Midland County, Michigan: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 02:57, 21 February 2025

Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox U.S. county

Midland County is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the population was 83,494.<ref name="QF">Template:Cite web</ref> The county seat is Midland.<ref name="GR6">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="clarke">Template:Cite web</ref>

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.

History

Early history

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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.<ref name="cityofmidlandmi.gov">Template:Cite web</ref>

19th century

In the year of 1831, Midland County's borders had been set.<ref name="michiganhistory.leadr.msu.edu">Template:Cite web</ref> In 1850, Midland County was officially organized.<ref name="michiganhistory.leadr.msu.edu"/> In 1874, the Flint and Pere Marquette Railroad linked Midland to the nationwide railroad network.<ref name="cityofmidlandmi.gov"/> 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.<ref name="cityofmidlandmi.gov"/>

Civil War

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.<ref>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</ref> Not all of them came back alive and several were wounded. Many veterans of the war are also buried in the county.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>https://seekingmichigan.org/about/indexes/civil-war-grand-army-of-the-republic-posts Template:Bare URL inline</ref>

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

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

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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Additionally, 675 men from Midland joined the US military during the war, and 8 of them died in the line of duty.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

World War 2

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.<ref name="ss.sites.mtu.edu">Template:Cite web</ref> There is also a large memorial to veterans from Midland County from this war.

Cold War

During the Cold War, an 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.<ref name="ss.sites.mtu.edu"/> Several men would also die in the Korean War and Vietnam War.

21st century

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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert is land and Template:Convert (2.2%) is water.<ref name="GR1">Template:Cite web</ref>

Adjacent counties

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

Transportation

Highways

Template:Jct follows a northwest-to-southeast route within the county. As a freeway, the route passes Coleman, Sanford, and Midland. West of Midland County, the highway can be used to access Clare and US 127, a north–south freeway. East of Midland County, the highway can be used to access Bay City, where it has a junction with I-75/US 23, a major north–south freeway.
Template:Jct is a business route serving the city of Midland.
Template:Jct is north–south route in the northwest of the county. The route continues north into Gladwin County, where it can be used to access Beaverton and Gladwin.
Template:Jct is an east–west highway that runs through the center of Midland County. The route continues west into Isabella County, where it can be used to access Mt. Pleasant and Big Rapids. The highway has its eastern terminus on the Midland-Bay county line, at a junction with US-10 in the city of Midland.
Template:Jct is a north–south route that serves the center of the county. The route runs along the Michigan meridian.

Airports

Scheduled airline service is available from MBS International Airport<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> in Freeland, Michigan and Bishop International Airport in Flint, Michigan.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Midland also has a general aviation airport, Jack Barstow Municipal Airport.<ref>Jack Barstow Municipal Airport Template:Webarchive</ref>

Public transportation

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.<ref>Dial-A-Ride homepage Template:Webarchive</ref>

Demographics

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As of the census<ref name="GR2">Template:Cite web</ref> of 2000, there were 82,874 people, 31,769 households, and 22,683 families residing in the county. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 33,796 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. 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

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Saginaw is the controlling regional body for the Catholic Church.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Michigan in Saginaw, Michigan is the controlling body for the Episcopal Church.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Economy

According to the Midland Daily News, the top employers in Midland County are:<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

#	Employer	Full-time employees
1	MidMichigan Health	4,878
2	Dow Chemical	4,003
3	Midland Public Schools	1,039
4	DuPont	697
5	Corteva Agriscience	664
6	Greater Midland Community Centers	564
7	Huntington Bank	535
8	Northwood University	501
9	City of Midland Government	467
10	Three Rivers Corporation	396
11	Walmart	327
12	Midland County Government	324
13	Meijer	303
14	Huhtamaki Plastics	257
15	International Flavors & Fragrances	250
16	Bierlein Companies	236
17	Trinseo	230
18	Fisher Companies	200
19	Bullock Creek Public Schools	195
20	Robinson Industries	150

Politics

Midland County is rather conservative for an urban county. It has been a consistent stronghold of the Republican Party, having supported its presidential candidates in every election from 1968 onward and all but twice since 1884. It is one of the few counties where Franklin D. Roosevelt was shut out in all four of his successful campaigns.

Government

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.

Sheriff

In 2012, Sheriff Jerry Nielsen renamed the Road Patrol Division to the Citizens Assistance Responders Division (CAR). Due to funding cuts, the department no longer had the staff to be proactive and prevent criminal activity. The philosophy changed to respond and provide assistance to citizens.<ref name=MCS />
The Sheriff's Department also operates the 250-bed jail that opened in late 2009. The Sheriff's department redesigned their website in 2006 to provide timely information to citizens and encourage them to submit tips and questions.<ref name=MCS>"Midland County Sheriff's Office" Template:Webarchive Midland County website</ref>

Elected officials

Prosecuting Attorney: J. Dee Brooks
Sheriff: Scott Holzinger<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
County Clerk: Ann Manary
County Treasurer: Cathy Lunsford
Register of Deeds: Jennifer Anway
Drain Commissioner: Joseph Sova<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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Board of Commissioners

7 members, elected from districts (6 Republicans, 1 Democrat)

District	Commissioner	Party
1	Jeanette M. Snyder	Republican
2	Mark Bone	Republican
3	Larry Schuelke	Republican
4	Jim Stamas	Republican
5	Todd M. Gambrell	Republican
6	Eric Dorrien	Republican
7	Alaynah Smith	Democrat