Ontonagon County, Michigan

Ontonagon County (/ˌɒntəˈnɑːɡən/ ON-tə-NAH-gən) is a county in the Upper Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the population was 6,780,[3] making it Michigan's third-least populous county. The county seat is Ontonagon.[4] The county was set off in 1843, and organized in 1848.[1] Its territory had been organized as part of Chippewa and Mackinac counties. With increasing population in the area, more counties were organized. After Ontonagon was organized, it was split to create Gogebic County.[1][5] It is also the westernmost U.S. county that uses the Eastern Time Zone.

Ontonagon County
U.S. county
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Michigan's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 46°59′N 89°16′W
Country United States
State Michigan
FoundedMarch 9, 1843
1848 organized[1][2]
Named forOntonagon River
SeatOntonagon
Largest villageOntonagon
Area
 • Total3,741 sq mi (9,690 km2)
 • Land1,311 sq mi (3,400 km2)
 • Water2,430 sq mi (6,300 km2)  65%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2018)
5,795
 • Density5.2/sq mi (2.0/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitehttp://ontonagoncounty.org/
Native copper from Ontonagon County

The county is named after the Ontonagon River. The name is said to be derived from an Ojibwe language word Nondon-organ, meaning "hunting river."[1] A French transliteration, Nantounagon, identified the river on a 1670 French map. Alternatively, it is said to be derived from the Ojibwa onagon, which means "dish" or "bowl."[6] See List of Michigan county name etymologies.

Geography

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3,741 square miles (9,690 km2), of which 1,311 square miles (3,400 km2) is land and 2,430 square miles (6,300 km2) (65%) is water.[7] It is the third-largest county in Michigan by area.

At a longitude of 89.5°W, it is the westernmost county in the United States contained entirely within the Eastern Time Zone.

Geographic features

Major highways
  • US 45 – runs north-south through east-central part of county. Enters south line from Watersmeet, passes Paulding, Bruce Crossing, and Rockland, ending at Ontonagon.
  • M-26 – enters east line of county at 12 miles (19 km) south of NE county corner. Runs SW, passing Mass City and Lake Mine, to intersection with M-38 east of Rockland.
  • M-28 – runs east-west thru southern part of county. Enters 10.4 miles (16.6 km) north of SE county corner. Runs westerly into Gogebic County.
  • M-38 – enters east line of county at a point east of Mass City. Runs west to Lake Mine, then WNW to terminus at Ontonagon.
  • M-64 – runs north-south through center part of county. Enters south line on west side of Lake Gogebic; runs north to Lake Superior shoreline. Runs NE along shoreline to terminus at Ontonagon.[8]

Airport

Ontonagon County Airport (KOGM) serves the county and surrounding communities.

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1850389—
18604,5681,074.3%
18702,845−37.7%
18802,565−9.8%
18903,75646.4%
19006,19765.0%
19108,65039.6%
192012,42843.7%
193011,114−10.6%
194011,3592.2%
195010,282−9.5%
196010,5842.9%
197010,548−0.3%
19809,861−6.5%
19908,854−10.2%
20007,818−11.7%
20106,780−13.3%
Est. 20185,795[9]−14.5%
US Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2010-2018[3]

The 2010 United States Census[14] indicates Ontonagon County had a population of 6,780. This decrease of 1038 people from the 2000 United States Census represents a -13.3% change in population. In 2010 there were 3,258 households and 1,954 families in the county. The population density was 6 people per square mile (2/km²). There were 5,672 housing units at an average density of 4 per square mile (2/km²). 97.3% of the population were White, 1.1% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% Black or African American, 0.1% of some other race and 1.3% of two or more races. 0.9% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

There were 3,258 households out of which 15.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples living together, 6.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.0% were non-families. 34.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.06 and the average family size was 2.61.

The county population contained 15.8% under the age of 18, 4.1% from 18 to 24, 16.7% from 25 to 44, 37.0% from 45 to 64, and 26.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 52.7 years. The population is 51.6% male and 48.4% female.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,786, and the median income for a family was $46,845. The per capita income for the county was $22,195. About 9.0% of families and 14.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.2% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.

History

In 1843, Michigan's Upper Peninsula was divided into Mackinac, Chippewa, Marquette, Schoolcraft, Delta, and Ontonagon Counties. In 1845, a portion of Ontonagon County was partitioned to be part of Houghton County.[15] In 1846, the village of Ontonagon was named as the county seat of Ontonagon County.[16]

Government

Ontonagon County is fairly balanced to Republican-leaning. Since 1876 its voters have selected the Republican Party nominee in 61% (22 of 36) of the national elections through 2016.

Presidential election results
Presidential Elections Results[17]
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2016 60.2% 2,066 34.3% 1,176 5.6% 191
2012 53.9% 1,906 44.8% 1,586 1.3% 47
2008 46.9% 1,823 50.6% 1,966 2.5% 96
2004 54.0% 2,262 44.4% 1,863 1.6% 67
2000 59.6% 2,472 36.5% 1,514 4.0% 165
1996 35.9% 1,523 49.0% 2,080 15.2% 644
1992 30.8% 1,463 51.7% 2,451 17.5% 831
1988 44.3% 2,023 55.2% 2,517 0.5% 22
1984 51.0% 2,464 48.6% 2,350 0.5% 22
1980 49.0% 2,569 45.3% 2,375 5.8% 304
1976 43.9% 2,462 55.4% 3,104 0.7% 41
1972 57.5% 3,040 40.5% 2,140 2.0% 106
1968 45.7% 2,290 49.2% 2,462 5.1% 257
1964 32.2% 1,658 67.7% 3,485 0.1% 7
1960 50.6% 2,620 49.3% 2,553 0.0% 2
1956 57.7% 2,976 42.2% 2,175 0.1% 4
1952 57.4% 2,961 41.4% 2,134 1.2% 64
1948 50.2% 2,561 42.4% 2,163 7.5% 380
1944 48.1% 2,433 51.6% 2,611 0.3% 17
1940 47.1% 2,880 50.7% 3,103 2.2% 133
1936 38.9% 2,162 58.1% 3,233 3.0% 168
1932 45.5% 2,287 46.5% 2,337 7.9% 399
1928 59.7% 2,394 33.7% 1,353 6.6% 266
1924 71.4% 2,249 13.2% 417 15.3% 483
1920 67.7% 1,977 22.5% 657 9.8% 286
1916 54.3% 1,235 39.0% 888 6.7% 152
1912 41.1% 719 20.5% 359 38.3% 670
1908 71.4% 1,249 24.3% 425 4.3% 76
1904 77.1% 1,345 20.3% 355 2.6% 45
1900 68.8% 982 30.1% 429 1.1% 16
1896 62.8% 757 34.5% 416 2.7% 33
1892 38.7% 678 59.4% 1,041 1.9% 34
1888 36.2% 308 63.6% 542 0.2% 2
1884 53.9% 301 41.8% 233 4.3% 24
1880 48.3% 228 46.2% 218 5.5% 26
1876 38.3% 201 61.1% 321 0.6% 3

Ontonagon 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

As of September 2018

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

Village

Civil townships

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

Ghost town

Indian reservation

See also
  • List of Michigan State Historic Sites in Ontonagon County, Michigan
  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Ontonagon County, Michigan
  • Copper Country

References
  1. "Bibliography on Ontonagon County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Retrieved June 29, 2013.
  2. History :: Houghton County, Michigan Archived January 21, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  3. "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
  4. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. My Michigan, Ontonagon genealogy Archived June 28, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  6. "Michigan Counties" from the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries. Archived July 28, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  7. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  8. Ontonagon County MI Google Maps (accessed September 29, 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". Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  15. Sawyer, p. 466
  16. Sawyer, pp. 498-9
  17. US Election Atlas
  18. Ontonagon County - Offices
  19. Archived 2020-02-13 at Archive.today United States Census Bureau
  20. "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. Michigan E-5. Retrieved April 8, 2020.

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