,182 64.90% 1,138 33.85% 42 1.25%
1944 2,268 60.06% 1,488 39.41% 20 0.53%
1940 2,591 55.38% 2,075 44.35% 13 0.28%
1936 1,984 45.65% 2,286 52.60% 76 1.75%
1932 1,504 36.60% 2,578 62.74% 27 0.66%
1928 1,879 57.94% 1,355 41.78% 9 0.28%
1924 1,606 51.62% 998 32.08% 507 16.30%
1920 1,685 62.87% 932 34.78% 63 2.35%
1916 1,082 53.38% 908 44.80% 37 1.83%
1912 612 34.63% 730 41.31% 425 24.05%
1908 1,156 58.89% 769 39.17% 38 1.94%
1904 1,191 69.16% 503 29.21% 28 1.63%
1900 1,059 61.71% 632 36.83% 25 1.46%
1896 806 48.73% 804 48.61% 44 2.66%
1892 478 35.41% 855 63.33% 17 1.26%
1888 625 40.24% 913 58.79% 15 0.97%
1884 479 46.06% 558 53.65% 3 0.29%
1880 145 32.88% 296 67.12% 0 0.00%
1876 74 26.62% 204 73.38% 0 0.00%

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

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(information as of April 2015)[21][22]

Historical markers

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There are 34 official state historical markers in the county:[23]

Transportation

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Airports

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The Mackinac County Airport (83D) in St. Ignace and Mackinac Island Airport (MCD) on Mackinac Island are located within Mackinac County. The nearest airports with scheduled commercial passenger service are Chippewa County International Airport (CIU) in Sault Ste. Marie and Pellston Regional Airport (PLN).[25]

Major highways

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M-185 does not allow motor vehicles with the exception of emergency vehicles and service vehicles.

Ferry

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Numerous companies operate ferries to Bois Blanc Island and Mackinac Island. Ferries to and from Mackinac Island sail from St. Ignace and Mackinaw City, while the Bois Blanc Island ferry sails from Cheboygan.

Rail

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Attractions

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Bibliography on Mackinac County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  2. ^ "Mackinac Early History". Archived from the original on July 21, 2013. Retrieved July 20, 2013.
  3. ^ a b c "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  4. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. ^ George Dawson (1840). Acts of the Legislature of the State of Michigan Passed at the Annual Session of 1840. Detroit. pp. 196–200.
  6. ^ H. S. Tanner (1841). Tanner's Universal Atlas. Philadelphia: Carey & Hart (published 1844). p. 25.
  7. ^ Ellis & Briggs (1843). Local Acts of the Legislature of the State of Michigan Passed at the Annual Session of 1843. Detroit. p. 201.
  8. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  9. ^ United States Census Bureau. "Michigan County Subdivision Outline Map" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on June 9, 2011. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
  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. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  12. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  13. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  14. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  15. ^ "US Census website". Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  16. ^ "American FactFinder"[dead link‍]
  17. ^ Floline Media LLC. "Diocese of Marquette :: home". dioceseofmarquette.org. Archived from the original on December 1, 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2007.
  18. ^ David M. Cheney. "Marquette (Diocese) [Catholic-Hierarchy]". catholic-hierarchy.org.
  19. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Mackinac County, MI" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 22, 2022. Retrieved July 22, 2022. - Text list
  20. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  21. ^ "Departments | Mackinac County". October 25, 2013.
  22. ^ Michigan Bar Journal. State Bar of Michigan. April 2015. p. 107.
  23. ^ "Michigan Historical Markers". michmarkers.com. Archived from the original on July 17, 2014. Retrieved February 2, 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  24. ^ "Wawashkamo Golf Club Mackinac Island".
  25. ^ "Pellston Regional Airport Serving Northern Michigan Emmet County". pellstonairport.com.

Bibliography

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46°01′N 85°01′W / 46.01°N 85.01°W / 46.01; -85.01

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