Alger County, Michigan

Alger County, Michigan

Alger County Courthouse Complex, Munising
Map of Michigan highlighting Alger County
Location in the state of Michigan
Map of the United States highlighting Michigan
Michigan's location in the U.S.
Founded March 17, 1885[1]
Named for Russell A. Alger
Seat Munising
Largest city Munising
Area
 • Total 5,048 sq mi (13,074 km2)
 • Land 915 sq mi (2,370 km2)
 • Water 4,133 sq mi (10,704 km2), 82%
Population
 • (2010) 9,601
 • Density 10/sq mi (4/km²)
Congressional district 1st
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website www.algercounty.com

Alger County is a county in the Upper Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the population was 9,601.[2] Its county seat is Munising.[3] The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is located within the county.

History

Alger County was detached from Schoolcraft County, set off and organized in 1885. The county was named for lumber baron Russell Alexander Alger, who was elected as a Michigan Governor, and U.S. Senator, and appointed as U.S. Secretary of War during the William McKinley Presidential administration.[1] See also, List of Michigan county name etymologies, List of Michigan counties, and List of abolished U.S. counties.

Geography

The Midway General Store on FFH-13 in southern Alger County

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 5,048 square miles (13,070 km2), of which 915 square miles (2,370 km2) is land and 4,133 square miles (10,700 km2) (82%) is water.[4] It is the second-largest county in Michigan by total area, mainly because of Lake Superior on the north side of the county.

Highways

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Bridalveil Falls emptying into Lake Superior

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
18901,238—
19005,868374.0%
19107,67530.8%
19209,98330.1%
19309,327−6.6%
194010,1679.0%
195010,007−1.6%
19609,250−7.6%
19708,568−7.4%
19809,2257.7%
19908,972−2.7%
20009,8629.9%
20109,601−2.6%
Est. 20159,383[5]−2.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2013[2]

The 2010 United States Census[10] indicates Alger County had a population of 9,601. This is a decrease of 261 people from the 2000 United States Census. This is a -2.6% change in population. In 2010 there were 3,898 households and 2,479 families residing in the county. The population density was 11 inhabitants per square mile (4.2/km2). There were 6,554 housing units at an average density of 7 per square mile (3/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 86.3% White, 6.4% Black or African American, 4.1% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% of some other race and 2.7% of two or more races. 1.2% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). 15.7% were of German, 13.5% Finnish, 12.6% French, French Canadian or Cajun, 9.3% English, 7.3% Polish, 6.9% Irish and 5.3% American ancestry.[11]

There were 3,898 households out of which 20.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.2% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.2 and the average family size was 2.74.

In the county the population was spread out with 17.1% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 22.8% from 25 to 44, 32.8% from 45 to 64, and 20.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47.3 years. The population was 54.4% male and 45.6% female.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,231, and the median income for a family was $46,154. The per capita income for the county was $19,858. About 9.3% of people in families and 14.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.3% of those under age 18 and 8.2% 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.

Communities

City

Village

Unincorporated communities

Townships

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Bibliography on Alger County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Retrieved July 2, 2013.
  2. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 26, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014". Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  6. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Census 2010 American Fact Finder". Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  11. ↑ "American FactFinder".

External links

 Lake Superior
Marquette County Luce County
   Alger County, Michigan  
Delta County Schoolcraft County

Coordinates: 47°10′N 86°29′W / 47.16°N 86.48°W / 47.16; -86.48

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