Midland County, Michigan

County in Michigan, United States

U.S. county in Michigan

Midland County

U.S. county

Midland County Courthouse

Official seal of Midland County

Seal

Location within the U.S. state of Michigan

Michigan's location within the U.S.

Country|  United States
State|  Michigan
Founded| 1831, reorganized 1855[1]
Seat| Midland
Largest city| Midland
Area

• Total| 528 sq mi (1,370 km2)
• Land| 516 sq mi (1,340 km2)
• Water| 12 sq mi (30 km2)  2.2%%
Population

(2020)

• Total| 83,494
• Density| 162/sq mi (63/km2)
Time zone| UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district| 4th
Website| www.co.midland.mi.us

Midland County is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 83,494.[2] The county seat is Midland.[3] The county's name is due to its closeness to the geographical Lower Peninsula's geographical center. It was founded in 1831. However, it was not until 1855 that the county was effectively organized.[1]

Midland County comprises the Midland, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area and is included in the Saginaw–Midland–Bay City Combined Statistical Area in the Mid/Central Michigan region.

## Contents

* 1 History
* 1.1 Early history
* 1.2 19th century
* 1.2.1 Civil War
* 1.3 20th century
* 1.3.1 World War 1
* 1.3.2 World War 2
* 1.3.3 Cold War
* 1.4 21st century
* 2 Geography
* 2.1 Adjacent counties
* 3 Transportation
* 3.1 Highways
* 3.2 Airports
* 3.3 Public transportation
* 4 Demographics
* 4.1 Religion
* 5 Politics
* 6 Government
* 6.1 Elected officials
* 6.2 Board of Commissioners
* 7 Communities
* 7.1 Cities
* 7.2 Village
* 7.3 Charter townships
* 7.4 Civil townships
* 8 See also
* 9 References
* 10 External links

## History

[edit | edit source]

### Early history

[edit | edit source]

See also: History of Michigan

For many centuries, Midland County was inhabited by Native Americans, and by the time of European contact it was inhabited by the Chippewa Indian Tribe.[4]

### 19th century

[edit | edit source]

In the year of 1831, Midland County's borders had been set.[5] In 1850, Midland County was officially organized.[5] In 1874, the Flint and Pere Marquette Railroad linked Midland to the nationwide railroad network.[4] The City of Midland, the county seat, is officially incorporated in 1887, and 3 years later in 1890, Herbert Henry Dow arrives and founds the Dow Chemical Corporation, now one of the largest chemical companies in the world.[4]

#### Civil War

[edit | edit source]

When the American Civil War broke out in 1861, many men from the county enlisted in the Union Army, many in Company B of the 10th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment, and Company H of the 27th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment, but some ended up in different regiments.[6] Not all of them came back alive and several were wounded. Many veterans of the war are also buried in the county.[7] There were a total of 5 different Posts, or veteran groups, of the Grand Army of the Republic, a Union veterans organization, in Midland County.[8]

Some of the regiments which included men from Midland County are: 10th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment, 27th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment, 29th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment, 16th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment, 3rd Michigan Volunteer Cavalry Regiment, 7th Michigan Volunteer Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Michigan Volunteer Cavalry Regiment, 1st Michigan Volunteer Cavalry Regiment, and 23rd Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment.

### 20th century

[edit | edit source]

In the 20th Century the county saw significant growth with the entrenchment of the Dow Chemical Corporation and the establishment of major roads, highways, and a few minor airports. However, in the late 20th Century the Pere Marquette Railroad was closed, which cut off passenger train travel from the region.

#### World War 1

[edit | edit source]

In World War 1, once the US had entered the war in 1917, the Dow Chemical Corporation, based mainly in the city of Midland, was involved with the production of poisonous gases for use during the war, and with the production of ammunition.[9] Additionally, 675 men from Midland joined the US military during the war, and 8 of them died in the line of duty.[10]

#### World War 2

[edit | edit source]

In World War 2, many men from the county enlisted in the US Military, and several would die. Additionally Dow turned its factories towards supplying the war effort and they would assist in manufacturing explosives, flares, and medicine.[11] There is also a large memorial to veterans from Midland County from this war.

#### Cold War

[edit | edit source]

During the Cold War, a Army National Guard depot was set up in the city of Midland. In the Vietnam War, Dow and the rest of Midland County were the main suppliers of Napalm used during the conflict.[11] Several men would also die in the Korean War and Vietnam War.

### 21st century

[edit | edit source]

In the 21st century, the Sons of Union Veterans, the successor to the Grand Army of the Republic, founded the U.S. Grant Camp No. 67, which serves the Midland, Saginaw, and Bay City area.[12][13] During the War on Terror, many men from the county enlisted and few died. The Midland County Veterans Memorial was refurbished. The city of Coleman also built a new war memorial. Curiously, none of these memorials reference the service of Midland men in the Civil War.

In May 2020, Midland County residents in parts of the city of Midland, the village of Sanford, Edenville Township, Midland Township, Tittabawassee, Thomas Township, Saginaw Township, Lincoln Township, Homer Township and Dow Chemical were forced to evacuate due to high flooding which was caused by the breach of the Edenville and Sanford dams.[14]

## Geography

[edit | edit source]

See also: List of parks in Midland County, Michigan

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 528 square miles (1,370 km2), of which 516 square miles (1,340 km2) is land and 12 square miles (31 km2) (2.2%) is water.[15]

### Adjacent counties

[edit | edit source]

* Gladwin County (north)
* Bay County (east)
* Saginaw County (southeast)
* Gratiot County (south)
* Isabella County (west)
* Clare County (northwest)

## Transportation

[edit | edit source]

### Highways

[edit | edit source]

* US 10

Bus. US 10
* M-18
* M-20
* M-30

### Airports

[edit | edit source]

Scheduled airline service is available from MBS International Airport[16] in Freeland, Michigan and Bishop International Airport in Flint, Michigan.[17] Midland also has a general aviation airport, Jack Barstow Municipal Airport.[18]

### Public transportation

[edit | edit source]

There is no regularly scheduled public transportation (bus service). Residents can call in advance to schedule pickup for transport within the county by two government sponsored agencies ("Dial-A-Ride" within the city of Midland and "County Connection" for those outside the city of Midland but still within Midland County) for a nominal fee.[19]

## Demographics

[edit | edit source]

Historical population

Census | Pop. |  | %±
1850| 65| | —
1860| 787| | 1,110.8%
1870| 3,285| | 317.4%
1880| 6,893| | 109.8%
1890| 10,657| | 54.6%
1900| 14,439| | 35.5%
1910| 14,005| | −3.0%
1920| 17,237| | 23.1%
1930| 19,150| | 11.1%
1940| 27,094| | 41.5%
1950| 35,662| | 31.6%
1960| 51,450| | 44.3%
1970| 63,769| | 23.9%
1980| 73,578| | 15.4%
1990| 75,651| | 2.8%
2000| 82,874| | 9.5%
2010| 83,629| | 0.9%
2020| 83,494| | −0.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[20]
1790-1960[21] 1900-1990[22]
1990-2000[23] 2010-2018[2]

As of the census[24] of 2000, there were 82,874 people, 31,769 households, and 22,683 families residing in the county. The population density was 159 people per square mile (61/km2). There were 33,796 housing units at an average density of 65 per square mile (25/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.50% White, 1.05% Black or African American, 0.40% Native American, 1.49% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.44% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. 1.55% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 28.6% were of German, 11.5% English, 10.2% United States or American, 8.9% Irish and 6.1% Polish ancestry, 96.7% spoke only English, while 1.6% spoke Spanish at home.

There were 31,769 households, out of which 34.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.10% were married couples living together, 8.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.60% were non-families. 23.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.90% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 29.20% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 12.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 96.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $45,674, and the median income for a family was $55,483. Males had a median income of $45,656 versus $27,470 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,383. About 5.70% of families and 8.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.50% of those under age 18 and 7.50% of those age 65 or over.

### Religion

[edit | edit source]

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Saginaw is the controlling regional body for the Catholic Church.[25]

## Politics

[edit | edit source]

United States presidential election results for Midland County, Michigan[26] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party

|
|
|

No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2020 | 27,675  | 56.28% | 20,493  | 41.67%  | 1,007  | 2.05%
2016 | 23,846  | 55.75% | 15,635  | 36.55%  | 3,295  | 7.70%
2012 | 23,919  | 56.98% | 17,450  | 41.57%  | 610  | 1.45%
2008 | 22,263  | 50.83% | 20,701  | 47.26%  | 834  | 1.90%
2004 | 24,369  | 56.31% | 18,355  | 42.41%  | 551  | 1.27%
2000 | 21,887  | 56.28% | 15,959  | 41.04%  | 1,042  | 2.68%
1996 | 16,547  | 46.01% | 15,177  | 42.20%  | 4,243  | 11.80%
1992 | 16,149  | 41.81% | 13,382  | 34.65%  | 9,093  | 23.54%
1988 | 19,994  | 59.12% | 13,452  | 39.78%  | 371  | 1.10%
1984 | 21,521  | 66.11% | 10,769  | 33.08%  | 262  | 0.80%
1980 | 17,828  | 53.04% | 12,019  | 35.76%  | 3,763  | 11.20%
1976 | 17,631  | 58.57% | 11,959  | 39.73%  | 511  | 1.70%
1972 | 16,473  | 61.38% | 9,504  | 35.42%  | 859  | 3.20%
1968 | 14,329  | 60.57% | 7,428  | 31.40%  | 1,901  | 8.04%
1964 | 9,020  | 41.65%  | 12,587  | 58.13% | 48  | 0.22%
1960 | 14,235  | 67.56% | 6,815  | 32.34%  | 21  | 0.10%
1956 | 13,207  | 74.78% | 4,422  | 25.04%  | 33  | 0.19%
1952 | 10,508  | 72.12% | 3,945  | 27.08%  | 117  | 0.80%
1948 | 5,811  | 63.19% | 3,204  | 34.84%  | 181  | 1.97%
1944 | 6,850  | 65.35% | 3,569  | 34.05%  | 63  | 0.60%
1940 | 6,269  | 61.72% | 3,834  | 37.75%  | 54  | 0.53%
1936 | 3,829  | 48.12% | 3,751  | 47.14%  | 377  | 4.74%
1932 | 3,791  | 50.62% | 3,553  | 47.44%  | 145  | 1.94%
1928 | 4,555  | 82.25% | 964  | 17.41%  | 19  | 0.34%
1924 | 4,004  | 79.08% | 625  | 12.34%  | 434  | 8.57%
1920 | 4,115  | 78.88% | 959  | 18.38%  | 143  | 2.74%
1916 | 2,104  | 57.82% | 1,454  | 39.96%  | 81  | 2.23%
1912 | 902  | 29.09%  | 671  | 21.64%  | 1,528  | 49.27%
1908 | 1,987  | 66.97% | 875  | 29.49%  | 105  | 3.54%
1904 | 2,107  | 70.63% | 766  | 25.68%  | 110  | 3.69%
1900 | 1,784  | 57.64% | 1,221  | 39.45%  | 90  | 2.91%
1896 | 1,524  | 48.83% | 1,507  | 48.29%  | 90  | 2.88%
1892 | 1,069  | 46.16% | 815  | 35.19%  | 432  | 18.65%
1888 | 1,336  | 49.59% | 1,148  | 42.61%  | 210  | 7.80%
1884 | 1,071  | 53.36% | 883  | 44.00%  | 53  | 2.64%

Midland County has been a consistent stronghold of Republican Party, having supported its presidential candidates in every election from 1968 onward. In contrast, neighboring Saginaw County mainly supports the Democratic Party.

## Government

[edit | edit source]

The county government operates the jail, maintains rural roads, operates the major local courts, keeps files of deeds and mortgages, maintains vital records, administers public health regulations, and participates with the state in the provision of welfare and other social services. The county board of commissioners controls the budget but has only 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. Due to funding cuts, the Midland County Sheriff does not have a patrol division. Former patrol officers now serve in the Citizens Assistance Responders (CAR) division and will respond to requests for assistance.[27]

### Elected officials

[edit | edit source]

* Prosecuting Attorney: J. Dee Brooks
* Sheriff: Myron Greene[28]
* County Clerk: Ann Manary
* County Treasurer: Cathy Lunsford
* Register of Deeds: Julie Atkinson
* Drain Commissioner: Douglas D. Enos

(information as of June 2020)

### Board of Commissioners

[edit | edit source]

7 members, elected from districts (7 Republicans)

District | Commissioner | Party

|
|

1 | Jeanette M. Snyder | Republican
2 | Mark Bone | Republican
3 | Steve Glaser | Republican
4 | Gaye Terwilliegar | Republican
5 | James Geisler | Republican
6 | Eric Dorrien | Republican
7 | Scott Noesen | Republican

## Communities

[edit | edit source]

U.S. Census data map showing local municipal boundaries within Midland County. Shaded areas represent incorporated cities.

### Cities

[edit | edit source]

* Coleman
* Midland (county seat)

### Village

[edit | edit source]

* Sanford

### Charter townships

[edit | edit source]

* Larkin Charter Township
* Midland Charter Township

### Civil townships

[edit | edit source]

* Edenville Township
* Geneva Township
* Greendale Township
* Homer Township
* Hope Township
* Ingersoll Township
* Jasper Township
* Jerome Township
* Lee Township
* Lincoln Township
* Mills Township
* Mount Haley Township
* Porter Township
* Warren Township

## See also

[edit | edit source]

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

## References

[edit | edit source]

1. ^ a b "Bibliography on Midland County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
2. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
4. ^ a b c "Midland History | Midland, MI - Official Website".
5. ^ a b "Founding of Midland – Michigan History".
6. ^ Michigan and George H. Turner, Record of Service of Michigan Volunteers in the Civil War, 1861-1865. (Kalamazoo, Mich.: Ihling bros. & Everard, printers, 1900). Volume 10, https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015008495064&view=1up&seq=9
7. ^ "Midland County Civil War Graves".
8. ^ https://seekingmichigan.org/about/indexes/civil-war-grand-army-of-the-republic-posts [bare URL]
9. ^ "Dow Chemical Co's top-secret World War I mustard gas program topic of new book by Bay City author". August 11, 2014.
10. ^ "Friends bring World War I items to Midland". July 28, 2014.
11. ^ a b "The Dow Chemical Company – Midland, MI – Military History of the Upper Great Lakes".
12. ^ "Camps & Membership - Department of Michigan - Camps & Membership".
13. ^ "Camp #67 - Department of Michigan - Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War".
14. ^ "'Do not hesitate': Michigan governor urges evacuations, warns Midland could be under 9 feet of water". USA Today.
15. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
16. ^ "MBS International Airport".
17. ^ "Bishop International Airport: Flint, Michigan: Flights & Airport Travel".
18. ^ Jack Barstow Municipal Airport Archived 2010-09-03 at the Wayback Machine
19. ^ Dial-A-Ride homepage Archived 2009-02-10 at the Wayback Machine
20. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
21. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
22. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
23. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
24. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
25. ^ "Diocese of Saginaw".
26. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
27. ^ "Midland County Sheriff's Office" Archived 2012-01-04 at the Wayback Machine Midland County website
28. ^ "Administration".

## External links

[edit | edit source]

* Midland County web site
* Midland County Historical Society
* Midland County's Historic Bridges
* MidlandOnline
* "Bibliography on Midland County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
* Midland Tomorrow web site

Places adjacent to Midland County, Michigan

| Clare County | Gladwin County |

|
|

|  |
Isabella County |

Midland County, Michigan

| Bay County
|  |
| Gratiot County | Saginaw County

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Midland County, Michigan, United States

County seat: Midland

Cities|

* Coleman
* Midland‡

Map of Michigan highlighting Midland County.svg

Village|

* Sanford

Charter townships|

* Larkin
* Midland

Civil townships|

* Edenville
* Geneva
* Greendale
* Homer
* Hope
* Ingersoll
* Jasper
* Jerome
* Lee
* Lincoln
* Mills
* Mount Haley
* Porter
* Warren

Unincorporated
communities|

* Averill
* Edenville
* Hope
* Laporte
* North Bradley
* Oil City
* Pleasant Valley
* Poseyville

Footnotes|

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

* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

Central/Mid-Michigan including the Tri-Cities and Thumb

Central cities|

* Lansing
* Flint
* Saginaw
* Bay City
* Midland
* Mount Pleasant

Counties|

| Greater Lansing area|

* Clinton
* Eaton
* Ingham

|

Flint and Tri-Cities area|

* Arenac
* Bay
* Clare
* Genesee
* Gladwin
* Gratiot
* Isabella
* Midland
* Saginaw
* Shiawassee

The Thumb area|

* Huron
* Lapeer
* Tuscola
* Sanilac
* St. Clair

Geography|

* Bad River
* Black River
* Cass River
* Chippewa River
* Flint River
* Grand River
* Lake Huron
* Michigan Basin
* Pine River
* Red Cedar River
* Saginaw Bay
* Saginaw River
* St. Clair River
* Tittabawassee River

Transportation|

* Amtrak Blue Water
* Bishop International Airport
* Blue Water Bridge
* Capital Region International Airport
* CSX Saginaw Subdivision
* Grand Trunk Western Railroad
* MBS International Airport
* Zilwaukee Bridge

Economy|

* Ascension Genesys Hospital
* Auto-Owners Insurance
* Biggby Coffee
* CMS Energy
* Dow Chemical
* DTE Energy
* General Motors
* Hurley Medical Center
* Koegel Meat Company
* Michigan Sugar
* MidMichigan Health
* McLaren Health Care Corporation
* Nexteer Automotive
* Quality Dairy Company
* Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort
* Spartan Motors
* TCF Financial Corporation

* Michigan
* Northern Michigan
* Southeast Michigan
* Upper Peninsula
* 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: 43°38′N 84°23′W﻿ / ﻿43.64°N 84.39°W﻿ / 43.64; -84.39
*[Pop.]: Population
*[%±]: Percent change
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template