Mason County, Michigan

Mason County is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the population was 28,705.[2] The county seat is Ludington.[3]

Not to be confused with Mason, Michigan.
Mason County
U.S. county
Mason County Courthouse
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Michigan's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 44°01′N 86°30′W
Country United States
State Michigan
Founded1840 (founded as Notipekago)
1855 (organized)[1]
Named forStevens T. Mason
SeatLudington
Largest cityLudington
Area
 • Total1,242 sq mi (3,220 km2)
 • Land495 sq mi (1,280 km2)
 • Water747 sq mi (1,930 km2)  60%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2018)
29,100
 • Density58/sq mi (22/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts1st, 2nd
Websitewww.masoncounty.net

Mason County comprises the Ludington, MI Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History
A detail from A New Map of Michigan with its Canals, Roads & Distances (1842) by Henry Schenck Tanner, showing Mason County as "Notipeskago" (a misspelling of Notipekago, the county's name from 1840 to 1843.[4]) Several nearby counties are also shown with names that would later be changed.

The county is named for Stevens T. Mason, Governor of Michigan from 1835 to 1840.[5] It was created by the Michigan Legislature in 1840 as Notipekago County, then renamed Mason County in 1843. The county was administered by Ottawa County prior to the organization of county government in 1855.[4][1]

The county confirmed its first case of COVID-19 on April 7, 2020.[6]

Geography

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,242 square miles (3,220 km2), of which 495 square miles (1,280 km2) is land and 747 square miles (1,930 km2) (60%) is water.[7]

Major highways
  • US 10 – runs east-west thru central part of county. Runs from Ludington through Amber, Scottville, Custer, and Branch.
  • US 31 – enters south line of county at 2 miles (3.2 km) east of SW corner; runs north to intersect US-10 near Ludington. Runs concurrent with US-10 east for 5 miles (8 km), then runs north. Exits county at 4 miles (6.4 km) east of NW corner of county.
  • M-116 – runs NW from Ludington along shoreline of Lake Michigan to Ludington State Park.[8]

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
185093—
1860831793.5%
18703,263292.7%
188010,065208.5%
189016,38562.8%
190018,88515.3%
191021,83215.6%
192019,831−9.2%
193018,756−5.4%
194019,3783.3%
195020,4745.7%
196021,9297.1%
197022,6123.1%
198026,36516.6%
199025,537−3.1%
200028,27410.7%
201028,7051.5%
Est. 201829,100[9]1.4%
US Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2010-2018[2]

As of the 2000 United States Census,[14] of 2000, there were 28,274 people, 11,406 households, and 7,881 families in the county. The population density was 57 people per square mile (22/km²). There were 16,063 housing units at an average density of 32 per square mile (13/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.84% White, 0.73% Black or African American, 0.78% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.82% from other races, and 1.53% from two or more races. 3.01% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 24.5% were of German, 10.4% Polish, 8.8% English, 8.5% Irish, 7.7% American and 5.0% Swedish ancestry. 96.0% spoke English and 2.2% Spanish as their first language.

There were 11,406 households out of which 29.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.40% were married couples living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.90% were non-families. 26.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.92.

The county population contained 24.20% under the age of 18, 7.10% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 25 to 44, 25.80% from 45 to 64, and 16.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 97.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,704, and the median income for a family was $41,654. Males had a median income of $33,873 versus $22,616 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,713. About 8.20% of families and 11.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.50% of those under age 18 and 7.00% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Mason County has usually voted Republican in national elections. Since 1884, the county's voters have selected the Republican Party nominee in 82% (28 of 34) of the national elections through 2016.

Presidential election results
Presidential election results[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2016 57.5% 8,505 35.7% 5,281 6.8% 1,006
2012 51.7% 7,580 46.8% 6,856 1.6% 229
2008 46.9% 7,147 51.3% 7,817 1.8% 277
2004 55.6% 8,124 43.3% 6,333 1.1% 154
2000 54.3% 7,066 42.9% 5,579 2.9% 371
1996 41.4% 5,066 45.7% 5,597 13.0% 1,588
1992 39.0% 5,102 36.9% 4,829 24.1% 3,151
1988 59.6% 6,800 39.7% 4,531 0.7% 82
1984 67.8% 8,202 31.5% 3,803 0.7% 87
1980 58.1% 7,137 33.7% 4,134 8.2% 1,005
1976 59.2% 6,812 39.4% 4,541 1.4% 163
1972 63.6% 6,811 34.5% 3,697 1.9% 207
1968 54.0% 5,311 37.2% 3,660 8.8% 860
1964 39.0% 3,842 60.9% 5,993 0.1% 11
1960 58.2% 6,011 41.7% 4,305 0.1% 10
1956 65.2% 6,142 34.7% 3,274 0.1% 12
1952 64.7% 6,179 34.5% 3,298 0.9% 81
1948 56.0% 4,147 40.3% 2,988 3.7% 272
1944 58.3% 4,446 41.1% 3,137 0.6% 47
1940 55.6% 4,874 43.8% 3,836 0.6% 53
1936 39.4% 3,224 56.1% 4,598 4.5% 368
1932 42.5% 3,098 52.9% 3,854 4.7% 340
1928 72.7% 4,318 26.4% 1,567 0.9% 51
1924 67.2% 3,567 15.4% 815 17.5% 928
1920 69.4% 3,652 25.4% 1,338 5.2% 273
1916 53.2% 2,198 40.9% 1,689 6.0% 247
1912 21.5% 844 27.3% 1,073 51.2% 2,007
1908 65.7% 2,577 28.9% 1,132 5.4% 213
1904 72.1% 2,394 23.0% 764 4.9% 161
1900 61.3% 2,185 35.1% 1,251 3.6% 128
1896 56.3% 2,177 40.8% 1,580 2.9% 112
1892 45.9% 1,426 44.5% 1,383 9.7% 301
1888 50.8% 1,697 47.1% 1,573 2.1% 71
1884 50.5% 1,299 47.3% 1,217 2.2% 57

Mason 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
  • Prosecuting Attorney: Paul Spaniola
  • Sheriff: Kim C. Cole
  • County Clerk: Cheryl Kelly
  • County Treasurer: Andrew Kmetz IV
  • Register of Deeds: Diane L. Englebrecht
  • Drain Commissioner: Dennis Dunlap
  • County Surveyor: Rex Pope
  • County Board of Commissioners by district:
    • District 1: Nick Kreiger
    • District 2: Gary Castonia
    • District 3: Charles M. Lange
    • District 4: Lewis G. Squires
    • District 5: Steven K. Hull
    • District 6: Janet S. Anderson (Chair)
    • District 7: Ron Bacon

(information as of Nov 2017)

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

Cities

Villages

Charter township

Civi townships

Unincorporated communities

Indian reservation

See also

References
  1. "Bibliography on Mason County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
  2. "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. Newberry Library. "Michigan: Individual County Chronologies". Atlas of County Historical Boundaries. Retrieved November 4, 2016.
  5. "Focus on our history: How county was named". Ludington Daily News. October 3, 1987. p. 2. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
  6. Oceana County reports first coronavirus death, Mason County reports first case MLive.com, April 7, 2020
  7. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  8. Mason County MI Google Maps (accessed 25 September 2018)
  9. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  10. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  11. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  12. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  13. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  14. "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  15. US Election Atlas
  16. Braciszewski, Kevin (July 30, 2002). "Indian tribe emerges as major landowner". Retrieved April 12, 2020.
  17. "Michigan: 2010 Population and Housing Unit Counts 2010 Census of Population and Housing" (PDF). 2010 United States Census. United States Census Bureau. September 2012. p. E-14 Michigan. Retrieved April 12, 2020.

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