Allegan County, Michigan

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Allegan County (Template:IPAc-en Template:Respell) is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 120,502.<ref name=QF>Template:Cite web</ref> The county seat is Allegan.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The name was coined by Henry Rowe Schoolcraft to sound like a Native American word.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=Clarke>Template:Cite web</ref> Allegan County comprises the Holland, Michigan Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Grand Rapids–Kentwood–Muskegon Combined Statistical Area. It is primarily an agricultural area that is rapidly becoming urbanized as the population centers of Grand Rapids on the northeast and Kalamazoo to the southeast expand into Allegan County.

The county has long been a regional tourist draw, particularly the Tulip Time Festival in Holland and the area along Lake Michigan. The Lake Michigan shoreline has long been a popular place for vacation homes, and that development continues, especially around Saugatuck and Douglas. Another draw is Allegan State Game Area, a Template:Cvt forest attracting campers, snowmobilers, cross-country skiers and hunters. Allegan County contains Saugatuck Dunes State Park with trails through scenic dunes and a swimming beach on Lake Michigan. The county also contains Pier Cove Park, a public beach with Lake Michigan access. Lake Allegan is a popular destination.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

History

The Michigan peninsula was long occupied by bands of the Pottawatomi and Ojibwe of the Lake Superior Band of Chippewa Indians. The United States government forced the tribes to cede their extensive territories to the federal government, in exchange for annuities and small reservations. The federally recognized Match-e-be-nash-she-wish Band of Pottawatomi has a reservation here.

The boundaries of Allegan County were laid out by the Territorial legislature in 1831. The county was organized in 1835. At that time there were only about four European-American families in the area. Among the first settlers of Allegan County were Giles Scott and Turner Aldrich.<ref>Thomas, Henry F. (Ed.) (1907). A Twentieth Century History of Allegan County, Michigan, pp. 4–6. The Lewis Publishing Co.</ref>

Geography

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of Template:Cvt, of which Template:Cvt is land and Template:Cvt (55%) is water.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Adjacent counties

By land

Ottawa County – north
Kent County – northeast
Barry County – east
Kalamazoo County – southeast
Van Buren County – south

By water

Transportation

Major highways

Demographics

Template:US Census population

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 111,408 people living in the county. 92.9% were White, 1.2% Black or African American, 0.6% Asian, 0.6% Native American, 2.8% of some other race and 1.9% of two or more races. 6.7% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). 23.0% were of Dutch, 17.5% German, 8.3% English, 7.1% Irish and 7.1% American ancestry.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

As of the 2000 United States census,<ref>Statistical profile of Allegan County, Michigan Template:Webarchive</ref> there were 105,665 people, 38,165 households, and 28,394 families living in the county. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 43,292 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the county was 93.47% White, 1.31% Black or African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.77% from other races, and 1.32% from two or more races. 5.72% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 25.6% were of Dutch, 17.8% German, 9.6% American, 8.4% English and 7.2% Irish ancestry, 93.6% spoke only English; 5.2% spoke Spanish at home.

There were 38,165 households, out of which 37.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.40% were married couples living together, 9.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.60% were non-families. 20.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.15.

The county population contained 28.90% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 30.00% from 25 to 44, 22.00% from 45 to 64, and 11.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $45,813, and the median income for a family was $51,908. Males had a median income of $38,681 versus $26,887 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,918. About 5.00% of families and 7.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.50% of those under age 18 and 7.90% of those age 65 or over.

Religion

The Reformed Church in America was the largest Protestant denomination with 4,500 members in 11 churches.
The United Methodist Church was second, with 3,600 congregants in 20 churches.
The Christian Reformed Church was third, with 10 churches and 2,600 members.
The Catholic Church has 10,000 members Template:As of.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has one meetinghouse.<ref>LDS.org Locator Map (accessed 3 September 2018)</ref>

Government

The county government operates the 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.