Newaygo County, Michigan

Newaygo County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 48,460.[2] The county seat is White Cloud.[3] The county was created in 1840, and was organized in 1851. It was either named for an Ojibwe leader who signed the Treaty of Saginaw in 1819[1] or for an Algonquian word meaning "much water".[4]

Newaygo County
U.S. county
Newaygo County Courthouse
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Michigan's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 43°33′N 85°48′W
Country United States
State Michigan
Founded1840 (established)
1851 (organized)[1]
SeatWhite Cloud
Largest cityFremont
Area
 • Total862 sq mi (2,230 km2)
 • Land813 sq mi (2,110 km2)
 • Water48 sq mi (120 km2)  5.6%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2018)
48,892
 • Density60/sq mi (22/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district2nd

Geography

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has an area of 862 square miles (2,230 km2), of which 813 square miles (2,110 km2) is land and 48 square miles (120 km2) (5.6%) is covered by water.[5] The county is considered to be part of West Michigan.

The county has more than 230 natural lakes. The combined total length of all the county's rivers and streams exceeds 350 miles (560 km). Three huge dams, Croton, Hardy, and Newaygo, were built at the beginning of the 20th century. The Hardy Dam is the largest earthen dam east of the Mississippi.[6] Over half of the county is in the Manistee National Forest.

Rivers

Major highways
  • M-20 – runs east-west through center of county. Passes Hesperia, Aetna, and White Cloud.
  • M-37 – runs north-south through center of county. Passes Bitely, Branman, White Cloud, Newaygo, Grant, and Ashland.
  • M-82 – runs east-west through southern part of county. Passes Newaygo.
  • M-120 – runs the length of county's west line. Passes Hesperia.[7]

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1850510—
18602,760441.2%
18707,294164.3%
188014,688101.4%
189020,47639.4%
190017,673−13.7%
191019,2208.8%
192017,378−9.6%
193017,029−2.0%
194019,28613.3%
195021,56711.8%
196024,16012.0%
197027,99215.9%
198034,91724.7%
199038,2029.4%
200047,87425.3%
201048,4601.2%
Est. 201848,892[8]0.9%
US Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12] 2010-2018[2]

As of the 2000 United States Census,[13] there were 47,874 people, 17,599 households, and 12,935 families in the county. The population density was 57 people per square mile (22/km²). There were 23,202 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile (11/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.80% White, 1.12% Black or African American, 0.65% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.63% from other races, and 1.48% from two or more races. 3.85% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 21.5% were of English ancestry, 20.5% were of German ancestry, 14.4% were of Dutch ancestry, 8.1% were of Irish ancestry and 5.0% were of Polish ancestry according to the 2010 American Community Survey.[14] 95.7% spoke English and 3.2% Spanish as their first language.

There were 17,599 households out of which 35.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.20% were married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.50% were non-families. 22.20% 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 2.68 and the average family size was 3.13.

The county population contained 29.10% under the age of 18, 7.40% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 12.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,130, and the median income for a family was $42,498. Males had a median income of $35,549 versus $22,738 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,976. About 9.00% of families and 11.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.60% of those under age 18 and 8.50% of those age 65 or over.

Religion

Newaygo County is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids.[17]

Economy

Tourism is the most important economic activity in Newaygo County.[18] Secondly is a blend of agricultural and small manufacturing. International baby food manufacturer Gerber Products Company is currently the county's largest employer with approximately 1,300 employees.[19]

Newaygo County also has a large number of summer cottage residents. Fishermen can find many steelhead in the spring and salmon in the fall within the county's rivers and streams. Camping, hunting, cross country skiing, bicycling, birding and ORVing is common in the Manistee National Forest.[6]

Notable companies

Government

Newaygo County has been strongly Republican since the Civil War era. Since 1884, the Republican Party nominee has carried the county vote in 91% of the national presidential elections (31 of 34).

Presidential Election Results
Presidential Elections Results[20]
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2016 66.6% 15,173 27.3% 6,212 6.1% 1,397
2012 58.0% 12,457 40.6% 8,728 1.4% 293
2008 51.1% 11,862 46.5% 10,790 2.4% 544
2004 59.5% 13,608 39.6% 9,057 0.9% 208
2000 58.3% 11,399 39.3% 7,677 2.5% 481
1996 44.6% 7,868 43.1% 7,614 12.3% 2,169
1992 40.9% 7,333 36.0% 6,455 23.0% 4,128
1988 64.3% 9,896 35.0% 5,389 0.7% 100
1984 70.0% 10,636 29.6% 4,496 0.5% 73
1980 58.6% 8,918 34.4% 5,236 7.0% 1,069
1976 58.8% 8,258 40.0% 5,622 1.2% 170
1972 65.6% 8,245 31.7% 3,978 2.7% 342
1968 60.0% 6,626 30.5% 3,369 9.5% 1,053
1964 47.4% 4,931 52.5% 5,457 0.1% 11
1960 68.6% 7,453 31.3% 3,404 0.1% 15
1956 71.5% 7,088 28.3% 2,808 0.2% 20
1952 71.8% 6,715 27.2% 2,541 1.0% 95
1948 66.9% 4,394 30.9% 2,027 2.2% 145
1944 70.6% 5,250 29.0% 2,156 0.4% 28
1940 66.5% 5,418 33.1% 2,693 0.4% 34
1936 51.4% 3,930 43.0% 3,288 5.6% 426
1932 49.7% 3,458 47.1% 3,275 3.2% 220
1928 83.3% 4,552 16.3% 888 0.5% 25
1924 79.2% 4,243 13.4% 720 7.3% 393
1920 78.9% 4,188 17.5% 929 3.6% 190
1916 58.3% 2,417 39.2% 1,625 2.6% 106
1912 24.6% 964 19.8% 776 55.6% 2,180
1908 69.4% 2,677 24.8% 956 5.9% 226
1904 75.9% 2,966 20.2% 790 3.9% 154
1900 62.7% 2,607 34.2% 1,424 3.1% 128
1896 56.5% 2,650 41.5% 1,943 2.0% 95
1892 51.0% 2,106 37.1% 1,531 11.9% 491
1888 51.9% 2,448 40.9% 1,932 7.2% 341
1884 46.7% 1,971 48.5% 2,051 4.8% 203

Newaygo 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

(information as of September 2018)

Festivals and events
  • Memorial Weekend Arts & Crafts Festival - Newaygo
  • River Country Home & Garden Show - Newaygo Middle School
  • Newaygo County Kids' Day - Downtown Newaygo
  • Trail Town Celebration - Celebrating White Clouds Trails & Waterways
  • City-Wide Yard Sales - Grant
  • Harvest Celebration - Grant
  • Harvest Festival - Fremont
  • Logging Festival - Mid-Michigan Lumberjack Competition in Newaygo
  • Bitely Homecoming - Bitely
  • National Baby Food Festival - Fremont
  • Pow Wow - White Cloud
  • Santa Parade - Fremont
  • West Michigan's Longest Yard Sale - Grant, Newaygo, White Cloud, Bitely
  • Winterfest - Newaygo
  • Christmas in Newaygo
  • Christmas in Grant
  • Christmas in White Cloud

Historic sites

In Newaygo County there are 16 locations that the State Historic Preservation Office has designated as historical. Two of the sixteen have been listed with the National Register of Historic Places:[22]

  • Big Prairie Grange Hall No. 935 - Goodwell Twp
  • Birch Grove School - Lincoln Twp
  • Croton Congregational Church - Croton Twp
  • Croton Hydroelectric Plant - Croton Twp
  • Ensley Windmill Tower
  • First Christian Reformed Church (Demolished) - Fremont
  • Gerber, Cornelius, Cottage - Sheridan Charter Twp
  • Grant Depot and Water Tower - Grant
  • Hardy Hydroelectric Plant - Big Prairie - Twp
  • Lilley District No. 5 School - Lilley Twp
  • Oak Grove District No. 3 Schoolhouse - Croton Twp
  • Penoyer's Sawmill - Newaygo
  • Saint Mark's Episcopal Church - Newaygo
  • Weaver, Daniel, House - Denver Twp
  • White Cloud Village Hall (Demolished) - White Cloud
  • Woods, John F., Residence - Newaygo

Communities
Croton Hydroelectric Plant

Cities

Villages

Unincorporated communities
  • Bitely
  • Brunswick
  • Riverview
  • Woodland Park

Townships

See also

References
  1. "Bibliography on Newaygo County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
  2. "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 5, 2011. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. Michigan government on county names
  5. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  6. Newaygo County government
  7. Newaygo County MI Google Maps (accessed 15 September 2018)
  8. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  9. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  10. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  11. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  12. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  13. "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  14. "2010 Data Release – Data & Documentation – American Community Survey – US Census Bureau". Archived from the original on October 27, 2015. Retrieved December 28, 2018.
  15. "The Association of Religion Data Archives - Maps & Reports". thearda.com.
  16. LDS.org Find a Meetinghouse (accessed 15 September 2018)
  17. "Diocese of Grand Rapids MI". Archived from the original on March 3, 2008. Retrieved December 28, 2018.
  18. Peavey, Sandra Vincent; Center, Terry Wantz Historical Research (June 2, 2014). Newaygo County: 1920-2000. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 9781439645505.
  19. Michigan Works! West Central
  20. US Election Atlas
  21. Newaygo County website
  22. "State Historical Site Listings". Archived from the original on April 27, 2009. Retrieved December 6, 2008.

"Bibliography on Newaygo County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University.

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