Mason County, Michigan

County in Michigan, United States

Not to be confused with Mason, Michigan.

U.S. county in Michigan

Mason County

U.S. county

Mason County Courthouse in Ludington

Location within the U.S. state of Michigan

Michigan's location within the U.S.

Country|  United States
State|  Michigan
Founded| 1840 (founded as Notipekago)
1855 (organized)[1]
Named for| Stevens T. Mason
Seat| Ludington
Largest city| Ludington
Area

• Total| 1,242 sq mi (3,220 km2)
• Land| 495 sq mi (1,280 km2)
• Water| 747 sq mi (1,930 km2)  60%%
Population

(2020)

• Total| 29,052
• Density| 58/sq mi (22/km2)
Time zone| UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts| 1st, 2nd
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.

## Contents

* 1 History
* 2 Geography
* 2.1 Major highways
* 2.2 U.S. Bicycle Routes
* 2.3 Adjacent counties
* 2.4 National protected area
* 3 Demographics
* 4 Government
* 4.1 Elected officials
* 5 Communities
* 5.1 Cities
* 5.2 Villages
* 5.3 Charter township
* 5.4 Civil townships
* 5.5 Unincorporated communities
* 5.6 Indian reservation
* 6 See also
* 7 References
* 8 External links

## History

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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]

Mason County, does not have an official flag.[6]

## Geography

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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.[7]

### Major highways

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* 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.

[8]

### U.S. Bicycle Routes

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* USBR 35 enters Mason County from Pentwater; has a concurrency with USBR 20; proceeds north into Manistee County
* USBR 20 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

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* Manistee County – north
* Lake County – east
* Newaygo County – southeast
* Oceana County – south
* Sheboygan County, Wisconsin – southwest
* Manitowoc County, Wisconsin – west

### National protected area

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* Manistee National Forest (part)

## Demographics

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Historical population

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%
2020| 29,052| | 1.2%
US Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12] 2010-2018[2]

As of the 2000 United States Census,[13] 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

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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.

United States presidential election results for Mason County, Michigan[14] 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

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* 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

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File:Mason County, MI census map.pngU.S. Census data map showing local municipal boundaries within Mason County. Shaded areas represent incorporated cities.

### Cities

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* Ludington (county seat)
* Scottville

### Villages

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* Custer
* Fountain
* Free Soil

### Charter township

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* Pere Marquette Charter Township

### Civil townships

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* 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

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* Branch (partially)
* Chapple Corners
* Fairview
* Fern
* Ferryville
* Walhalla

### Indian reservation

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* 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.[15] The tribe also occupy another reservation within Brown Township just north in Manistee County.[16]

## See also

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* 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

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1. ^ a b "Bibliography on Mason County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
2. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
4. ^ a b Newberry Library. "Michigan: Individual County Chronologies". Atlas of County Historical Boundaries. Retrieved November 4, 2016.
5. ^ "Focus on our history: How county was named". Ludington Daily News. October 3, 1987. p. 2. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
6. ^ Mason County, Michigan crwflags.com
7. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
8. ^ Mason County MI Google Maps (accessed 25 September 2018)
9. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
10. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
11. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
12. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
13. ^ "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
14. ^ US Election Atlas
15. ^ Braciszewski, Kevin (July 30, 2002). "Indian tribe emerges as major landowner". Retrieved April 12, 2020.
16. ^ "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. Retrieved April 12, 2020.

## External links

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mason County, Michigan.

* Mason County Press
* Mason County Website
* Mason County History Companion
* Mason County Michigan History and Directory
* Mason County Memories

Places adjacent to Mason County, Michigan

|  | Manistee County |

|
|

|  |
Manitowoc County, Wisconsin |

Mason County, Michigan

| Lake County
|  |
Sheboygan County, Wisconsin | Oceana County | Newaygo County

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Mason County, Michigan, United States

County seat: Ludington

Cities|

* Ludington
* Scottville

Error creating thumbnail: Map of Michigan highlighting Mason County.svg

Villages|

* Custer
* Fountain
* Free Soil

Charter township|

* Pere Marquette

Civil townships|

* Amber
* Branch
* Custer
* Eden
* Free Soil
* Grant
* Hamlin
* Logan
* Meade
* Riverton
* Sheridan
* Sherman
* Summit
* Victory

Indian reservation|

* Little River Reservation‡

Footnotes|

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

* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

West Michigan

Central cities|

* Grand Rapids
* Kalamazoo
* Battle Creek

Counties|

* Allegan
* Barry
* Calhoun
* Ionia
* Kalamazoo
* Kent
* Lake
* Mason
* Mecosta
* Muskegon
* Newaygo
* Oceana
* Osceola
* Ottawa
* Van Buren

| Southwest / Michiana|

* Berrien
* Branch
* Cass
* St. Joseph

|

Geography|

* Black River
* Fruit Ridge
* Grand River
* Kalamazoo River
* Lake Michigan
* Muskegon River
* Muskegon Lake
* Pere Marquette River
* St. Joseph River

Transportation|

* Gerald R. Ford International Airport
* Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport
* Lake Express
* Muskegon County Airport
* Amtrak Pere Marquette

Economy|

* Bell's Brewery
* Founders Brewing Company
* Gerber
* Herman Miller
* Kellogg
* Meijer
* Steelcase
* Whirlpool

* Michigan
* Central Michigan
* Northern Michigan
* Southeast Michigan
* Upper Peninsula

* 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: 44°01′N 86°30′W﻿ / ﻿44.02°N 86.50°W﻿ / 44.02; -86.50
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