Lake County, Michigan

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

Lake County (formerly known as Aischum County) is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 12,096.<ref name="QF">Template:Cite web</ref> The county seat is Baldwin.<ref name="GR6">Template:Cite web</ref>

History

The county was created by the Michigan Legislature in 1840 as Aischum County,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> then renamed Lake County in 1843, for its many lakes. It was administered by a succession of other Michigan counties prior to the organization of county government in 1871.<ref name="clarke">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=Newberry>Template:Cite web</ref>

Geography

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 (1.2%) is water.<ref name="GR1">Template:Cite web</ref>

State trunkline highways

Template:Jct enters from Mason County; goes through Baldwin; continues east into Osceola County
Template:Jct enters Lake County from Newaygo County; passes through Baldwin; continues north to Wexford County

National Protected Area

Manistee National Forest (part)

Adjacent counties

Osceola County (east)
Oceana County (southwest)
Wexford County (northeast)
Mason County (west)
Manistee County (northwest)
Newaygo County (south)
Mecosta County (southeast)

Demographics

Template:US Census population

As of the census<ref name="GR2">Template:Cite web</ref> of 2000, there were 11,333 people, 4,704 households, and 3,052 families residing in the county. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 13,498 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the county was 84.66% White, 11.17% Black or African American, 1.01% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.57% from other races, and 2.40% from two or more races. 1.69% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 20.2% were of English ancestry, 20.0% were of German ancestry, 8.4% Irish, and 6.1% Dutch ancestry. 97.5% spoke only English, while 1.3% spoke Spanish at home.

There were 4,704 households, out of which 23.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.40% were married couples living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.10% were non-families. 29.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.79.

In the county, 21.90% of the population was under the age of 18, 8.00% was from 18 to 24, 22.70% from 25 to 44, 27.60% from 45 to 64, and 19.70% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 109.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,622, and the median income for a family was $32,086. Males had a median income of $30,124 versus $21,886 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,457. About 14.70% of families and 19.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.30% of those under age 18 and 12.00% of those age 65 or over. 24/7 Wall St. reported that Lake County is the poorest county in Michigan.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

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.

Elected officials

Chief Trial Court Judge: David M. Glancy
Prosecuting Attorney: Craig Cooper
Sheriff: Richard L. Martin
County Clerk/Register of Deeds: Patti Pacola
County Treasurer: Kellie Allen
County Surveyor: Patrick Johnson

(information as of December 2016)

Communities

File:Lake County, MI census map.png

U.S. Census data map showing local municipal boundaries within Lake County

File:1842 Manistee Kawtawwabet Missaukee Mickenauk Ogemaw Kanotin Notipeskago Aishcum Unwattin Kaykakee Gladwin Arenac counties Michigan.jpg

A detail from A New Map of Michigan with its Canals, Roads & Distances (1842) by Henry Schenck Tanner, showing Lake County as Aishcum, the county's name from 1840 to 1843.<ref name=Newberry/> Several nearby counties are also shown with names that would later be changed.