Arenac County, Michigan

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

Arenac County (Template:IPAc-en Template:Respell) is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 15,002.<ref name=QF>Template:Cite web</ref> The county seat is Standish.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

History

Arenac County was created by the Michigan Territory on 2 March 1831, then attached on 2 March 1836 to Saginaw County for administration. The creation and organization of Bay County overlaid Arenac and annexed portions of Saginaw and Midland Counties, causing the legal elimination of Arenac County on 20 April 1857. On 21 April 1883 Arenac County was re-created from the then existing northern townships of Bay County, with somewhat different boundaries than its previous creation.<ref>Arenac County Local History Timeline, 1890-1967. Arenac County Historical Society. Accessed 23 August 2024.</ref><ref>Michigan: Consolidated Chronology of State and County Boundaries. Michigan Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library 2007. Accessed 23 August 2024.</ref> The name Arenac, coined by Henry Rowe Schoolcraft, a US Indian Agent and ethnologist, is a derivation of the Latin arena and the Native American ac. The combined words mean “A sandy place for a good footing.”<ref name=Clarke/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The county includes some off-reservation trust lands held by the federal government for the federally recognized Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Nation, which is based in Isabella County. In early 2007, plans were confirmed for a casino to be constructed outside of the city of Standish with a scheduled opening by the end of the year. It is owned and operated by the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Saganing Eagles Landing Casino grand opening was held on January 24, 2008.<ref>"Saganing Eagles Landing grand opening" Template:Webarchive, casino website</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 (47%) is water.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It is the third-smallest county in Michigan by land area. Arenac County can be considered a part of either Northern Michigan or Central Michigan.

Geographic features

Saginaw Bay on Lake Huron
Au Gres River
Rifle River
Pine River (Arenac County)

Major highways

Adjacent counties

By land

Iosco County (northeast)
Bay County (south)
Gladwin County (west)
Ogemaw County (northwest)

By water

Tuscola County (south)
Huron County (southeast)

National protected area

Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Demographics

Template:US Census population

As of the 2000 United States Census,<ref>Statistical profile of Arenac County, Michigan Template:Webarchive</ref> there were 17,269 people, 6,710 households, and 4,717 families in the county. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 9,563 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the county was 95.38% White, 1.82% Black or African American, 0.95% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races, and 1.33% from two or more races. 1.38% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 24.0% were of German, 14.1% Polish, 11.6% French, 10.6% American, 7.9% English, 6.8% Irish and 5.3% French Canadian ancestry. 96.9% spoke English and 1.3% Spanish as their first language.

There were 6,710 households, out of which 29.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.00% were married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.70% were non-families. 25.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.92.

The county population contained 23.30% under the age of 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 26.80% from 25 to 44, 25.50% from 45 to 64, and 16.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 105.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,805, and the median income for a family was $39,033. Males had a median income of $31,205 versus $20,363 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,300. About 11.30% of families and 13.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.70% of those under age 18 and 7.80% 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>
There are no meetinghouses of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located within Arenac County.<ref>LDS.ord Meetinghouse Locator (accessed 3 September 2018)</ref>

Government

Arenac County could be described as slightly Republican-leaning. Since 1884, the Republican Party nominee has carried the county vote in 56% of the elections (20 of 36 elections). Due to 4 elections won by independent candidates during that period, the Democratic record is only 33% (12 of 36).

In 2024, Donald Trump won nearly 70% of the vote in Arenac County, the largest vote share any candidate has received in the county's history.

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.

Elected officials

Template:Div col

Prosecuting Attorney: Curtis Broughton
Sheriff: Jim Mosciski
County Clerk: Ricky R. Rockwell
County Treasurer: Dennis Stawowy
Register of Deeds: Darlene Mikkola
Drain Commissioner: Jeff Trombley
Road Commissioners: Blair Dyer-Superintendent; Ken Stawowy-V. Chair; Lewis Ostrander; Olen Swartz-Chair

Template:Div col end (information as of March 2009)

Communities

File:Arenac County, MI census map.png

U.S. Census data map showing local municipal boundaries within Arenac County. Shaded areas represent incorporated cities.

Cities

Au Gres
Omer
Standish (county seat)

Villages

Civil townships

Template:Div col

Template:Div col end

Unincorporated communities

Indian reservation

Arenac County contains off-reservation trust land belonging to the Isabella Indian Reservation. They occupy three small parcels of land located within Standish Township.

Events

Sunrise Side Heritage Bike Ride, first weekend in September. Ride Along Lake Huron Shoreline (US 23) from the Arenac County fairgrounds to Mackinac Bridge then South to West Branch on M-33 and M-55 . This is a 400-mile long organized ride.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

References

Template:Reflist

External links

Template:Geographic Location

Template:Arenac County, Michigan Template:Northern Michigan Template:Central Michigan Template:Michigan Template:Authority control Template:Coord