Wexford County, Michigan

Wexford County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 32,735.[3] The county seat is Cadillac.[4]

This article is about Wexford County in Michigan. For the county in Ireland, see County Wexford.
Wexford County
U.S. county
Wexford County Courthouse
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Michigan's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 44°20′N 85°35′W
Country United States
State Michigan
Founded1840 (created)
1869 (organized)[1][2]
Named forCounty Wexford, Ireland
SeatCadillac
Largest cityCadillac
Area
 • Total575.46 sq mi (1,490.4 km2)
 • Land565.00 sq mi (1,463.3 km2)
 • Water10.46 sq mi (27.1 km2)  1.8%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2018)
33,466
 • Density59.2/sq mi (22.9/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitewww.wexfordcounty.org

Wexford County is part of the Cadillac, MI Micropolitan Statistical Area, which also includes Missaukee County. It is considered to be part of Northern Michigan.

The county is the location of the first known sighting of the Michigan dogman.

History
A detail from A New Map of Michigan with its Canals, Roads & Distances (1842) by Henry Schenck Tanner, showing Wexford County as "Kawtawwabet" (a misspelling of Kautawaubet, the county's name from 1840 to 1843.[5]) Several nearby counties are also shown with names that would later be changed.

The county was established by the Michigan Legislature in 1840 as Kautawaubet County,[5] after a Potawatomi phrase meaning "broken tooth," and the name of a local Potawatomi chief. In 1843, legislators renamed the county Wexford,[5] after County Wexford in Ireland. It was formally organized in 1869.[1]

Geography

The Manistee River flows westward through the upper part of Wexford County. The county terrain consists of low rolling hills, largely tree-covered.[6] The terrain slopes to the west,[7] with its highest point, Briar Hill in Manistee National Forest[8] at 1,706 (520m) ASL.

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 575.46 sqmi (1,490 km²), of which 565.00 sqmi (1,463 km²) is land and 10.46 sqmi (27.1 km²) (1.8%) is water.[9]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Protected areas

Lakes[6]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1870650—
18806,815948.5%
189011,27865.5%
190016,84549.4%
191020,76923.3%
192018,207−12.3%
193016,827−7.6%
194017,9766.8%
195018,6283.6%
196018,466−0.9%
197019,7176.8%
198025,10227.3%
199026,3605.0%
200030,48415.6%
201032,7357.4%
Est. 201833,466[10]2.2%
US Decennial Census[11]
1790-1960[12] 1900-1990[13]
1990-2000[14] 2010-2018[3]

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census,[15] there were 30,484 people, 11,824 households, and 8,383 families in the county. The population density was 54/sqmi (20.8/km²). There were 14,872 housing units at an average density of 26.3/sqmi (10.2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.29% White, 0.19% Black or African American, 0.74% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. 1.01% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 21.4% were of German, 11.3% English, 9.5% American, 9.4% Irish, 6.1% Dutch, 5.8% Swedish and 5.3% Polish ancestry. 97.7% spoke English and 1.1% Spanish as their first language.

There were 11,824 households out of which 33.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.20% were married couples living together, 10.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.10% were non-families. 24.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.00.

The county population contained 26.80% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 14.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,363, and the median income for a family was $39,915. Males had a median income of $31,198 versus $21,733 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,144. About 7.70% of families and 10.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.50% of those under age 18 and 8.50% of those age 65 or over.

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
  • Prosecuting Attorney: Jason J. Elmore
  • Sheriff: Trent Taylor
  • County Clerk: Alaina M. Nyman
  • County Treasurer: Kristi Nottingham
  • Register of Deeds: Lorie L. Sorensen
  • Drain Commissioner: Michael J. Solomon
  • County Surveyor: Craig J. Pullen

(information as of July 2019)[16]

Politics

Wexford county is one of the few counties to have given majorities to both the first Republican candidate, John C. Frémont,[17] and to John McCain in his 2008 presidential campaign.[18] The county also twice favored Democrat Bill Clinton.[19]

Presidential election results
Presidential Elections Results[20]
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2016 65.1% 10,000 28.9% 4,436 6.1% 934
2012 56.7% 8,450 41.5% 6,184 1.8% 264
2008 51.1% 8,044 46.9% 7,379 2.0% 318
2004 59.1% 8,966 39.8% 6,034 1.1% 160
2000 55.6% 7,215 41.0% 5,326 3.4% 441
1996 40.9% 4,866 46.4% 5,510 12.7% 1,512
1992 37.3% 4,696 38.9% 4,894 23.7% 2,985
1988 58.1% 6,043 41.2% 4,287 0.7% 76
1984 67.9% 7,279 31.7% 3,398 0.4% 38
1980 54.0% 6,027 37.4% 4,173 8.6% 960
1976 55.0% 5,670 43.8% 4,519 1.2% 128
1972 61.4% 5,221 35.9% 3,048 2.7% 230
1968 56.4% 4,364 36.6% 2,832 7.0% 544
1964 40.5% 3,016 59.3% 4,414 0.2% 16
1960 65.0% 5,262 34.7% 2,807 0.3% 27
1956 65.8% 5,052 33.9% 2,604 0.4% 27
1952 69.0% 5,569 29.8% 2,407 1.2% 97
1948 57.1% 3,833 39.2% 2,635 3.7% 249
1944 61.2% 4,074 37.4% 2,489 1.4% 93
1940 59.0% 4,322 40.2% 2,947 0.8% 57
1936 44.4% 3,153 53.1% 3,771 2.6% 185
1932 50.3% 3,425 47.8% 3,251 1.9% 128
1928 84.5% 4,825 14.9% 853 0.5% 30
1924 77.5% 3,926 11.7% 592 10.9% 550
1920 73.0% 3,406 23.5% 1,095 3.5% 163
1916 55.2% 2,333 39.8% 1,683 5.0% 210
1912 26.5% 1,075 20.2% 817 53.3% 2,162
1908 72.0% 2,886 20.7% 831 7.3% 294
1904 76.4% 3,003 17.6% 690 6.1% 239
1900 67.8% 2,519 27.3% 1,014 5.0% 185
1896 58.3% 2,036 38.9% 1,359 2.8% 99
1892 49.9% 1,388 41.6% 1,156 8.5% 237
1888 54.0% 1,437 40.0% 1,065 6.1% 161
1884 54.8% 1,220 39.4% 876 5.8% 130

Tourism

There are many attractions and hot spots in Wexford County. The Manistee National Forest is one recreation site. The Manistee River is used by fishermen, kayakers, and canoers. There are many lakes; the largest are Cadillac and Mitchell. Two hundred miles of snowmobile trails are maintained by the Cadillac Winter Promotions volunteer group. There are at least eight golf courses near Cadillac. There are several museums near Cadillac. The Wexford Civic Center is a 4,000 capacity arena, 300 capacity hockey facility, 300 capacity grand stand, and several buildings for agricultural shows and expos.

Communities
Charles T. Mitchell House in Cadillac

Cities

Villages

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

Townships

Historical markers

There are ten recognized Michigan historical markers in the county:[21]

  • Battle of Manton
  • Caberfae Ski Resort
  • Cadillac Carnegie Library
  • Charles T. Mitchell House
  • Clam Lake Canal
  • Cobbs & Mitchell Building
  • Cobbs and Mitchell Mill No.1
  • First Wexford County Courthouse
  • Greenwood Disciples of Christ Church
  • Shay Locomotive

See also

References
  1. "Bibliography on Wexford County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Retrieved January 23, 2013.
  2. Cadillac History Archived February 29, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  3. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
  4. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. Newberry Library. "Michigan: Individual County Chronologies". Atlas of County Historical Boundaries. Retrieved November 4, 2016.
  6. Wexford County MI - Google Maps (accessed 10 July 2019)
  7. Find an Altitude/Wexford County MI (accessed 10 July 2019)
  8. Brian Hill, Michigan (PeakBagger.com) Accessed 10 July 2019
  9. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
  10. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved 10 July 2019.
  11. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
  12. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
  13. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
  14. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
  15. "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  16. Wexford County Directory (accessed 10 July 2019)
  17. "1856 Presidential Election Statistics". uselectionatlas.org.
  18. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections - State Data". uselectionatlas.org.
  19. The New York Times electoral map, 2008 (Zoom in on Michigan)
  20. US Election Results
  21. "Michigan Historical Markers". michmarkers.com.

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