Manistee County, Michigan

County in Michigan, United States

County in Michigan

Manistee County

County

Tippy Dam on the Manistee River

Location within the U.S. state of Michigan

Michigan's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 44°18′N 86°19′W﻿ / ﻿44.3°N 86.31°W﻿ / 44.3; -86.31
Country|  United States
State|  Michigan
Founded| 1840
1855 (organized)[1]
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
Website| www.manisteecountymi.gov

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.[2] The county seat is Manistee.[3] The county is named for the Manistee River. Manistee County is part of Northern Michigan and has a shoreline on Lake Michigan.

Manistee County Courthouse Fountain The Manistee North Pierhead Lighthouse on Lake Michigan in Manistee

## History

[edit]

See also: History of Northern Michigan

Manistee County was set off in 1840 from Michilimackinac County as an unorganized county.[1][4] In 1851, it was attached to Grand Traverse County for legal purposes.[5] Manistee County was organized in its own right on February 13, 1855.[6]

### Etymology

[edit]

The name "Manistee" is from an Ojibwe word first applied to the principal river of the county.[1] The derivation is not certain,[7] but it may be from ministigweyaa, "river with islands at its mouth".[1][8][9]

### Historical markers

[edit]

There are thirteen recognized Michigan historical markers in the county:[10]

* Harriet Quimby Childhood Home
* John J. Makinen Bottle House
* First Congregational Church, Manistee
* Great Fire of 1871
* Holy Trinity Episcopal Church
* Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Rectory
* Kaleva, Michigan
* Manistee City Library
* Manistee Fire Hall
* Our Saviour's Lutheran Church
* Ramsdell Theatre
* Trinity Lutheran Church [Arcadia]
* William Douglas House

## Geography

[edit]

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.[11] Manistee County is considered to be part of Northern Michigan.

### Adjacent counties

[edit]

By land

* Benzie County \- north
* Grand Traverse County \- northeast
* Wexford County \- east
* Lake County \- southeast
* Mason County \- south

By water

* Manitowoc County, Wisconsin \- southwest
* Kewaunee County, Wisconsin \- west

### Protected areas

[edit]

* Manistee National Forest (part)
* Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness
* Orchard Beach State Park

The Kaleva Bottle House

## Communities

[edit]

### City

[edit]

* Manistee (county seat)

### Villages

[edit]

* Bear Lake
* Copemish
* Eastlake
* Kaleva
* Onekama

### Census-designated places

[edit]

* Arcadia
* Brethren
* Filer City
* Oak Hill
* Parkdale
* Stronach
* Wellston

### Other unincorporated communities

[edit]

* Dublin
* Harlan
* Marilla
* Norwalk
* Pierport
* Pleasanton
* Portage Point
* Red Park
* Wick-A-Te-Wah
* Williamsport

### Townships

[edit]

* Arcadia Township
* Bear Lake Township
* Brown Township
* Cleon Township
* Dickson Township
* Filer Charter Township
* Manistee Township
* Maple Grove Township
* Marilla Township
* Norman Township
* Onekama Township
* Pleasanton Township
* Springdale Township
* Stronach Township

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

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| [12]| 2.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]
1790-1960[14] 1900-1990[15]
1990-2000[16] 2010-2018[2]

As of the census[17] 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

[edit]

School districts include:[18]

* 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

## Government

[edit]

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.

### Elected officials

[edit]

* Prosecuting Attorney: Jason Haag
* Sheriff: Brian Gutowski
* County Clerk: Jill Nowak
* County Treasurer: Rachel Nelson
* Register of Deeds: Penny Pepera
* Drain Commissioner: Ken Hilliard
* County Surveyor: Patrick Bentley

(information as of February 2012)

## Politics

[edit]

For most of the 20th century, Manistee County was a Republican stronghold in presidential elections, tending only to vote for Democrats in national landslides. One notable exception to this was in 1920, when it was the only county in Michigan to not vote for Warren G. Harding, though he only lost the county by just five votes and narrowly missed out on sweeping all of Michigan's counties. Beginning in 1992, the county saw a Democratic trend which lasted through 2012, with the exception of 2004, when incumbent Republican George W. Bush defeated Democrat John Kerry by 23 votes. In 2016 the county swung heavily Republican in support of Donald Trump, the best such performance since Reagan's 1984 landslide. In 2020 and 2024, the county continued to shift further into the Republican column.[19]

United States presidential election results for Manistee County, Michigan[20] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2024 | 8,748  | 57.09% | 6,309  | 41.17%  | 266  | 1.74%
2020 | 8,321  | 56.69% | 6,107  | 41.60%  | 251  | 1.71%
2016 | 6,915  | 54.62% | 4,979  | 39.33%  | 766  | 6.05%
2012 | 5,737  | 46.26%  | 6,473  | 52.19% | 192  | 1.55%
2008 | 5,510  | 42.36%  | 7,235  | 55.62% | 264  | 2.03%
2004 | 6,295  | 49.41% | 6,272  | 49.23%  | 173  | 1.36%
2000 | 5,401  | 47.26%  | 5,639  | 49.34% | 388  | 3.40%
1996 | 3,807  | 36.12%  | 5,383  | 51.08% | 1,349  | 12.80%
1992 | 3,491  | 29.96%  | 5,193  | 44.57% | 2,967  | 25.47%
1988 | 5,368  | 52.58% | 4,765  | 46.67%  | 77  | 0.75%
1984 | 6,328  | 61.45% | 3,917  | 38.04%  | 53  | 0.51%
1980 | 5,662  | 52.91% | 4,164  | 38.91%  | 876  | 8.19%
1976 | 5,532  | 54.59% | 4,479  | 44.20%  | 123  | 1.21%
1972 | 5,070  | 57.20% | 3,625  | 40.90%  | 168  | 1.90%
1968 | 4,007  | 48.24% | 3,671  | 44.20%  | 628  | 7.56%
1964 | 2,918  | 34.56%  | 5,520  | 65.37% | 6  | 0.07%
1960 | 4,867  | 54.08% | 4,122  | 45.81%  | 10  | 0.11%
1956 | 5,313  | 63.74% | 3,014  | 36.16%  | 9  | 0.11%
1952 | 5,235  | 62.50% | 3,114  | 37.18%  | 27  | 0.32%
1948 | 3,913  | 52.89% | 3,339  | 45.13%  | 147  | 1.99%
1944 | 4,095  | 54.38% | 3,398  | 45.13%  | 37  | 0.49%
1940 | 4,630  | 52.07% | 4,242  | 47.71%  | 20  | 0.22%
1936 | 3,509  | 42.02%  | 4,542  | 54.40% | 299  | 3.58%
1932 | 3,256  | 40.12%  | 4,475  | 55.14% | 384  | 4.73%
1928 | 4,129  | 60.73% | 2,624  | 38.59%  | 46  | 0.68%
1924 | 3,701  | 58.09% | 1,314  | 20.62%  | 1,356  | 21.28%
1920 | 2,179  | 47.68%  | 2,184  | 47.79% | 207  | 4.53%
1916 | 2,360  | 50.17% | 2,177  | 46.28%  | 167  | 3.55%
1912 | 1,240  | 26.27%  | 1,790  | 37.92% | 1,691  | 35.82%
1908 | 2,706  | 56.79% | 1,799  | 37.75%  | 260  | 5.46%
1904 | 3,155  | 67.43% | 1,235  | 26.39%  | 289  | 6.18%
1900 | 3,152  | 56.33% | 2,336  | 41.74%  | 108  | 1.93%
1896 | 2,697  | 50.65% | 2,487  | 46.70%  | 141  | 2.65%
1892 | 1,481  | 35.42%  | 2,310  | 55.25% | 390  | 9.33%
1888 | 1,668  | 39.23%  | 2,328  | 54.75% | 256  | 6.02%
1884 | 1,305  | 38.46%  | 1,926  | 56.76% | 162  | 4.77%

## Fire departments and emergency medical services

[edit]

### County ambulance service

[edit]

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

### Fire departments

[edit]

* 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

[edit]

### Airport

[edit]

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

[edit]

* US 31 runs through Manistee and Bear Lake, paralleling Lake Michigan further inland than M-22.
* M-22 begins five miles (8.0 km) north of Manistee and goes through Onekama and Arcadia, paralleling the Lake Michigan shoreline and offering a scenic route.
* M-55 begins two miles (3.2 km) north of Manistee and runs across the Lower Peninsula to Tawas City via Cadillac, Lake City, Houghton Lake, and West Branch.
* M-115 is a diagonal highway, running southeast–northwest across the northeast corner of the county. It enters Benzie County to the north and Wexford County to the east.

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.[21][22]

### Bicycle routes

[edit]

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

## See also

[edit]

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

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d "Bibliography on Manistee County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Archived from the original on February 17, 2013. 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. ^ George Dawson (1840). Acts of the Legislature of the State of Michigan Passed at the Annual Session of 1840. Detroit. pp. 196–200.
5. ^ "History in Grand Traverse County, Michigan". genealogytrails.com. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
6. ^ Harold, Steve (August 2, 2022). "From sawmills to its population, explore Manistee Township's early history". Manistee News Advocate. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
7. ^ Bright, William (2004). Native American Place Names of the United States. Norman: Oklahoma University Press, pg. 265
8. ^ County place names Archived March 13, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
9. ^ "Manistee County, Michigan". 50-State Learning Resource Guide. Archived from the original on March 2, 2012. Retrieved April 7, 2009.
10. ^ "Michigan Historical Markers". Archived from the original on July 17, 2014. Retrieved January 8, 2008.
11. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
12. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
13. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
14. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
15. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
16. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
17. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
18. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Manistee County, MI" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 22, 2022. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
19. ^ https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/
20. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
21. ^ Michigan Department of Transportation (2003). Michigan: Official Department of Transportation Map (Map) (2003–2004 ed.). c. 1:918,720. Lansing: Michigan Department of Transportation. § H8. OCLC 42778335. Retrieved October 17, 2019 - via Michigan History Center.
22. ^ Michigan Department of Transportation (2004). Michigan: Official Department of Transportation Map (Map) (2003–2004 ed.). c. 1:975,000. Lansing: Michigan Department of Transportation. § H8. OCLC 42778335, 53197160.

## Further reading

[edit]

* "Bibliography on Manistee County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
* Manistee County - Official Website

Places adjacent to Manistee County, Michigan

|  | Benzie County | Grand Traverse County

|
|

|  |
Kewaunee County, Wisconsin |

Manistee County, Michigan

| Wexford County
|  |
Manitowoc County, Wisconsin | Mason County | Lake County

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Manistee County, Michigan, United States

County seat: Manistee

City|

* Manistee

Map of Michigan highlighting Manistee County.svg

Villages|

* Bear Lake
* Copemish
* Eastlake
* Kaleva
* Onekama

Charter
township|

* Filer

General law
townships|

* Arcadia
* Bear Lake
* Brown
* Cleon
* Dickson
* Manistee
* Maple Grove
* Marilla
* Norman
* Onekama
* Pleasanton
* Springdale
* Stronach

CDPs|

* Arcadia
* Brethren
* Filer City
* Oak Hill
* Parkdale
* Stronach
* Wellston

Other
communities|

* Dublin
* Harlan‡
* Marilla
* Norwalk
* Pierport
* Pleasanton
* Portage Point
* Red Park
* Wick-A-Te-Wah
* Williamsport

Indian reservation|

* Manistee Indian Reservation‡

Footnotes|

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

* Michigan portal
* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

Northern Michigan

Central cities|

* Alpena
* Cadillac
* Charlevoix
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* Petoskey
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* Missaukee
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Geography|

* Au Sable River
* Cheboygan River
* Elk River watershed
* Grand Traverse Bay
* Houghton Lake
* Inland Waterway
* Leelanau Peninsula
* Lake Charlevoix
* Lake Huron
* Lake Michigan
* Little Traverse Bay
* Manistee River
* Straits of Mackinac
* Thunder Bay
* Walloon Lake

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* BATA
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* SS Badger

Economy|

* Cherry production in Michigan
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Michigan portal

44°18′N 86°19′W﻿ / ﻿44.30°N 86.31°W﻿ / 44.30; -86.31

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