Editing Delta County, Michigan

{{short description|County in Michigan, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Delta County
 | state                = Michigan
 | seal                 = 
 | founded date         = March 9
 | founded year         = 1843 (authorized)<br/>1861 (organized)<ref name=clarke/>
 | seat wl              = Escanaba
 | largest city         = Escanaba
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 1991
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 1171
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 820
 | area percentage      = 41%
 | census yr            = 2020
 | pop                  = 36,903
 | density_sq_mi        = 32
 | ex image             = DeltaCountyMichiganBuilding.jpg
 | ex image cap         = Delta County Courthouse in Escanaba
 | district             = 1st
 | time zone            = Eastern
 | named for            = Greek letter [[Delta (letter)|Delta]]
 | web                  = deltacountymi.gov/ 
}}

'''Delta County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[Upper Peninsula of Michigan|Upper Peninsula]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Michigan]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the [[population]] was 36,903.<ref name=QF>{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/deltacountymichigan/POP010220|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=September 15, 2021}}</ref> The [[county seat]] is [[Escanaba, Michigan|Escanaba]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> The county was surveyed in 1843 and organized in 1861. Its name originates from the Greek letter [[Delta (letter)|delta]] (Δ), which refers to the triangular shape of the original county<ref name=clarke>{{cite web|url=http://www.cmich.edu/library/clarke/AccessMaterials/Bibliographies/MichiganLocalHistory/Pages/delta.aspx|publisher=Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University|title=Bibliography on Delta County|access-date=July 6, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ|title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States|publisher=Govt. Print. Off.|author=Gannett, Henry|year=1905| page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ/page/n102 103]}}</ref> which included segments of [[Menominee County, Michigan|Menominee]], [[Dickinson County, Michigan|Dickinson]], [[Iron County, Michigan|Iron]], and [[Marquette County, Michigan|Marquette]] counties.<ref>[http://www.michigan.gov/hal/0,1607,7-160-15481_20826_20829-54126--,00.html Names of Michigan Counties] (accessed July 28, 2009)</ref> Recreation and forest products are major industries, and crops include hay, corn, small grains, potatoes, and strawberries.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/michigan/dhMI1977/dhMI1977.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926010016/http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/michigan/dhMI1977/dhMI1977.pdf |archive-date=September 26, 2015 |url-status=live|access-date=October 5, 2021|title=Soil Survey of Delta County and Hiawatha National Forest of Alger and Schoolcraft Counties, Michigan|publisher=United States Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service and Forest Service |author=Loren W. Berndt|year=1977 |page=1)}}</ref>

Delta County comprises the Escanaba, MI [[Micropolitan Statistical Area]].

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|1991|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|1171|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|820|sqmi}} (41%) is water.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_26.txt|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=September 21, 2014|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113024015/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_26.txt|archive-date=November 13, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is the fifth-largest county in Michigan by land area.

===Adjacent counties===
'''By land'''
* [[Menominee County, Michigan|Menominee County]] (southwest, [[Central Time Zone]] border)
* [[Marquette County, Michigan|Marquette County]] (northwest)
* [[Alger County, Michigan|Alger County]] (north)
* [[Schoolcraft County, Michigan|Schoolcraft County]] (east)
'''By water'''

* [[Leelanau County, Michigan|Leelanau County]] (southeast)
* [[Door County, Wisconsin]] (south, Central Time Zone border)

===National protected area===
* [[Hiawatha National Forest]] (part)

==Communities==
[[File:Delta County, MI census map.png|thumb|right|300px|[[United States Census|U.S. Census]] data map showing local municipal boundaries within Delta County. Shaded areas represent incorporated cities.]]

===Cities===
* [[Escanaba, Michigan|Escanaba]] (county seat)
* [[Gladstone, Michigan|Gladstone]]

===Village===
* [[Garden, Michigan|Garden]]

===Civil townships===
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
* [[Baldwin Township, Delta County, Michigan|Baldwin Township]]
* [[Bark River Township, Michigan|Bark River Township]]
* [[Bay de Noc Township, Michigan|Bay de Noc Township]]
* [[Brampton Township, Michigan|Brampton Township]]
* [[Cornell Township, Michigan|Cornell Township]]
* [[Ensign Township, Michigan|Ensign Township]]
* [[Escanaba Township, Michigan|Escanaba Township]]
* [[Fairbanks Township, Michigan|Fairbanks Township]]
* [[Ford River Township, Michigan|Ford River Township]]
* [[Garden Township, Michigan|Garden Township]]
* [[Maple Ridge Township, Delta County, Michigan|Maple Ridge Township]]
* [[Masonville Township, Michigan|Masonville Township]]
* [[Nahma Township, Michigan|Nahma Township]]
* [[Wells Township, Delta County, Michigan|Wells Township]]
{{div col end}}

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
* [[Bark River Township, Michigan#Communities|Bark River]]
* [[Brampton, Michigan|Brampton]]
* [[Chaison, Michigan|Chaison]]
* [[Fairbanks Township, Michigan#Communities|Fairport]]
* [[Fairbanks Township, Michigan#Communities|Fayette]]
* Ford River<ref name=DCGM/>
* [[Garden Township, Michigan#Communities|Garden Corners]]
* [[Harris Township, Michigan#Communities|Harris]]
* Hyde<ref name=DCGM/>
* [[Garden Township, Michigan#Communities|Isabella]]
* Island View<ref name=DCGM/>
* Kipling<ref name=DCGM/>
* Lake Bluff<ref name=DCGM/>
* Maplewood<ref name=DCGM/>
* [[Nahma Township, Michigan|Nahma]]
* [[Narenta, Michigan|Narenta]]
* [[Perkins, Michigan|Perkins]]
* [[Harris Township, Michigan#Communities|Perronville]]
* [[Rapid River, Michigan|Rapid River]]
* Riverland<ref name=DCGM/>
* [[Rock, Michigan|Rock]]
* [[Maple Ridge Township, Delta County, Michigan|St. Nicholas]]<ref name=DCGM/>
* [[Bark River Township, Michigan#Communities|Schaffer]]
* Wells<ref name=DCGM/>
* [[West Gladstone, Michigan|West Gladstone]]
{{div col end}}

===Indian reservations===
* A small section of the [[Hannahville Indian Community]], which has most of its territory in neighboring [[Menominee County, Michigan|Menominee County]] to the west, extends into [[Bark River Township, Michigan|Bark River Township]].
* The [[Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians]] occupies a very small portion in the southwest city limits of [[Escanaba, Michigan|Escanaba]].

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1860 = 1172
| 1870 = 2542
| 1880 = 6812
| 1890 = 15330
| 1900 = 23881
| 1910 = 30108
| 1920 = 30909
| 1930 = 32280
| 1940 = 34037
| 1950 = 32913
| 1960 = 34298
| 1970 = 35924
| 1980 = 38947
| 1990 = 37780
| 2000 = 38520
| 2010 = 37069
| 2020 = 36903
|estyear=2023
|estimate=36790
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 4, 2024}}</ref>
| align-fn = center
| footnote = US Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=US Decennial Census|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=September 21, 2014}}</ref><br/>1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=September 21, 2014}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/mi190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=September 21, 2014}}</ref><br/>1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=September 21, 2014}}</ref> 2010-2018<ref name=QF/>
}}

The [[2010 United States census]]<ref name="AFF">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|title=U.S. Census website|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=July 6, 2013}}</ref> indicated Delta County had population of 37,069. By 2020, its population was 36,903.

==Education==
School districts include:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st26_mi/schooldistrict_maps/c26041_delta/DC20SD_C26041.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802145654/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st26_mi/schooldistrict_maps/c26041_delta/DC20SD_C26041.pdf |archive-date=August 2, 2021 |url-status=live|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Delta County, MI|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|accessdate=July 21, 2022}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st26_mi/schooldistrict_maps/c26041_delta/DC20SD_C26041_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>
* [[Bark River-Harris School District]]
* [[Big Bay de Noc School District]]
* [[Escanaba Area Public Schools]]
* [[Gladstone Area Schools]]
* [[Mid Peninsula School District]]
* [[Rapid River Public Schools]]

==Government==
{{PresHead|place=Delta County, Michigan|source=<ref>[http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS US Election Atlas]</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|14,109|7,462|326|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|13,207|7,606|354|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|11,121|6,436|1,037|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|9,534|8,330|266|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|8,763|9,974|327|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|9,680|9,381|177|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|8,871|7,970|475|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|5,925|8,561|1,664|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|6,027|8,387|3,548|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1988|Democratic|7,114|8,891|60|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|8,952|7,934|56|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|8,146|8,475|1,071|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|7,809|9,027|197|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1972|Democratic|7,647|8,003|236|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1968|Democratic|5,829|7,821|714|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|4,434|10,046|27|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|6,460|7,924|29|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|7,766|6,489|45|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|7,488|6,921|49|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|5,414|6,943|276|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|5,213|7,375|56|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|6,218|8,802|81|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|4,527|8,954|310|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|4,386|7,363|536|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|5,420|5,419|91|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|4,761|463|4,330|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|4,938|1,985|627|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1916|Republican|3,088|1,781|300|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1912|Progressive|1,111|1,066|2,201|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|3,243|1,097|183|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|3,332|658|181|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|3,081|1,210|52|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1896|Republican|2,774|1,237|80|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1892|Republican|1,769|1,412|77|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1888|Republican|1,587|1,332|11|Michigan}}
{{PresFoot|1884|Republican|1,201|609|6|Michigan}}

Delta 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===
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Prosecutor|Prosecuting Attorney]]: Lauren Wickman
* [[Sheriff]]: Edward Oswald
* [[County Clerk]]/[[Register of Deeds]]: Nancy Przewrocki
* [[Treasurer|County Treasurer]]: Sherry Godfrey
* [[Drain Commissioner]]: George Maciejewski
* [[County Surveyor]]: Mel Davis
* [[Michigan Court System|Circuit Court Judge]]: John B. Economopoulos
* [[Michigan Court System|District Court Judge]]: Steven C. Parks
* [[Michigan Court System|Probate Court Judge]]: Perry R. Lund
{{div col end}}
<small>(information as of September 2018)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deltacountymi.org/contact.php|title=Delta County Directory|access-date=September 16, 2018}}</ref>

==Transportation==
===Major highways===
* {{jct|state=MI|US|2}} runs east–west through the lower part of the county, entering from Schoolcraft County east of Garden Corners and running westward to an intersection with US&nbsp;41 at Rapid River.
* {{jct|state=MI|US|41}} runs north–south through central part of the county, entering from Alger County at Trenary, running southerly to Rapid River then southwesterly along the Lake Michigan shore to the southwest corner of county.
* {{jct|state=MI|M|35}} enters from Marquette County at the northwest corner of the county and runs southeasterly to intersection with US&nbsp;41 at Gladstone.
* {{jct|state=MI|M|69}} runs east–west across the southwestern tip of the county, entering from Menominee County at Schaffer and running southeasterly to an intersection with US&nbsp;41 west of Narenta.
* {{jct|state=MI|M|183}} runs from the southern tip of the Garden Peninsula at Fayette State Park to an intersection with US&nbsp;2 at Garden Corners.<ref name="DCGM">{{google maps |url = https://www.google.com/maps/place/Delta+County,+MI/@45.6709246,-86.9129621,9.75z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x4d4c256ed84450ad:0x8c83c3593b04a75f!8m2!3d45.7124142!4d-86.9844175 |title = Delta County, MI |access-date = September 16, 2018 }}</ref>

===Airport===
The county is served by [[Delta County Airport]] (KESC), southwest of Escanaba. It provides scheduled airline service to [[Detroit, Michigan|Detroit]] and [[Minneapolis]].

==See also==
* [[List of Michigan State Historic Sites in Delta County, Michigan]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Delta County, Michigan]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [http://deltacountymi.org Delta County government website]
* [http://www.nmu.edu/sites/DrupalRuralAndLocal/files/UserFiles/Files/Pre-Drupal/SiteSections/Resources/Delta.pdf Delta County Profile, Sam M Cohodas Regional Economist, Tawni Hunt Ferrarini, Ph.D.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200714141446/https://www.nmu.edu/sites/DrupalRuralAndLocal/files/UserFiles/Files/Pre-Drupal/SiteSections/Resources/Delta.pdf |date=July 14, 2020 }}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.cmich.edu/library/clarke/AccessMaterials/Bibliographies/MichiganLocalHistory/Pages/delta.aspx|publisher=[[Clarke Historical Library]], [[Central Michigan University]]|title=Bibliography on Delta County}}

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Delta County, Michigan
|North     = [[Alger County, Michigan|Alger County]]
|Northeast = Schoolcraft County
|East      = [[Schoolcraft County, Michigan|Schoolcraft County]]
|Southeast = [[Leelanau County, Michigan|Leelanau County]] across Lake Michigan
|South     = [[Door County, Wisconsin]] across Lake Michigan
|Southwest =  Menominee County
|West      = [[Menominee County, Michigan|Menominee County]]
|Northwest = [[Marquette County, Michigan|Marquette County]]
}}

{{Delta County, Michigan}}
{{Upper Peninsula of Michigan}}
{{Michigan}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|45.78|-86.87|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-MI_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Delta County, Michigan| ]]
[[Category:Michigan counties]]
[[Category:1861 establishments in Michigan]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1861]]