Editing Ingham County, Michigan

{{short description|County in Michigan, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Ingham County
 | state                = Michigan
 | seal                 = Ingham County, Michigan (crest).jpg
 | logo                 = Ingham_logo.PNG
 | founded date         = October 29
 | founded year         = 1829 (created)<br />1838 (organized)<ref name="clarke"/>
 | seat wl              = Mason
 | largest city wl      = Lansing
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 561
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 556
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 4.6
 | area percentage      = 0.8%
 | census yr            = 2020
 | pop                  = 284900
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2024
 | population_est       = 290427 {{gain}}
 | density_sq_mi        = auto
 | time zone            = Eastern
 | named for            = [[Samuel D. Ingham]]<ref name="clarke">{{cite web |url=https://www.cmich.edu/library/clarke/AccessMaterials/Bibliographies/MichiganLocalHistory/Pages/ingham.aspx|publisher=[[Clarke Historical Library]], [[Central Michigan University]] |title=Bibliography on Ingham County|access-date=January 19, 2013}}</ref>
 | web                  = ingham.org
 | ex image             = File:Ingham County Courthouse.jpg
 | ex image cap         = [[Ingham County Courthouse]]
 | district             = 7th }}

'''Ingham County''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɪ|ŋ|ə|m}} {{respell|ING|um}}) is a [[Counties of the United States|county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Michigan]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 Census]], the population was 284,900.<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/inghamcountymichigan/POP010220|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 15, 2021}}</ref> The [[county seat]] is [[Mason, Michigan|Mason]].<ref name="GR6">{{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 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011}}</ref> [[Lansing, Michigan|Lansing]], the state capital of Michigan, is largely located within the county. Lansing is the only state capital in the United States located in a county of which it is not also the seat of government. The county is home to [[Michigan State University]], [[Lansing Community College]], and the Class A [[minor league baseball]] team [[Lansing Lugnuts]]. Ingham County is included in the Lansing–[[East Lansing, Michigan|East Lansing]], MI [[Lansing–East Lansing metropolitan area|Metropolitan Statistical Area]]. It is considered to be a part of [[Mid Michigan]].

==History==
Ingham County was established by an act of the Michigan Territorial Legislature on October 29, 1829, from portions of [[Shiawassee County, Michigan|Shiawassee County]], [[Washtenaw County, Michigan|Washtenaw County]] and unorganized territory. It was attached for administrative purposes to Washtenaw County until 1838 when county government was established for Ingham.<ref name="clarke" />

The county was named for [[Samuel D. Ingham]], the [[U.S. Secretary of the Treasury]] under [[U.S. President|President]] [[Andrew Jackson]], making Ingham one of Michigan's so-called [[Cabinet counties]].<ref name="clarke" />

==Geography==
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|561|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|556|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|4.6|sqmi}} (0.8%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_26.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113024015/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_26.txt |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 13, 2013 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=September 25, 2014 |date=August 22, 2012 |title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files}}</ref>

The county consists of gently rolling hills with an [[elevation]] ranging between 800 and 1,000 feet above [[sea level]]. The highest point in the county is the top of [[Teaspoon Hill]] rising to a height of 1,056 feet above sea level 1.5 miles north of [[Leslie, Michigan|Leslie]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mountainzone.com/mountains/detail.asp?fid=1479856|title=Hiking Trails, Mountain Bike Trails & Trail Maps - Trails.com|work=mountainzone.com}}</ref>

The [[Grand River (Michigan)|Grand River]] winds northward along the western boundary of the county and the [[Red Cedar River (Michigan)|Red Cedar River]] flows west across the northern section into the Grand River in Lansing. Most of the midsection of the county drains to the north into the Red Cedar River and the northern tier of townships drain to the south into the Cedar. The Sycamore Creek, flowing northwest into the Red Cedar in Lansing, drains much of the midsection of the county. Most of the southern portion of the county drains south or west into the Grand River. The southeastern corner drains to the southeast into the [[Huron River (Michigan)|Huron River]] via the Portage Creek and Portage River and a series of small lakes.

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Shiawassee County, Michigan|Shiawassee County]] (northeast)
* [[Livingston County, Michigan|Livingston County]] (east)
* [[Washtenaw County, Michigan|Washtenaw County]] (southeast)
* [[Jackson County, Michigan|Jackson County]] (south)
* [[Eaton County, Michigan|Eaton County]] (west)
* [[Clinton County, Michigan|Clinton County]] (north)

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1840= 2498
|1850= 8631
|1860= 17435
|1870= 25268
|1880= 33676
|1890= 37666
|1900= 39818
|1910= 53310
|1920= 81554
|1930= 116587
|1940= 130616
|1950= 172941
|1960= 211296
|1970= 261039
|1980= 275520
|1990= 281912
|2000= 279320
|2010= 280895
|2020= 284900
|estyear=2024
|estimate=290427
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2024">{{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, 2024|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 15, 2025}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 25, 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 25, 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=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 25, 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=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 25, 2014}}</ref> 2010-2019<ref name="QF"/>
}}

As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2010, there were 280,895 people, 111,162 households, and 62,674 families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|502.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 121,281 housing units at an average density of {{convert|216.8|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the county was 76.2% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 11.8% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.6% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 5.2% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.04% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 2.3% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 4.0% from two or more races. 7.83% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

According to the 2007–2010 [[American Community Survey]] 22.8% were of [[Germans|German]], 13.2% [[Irish people|Irish]], 12.5% [[English people|English]] and 5.6% [[Polish people|Polish]] ancestry. 88.2% spoke only [[English language|English]], while 3.9% spoke Asian languages and 3.8% [[Spanish language|Spanish]] at home.

As of the 2000 Census, there were 108,593 households, out of which 29.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.00% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.30% were non-families. 30.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the county, 23.40% of the population was under the age of 18, 18.50% was from 18 to 24, 28.60% from 25 to 44, 20.10% from 45 to 64, and 9.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $40,774, and the median income for a family was $53,063. Males had a median income of $40,335 versus $30,178 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $21,079. About 8.30% of families and 14.60% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 14.60% of those under age 18 and 6.60% of those age 65 or over.

==Government==
For most of the 20th century, Ingham County was rather conservative for an urban county. From 1900 to 1988, it voted Republican all but three times, in the national Democratic landslides of 1932, 1936 and 1964.

However, the Republican edge narrowed in the 1980s, and the county has gone Democratic at every election since 1992. In recent years, only [[Washtenaw County, Michigan|Washtenaw County]]  has been more Democratic.

{{PresHead|place=Ingham County, Michigan|source=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|first=David|last=Leip|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=April 3, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Democratic|50,564|94,542|3,197|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|2020|Democratic|47,639|94,212|2,699|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|2016|Democratic|43,868|79,110|9,157|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|2012|Democratic|45,306|80,847|2,157|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|46,483|93,994|2,549|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|2004|Democratic|54,734|76,877|1,442|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|2000|Democratic|47,314|69,231|4,050|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|43,096|63,584|10,135|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|43,926|61,596|28,270|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|58,363|55,984|1,088|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|68,753|46,411|919|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|56,777|48,278|20,576|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|66,729|47,890|4,708|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|63,376|53,458|1,409|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|46,805|37,362|6,786|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|32,965|53,685|179|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|54,655|32,043|209|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|55,211|27,323|120|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|51,503|24,125|533|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|31,868|19,366|1,341|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|34,255|23,655|403|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|32,565|24,375|442|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|19,434|27,086|1,793|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|21,044|22,370|1,131|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|29,383|7,654|206|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|28,005|4,814|1,686|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|18,437|7,061|982|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1916|Republican|7,846|7,664|917|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1912|Progressive|3,515|3,915|5,729|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|6,723|5,016|782|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|6,817|3,871|571|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|5,350|5,104|333|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1896|Democratic|4,958|5,691|265|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1892|Republican|4,341|4,061|1,447|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1888|Democratic|4,547|4,782|619|Michigan}}
{{PresFoot|1884|Democratic|3,709|4,562|484|Michigan}}

The county government operates the [[County jail|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 14-member [[county commission|county board of commissioners]] controls the budget, but has only limited authority to make laws or ordinances due to Michigan's large [[devolution]] of local power to cities, villages, and townships. The county board of commissioners also hires a county administrator/[[Comptroller|controller]] who serves as the chief fiscal and administrative officer of the county.

===Elected officials===
* [[Prosecutor|Prosecuting Attorney]]: John Dewane{{efn|Appointed December 31, 2022}} (D)
* [[Sheriff]]: Scott Wriggelsworth (D)
* [[County Clerk]]: [[Barb Byrum]] (D)
* [[Register of Deeds]]: Derrick Quinney (D)
* [[Treasurer|County Treasurer]]: Alan Fox{{efn|Appointed April 5, 2022}} (D)
* [[Drain Commissioner]]: Patrick Lindemann (D)

===County Board of Commissioners===
15 members, elected from districts (12 [[United States Democratic Party|Democrats]], 3 [[United States Republican Party|Republicans]])

{| class="wikitable"
|- valign=bottom
! District
! Commissioner
! Party
|-{{Party shading/Republican}}
| 1 || Randy Maiville, '''Vice Chair Pro Tem''' || Rep
|-{{Party shading/Republican}}
| 2 || Karla Ruest || Rep
|-{{Party shading/Democratic}}
| 3 || Chris Trubac, '''Vice Chair''' || Dem
|-{{Party shading/Democratic}}
| 4 || Todd Tennis || Dem
|-{{Party shading/Democratic}}
| 5 || Myles Johnson || Dem
|-{{Party shading/Democratic}}
| 6 || Victor Celentino || Dem
|-{{Party shading/Democratic}}
| 7 || Thomas Morgan || Dem
|-{{Party shading/Democratic}}
| 8 || Robert Peña || Dem
|-{{Party shading/Democratic}}
| 9 || Ryan Sebolt, '''Chair'''|| Dem
|-{{Party shading/Democratic}}
| 10 || Gabrielle Lawrence || Dem
|-{{Party shading/Democratic}}
| 11 || Mark Grebner || Dem
|-{{Party shading/Democratic}}
| 12 || Irene Cahill || Dem
|-{{Party shading/Democratic}}
| 13 || Simar Pawar{{efn|Appointed January 25, 2023}} || Dem
|-{{Party shading/Democratic}}
| 14 || Mark Polsdofer || Dem
|-{{Party shading/Republican}}
| 15 || Monica Schafer || Rep
|}

===55th Judicial District Court===
2 [[judge]]s (non-partisan)
* Judge Donald Allen, Jr.
* Judge Richard Hillman

===30th Judicial Circuit Court===
9 [[judge]]s (non-partisan)
*General Trial Division
** Judge Joyce Draganchuk, Chief Circuit Judge
** Judge [[Rosemarie Aquilina]]
** Judge James Jamo
** Judge Wanda Stokes
*Family Division
** Judge Lisa McCormick, Presiding Judge
** Judge Shauna Dunnings, Chief Circuit & Probate Judge Pro Tempore
** Judge Richard Garcia, Judge of Probate
** Judge Carol Koenig
** Judge Morgan E. Cole

==Transportation==

===Air service===
* Ingham County is served by Lansing [[Capital Region International Airport]] and [[Mason Jewett Field]].

===Rail service===
* [[East Lansing (Amtrak station)|Amtrak]]
* [[Canadian National Railway]]
* [[CSX Transportation]]
* [[Adrian and Blissfield Rail Road|Jackson & Lansing Railroad]]

===Bus service===
* [[Capital Area Transportation Authority]] (CATA)
* [[Greyhound Lines]]
* [[Indian Trails]]

===Highways===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* {{jct|state=MI|I|96}}
* {{jct|state=MI|BL|96|dab1=Lansing}}
* {{jct|state=MI|I|496}}
* {{jct|state=MI|BL|69|dab1=Lansing}}
* {{jct|state=MI|US|127}}
* {{jct|state=MI|M|36}}
* {{jct|state=MI|M|43}}
* {{jct|state=MI|M|52}}
* {{jct|state=MI|M|99}}
* {{jct|state=MI|M|106}}
* {{jct|state=MI|M|143}}
* {{jct|state=MI|M|188}}
{{div col end}}

===Recreational===
* [[Lansing River Trail]]

==Communities==
[[File:Ingham County, MI census map.png|thumb|right|500px|[[United States Census|U.S. Census]] data map showing local municipal boundaries within Ingham County. Shaded areas represent incorporated cities.]]

===Cities===
* [[East Lansing, Michigan|East Lansing]] (part)
* [[Lansing, Michigan|Lansing]] (part)
* [[Leslie, Michigan|Leslie]]
* [[Mason, Michigan|Mason]] (county seat)
* [[Williamston, Michigan|Williamston]]

===Villages===
* [[Dansville, Michigan|Dansville]]
* [[Stockbridge, Michigan|Stockbridge]]
* [[Webberville, Michigan|Webberville]]

===Charter townships===
* [[Delhi Charter Township, Michigan|Delhi Charter Township]]
* [[Lansing Charter Township, Michigan|Lansing Charter Township]]
* [[Meridian Charter Township, Michigan|Meridian Charter Township]]

===Civil townships===
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
* [[Alaiedon Township, Michigan|Alaiedon Township]]
* [[Aurelius Township, Michigan|Aurelius Township]]
* [[Bunker Hill Township, Michigan|Bunker Hill Township]]
* [[Ingham Township, Michigan|Ingham Township]]
* [[Leroy Township, Ingham County, Michigan|Leroy Township]]
* [[Leslie Township, Michigan|Leslie Township]]
* [[Locke Township, Michigan|Locke Township]]
* [[Onondaga Township, Michigan|Onondaga Township]]
* [[Stockbridge Township, Michigan|Stockbridge Township]]
* [[Vevay Township, Michigan|Vevay Township]]
* [[Wheatfield Township, Michigan|Wheatfield Township]]
* [[White Oak Township, Michigan|White Oak Township]]
* [[Williamstown Township, Michigan|Williamstown Township]]
{{div col end}}

===Former townships===
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
*[[Brutus Township, Michigan]]<ref>{{cite book |last= Romig |first= Walter |year= 1986 |title= Michigan Place Names |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=Y-FPXEGRo-YC |location= Detroit |publisher= [[Wayne State University Press]] |isbn= 978-0-8143-1838-6 |via= Google Books |page= 84}}</ref>
{{div col end}}

===Census-designated places===
* [[Edgemont Park, Michigan|Edgemont Park]]
* [[Haslett, Michigan|Haslett]]
* [[Holt, Michigan|Holt]]
* [[Okemos, Michigan|Okemos]]

===Other unincorporated communities===
* [[Columbia, Michigan|Columbia]]
* [[Fitchburg, Michigan|Fitchburg]]
* [[Onondaga, Michigan|Onondaga]]

==Education==
;School districts include:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st26_mi/schooldistrict_maps/c26065_ingham/DC20SD_C26065.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720052829/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st26_mi/schooldistrict_maps/c26065_ingham/DC20SD_C26065.pdf |archive-date=July 20, 2022 |url-status=live|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Ingham County, MI|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|accessdate=July 20, 2022}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st26_mi/schooldistrict_maps/c26065_ingham/DC20SD_C26065_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>
* [[Dansville Schools]]
* [[East Lansing School District]]
* [[Eaton Rapids Public Schools]]
* [[Fowlerville Community Schools]]
* [[Haslett Public Schools]]
* [[Holt Public Schools]]
* [[Lansing Public School District]]
* [[Leslie, Michigan#Education|Leslie Public Schools]]
* [[Mason Public Schools]]
* [[Morrice Area Schools]]
* [[Northwest School District (Michigan)|Northwest School District]]
* [[Okemos Public Schools]]
* [[Perry Public School District]]
* [[Springport Public Schools]]
* [[Stockbridge Community Schools]]
* [[Waverly Community Schools]]
* [[Webberville Community Schools]]
* [[Williamston Community Schools]]

The [[Michigan School for the Blind]], a state-operated school, was formerly in Lansing.

[[Michigan State University]] is in the county.

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==See also==

{{Portal|Michigan}}
* [[List of Michigan State Historic Sites in Ingham County, Michigan]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Ingham County, Michigan]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [http://www.ingham.org/ Ingham County]
* [http://www.cadl.org/ Capital Area District Library (serving all of Ingham County except East Lansing)]
* {{cite web |url=http://clarke.cmich.edu/resource_tab/bibliographies_of_clarke_library_material/michigan_local_history/county_material/ingham.html |publisher=[[Clarke Historical Library]], [[Central Michigan University]] |title=Bibliography on Ingham County|access-date=January 19, 2013}}

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Ingham County, Michigan
|North     =
|Northeast = [[Shiawassee County, Michigan|Shiawassee County]]
|East      = [[Livingston County, Michigan|Livingston County]]
|Southeast = [[Washtenaw County, Michigan|Washtenaw County]]
|South     = [[Jackson County, Michigan|Jackson County]]
|Southwest =
|West      = [[Eaton County, Michigan|Eaton County]]
|Northwest = [[Clinton County, Michigan|Clinton County]]
}}
{{Cities of Ingham County, Michigan}}
{{Central Michigan}}
{{Michigan}}

{{coord|42.60|-84.37|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-MI_source:UScensus1990}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Ingham County, Michigan| ]]
[[Category:Lansing–East Lansing metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Michigan counties]]
[[Category:1838 establishments in Michigan]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1838]]