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Washtenaw County, Michigan facts for kids

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Washtenaw County
Washtenaw County Courthouse
Washtenaw County Courthouse
Official seal of Washtenaw County
Seal
Map of Michigan highlighting Washtenaw 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 1822 (created)
1826 (organized)
Named for O-wash-ta-nong ("far away water"), Ojibwe name for the Grand River
Seat Ann Arbor
Largest city Ann Arbor
Area
 • Total 722 sq mi (1,870 km2)
 • Land 706 sq mi (1,830 km2)
 • Water 16 sq mi (40 km2)  2.3%%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 372,258
 • Density 527/sq mi (203/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts 7th, 12th

Washtenaw County is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the population was 372,258. The county seat is Ann Arbor. The county was authorized by legislation in 1822, and was organized as a county in 1826. Washtenaw County comprises the Ann Arbor Metropolitan Statistical Area and is included in the Detroit-Warren-Ann Arbor Combined Statistical Area. The county is home to the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, Washtenaw Community College, and Concordia University Ann Arbor.

History

First Nations' Territories

The first peoples occupying the central portion of what is now Michigan included: "the Pottawattamies, the Chippewas, the Ottawas, the Wyandottes and the Hurons". First nations whose territories included land within the Washtenaw County boundaries are shown to have included: Myaamia (Miami), Bodéwadmiké (Potawatomi), Anishinabewaki ᐊᓂᔑᓈᐯᐗᑭ, Peoria, Meškwahki·aša·hina (Fox), and the Mississauga nation.

Etymology of Washtenaw

In the Ojibwe language, "Wash-ten-ong" or "Owashtanong" literally translates as "far away waters", and was then used by the Ojibwe as the name for the Grand River due to its great length. At the time of the official naming of the county in 1822, the headwaters of the Grand River fell within the original boundaries of Washtenaw County, which encompassed a much larger area than the present county.

Early Colonization

The earliest histories mention French trappers and traders conducting trade in the area at the Potawatomi Trail and Pontiac Trail crossings of the Huron River, and later English then American settlers. The first successful settlement was established at the present site of Ypsilanti about 1809 by French traders.

In 1822, the Legislative Council of Michigan Territory government defined the name and boundaries of the county, but attached it to Wayne County for revenue, taxation, and judicial affairs. Four years after the first platting out of the county, Washtenaw was established as a separate self-administered county by an act of the Michigan Territorial Legislature, in 1826. It was attached for administrative purposes to Wayne County until {before 1829} when county government was seated. Ingham and other counties were formed from portions of territorial Washtenaw County.

Swamps were drained and farms were tiled to lower the water table. The swamp northwest of the I-94 and US-23 intersection, and areas within Waterloo Recreation Area still appear as they did to early settlers. As productive farms became established, the local deer herds grew. In the 1820s and 1830s, the events surrounding the independence of Greece from Turkey inspired construction of Greek Revival buildings, and the names of townships, towns, and children.

The "frostbitten constitutional convention" was held at Ann Arbor, the county seat, in 1835. Statehood was delayed because Michigan claimed the Toledo Strip, which was also claimed by Ohio. Following resolution of the Toledo War (1835–1836), in which Michigan Territory ceded its claim to Toledo in exchange for most of the Upper Peninsula (from the Porcupine Mountains eastward), Ohio withdrew its objection and Michigan became a state on January 26, 1837.

The constitutional convention also decided to move the capital from Detroit to a point further away from the Canadian border. After considering many existing communities, the delegates decided to built an entirely new capital city, which became Lansing. The University of Michigan, founded at Detroit in 1817, was moved to Ann Arbor in 1839 as a consolation for the city not being named the new state capital, as it had sought. The University subsequently became and remains Washtenaw County's largest employer.

In 1849, the Michigan State Normal School (now Eastern Michigan University) was established in Washtenaw's oldest settlement, Ypsilanti. It was elevated to collegiate status c. 1891 as Michigan State Normal College. The name was changed in 1956 to Eastern Michigan College, which was elevated to university status in 1959.

Geography

Interstate 94 Business Route Ann Arbor Washtenaw Avenue
Business Loop Interstate 94/Business US Highway 23 (BL I-94/Bus. US 23, Washtenaw Avenue) in Ann Arbor

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 722 square miles (1,870 km2), of which 706 square miles (1,830 km2) is land and 16 square miles (41 km2) (2.3%) is water.

Adjacent counties

Major highways

  • I-94
  • BL I-94
  • US 12 (Michigan Avenue, Chicago Road)

  • Bus. US 12
  • US 23

  • Bus. US 23
  • M-14
  • M-17
  • M-52
  • M-153 (Ford Road)

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1830 4,042
1840 23,571 483.2%
1850 28,567 21.2%
1860 35,686 24.9%
1870 41,434 16.1%
1880 41,848 1.0%
1890 42,210 0.9%
1900 47,761 13.2%
1910 44,714 −6.4%
1920 49,520 10.7%
1930 65,530 32.3%
1940 80,810 23.3%
1950 134,606 66.6%
1960 172,440 28.1%
1970 234,103 35.8%
1980 264,748 13.1%
1990 282,937 6.9%
2000 322,895 14.1%
2010 344,791 6.8%
2020 372,258 8.0%
US Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010–2019

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 344,791 people living in the county. 74.5% were White, 12.7% Black or African American, 7.9% Asian, 0.3% Native American, 1.2% of some other race and 3.4% of two or more races. 4.0% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). 16.0% were of German, 7.6% English, 7.5% Irish, 6.3% American and 5.0% Polish ancestry.

Washtenaw has the highest proportion of Asian-American residents of any Michigan county.

As of the 2000 census of 2000, 17.4% of county residents were of German ancestry; 9.0% cited English, 8.4% Irish, 5.3% Polish and 5.0% American ancestry. According to Census 2000, 87.1% spoke only English at home; 2.7% spoke Spanish and 1.7% Chinese or Mandarin.

There were 125,327 households, out of which 29.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.40% were married couples living together, 9.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.20% were non-families. 29.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.10% under the age of 18, 17.10% from 18 to 24, 32.10% from 25 to 44, 20.60% from 45 to 64, and 8.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $51,990, and the median income for a family was $70,393 (these figures had risen to $59,887 and $80,779 respectively as of a 2007 estimate.) Males had a median income of $49,304 versus $33,598 for females. The per capita income for the county was $27,173. About 5.10% of families and 11.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.60% of those under age 18 and 5.80% of those age 65 or over.

Government

CWA-WashCoBldg1
Washtenaw County Court House, sculpture by Carleton W. Angell
Washtenaw County Downtown Ann Arbor Campus
Washtenaw County Clerk building

Elected officials

  • Prosecuting Attorney: Eli Savit (Democrat)
  • Sheriff: Jerry Clayton (Democrat)
  • County Clerk/Register of Deeds: Lawrence Kestenbaum (Democrat)
  • County Treasurer: Catherine McClary (Democrat)
  • Water Resources Commissioner: Evan Pratt (Democrat)

The Board of Commissioners has nine members, elected from single member districts, on a partisan ballot, in November of even-numbered years. The term is two years. Information as of May 2017.

District Commissioner Party Positions
1 Jason Maciejewski Democrat Working Session Committee Chair
2 Susan Shink Democrat Board Chair
3 Shannon Beeman Democrat
4 Caroline Sanders Democrat
5 Justin Hodge Democrat Ways & Means Chair
6 Ricky Jefferson Democrat
7 Andy LaBarre Democrat Vice Chair of the Board
8 Jason Morgan Democrat
9 Katie Scott Democrat

Government services

Parks and recreation

Washtenaw county operates 10 parks and one recreation center (gymnasium). One park has a water sprinkler area, one has a substantial water park component, and there is one golf course. The recreation center has a swimming pool, indoor track, basketball courts, complete set of resistance machines, a weight room, and several multipurpose rooms.

Washtenaw county is in the process of acquiring land for natural preservation. The program started in 2001, was renewed in 2010. The millage was renewed a second time in 2020 with a record high of 72% of votes supporting the renewal. Eight parcels of land had been purchased by July 2007. These parcels are of special ecological, recreational, and educational benefits. They are preserved in a natural unimproved state and are open to the public during daylight hours.

Wireless communication

In partnership with private enterprise, the county maintains a wireless network which is currently available to approximately 50% of county residents. This is the Wireless Washtenaw Project; its stated aim of this project is to provide wireless access to all county residents.

Miscellaneous

The county government operates the jail, maintains rural roads (through a largely independent road commission), operates the major local courts, records deeds and mortgages, maintains vital records, administers public health regulations, and participates with the state in providing welfare and 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.

Politics

Presidential election results
Presidential election results
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2020 25.9% 56,241 72.4% 157,136 1.6% 3,554
2016 26.6% 50,631 67.6% 128,483 5.8% 10,965
2012 31.3% 56,412 67.0% 120,890 1.7% 3,035
2008 28.8% 53,946 69.6% 130,578 1.6% 3,024
2004 35.5% 61,455 63.5% 109,953 1.1% 1,856
2000 36.2% 52,459 59.8% 86,647 4.0% 5,834
1996 32.3% 40,097 58.9% 73,106 8.7% 10,825
1992 30.1% 41,386 53.3% 73,325 16.6% 22,755
1988 46.7% 55,029 52.4% 61,799 0.9% 1,092
1984 51.3% 58,736 48.1% 55,084 0.7% 749
1980 41.9% 48,699 43.9% 51,013 14.2% 16,467
1976 50.9% 56,807 45.6% 50,917 3.6% 3,965
1972 47.0% 50,535 51.5% 55,350 1.6% 1,690
1968 46.8% 36,432 42.5% 33,073 10.7% 8,309
1964 37.7% 25,595 62.0% 42,089 0.3% 206
1960 61.0% 39,632 38.7% 25,129 0.3% 225
1956 66.9% 38,911 32.9% 19,124 0.2% 141
1952 66.6% 35,826 32.9% 17,671 0.5% 262
1948 63.8% 24,588 33.0% 12,721 3.3% 1,258
1944 62.0% 24,740 37.4% 14,922 0.6% 244
1940 64.3% 21,664 35.0% 11,802 0.8% 253
1936 50.8% 14,986 46.1% 13,589 3.2% 935
1932 52.8% 15,368 43.1% 12,552 4.1% 1,180
1928 78.4% 19,676 21.2% 5,308 0.4% 109
1924 72.2% 14,326 18.2% 3,603 9.6% 1,901
1920 74.5% 14,082 23.6% 4,468 1.9% 362
1916 54.1% 6,505 43.9% 5,279 2.0% 242
1912 23.6% 2,495 39.5% 4,164 36.9% 3,897
1908 54.6% 5,845 41.5% 4,441 4.0% 423
1904 62.0% 6,566 35.7% 3,779 2.3% 238
1900 50.1% 5,369 47.3% 5,072 2.6% 275
1896 49.7% 5,671 46.9% 5,348 3.4% 384
1892 42.0% 4,362 53.0% 5,508 5.0% 518
1888 43.0% 4,549 51.8% 5,482 5.3% 557
1884 40.5% 4,049 53.2% 5,315 6.3% 626

Since 1988, when Michael Dukakis won it, the county has been a Democratic stronghold in local & national elections due to the presence of Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan. In the 2020 United States presidential election it gave 72.4% of the vote to Democratic nominee Joe Biden, the highest ever margin for a Democrat in the county, the third-highest margin for any candidate in the county's history, and the highest in the state at the time as well. Between 1960 and 1988 it was generally a swing county: 1992 was the first time it voted for the same party as it did in the last election since 1960. Despite its modern-day Democratic strength, it was reliably Republican at the presidential level from 1896 to 1960, only voting Democratic once in that span in 1912 when the Republican vote was split. George McGovern's win over Richard Nixon in the county in 1972 despite the latter winning nationally by a landslide was a sign of the county's shift towards supporting the Democratic Party, though Michigander Gerald R. Ford won it in 1976 & Ronald Reagan won it in 1984 among his national landslide, being the most recent Republican to win the county.

Economy

Biomedical Science Research 2010
A. Alfred Taubman Biomedical Science Research Building at the University of Michigan's medical school

The largest employers in Washtenaw County, as of July 2018, are:

# Employer # of full-time employees
1 University of Michigan 33,225
2 Trinity Health 7,435
3 United States Federal government 3,060
4 Ann Arbor Public Schools 2,225
5 Faurecia North America 2,178
6 Eastern Michigan University 1,559
7 IHA Health Services 1,442
8 State of Michigan 1,409
9 Washtenaw County 1,264
10 Thomson Reuters 1,155
11 Domino's Pizza 812
12 City of Ann Arbor 712
13 Ford Motor Company 700
14 NSF International 693
15 US Postal Service 650
16 Washtenaw Community College 597
17 DTE Energy 568
18 Ypsilanti Public Schools 550
19 ProQuest 542

Communities

Washtenaw County, MI census map
U.S. Census data map showing local municipal boundaries within Washtenaw County. Shaded areas represent incorporated cities.

Cities

Villages

Charter townships

Civil townships

Census-designated place

Other unincorporated communities

Ghost town

See also

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

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