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Midland County, Michigan

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Midland County is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the population was 83,494.[2] The county seat is Midland.[3] The county's name is due to its closeness to the geographical Lower Peninsula's geographical center. It was founded in 1831. However, it was not until 1855 that the county was effectively organized.[1]

Midland County
County
Midland County Courthouse
Midland County Courthouse
Official seal of Midland County
Seal
Map of Michigan highlighting Midland County
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Map of the United States highlighting Michigan
Michigan's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 43°38′N 84°23′W / 43.64°N 84.39°W / 43.64; -84.39
Country United States
State Michigan
Founded1831, reorganized 1855[1]
SeatMidland
Largest cityMidland
Area
 • Total
528 sq mi (1,370 km2)
 • Land516 sq mi (1,340 km2)
 • Water12 sq mi (30 km2)  2.2%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
83,494
 • Density162/sq mi (63/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts2nd, 8th
Websitewww.co.midland.mi.us

Midland County comprises the Midland, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area and is included in the Saginaw–Midland–Bay City Combined Statistical Area in the Mid/Central Michigan region.

History

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Early history

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See also: History of Michigan

For many centuries, Midland County was inhabited by Native Americans, and by the time of European contact it was inhabited by the Chippewa Indian Tribe.[4]

19th century

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In the year of 1831, Midland County's borders had been set.[5] In 1850, Midland County was officially organized.[5] In 1874, the Flint and Pere Marquette Railroad linked Midland to the nationwide railroad network.[4] The City of Midland, the county seat, is officially incorporated in 1887, and 3 years later in 1890, Herbert Henry Dow arrives and founds the Dow Chemical Corporation, now one of the largest chemical companies in the world.[4]

Civil War

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When the American Civil War broke out in 1861, many men from the county enlisted in the Union Army, many in Company B of the 10th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment, and Company H of the 27th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment, but some ended up in different regiments.[6] Not all of them came back alive and several were wounded. Many veterans of the war are also buried in the county.[7] There were a total of 5 different Posts, or veteran groups, of the Grand Army of the Republic, a Union veterans organization, in Midland County.[8]

Some of the regiments which included men from Midland County are: 10th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment, 27th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment, 29th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment, 16th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment, 3rd Michigan Volunteer Cavalry Regiment, 7th Michigan Volunteer Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Michigan Volunteer Cavalry Regiment, 1st Michigan Volunteer Cavalry Regiment, and 23rd Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment.

20th century

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In the 20th century the county saw significant growth with the entrenchment of the Dow Chemical Corporation and the establishment of major roads, highways, and a few minor airports. However, in the late 20th century the Pere Marquette Railroad was closed, which cut off passenger train travel from the region.

World War 1

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In World War 1, once the US had entered the war in 1917, the Dow Chemical Corporation, based mainly in the city of Midland, was involved with the production of poisonous gases for use during the war, and with the production of ammunition.[9] Additionally, 675 men from Midland joined the US military during the war, and 8 of them died in the line of duty.[10]

World War 2

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In World War 2, many men from the county enlisted in the US Military, and several would die. Additionally Dow turned its factories towards supplying the war effort and they would assist in manufacturing explosives, flares, and medicine.[11] There is also a large memorial to veterans from Midland County from this war.

Cold War

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During the Cold War, an Army National Guard depot was set up in the city of Midland. In the Vietnam War, Dow and the rest of Midland County were the main suppliers of Napalm used during the conflict.[11] Several men would also die in the Korean War and Vietnam War.

21st century

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In the 21st century, the Sons of Union Veterans, the successor to the Grand Army of the Republic, founded the U.S. Grant Camp No. 67, which serves the Midland, Saginaw, and Bay City area.[12][13] During the War on Terror, many men from the county enlisted and few died. The Midland County Veterans Memorial was refurbished. The city of Coleman also built a new war memorial. Curiously, none of these memorials reference the service of Midland men in the Civil War.

In May 2020, Midland County residents in parts of the city of Midland, the village of Sanford, Edenville Township, Midland Township, Tittabawassee, Thomas Township, Saginaw Township, Lincoln Township, Homer Township and Dow Chemical were forced to evacuate due to high flooding which was caused by the breach of the Edenville and Sanford dams.[14]

Geography

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See also: List of parks in Midland County, Michigan

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 528 square miles (1,370 km2), of which 516 square miles (1,340 km2) is land and 12 square miles (31 km2) (2.2%) is water.[15]

Adjacent counties

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Transportation

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Highways

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  •   US 10 follows a northwest-to-southeast route within the county. As a freeway, the route passes Coleman, Sanford, and Midland. West of Midland County, the highway can be used to access Clare and US 127, a north–south freeway. East of Midland County, the highway can be used to access Bay City, where it has a junction with I-75/US 23, a major north–south freeway.
  •  
          Bus. US 10 is a business route serving the city of Midland.
  •   M-18 is north–south route in the northwest of the county. The route continues north into Gladwin County, where it can be used to access Beaverton and Gladwin.
  •   M-20 is an east–west highway that runs through the center of Midland County. The route continues west into Isabella County, where it can be used to access Mt. Pleasant and Big Rapids. The highway has its eastern terminus on the Midland-Bay county line, at a junction with US-10 in the city of Midland.
  •   M-30 is a north–south route that serves the center of the county. The route runs along the Michigan meridian.

Airports

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Scheduled airline service is available from MBS International Airport[16] in Freeland, Michigan and Bishop International Airport in Flint, Michigan.[17] Midland also has a general aviation airport, Jack Barstow Municipal Airport.[18]

Public transportation

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There is no regularly scheduled public transportation (bus service). Residents can call in advance to schedule pickup for transport within the county by two government sponsored agencies ("Dial-A-Ride" within the city of Midland and "County Connection" for those outside the city of Midland but still within Midland County) for a nominal fee.[19]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
185065—
18607871,110.8%
18703,285317.4%
18806,893109.8%
189010,65754.6%
190014,43935.5%
191014,005−3.0%
192017,23723.1%
193019,15011.1%
194027,09441.5%
195035,66231.6%
196051,45044.3%
197063,76923.9%
198073,57815.4%
199075,6512.8%
200082,8749.5%
201083,6290.9%
202083,494−0.2%
2023 (est.)84,039[20]0.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[21]
1790-1960[22] 1900-1990[23]
1990-2000[24] 2010-2018[2]

As of the census[25] of 2000, there were 82,874 people, 31,769 households, and 22,683 families residing in the county. The population density was 159 people per square mile (61 people/km2). There were 33,796 housing units at an average density of 65 per square mile (25/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.50% White, 1.05% Black or African American, 0.40% Native American, 1.49% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.44% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. 1.55% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 28.6% were of German, 11.5% English, 10.2% United States or American, 8.9% Irish and 6.1% Polish ancestry, 96.7% spoke only English, while 1.6% spoke Spanish at home.

There were 31,769 households, out of which 34.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.10% were married couples living together, 8.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.60% were non-families. 23.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.90% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 29.20% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 12.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 96.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $45,674, and the median income for a family was $55,483. Males had a median income of $45,656 versus $27,470 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,383. About 5.70% of families and 8.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.50% of those under age 18 and 7.50% of those age 65 or over.

Religion

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Economy

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According to the Midland Daily News, the top employers in Midland County are:[28]

# Employer Full-time
employees
1 MidMichigan Health 4,878
2 Dow Chemical 4,003
3 Midland Public Schools 1,039
4 DuPont 697
5 Corteva Agriscience 664
6 Greater Midland Community Centers 564
7 Huntington Bank 535
8 Northwood University 501
9 City of Midland Government 467
10 Three Rivers Corporation 396
11 Walmart 327
12 Midland County Government 324
13 Meijer 303
14 Huhtamaki Plastics 257
15 International Flavors & Fragrances 250
16 Bierlein Companies 236
17 Trinseo 230
18 Fisher Companies 200
19 Bullock Creek Public Schools 195
20 Robinson Industries 150

Politics

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United States presidential election results for Midland County, Michigan[29]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 28,571 56.80% 20,926 41.60% 804 1.60%
2020 27,675 56.28% 20,493 41.67% 1,007 2.05%
2016 23,846 55.75% 15,635 36.55% 3,295 7.70%
2012 23,919 56.98% 17,450 41.57% 610 1.45%
2008 22,263 50.83% 20,701 47.26% 834 1.90%
2004 24,369 56.31% 18,355 42.41% 551 1.27%
2000 21,887 56.28% 15,959 41.04% 1,042 2.68%
1996 16,547 46.01% 15,177 42.20% 4,243 11.80%
1992 16,149 41.81% 13,382 34.65% 9,093 23.54%
1988 19,994 59.12% 13,452 39.78% 371 1.10%
1984 21,521 66.11% 10,769 33.08% 262 0.80%
1980 17,828 53.04% 12,019 35.76% 3,763 11.20%
1976 17,631 58.57% 11,959 39.73% 511 1.70%
1972 16,473 61.38% 9,504 35.42% 859 3.20%
1968 14,329 60.57% 7,428 31.40% 1,901 8.04%
1964 9,020 41.65% 12,587 58.13% 48 0.22%
1960 14,235 67.56% 6,815 32.34% 21 0.10%
1956 13,207 74.78% 4,422 25.04% 33 0.19%
1952 10,508 72.12% 3,945 27.08% 117 0.80%
1948 5,811 63.19% 3,204 34.84% 181 1.97%
1944 6,850 65.35% 3,569 34.05% 63 0.60%
1940 6,269 61.72% 3,834 37.75% 54 0.53%
1936 3,829 48.12% 3,751 47.14% 377 4.74%
1932 3,791 50.62% 3,553 47.44% 145 1.94%
1928 4,555 82.25% 964 17.41% 19 0.34%
1924 4,004 79.08% 625 12.34% 434 8.57%
1920 4,115 78.88% 959 18.38% 143 2.74%
1916 2,104 57.82% 1,454 39.96% 81 2.23%
1912 902 29.09% 671 21.64% 1,528 49.27%
1908 1,987 66.97% 875 29.49% 105 3.54%
1904 2,107 70.63% 766 25.68% 110 3.69%
1900 1,784 57.64% 1,221 39.45% 90 2.91%
1896 1,524 48.83% 1,507 48.29% 90 2.88%
1892 1,069 46.16% 815 35.19% 432 18.65%
1888 1,336 49.59% 1,148 42.61% 210 7.80%
1884 1,071 53.36% 883 44.00% 53 2.64%

Midland County is rather conservative for an urban county. It has been a consistent stronghold of the Republican Party, having supported its presidential candidates in every election from 1968 onward and all but twice since 1884. It is one of the few counties where Franklin D. Roosevelt was shut out in all four of his successful campaigns.

Government

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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. Due to funding cuts, the Midland County Sheriff does not have a patrol division. Former patrol officers now serve in the Citizens Assistance Responders (CAR) division and will respond to requests for assistance.[30]

Elected officials

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(information as of June 2020)

Board of Commissioners

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7 members, elected from districts (7 Republicans)

District Commissioner Party
1 Jeanette M. Snyder Republican
2 Mark Bone Republican
3 Steve Glaser Republican
4 Gaye Terwilliegar Republican
5 James Geisler Republican
6 Eric Dorrien Republican
7 Alaynah Smith Democrat

Communities

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

Cities

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Village

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Charter townships

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Civil townships

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Unincorporated communities

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Education

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The Midland County Educational Service Agency, based in Midland, services the students in the county. The intermediate school district offers regional special education services, early education programs, and technical career pathways for students of its districts.[32]

Midland County is served by the following regular public school districts:[33]

The county also has the following independent charter districts:


Midland County has the following private schools:[34]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Bibliography on Midland County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
  2. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ a b c "Midland History | Midland, MI - Official Website".
  5. ^ a b "Founding of Midland – Michigan History".
  6. ^ Michigan and George H. Turner, Record of Service of Michigan Volunteers in the Civil War, 1861-1865. (Kalamazoo, Mich.: Ihling bros. & Everard, printers, 1900). Volume 10, https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015008495064&view=1up&seq=9
  7. ^ "Midland County Civil War Graves".
  8. ^ https://seekingmichigan.org/about/indexes/civil-war-grand-army-of-the-republic-posts [bare URL]
  9. ^ "Dow Chemical Co's top-secret World War I mustard gas program topic of new book by Bay City author". August 11, 2014.
  10. ^ "Friends bring World War I items to Midland". July 28, 2014.
  11. ^ a b "The Dow Chemical Company – Midland, MI – Military History of the Upper Great Lakes".
  12. ^ "Camps & Membership - Department of Michigan - Camps & Membership".
  13. ^ "Camp #67 - Department of Michigan - Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War".
  14. ^ "'Do not hesitate': Michigan governor urges evacuations, warns Midland could be under 9 feet of water". USA Today.
  15. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  16. ^ "MBS International Airport".
  17. ^ "Bishop International Airport: Flint, Michigan: Flights & Airport Travel".
  18. ^ Jack Barstow Municipal Airport Archived September 3, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  19. ^ Dial-A-Ride homepage Archived February 10, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  20. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  21. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  22. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  23. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  24. ^ "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.
  25. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  26. ^ "Diocese of Saginaw".
  27. ^ "St. John's Episcopal Church". Diocese of Eastern Michigan. Episcopal Church USA. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  28. ^ DeGayner, Tess (October 28, 2021). "MidMichigan Health remains top employer in Midland County". Midland Daily News. ourmidland.com. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  29. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
  30. ^ "Midland County Sheriff's Office" Archived January 4, 2012, at the Wayback Machine Midland County website
  31. ^ "Administration".
  32. ^ "Midland County ESA Services". Midland County Educational Service Agency. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  33. ^ National Center for Education Statistics. "Search for Public School Data - Midland County, MI". Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
  34. ^ National Center for Education Statistics. "Search for Private Schools - Midland County, MI". Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved July 16, 2023.
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43°38′N 84°23′W / 43.64°N 84.39°W / 43.64; -84.39

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