Alpena County, Michigan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Alpena County, Michigan | |
| Map | |
 Location in the state of Michigan |
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| Statistics | |
| Formed | February 7, 1857 |
|---|---|
| Seat | Alpena |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
4,390 km² (1,695 mi²) sq mi ( km²) 2,903 km² (1,121 mi²), 66.13% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
31,314 21/km² |
| Website: www.alpenacounty.org | |
Alpena County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the population was 31,314. The county seat is Alpena6.
Contents |
[edit] Geography
Alpena County is in the northeast of the mitten-shaped Lower Peninsula of Michigan. Lake Huron and Thunder Bay are to the east, Alcona County to the south, Oscoda County to the southwest, Montmorency County to the west, and Presque Isle County to the north. Most of the county is drained by the Thunder Bay River and its tributaries. The Mackinaw State Forest occupies large tracts of land in the county. The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is located offshore adjacent to the county.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 4,390 km² (1,695 mi²). 1,487 km² (574 mi²) of it is land and 2,903 km² (1,121 mi²) of it (66.13%) is water.
[edit] Adjacent counties
- Presque Isle County (north)
- Alcona County (south)
- Montmorency County (west)
[edit] Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 31,314 people, 12,818 households, and 8,690 families residing in the county. The population density was 21/km² (54/mi²). There were 15,289 housing units at an average density of 10/km² (27/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.21% White, 0.25% Black or African American, 0.39% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.12% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. 0.58% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 12,818 households out of which 29.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.30% were married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.20% were non-families. 27.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the county the population was spread out with 23.70% under the age of 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 26.50% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 17.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $34,177, and the median income for a family was $42,366. Males had a median income of $34,571 versus $21,962 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,566. About 7.70% of families and 10.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.10% of those under age 18 and 6.80% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Alpena County elected officials
- Prosecuting Attorney: Dennis P. Grenkowicz
- Sheriff: Steven Kieliszewski
- County Clerk: Bonnie Friedrichs
- County Treasurer: Joelyn McCallum
- Register of Deeds: Kathy J. Matash
- Drain Commissioner: Donald Bartosh
(information as of September 2005)
[edit] Cities, villages, and townships
[edit] Cities
[edit] Villages
none
[edit] Townships
- Alpena Township
- Green Township
- Long Rapids Township
- Maple Ridge Township
- Ossineke Township
- Sanborn Township
- Wellington Township
- Wilson Township
[edit] Unincorporated communities
- Bolton
- Cathro
- Herron
- Hubbard Lake
- Lachine
- Leer
- Ossineke
- Spratt
