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Lake County, Michigan facts for kids

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Lake County
U.S. county
Lake County Courthouse
Lake County Courthouse
Map of Michigan highlighting Lake County
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Map of the United States highlighting Michigan
Michigan's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Michigan
Founded 1840, organized 1871.
Seat Baldwin
Largest village Baldwin
Area
 • Total 574 sq mi (1,490 km2)
 • Land 567 sq mi (1,470 km2)
 • Water 6.9 sq mi (18 km2)  1.2%%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 12,096
 • Density 20/sq mi (8/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 2nd

Lake County (formerly known as Aischum County) is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 12,096. The county seat is Baldwin.

History

The county was created by the Michigan Legislature in 1840 as Aishcum County, then renamed Lake County in 1843, for its many lakes. It was administered by a succession of other Michigan counties prior to the organization of county government in 1871.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 574 square miles (1,490 km2), of which 567 square miles (1,470 km2) is land and 6.9 square miles (18 km2) (1.2%) is water.

State trunkline highways

National Protected Area

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1870 548 —
1880 3,233 490.0%
1890 6,505 101.2%
1900 4,957 −23.8%
1910 4,939 −0.4%
1920 4,437 −10.2%
1930 4,066 −8.4%
1940 4,798 18.0%
1950 5,257 9.6%
1960 5,338 1.5%
1970 5,661 6.1%
1980 7,711 36.2%
1990 8,583 11.3%
2000 11,333 32.0%
2010 11,539 1.8%
2020 12,096 4.8%
2023 (est.) 12,734 10.4%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2018

As of the census of 2000, there were 11,333 people, 4,704 households, and 3,052 families residing in the county. The population density was 20 people per square mile (7.7 people/km2). There were 13,498 housing units at an average density of 24 per square mile (9.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 84.66% White, 11.17% Black or African American, 1.01% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.57% from other races, and 2.40% from two or more races. 1.69% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 20.2% were of English ancestry, 20.0% were of German ancestry, 8.4% were of Irish ancestry, and 6.1% were of Dutch ancestry. 97.5% spoke English and 1.3% Spanish as their first language.

There were 4,704 households, out of which 23.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.40% were married couples living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.10% were non-families. 29.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.79.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.90% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 22.70% from 25 to 44, 27.60% from 45 to 64, and 19.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 109.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,622, and the median income for a family was $32,086. Males had a median income of $30,124 versus $21,886 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,457. About 14.70% of families and 19.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.30% of those under age 18 and 12.00% of those age 65 or over. 24/7 Wall St. reported that Lake County is the poorest county in Michigan.

Communities

Lake County, MI census map
U.S. Census data map showing local municipal boundaries within Lake County
1842 Manistee Kawtawwabet Missaukee Mickenauk Ogemaw Kanotin Notipeskago Aishcum Unwattin Kaykakee Gladwin Arenac counties Michigan
A detail from A New Map of Michigan with its Canals, Roads & Distances (1842) by Henry Schenck Tanner, showing Lake County as Aishcum, the county's name from 1840 to 1843. Several nearby counties are also shown with names that would later be changed.

Villages

Civil townships

Other unincorporated communities

Education

The West Shore Educational Service District, based in Ludington, services the districts in the county along with those of Mason and Oceana counties. The intermediate school district offers regional special education and general education services, as well as technical career programs for its students.

Lake County is served by the one regular public school district, Baldwin Community Schools.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Lake (Míchigan) para niños

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