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Alpena County, Michigan

Coordinates: 45°02′N 83°12′W / 45.04°N 83.20°W / 45.04; -83.20
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Alpena County
County
Alpena County Courthouse
Alpena County Courthouse
Official seal of Alpena County
Seal
Map of Michigan highlighting Alpena County
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Map of the United States highlighting Michigan
Michigan's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 45°02′N 83°12′W / 45.04°N 83.2°W / 45.04; -83.2
Country United States
State Michigan
FoundedFebruary 7[1], 1857
SeatAlpena
Largest cityAlpena
Area
 • Total
1,695 sq mi (4,390 km2)
 • Land572 sq mi (1,480 km2)
 • Water1,123 sq mi (2,910 km2)  66%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
28,907
 • Estimate 
(2023)
28,904Decrease
 • Density66/sq mi (25/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitewww.alpenacounty.org

Alpena County (/ælˈpiːnə/ al-PEE-nə) is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the population was 28,907.[2] The county seat is Alpena.[3] It is considered to be part of Northern Michigan.

Alpena County comprises the Alpena, MI Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

[edit]
A detail from A New Map of Michigan with its Canals, Roads & Distances (1842) by Henry Schenck Tanner, showing Alpena County as Anamickee, the county's name from 1840 to 1843.[4] Several nearby counties are also shown with names that would later be changed.
See also: History of Northern Michigan

The county was created by the Michigan Legislature in 1840 as Anamickee County,[5] then renamed in 1843 to Alpena County,[4] a pseudo-Native American word — a neologism coined by Henry Schoolcraft, meaning "a good partridge country."[1][6][7][8] This was part of a much larger effort to rename a great many of the Michigan counties at the time.[8] The Thunder Bay Band of Chippewa and Ottawa, the original indigenous inhabitants of the area, merged with the Mackinac Bands of Chippewa and Ottawa Indians in the mid 1800s under Chief Way-ge-maw-waw-be. The county was officially organized in 1857.[1][8]

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,695 square miles (4,390 km2), of which 572 square miles (1,480 km2) is land and 1,123 square miles (2,910 km2) (66%) is water.[9]

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 offshore adjacent to the county.

The 45th parallel bisects the county, meaning it is halfway between the North Pole and the equator.[10][11]

Several islands in Thunder Bay are part of the Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge. There are automated lighthouses on Middle Island and Thunder Bay Island.

Geographic features

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Glaciers shaped the area, creating a unique regional ecosystem. A large portion of the area is so-called Grayling outwash plain, consisting of broad outwash plain including sandy ice-disintegration ridges; jack pine barrens, some white pine-red pine forest, and northern hardwood forests. Large lakes were created by glacial action.[12] Some of the inland lakes are truly massive.[13]

Adjacent counties

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Major highways

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National protected area

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Communities

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U.S. Census data map showing local municipal boundaries within Alpena County. Shaded areas represent incorporated cities.

City

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Village

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Charter township

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Civil townships

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Census-designated place

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Other unincorporated communities

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1860290—
18702,756850.3%
18808,789218.9%
189015,58177.3%
190018,25417.2%
191019,9659.4%
192017,869−10.5%
193018,5743.9%
194020,76611.8%
195022,1896.9%
196028,55628.7%
197030,7087.5%
198032,3155.2%
199030,605−5.3%
200031,3142.3%
201029,598−5.5%
202028,907−2.3%
2023 (est.)28,904[14]0.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[15]
1790-1960[16] 1900-1990[17]
1990-2000[18] 2010-2018[2]

The 2010 United States census[19] indicated Alpena County had a 2010 population of 29,598. This is a decrease of -1,716 people from 2000. Overall, the county had a -5.5% growth rate during this ten-year period. In 2010 there were 12,791 households and 8,164 families in the county. The population density was 51.8 per square mile (20.0 square kilometers). By the 2020 census, the county population was 28,907.

There were 16,053 housing units at an average density of 28.1 per square mile (10.8 square kilometers). Among the population at the time, 97.5% of the population were White, 0.5% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.3% Black or African American, 0.1% of some other race and 1.1% of two or more races. 1.0% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). 26.8% were of German, 19.5% Polish, 12.9% French, French Canadian or Cajun, 8.1% English, 6.4% Irish and 5.7% American ancestry.[20]

There were 12,791 households, out of which 25.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were husband and wife families, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 36.2% were non-families, and 30.8% were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.81.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 20.9% under age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 20.8% from 25 to 44, 31.5% from 45 to 64, and 19.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females there were 96.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.1 males.

The 2010 American Community Survey 3-year estimate[19] indicated the median income for a household in the county was $36,242 and the median income for a family was $46,718. Males had a median income of $27,002 versus $15,670 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,713. About 2.5% of families and 16.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.2% of those under the age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.

Government

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United States presidential election results for Alpena County, Michigan[21]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 10,967 63.61% 6,038 35.02% 236 1.37%
2020 10,686 62.91% 6,000 35.32% 301 1.77%
2016 9,090 61.55% 4,877 33.02% 801 5.42%
2012 7,298 51.79% 6,549 46.48% 244 1.73%
2008 7,125 47.11% 7,705 50.95% 294 1.94%
2004 7,665 50.39% 7,407 48.70% 139 0.91%
2000 6,769 47.90% 7,053 49.91% 310 2.19%
1996 4,525 33.54% 7,114 52.73% 1,853 13.73%
1992 4,878 32.37% 6,894 45.75% 3,297 21.88%
1988 6,664 51.05% 6,341 48.58% 49 0.38%
1984 8,212 61.30% 5,136 38.34% 49 0.37%
1980 6,901 49.89% 5,834 42.18% 1,097 7.93%
1976 6,380 49.59% 6,310 49.04% 176 1.37%
1972 6,513 55.05% 5,104 43.14% 214 1.81%
1968 5,717 50.77% 4,788 42.52% 756 6.71%
1964 3,954 34.47% 7,508 65.45% 10 0.09%
1960 6,573 56.41% 5,071 43.52% 9 0.08%
1956 7,142 70.18% 3,033 29.80% 2 0.02%
1952 6,248 66.32% 3,134 33.27% 39 0.41%
1948 4,313 60.30% 2,743 38.35% 96 1.34%
1944 4,453 60.78% 2,856 38.98% 18 0.25%
1940 4,822 57.19% 3,597 42.66% 13 0.15%
1936 3,536 49.97% 3,231 45.66% 309 4.37%
1932 3,222 45.99% 3,562 50.84% 222 3.17%
1928 3,467 63.43% 1,984 36.30% 15 0.27%
1924 4,628 75.78% 948 15.52% 531 8.69%
1920 3,467 63.38% 1,893 34.61% 110 2.01%
1916 2,020 57.93% 1,392 39.92% 75 2.15%
1912 709 19.99% 1,105 31.15% 1,733 48.86%
1908 2,358 68.07% 949 27.40% 157 4.53%
1904 2,498 69.37% 907 25.19% 196 5.44%
1900 2,283 59.34% 1,435 37.30% 129 3.35%
1896 1,777 51.03% 1,665 47.82% 40 1.15%
1892 1,526 49.11% 1,536 49.44% 45 1.45%
1888 1,486 47.14% 1,504 47.72% 162 5.14%
1884 927 43.87% 1,127 53.34% 59 2.79%

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.

The county operates three parks (and camp grounds) with beaches on local lakes,[22] namely Beaver Lake Park in Lachine;[23] Long Lake Park in Alpena;[24] and Sunken Lake Park in Posen[25]

Media

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The Alpena News[26] is the daily newspaper of record for much of Northeast lower peninsula of Michigan. For a complete list of other media, see Alpena, Michigan.

Arts and culture

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Museums

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Historical markers

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There are seven recognized historical markers in the county:[28]

  • Alpena County Courthouse
  • Alpena City Hall
  • The Daniel Carter Family
  • First Congregational Church [Alpena]
  • Monarch Mill
  • St. Bernard Catholic Church
  • World's Largest Cement Plant

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Bibliography on Alpena County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Retrieved November 4, 2016.
  2. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ a b Newberry Library. "Michigan: Individual County Chronologies". Atlas of County Historical Boundaries. Archived from the original on November 6, 2016. Retrieved November 4, 2016.
  5. ^ George Dawson (1840). Acts of the Legislature of the State of Michigan Passed at the Annual Session of 1840. Detroit. pp. 196–200.
  6. ^ Romig, Walter (October 1, 1986) [1973]. Michigan Place Names: The History of the Founding and the Naming of More Than Five Thousand Past and Present Michigan Communities (Paperback). Detroit, Michigan: Wayne State University Press. ISBN 081431838X. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  7. ^ Herron, Catherine (1962). Herron, Nelson R. (ed.). "A History of the Place Names of Alpena County". Wilderness Chronicle (19–21) (published 1991–1992). Archived from the original on July 15, 2004.
  8. ^ a b c "Michigan government on place names". Archived from the original on July 28, 2009. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  9. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  10. ^ "45th Parallel North America". wurlington-bros.com.
  11. ^ "Google Groups". keyhole.com. Archived from the original on July 8, 2012. Retrieved December 18, 2007.
  12. ^ "NPWRC :: Regional Landscape". usgs.gov. Archived from the original on June 25, 2013.
  13. ^ Top 20 Michigan inland lakes. Archived April 10, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  14. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  15. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  16. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  17. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  18. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  19. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
  20. ^ Data Access and Dissemination Systems (DADS). "U.S. Census website". census.gov.
  21. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  22. ^ Alpena County Parks Archived December 8, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  23. ^ Beaver Lake Park Archived December 9, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  24. ^ Long Lake Park Archived December 9, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  25. ^ Sunken Lake Park Archived December 9, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  26. ^ "News, Sports, Jobs - The Alpena News". www.thealpenanews.com. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  27. ^ Neighbor Hub. "Home - Besser Museum". bessermuseum.org.
  28. ^ "Michigan Historical Markers". michmarkers.com. Archived from the original on March 15, 2010. Retrieved January 8, 2008.
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45°02′N 83°12′W / 45.04°N 83.20°W / 45.04; -83.20

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