Baraga County, Michigan

County in Michigan, United States

U.S. county in Michigan

Baraga County

U.S. county

Baraga County Courthouse and Annex (July 2014)

Flag

Official seal of Baraga County

Seal

Location within the U.S. state of Michigan

Michigan's location within the U.S.

Country|  United States
State|  Michigan
Founded| February 19, 1875[1][2]
Named for| Frederic Baraga
Seat| L'Anse
Largest village| Baraga
Area

• Total| 1,069 sq mi (2,770 km2)
• Land| 898 sq mi (2,330 km2)
• Water| 171 sq mi (440 km2)  16%%
Population

(2020)

• Total| 8,158
• Density| 9.9/sq mi (3.8/km2)
Time zone| UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district| 1st

Baraga County (/ˈbɛərəɡə/ BAIR-ə-gə) is a county in the Upper Peninsula in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 8,158, making it Michigan's fifth-least populous county.[3] The county seat is L'Anse.[4] The county is named after Bishop Frederic Baraga, a Catholic missionary who ministered to the Ojibwa Indians in the Michigan Territory.[1]

The L'Anse Indian Reservation of the Ojibwa is within Baraga County.

## Contents

* 1 Geography
* 1.1 Major highways
* 1.2 Adjacent counties
* 1.3 National protected areas
* 2 Demographics
* 3 Government
* 4 Communities
* 4.1 Villages
* 4.2 Census-designated place
* 4.3 Other unincorporated communities
* 4.4 Townships
* 4.5 Indian reservations
* 5 See also
* 6 References
* 7 External links

## Geography

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Entrance sign for Baraga County on U.S. Route 141

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,069 square miles (2,770 km2), of which 898 square miles (2,330 km2) is land and 171 square miles (440 km2) (16%) is water.[5]

The county is located in the state's Upper Peninsula on the shore of Lake Superior, at the southeast base of the Keweenaw Peninsula. The villages of Baraga and L'Anse are located at the base of Lake Superior's Keweenaw Bay. Point Abbaye projects north into the lake, enclosing Huron Bay. The eastern two-thirds of the county includes much of the Huron Mountains, including Mount Arvon—the highest natural point in Michigan at 1,979 feet (603 m).

### Major highways

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* US 41 – runs north–south through the upper central part of county. The highway enters at the northeast corner of the county on the west shore of Keeweenaw Bay and runs south along the shoreline to Baraga and L'Anse, then turns inland (south) past Alberta, then east through Nestoria and Three Lakes. It exits into Marquette County at Imperial Heights.
* US 141 – runs south from its intersection with US-41 south of Alberta into Iron County.
* M-28 – enters the west side of the county then runs east and east-northeast to the intersection with US-141 at Covington.
* M-38 – runs east–west through the northwest corner of county. It enters from Alston in Houghton County, then runs east to intersection with US-41 at Baraga.

### Adjacent counties

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* Marquette County (east)
* Iron County (south)
* Houghton County (west)

### National protected areas

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* Keweenaw National Historical Park (part)
* Ottawa National Forest (part)

## Demographics

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Historical population

Census | Pop. |  | %±
1880| 1,804| | —
1890| 3,036| | 68.3%
1900| 4,320| | 42.3%
1910| 6,127| | 41.8%
1920| 7,662| | 25.1%
1930| 9,168| | 19.7%
1940| 9,356| | 2.1%
1950| 8,037| | −14.1%
1960| 7,151| | −11.0%
1970| 7,789| | 8.9%
1980| 8,484| | 8.9%
1990| 7,954| | −6.2%
2000| 8,746| | 10.0%
2010| 8,860| | 1.3%
2020| 8,158| | −7.9%
US Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2018[3]

The 2010 United States Census[10] indicates Baraga County had a population of 8,860. This increase of 114 people from the 2000 United States Census. is a 1.3% population growth. In 2010 there were 3,444 households and 2,209 families in the county. The population density was 10 people per square mile (4/km2). There were 5,270 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile (2/km2). 75.0% of the population was White, 13.1% Native American, 7.2% Black or African American, 0.1% Asian, 0.2% of some other race and 4.4% of two or more races. 1.0% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). 22.5% were of Finnish, 9.1% German, 8.8% French, French Canadian or Cajun, 5.6% English and 5.5% Irish ancestry.[11]

There were 3,444 households, out of which 25.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.4% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.9% were non-families. 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13% 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 2.82.

The age distribution of the county population was the following: 20.2% were under the age of 18, 7% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 29.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42.9 years. 54.9% of the population was male, 45.1% was female.

The median income for a household in the county was $40,115, and the median income for a family was $50,996. The per capita income for the county was $19,076. About 9.5% of families and 13% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.2% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.

## Government

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Baraga County has tended to support Republican candidates. Since 1884 its voters have selected the Republican Party nominee in 64% (22 of 35) of the national elections through 2020, and in all presidential elections since 2000.

United States presidential election results for Baraga County, Michigan[12] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party

|
|
|

No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2020 | 2,512  | 62.07% | 1,478  | 36.52%  | 57  | 1.41%
2016 | 2,158  | 61.34% | 1,156  | 32.86%  | 204  | 5.80%
2012 | 1,866  | 53.47% | 1,574  | 45.10%  | 50  | 1.43%
2008 | 1,846  | 50.53% | 1,725  | 47.22%  | 82  | 2.24%
2004 | 1,977  | 53.66% | 1,660  | 45.06%  | 47  | 1.28%
2000 | 1,836  | 54.11% | 1,400  | 41.26%  | 157  | 4.63%
1996 | 1,209  | 36.70%  | 1,601  | 48.60% | 484  | 14.69%
1992 | 1,160  | 31.96%  | 1,695  | 46.69% | 775  | 21.35%
1988 | 1,630  | 47.88%  | 1,753  | 51.50% | 21  | 0.62%
1984 | 1,965  | 51.82% | 1,818  | 47.94%  | 9  | 0.24%
1980 | 2,046  | 52.18% | 1,609  | 41.04%  | 266  | 6.78%
1976 | 1,788  | 49.47% | 1,778  | 49.20%  | 48  | 1.33%
1972 | 1,905  | 54.93% | 1,517  | 43.74%  | 46  | 1.33%
1968 | 1,508  | 45.45%  | 1,680  | 50.63% | 130  | 3.92%
1964 | 1,160  | 31.05%  | 2,568  | 68.74% | 8  | 0.21%
1960 | 1,861  | 48.51%  | 1,964  | 51.20% | 11  | 0.29%
1956 | 1,968  | 55.51% | 1,574  | 44.40%  | 3  | 0.08%
1952 | 2,103  | 57.29% | 1,540  | 41.95%  | 28  | 0.76%
1948 | 1,878  | 50.11% | 1,656  | 44.18%  | 214  | 5.71%
1944 | 1,829  | 49.25%  | 1,874  | 50.46% | 11  | 0.30%
1940 | 2,512  | 53.48% | 2,152  | 45.82%  | 33  | 0.70%
1936 | 2,035  | 46.94%  | 2,218  | 51.16% | 82  | 1.89%
1932 | 1,917  | 46.92%  | 2,016  | 49.34% | 153  | 3.74%
1928 | 2,203  | 65.27% | 1,046  | 30.99%  | 126  | 3.73%
1924 | 1,714  | 71.84% | 208  | 8.72%  | 464  | 19.45%
1920 | 1,368  | 74.67% | 304  | 16.59%  | 160  | 8.73%
1916 | 748  | 57.19% | 462  | 35.32%  | 98  | 7.49%
1912 | 295  | 25.97%  | 280  | 24.65%  | 561  | 49.38%
1908 | 765  | 73.98% | 232  | 22.44%  | 37  | 3.58%
1904 | 564  | 73.34% | 185  | 24.06%  | 20  | 2.60%
1900 | 606  | 63.92% | 333  | 35.13%  | 9  | 0.95%
1896 | 611  | 55.90% | 459  | 41.99%  | 23  | 2.10%
1892 | 375  | 36.76%  | 630  | 61.76% | 15  | 1.47%
1888 | 389  | 48.69%  | 406  | 50.81% | 4  | 0.50%
1884 | 396  | 56.33% | 307  | 43.67%  | 0  | 0.00%

See also: Baraga County Courthouse

Baraga 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.

## Communities

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### Villages

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* Baraga
* L'Anse (county seat)

### Census-designated place

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* Zeba

### Other unincorporated communities

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* Alberta
* Arnheim
* Arvon
* Assinins (called Fewsville 1872–1894)
* Aura
* Bear Town
* Beaufort Lake
* Covington
* Herman
* Huron Bay
* Imperial Heights
* Keweenaw Bay
* Laughs Lake
* McComb Corner
* Nestoria
* Pelkie
* Pequaming
* Saint Cyr
* Skanee
* Summit
* Three Lakes
* Tioga
* Tunis
* Vermilac
* Watton

### Townships

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* Arvon Township
* Baraga Township
* Covington Township
* L'Anse Township
* Spurr Township

### Indian reservations

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* The L'Anse Indian Reservation occupies two sections of Baraga County within portions of Baraga, L'Anse, and Arvon townships. The reservation also has very small portion in Chocolay Charter Township in neighboring Marquette County to the east.

## See also

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* List of Michigan State Historic Sites in Baraga County, Michigan
* National Register of Historic Places listings in Baraga County, Michigan

## References

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1. ^ a b "Bibliography on Baraga County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
2. ^ "jengod.com".
3. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
4. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
6. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
8. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
9. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
10. ^ "U.S. Census website". Retrieved July 6, 2013.
11. ^ Data Access and Dissemination Systems (DADS). "U.S. Census website". census.gov.
12. ^ US Election Atlas

## External links

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* Baraga County Government website
* Baraga County Profile, Sam M Cohodas Regional Economist, Tawni Hunt Ferrarini, Ph.D.
* Western Upper Peninsula Planning & Development Region

Places adjacent to Baraga County, Michigan

|  | Lake Superior |

|
|

|  |
Houghton County |

Baraga County, Michigan

| Marquette County
|  |
| Iron County |

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Baraga County, Michigan, United States

County seat: L'Anse

Villages|

* Baraga
* L'Anse

Map of Michigan highlighting Baraga County.svg

Civil townships|

* Arvon
* Baraga
* Covington
* L'Anse
* Spurr

CDPs|

* Covington
* Pelkie
* Skanee
* Three Lakes
* Zeba

Other
communities|

* Alberta
* Arnheim
* Assinins
* Aura
* Carlson
* Herman
* Nestoria
* Pequaming
* Watton

Indian reservations|

* L'Anse Indian Reservation‡

Footnotes|

‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

Upper Peninsula of Michigan

Central cities|

* Escanaba
* Hancock
* Houghton
* Iron Mountain
* Iron River
* Marquette
* Menominee
* Munising
* Sault Ste. Marie
* St. Ignace

Counties|

* Alger
* Baraga
* Chippewa
* Delta
* Dickinson
* Gogebic
* Houghton
* Iron
* Keweenaw
* Luce
* Mackinac
* Marquette
* Menominee
* Ontonagon
* Schoolcraft

Geography|

* Copper Country
* Gogebic Range
* Grand Island
* Keweenaw Peninsula
* Keweenaw Waterway
* Lake Superior
* Lake Huron
* Lake Michigan
* Menominee River
* Mount Arvon
* Pictured Rocks
* Porcupine Mountains
* St. Marys River
* Straits of Mackinac

Transportation|

* Chippewa County International Airport
* Delta County Airport
* Ford Airport
* Gogebic–Iron County Airport
* Houghton County Memorial Airport
* Mackinac Bridge
* International Bridge
* International Rail Bridge
* Portage Lake Lift Bridge
* Sawyer International Airport
* Soo Locks

Economy|

* Cleveland-Cliffs
* Copper mining in Michigan
* Verso Corporation

* Michigan
* Central Michigan
* Northern Michigan
* Southeast Michigan
* West Michigan

* v
* t
* e

State of Michigan

Lansing (capital)

Topics|

* Congressional delegation
* Cuisine
* Fauna
* Geography
* Government
* Highways
* History
* Index
* Islands
* Law
* Lighthouses
* Municipalities
* Museums
* National Historic Landmarks
* National Register of Historic Places listings
* People
* State Historic Sites
* State parks
* Symbols
* Tallest buildings
* Timeline
* Tourist attractions

Society|

* Culture
* Crime
* Demographics
* Economy
* Education
* Elections
* Politics

Regions|

| Upper Peninsula|

* Copper Country
* Gogebic Range
* Keweenaw Peninsula

|

Lower Peninsula|

* Central Michigan
* Metro Detroit
* Michiana
* Northern Michigan
* Southeast Michigan
* The Thumb
* West Michigan

Largest
municipalities|

* Ann Arbor
* Battle Creek
* Bay City
* Bloomfield Township
* Canton
* Chesterfield Township
* Clinton Township
* Commerce Township
* Dearborn
* Dearborn Heights
* Detroit
* East Lansing
* Farmington Hills
* Flint
* Georgetown Township
* Grand Blanc Township
* Grand Rapids
* Holland Charter Township
* Independence Township
* Kalamazoo
* Kentwood
* Lansing
* Lincoln Park
* Livonia
* Macomb Township
* Meridian Charter Township
* Midland
* Muskegon
* Novi
* Orion Township
* Pontiac
* Portage
* Redford
* Rochester Hills
* Roseville
* Royal Oak
* Saginaw
* Saginaw Township
* St. Clair Shores
* Shelby Charter Township
* Southfield
* Sterling Heights
* Taylor
* Troy
* Warren
* Waterford Township
* West Bloomfield
* Westland
* Wyoming
* Ypsilanti Charter Township

Counties|

* Alcona
* Alger
* Allegan
* Alpena
* Antrim
* Arenac
* Baraga
* Barry
* Bay
* Benzie
* Berrien
* Branch
* Calhoun
* Cass
* Charlevoix
* Cheboygan
* Chippewa
* Clare
* Clinton
* Crawford
* Delta
* Dickinson
* Eaton
* Emmet
* Genesee
* Gladwin
* Gogebic
* Grand Traverse
* Gratiot
* Hillsdale
* Houghton
* Huron
* Ingham
* Ionia
* Iosco
* Iron
* Isabella
* Jackson
* Kalamazoo
* Kalkaska
* Kent
* Keweenaw
* Lake
* Lapeer
* Leelanau
* Lenawee
* Livingston
* Luce
* Mackinac
* Macomb
* Manistee
* Marquette
* Mason
* Mecosta
* Menominee
* Midland
* Missaukee
* Monroe
* Montcalm
* Montmorency
* Muskegon
* Newaygo
* Oakland
* Oceana
* Ogemaw
* Ontonagon
* Osceola
* Oscoda
* Otsego
* Ottawa
* Presque Isle
* Roscommon
* Saginaw
* Sanilac
* Schoolcraft
* Shiawassee
* St. Clair
* St. Joseph
* Tuscola
* Van Buren
* Washtenaw
* Wayne
* Wexford

Coordinates: 46°43′N 88°20′W﻿ / ﻿46.72°N 88.34°W﻿ / 46.72; -88.34
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