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| Mason County, Michigan | |
 Mason County Courthouse in Ludington
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 Location in the state of Michigan | |
 Michigan's location in the U.S. | |
| Founded | 1840 (founded as Notipekago) 1855 (organized)[1] |
|---|---|
| Named for | Stevens T. Mason |
| Seat | Ludington |
| Largest city | Ludington |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
1,242 sq mi (3,217 km²) 495 sq mi (1,282 km²) 747 sq mi (1,935 km²), 60% |
| Population - (2020) - Density |
29,052 58/sq mi (22/km²) |
| Congressional districts | 1st, 2nd |
| Time zone | Eastern: UTC-5/-4 |
| Website | www.masoncounty.net |
Mason County is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 29,052.[2] The county seat is Ludington.[3]
Mason County comprises the Ludington, MI Micropolitan Statistical Area.
History[]
A detail from A New Map of Michigan with its Canals, Roads & Distances (1842) by Henry Schenck Tanner, showing Mason County as "Notipeskago" (a misspelling of Notipekago, the county's name from 1840 to 1843.[4]) Several nearby counties are also shown with names that would later be changed.
The county is named for Stevens T. Mason, Governor of Michigan from 1835 to 1840.[5] It was created by the Michigan Legislature in 1840 as Notipekago County, then renamed Mason County in 1843. The county was administered by Ottawa County prior to the organization of county government in 1855.[4][1]
The county confirmed its first case of COVID-19 on April 7, 2020.[6]
Mason County, does not have an official flag.[7]
Geography[]
According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,242 square miles (3,220 km2), of which 495 square miles (1,280 km2) is land and 747 square miles (1,930 km2) (60%) is water.[8]
Major highways[]
US 10 – runs east–west through central part of county. Runs from Ludington through Amber, Scottville, Custer, and Branch.- US 31 – enters Mason County at 2 miles (3.2 km) east of SW corner; runs north to intersect US-10 near Ludington. Runs concurrent with US-10 east for 5 miles (8 km), then runs north. Exits county at 4 miles (6.4 km) east of NW corner of county.
- M-116 – runs NW from Ludington along shoreline of Lake Michigan to Ludington State Park.
- BUS US 31 is a business spur running east of Ludington.
U.S. Bicycle Routes[]
- [[Template:Infobox road/MI/link USBR|Template:Infobox road/MI/abbrev USBR]] enters Mason County from Pentwater; has a concurrency with USBR 20; proceeds north into Manistee County
- [[Template:Infobox road/MI/link USBR|Template:Infobox road/MI/abbrev USBR]] begins (until near future) at SS Badger with US 10; has a concurrency with USBR 35; goes through Freesoil; proceeds east into Lake County; proceeds east for about 310 miles to Marine City
Adjacent counties[]
- Manistee County – north
- Lake County – east
- Newaygo County – southeast
- Oceana County – south
- Sheboygan County, Wisconsin – southwest
- Manitowoc County, Wisconsin – west
National protected area[]
- Manistee National Forest (part)
Demographics[]
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1850 | 93 | ||
| 1860 | 831 | 793.5% | |
| 1870 | 3,263 | 292.7% | |
| 1880 | 10,065 | 208.5% | |
| 1890 | 16,385 | 62.8% | |
| 1900 | 18,885 | 15.3% | |
| 1910 | 21,832 | 15.6% | |
| 1920 | 19,831 | −9.2% | |
| 1930 | 18,756 | −5.4% | |
| 1940 | 19,378 | 3.3% | |
| 1950 | 20,474 | 5.7% | |
| 1960 | 21,929 | 7.1% | |
| 1970 | 22,612 | 3.1% | |
| 1980 | 26,365 | 16.6% | |
| 1990 | 25,537 | −3.1% | |
| 2000 | 28,274 | 10.7% | |
| 2010 | 28,705 | 1.5% | |
| US Decennial Census[10] 1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12] 1990-2000[13] 2010-2020[2] | |||
As of the 2000 United States Census,[14] of 2000, there were 28,274 people, 11,406 households, and 7,881 families in the county. The population density was 57 people per square mile (22/km2). There were 16,063 housing units at an average density of 32 per square mile (13/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.84% White, 0.73% Black or African American, 0.78% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.82% from other races, and 1.53% from two or more races. 3.01% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 24.5% were of German, 10.4% Polish, 8.8% English, 8.5% Irish, 7.7% American and 5.0% Swedish ancestry. 96.0% spoke English and 2.2% Spanish as their first language.
There were 11,406 households, out of which 29.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.40% were married couples living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.90% were non-families. 26.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.92.
The county population contained 24.20% under the age of 18, 7.10% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 25 to 44, 25.80% from 45 to 64, and 16.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 97.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $34,704, and the median income for a family was $41,654. Males had a median income of $33,873 versus $22,616 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,713. About 8.20% of families and 11.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.50% of those under age 18 and 7.00% of those age 65 or over.
Government[]
Mason County has usually voted Republican in national elections. Since 1884, the county's voters have selected the Republican Party nominee in 82% (28 of 35) of the national elections through 2020.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2020 | 10,207 | 59.06% | 6,802 | 39.36% | 274 | 1.59% |
| 2016 | 8,505 | 57.50% | 5,281 | 35.70% | 1,006 | 6.80% |
| 2012 | 7,580 | 51.69% | 6,856 | 46.75% | 229 | 1.56% |
| 2008 | 7,147 | 46.89% | 7,817 | 51.29% | 277 | 1.82% |
| 2004 | 8,124 | 55.60% | 6,333 | 43.34% | 154 | 1.05% |
| 2000 | 7,066 | 54.29% | 5,579 | 42.86% | 371 | 2.85% |
| 1996 | 5,066 | 41.35% | 5,597 | 45.69% | 1,588 | 12.96% |
| 1992 | 5,102 | 39.00% | 4,829 | 36.91% | 3,151 | 24.09% |
| 1988 | 6,800 | 59.58% | 4,531 | 39.70% | 82 | 0.72% |
| 1984 | 8,202 | 67.83% | 3,803 | 31.45% | 87 | 0.72% |
| 1980 | 7,137 | 58.14% | 4,134 | 33.68% | 1,005 | 8.19% |
| 1976 | 6,812 | 59.15% | 4,541 | 39.43% | 163 | 1.42% |
| 1972 | 6,811 | 63.57% | 3,697 | 34.50% | 207 | 1.93% |
| 1968 | 5,311 | 54.02% | 3,660 | 37.23% | 860 | 8.75% |
| 1964 | 3,842 | 39.02% | 5,993 | 60.87% | 11 | 0.11% |
| 1960 | 6,011 | 58.21% | 4,305 | 41.69% | 10 | 0.10% |
| 1956 | 6,142 | 65.15% | 3,274 | 34.73% | 12 | 0.13% |
| 1952 | 6,179 | 64.65% | 3,298 | 34.51% | 81 | 0.85% |
| 1948 | 4,147 | 55.99% | 2,988 | 40.34% | 272 | 3.67% |
| 1944 | 4,446 | 58.27% | 3,137 | 41.11% | 47 | 0.62% |
| 1940 | 4,874 | 55.62% | 3,836 | 43.77% | 53 | 0.60% |
| 1936 | 3,224 | 39.37% | 4,598 | 56.14% | 368 | 4.49% |
| 1932 | 3,098 | 42.48% | 3,854 | 52.85% | 340 | 4.66% |
| 1928 | 4,318 | 72.74% | 1,567 | 26.40% | 51 | 0.86% |
| 1924 | 3,567 | 67.18% | 815 | 15.35% | 928 | 17.48% |
| 1920 | 3,652 | 69.39% | 1,338 | 25.42% | 273 | 5.19% |
| 1916 | 2,198 | 53.17% | 1,689 | 40.86% | 247 | 5.97% |
| 1912 | 844 | 21.51% | 1,073 | 27.34% | 2,007 | 51.15% |
| 1908 | 2,577 | 65.71% | 1,132 | 28.86% | 213 | 5.43% |
| 1904 | 2,394 | 72.13% | 764 | 23.02% | 161 | 4.85% |
| 1900 | 2,185 | 61.31% | 1,251 | 35.10% | 128 | 3.59% |
| 1896 | 2,177 | 56.27% | 1,580 | 40.84% | 112 | 2.89% |
| 1892 | 1,426 | 45.85% | 1,383 | 44.47% | 301 | 9.68% |
| 1888 | 1,697 | 50.79% | 1,573 | 47.08% | 71 | 2.13% |
| 1884 | 1,299 | 50.49% | 1,217 | 47.30% | 57 | 2.22% |
Mason County 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[]
- Prosecuting Attorney: Lauren Kreinbrink
- Sheriff: Kim C. Cole
- County Clerk: Cheryl Kelly
- County Treasurer: Andrew Kmetz IV
- Register of Deeds: Diane L. Englebrecht
- Drain Commissioner: Dan Rohde
- County Surveyor: Jim Nordlund
- County Board of Commissioners by district:
- District 1: Nick Kreiger
- District 2: Gary Castonia
- District 3: Jody Hartley
- District 4: Lewis G. Squires
- District 5: Steven K. Hull
- District 6: Janet S. Anderson (Chair)
- District 7: Ron Bacon
(information as of Jan 2021)
Communities[]
U.S. Census data map showing local municipal boundaries within Mason County. Shaded areas represent incorporated cities.
Cities[]
- Ludington (county seat)
- Scottville
Villages[]
- Custer
- Fountain
- Free Soil
Charter township[]
- Pere Marquette Charter Township
Civil townships[]
- Amber Township
- Branch Township
- Custer Township
- Eden Township
- Free Soil Township
- Grant Township
- Hamlin Township
- Logan Township
- Meade Township
- Riverton Township
- Sheridan Township
- Sherman Township
- Summit Township
- Victory Township
Unincorporated communities[]
- Branch (partially)
- Chapple Corners
- Fairview
- Fern
- Ferryville
- Walhalla
Indian reservation[]
- The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, a federally recognized Odawa Native American tribe, occupies a small reservation of approximately 740 acres (2.99 km2) within Custer Township.[16] The tribe also occupy another reservation within Brown Township just north in Manistee County.[17]
See also[]
- List of Michigan State Historic Sites in Mason County, Michigan
- Mason County Courthouse
- Mason County District Library
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Mason County, Michigan
References[]
- ^ a b "Bibliography on Mason County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. http://clarke.cmich.edu/resource_tab/bibliographies_of_clarke_library_material/michigan_local_history/county_material/mason.html.
- ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/masoncountymichigan/POP010220.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx.
- ^ a b Newberry Library. "Michigan: Individual County Chronologies". http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/MI_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm.
- ^ "Focus on our history: How county was named". Ludington Daily News: p. 2. October 3, 1987. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Z8NRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0lUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6666%2C2546788.
- ^ Oceana County reports first coronavirus death, Mason County reports first case MLive.com, April 7, 2020
- ^ Mason County, Michigan crwflags.com
- ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_26.txt.
- ^ Mason County MI Google Maps (accessed 25 September 2018)
- ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu.
- ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/mi190090.txt.
- ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". US Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov.
- ^ US Election Atlas
- ^ Braciszewski, Kevin (30 July 2002). "Indian tribe emerges as major landowner". https://www.shorelinemedia.net/ludington_daily_news/archives/indian-tribe-emerges-as-major-landowner/article_72b1495f-bd48-5a3e-a63a-8fa1c9432f32.html.
- ^ "Michigan: 2010 Population and Housing Unit Counts 2010 Census of Population and Housing" (PDF). 2010 United States Census. United States Census Bureau. September 2012. p. E-14 Michigan. https://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/cph-2-24.pdf.
External links[]
- Mason County Press
- Mason County Website
- Mason County History Companion
- Mason County Michigan History and Directory
- Mason County Memories
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Manistee County |
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| Manitowoc County, Wisconsin | 
|
Lake County | ||
   Mason County, Michigan | ||||
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| Sheboygan County, Wisconsin | Oceana County | Newaygo County |
Template:Mason County, Michigan Template:West Michigan
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| This page uses content from the English language Wikipedia. The original content was at Mason County, Michigan. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with this Familypedia wiki, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons License. |