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Manistee County, Michigan facts for kids

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Manistee County
Tippy Dam on the Manistee River
Map of Michigan highlighting Manistee 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
1855 (organized)
Seat Manistee
Largest city Manistee
Area
 • Total 1,281 sq mi (3,320 km2)
 • Land 542 sq mi (1,400 km2)
 • Water 738 sq mi (1,910 km2)  58%%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 25,032
 • Density 46/sq mi (18/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 2nd

Manistee County (/mænɪsti/ man-ISS-tee) is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the population was 25,032. The county seat is Manistee. The county is named for the Manistee River. Manistee County is part of Northern Michigan and has a shoreline on Lake Michigan.

5th Avenue Beach, Manistee, Michigan
The Manistee North Pierhead Lighthouse on Lake Michigan in Manistee

History

Manistee County was set off in 1840 from Michilimackinac County as an unorganized county. In 1851, it was attached to Grand Traverse County for legal purposes. Manistee County was organized in its own right on February 13, 1855.

Etymology

The name "Manistee" is from an Ojibwe word first applied to the principal river of the county. The derivation is not certain, but it may be from ministigweyaa, "river with islands at its mouth".

Historical markers

There are thirteen recognized Michigan historical markers in the county:

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,281 square miles (3,320 km2), of which 542 square miles (1,400 km2) is land and 738 square miles (1,910 km2) (58%) is water. Manistee County is considered to be part of Northern Michigan.

Adjacent counties

By land

By water

Protected areas

Communities

City

Villages

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

Townships

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1860 975
1870 6,074 523.0%
1880 12,532 106.3%
1890 24,230 93.3%
1900 27,856 15.0%
1910 26,688 −4.2%
1920 20,899 −21.7%
1930 17,409 −16.7%
1940 18,450 6.0%
1950 18,524 0.4%
1960 19,042 2.8%
1970 20,094 5.5%
1980 23,019 14.6%
1990 21,265 −7.6%
2000 24,527 15.3%
2010 24,733 0.8%
2020 25,032 1.2%
2023 (est.) 25,562 3.4%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2018

As of the census of 2000, there were 24,527 people, 9,860 households, and 6,714 families residing in the county. The population density was 45 people per square mile (17 people/km2). There were 14,272 housing units at an average density of 26 per square mile (10/km2). As of 2020, its population was 25,032.

In 2000, the racial makeup of the county was 94.16% White, 1.63% Black or African American, 1.30% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.01% from other races, and 1.55% from two or more races. 2.61% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 23.5% were of German, 16.9% Polish, 8.8% English, 8.8% American and 7.1% Irish ancestry. 96.2% spoke English and 2.3% Spanish as their first language.

There were 9,860 households, out of which 27.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.10% were married couples living together, 9.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.90% were non-families. 27.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.60% under the age of 18, 6.70% from 18 to 24, 26.30% from 25 to 44, 26.30% from 45 to 64, and 18.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 103.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.00 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the county was $34,208, and the median income for a family was $41,664. Males had a median income of $33,211 versus $20,851 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,204. About 6.90% of families and 10.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.50% of those under age 18 and 7.90% of those age 65 or over.

Education

School districts include:

  • Bear Lake School District
  • Benzie County Central School
  • Kaleva Norman Dickson School District
  • Manistee Area Schools
  • Mason County Eastern District
  • Mesick Consolidated Schools
  • Onekama Consolidated Schools

Fire departments and emergency medical services

County ambulance service

As of early 2021 North Flight EMS has since transferred the primary ambulance service to Mobile Medical Response.

Fire departments

  • Arcadia Township Fire Department
  • Bear Lake Township Fire Department
  • City of Manistee Fire Department
  • Cleon Township Fire Department
  • Dickson Township Fire Department
  • East Lake Township Fire Department
  • Filer Township Fire Department
  • Manistee Township Fire Department [1]
  • Maple Grove Township Fire Department
  • Norman Township Fire Department
  • Onekama Township Fire Department
  • Stronach Township Fire Department

Transportation

Airport

Manistee County-Blacker Airport is approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) northeast of Manistee. It offers direct flights to Chicago O'Hare International Airport.

Major highways

Previously, an additional highway, M-110, was designated to run from US 31 at Parkdale to Orchard Beach State Park. However, the highway was returned to local control in 2003.

Bicycle routes

  • USBR 35 comes from Mason County and goes through Manistee, Onekama, and Arcadia to proceed north to Benzie County with M-22

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Manistee para niños

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