Allegan County, Michigan

Allegan County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of 2010 United States Census, the population was 111,408.[2] The county seat is Allegan.[3] The name was coined by Henry Rowe Schoolcraft to sound like a Native American word.[1]

Allegan County
U.S. county
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Michigan's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°34′N 86°15′W
Country United States
State Michigan
Foundedestablished 1831
organized 1835[1]
SeatAllegan
Largest cityHolland
Area
 • Total1,833 sq mi (4,750 km2)
 • Land825 sq mi (2,140 km2)
 • Water1,008 sq mi (2,610 km2)  55%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2019)
118,081
 • Density135/sq mi (52/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts2nd, 6th
Websitehttp://www.allegancounty.org

Allegan County comprises the Holland, MI Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Grand Rapids–Kentwood–Muskegon, MI Combined Statistical Area. It is primarily an agricultural area that is rapidly becoming urbanized as the population centers of Grand Rapids on the northeast and Kalamazoo to the southeast expand into Allegan County.

The county has long been a regional tourist draw, particularly the Tulip Time Festival in Holland and the area along Lake Michigan. The Lake Michigan shoreline has long been a popular place for vacation homes, and that development continues, especially around Saugatuck and Douglas. Another draw is Allegan State Game Area, a 45,000 acres (180 km2) forest attracting campers, snowmobilers, cross-country skiers and hunters. Allegan County contains Saugatuck Dunes State Park with trails through scenic dunes and a swimming beach on Lake Michigan. Lake Allegan is a popular destination.[4]

History

The Michigan peninsula was long occupied by bands of the Potowatomi and Ojibwe of the Lake Superior Band of Chippewa Indians. The United States government forced the tribes to cede their extensive territories to the federal government, in exchange for annuities and small reservations. The federally recognized Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottowatomi has a reservation here.

The boundaries of Allegan County were laid out by the Territorial legislature in 1831. The county was organized in 1835. At that time there were only about four European-American families in the area. Among the first settlers of Allegan County were Giles Scott and Turner Aldrich.[5]

Geography

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,833 square miles (4,750 km2), of which 825 square miles (2,140 km2) is land and 1,008 square miles (2,610 km2) (55%) is water.[6]

Adjacent counties

Transportation

Major highways

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18401,783—
18505,125187.4%
186016,087213.9%
187032,10599.6%
188037,81517.8%
189038,9613.0%
190038,812−0.4%
191039,8192.6%
192037,540−5.7%
193038,9743.8%
194041,8397.4%
195047,49313.5%
196057,72921.6%
197066,57515.3%
198081,55522.5%
199090,50911.0%
2000105,66516.7%
2010111,4085.4%
2019 (est.)118,081[7]6.0%
US Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2019[2]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 111,408 people living in the county. 92.9% were White, 1.2% Black or African American, 0.6% Asian, 0.6% Native American, 2.8% of some other race and 1.9% of two or more races. 6.7% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). 23.0% were of Dutch, 17.5% German, 8.3% English, 7.1% Irish and 7.1% American ancestry.[12]

As of the 2000 United States Census,[13] there were 105,665 people, 38,165 households, and 28,394 families living in the county. The population density was 128 people per square mile (49/km2). There were 43,292 housing units at an average density of 52 per square mile (20/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.47% White, 1.31% Black or African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.77% from other races, and 1.32% from two or more races. 5.72% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 25.6% were of Dutch, 17.8% German, 9.6% American, 8.4% English and 7.2% Irish ancestry, 93.6% spoke only English; 5.2% spoke Spanish at home.

There were 38,165 households, out of which 37.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.40% were married couples living together, 9.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.60% were non-families. 20.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.15.

The county population contained 28.90% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 30.00% from 25 to 44, 22.00% from 45 to 64, and 11.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $45,813, and the median income for a family was $51,908. Males had a median income of $38,681 versus $26,887 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,918. About 5.00% of families and 7.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.50% of those under age 18 and 7.90% of those age 65 or over.

Religion
  • The Reformed Church in America was the largest Protestant denomination with 4,500 members in 11 churches.
  • The United Methodist Church was second, with 3,600 congregants in 20 churches.
  • The Christian Reformed Church was third, with 10 churches and 2,600 members.
  • The Catholic Church has 10,000 members as of 2010.[14]
  • The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has one meetinghouse within Allegan County.[15]

Politics

Allegan County has been strongly Republican from its start. Since 1884, the Republican Party nominee has carried the county vote in 94% of the elections (32 of 34 elections).

Presidential election results
Presidential Elections Results[16]
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2020 61.6% 41,392 36.4% 24,449 2.0% 1,354
2016 60.9% 34,183 32.2% 18,050 6.9% 3,887
2012 59.0% 31,123 39.4% 20,806 1.6% 846
2008 54.3% 30,061 43.6% 24,165 2.1% 1,154
2004 63.1% 34,022 35.9% 19,355 1.0% 530
2000 62.8% 28,197 34.5% 15,495 2.7% 1,199
1996 53.8% 20,859 37.0% 14,361 9.2% 3,570
1992 46.7% 19,077 31.4% 12,823 21.9% 8,935
1988 66.8% 22,163 32.5% 10,785 0.7% 240
1984 73.5% 23,762 25.9% 8,389 0.6% 187
1980 62.2% 20,560 29.9% 9,877 7.9% 2,594
1976 65.6% 19,330 33.2% 9,794 1.2% 347
1972 68.5% 18,407 29.3% 7,883 2.2% 594
1968 60.3% 14,769 29.7% 7,276 10.0% 2,438
1964 48.4% 11,223 51.5% 11,934 0.2% 37
1960 71.0% 16,660 28.8% 6,752 0.3% 60
1956 74.4% 16,509 25.3% 5,617 0.2% 51
1952 73.4% 15,663 25.5% 5,437 1.1% 238
1948 67.7% 10,439 29.8% 4,594 2.5% 391
1944 73.0% 12,327 26.5% 4,480 0.4% 71
1940 69.4% 12,347 30.3% 5,385 0.3% 60
1936 57.4% 9,247 36.8% 5,922 5.8% 937
1932 54.1% 8,705 43.7% 7,030 2.2% 347
1928 81.7% 10,792 17.8% 2,358 0.5% 67
1924 79.3% 9,417 13.2% 1,562 7.5% 893
1920 75.9% 7,825 20.9% 2,154 3.2% 332
1916 54.8% 4,803 41.0% 3,591 4.2% 369
1912 27.9% 2,121 25.3% 1,925 46.7% 3,550
1908 67.3% 5,422 27.1% 2,186 5.5% 446
1904 74.0% 5,589 20.9% 1,576 5.2% 390
1900 61.1% 5,590 35.8% 3,275 3.1% 279
1896 57.9% 5,810 39.2% 3,937 3.0% 296
1892 51.0% 4,283 38.2% 3,207 10.9% 915
1888 52.0% 5,078 39.2% 3,829 8.8% 856
1884 48.3% 4,080 40.8% 3,445 11.0% 928

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

(Information as of December 2017)

Communities

Cities

Villages

Unincorporated communities

Townships

See also

References
  1. "Bibliography on Allegan County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  2. "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved August 26, 2013.
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. "Exploring Lake Allegan". Archived from the original on December 21, 2014. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  5. Thomas, Henry F. (Ed.) (1907). A Twentieth Century History of Allegan County, Michigan, pp. 4–6. The Lewis Publishing Co.
  6. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  7. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  8. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  9. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  10. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  11. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  12. Data Access and Dissemination Systems (DADS). "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  13. Statistical profile of Allegan County, Michigan Archived April 10, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  14. "The Association of Religion Data Archives - Maps & Reports". University Park PA. 2010. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  15. LDS.org Locator Map (accessed 3 September 2018)
  16. US Election Atlas

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