Gogebic County, Michigan
| Gogebic County, Michigan | ||
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 Location in the state of Michigan |
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 Michigan's location in the U.S. |
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| Founded | 1887[1] | |
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| Seat | Bessemer | |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
1,476.35 sq mi (3,824 km²) 1,101.85 sq mi (2,854 km²) 374.50 sq mi (970 km²), 25.37% |
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| Population - (2010) - Density |
16,427 16/sq mi (6/km²) |
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| Website | www.gogebic.org | |
Gogebic County (/ɡoʊˈɡiː.bɪk/ go-GEE-bik) is the westernmost county in the Upper peninsula in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the population was 16,427.[2] The county seat is Bessemer[3].
The county was set off and organized in 1867. It had been part of Ontonagon County. The name is said to be derived from the Ojibwe word "bic" which most references interpret as "rock."[4] Alternatively, it is claimed to be derived from Lake Agogebic, later changed to Lake Gogebic.[1] See List of Michigan county name etymologies.
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Geography[edit]
According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 1,476.35 square miles (3,823.7 km2), of which 1,101.85 square miles (2,853.8 km2) (or 74.63%) is land and 374.50 square miles (970.0 km2) (or 25.37%) is water.[5]
Geographic features[edit]
- Lake Superior
- Lake Gogebic is the largest lake in the Upper Peninsula.
- Montreal River is on the western edge of the county on the Wisconsin border
Transportation[edit]
Highways[edit]
US 2
BUS US 2 serves the city of Ironwood.
US 45
M-28
M-64
CR 513 (Black River National Forest Scenic Byway)
Air service[edit]
- Commercial air service is available at Gogebic-Iron County Airport (IWD) north of Ironwood.
Adjacent counties[edit]
- Ontonagon County (north)
- Iron County (east)
- Vilas County, Wisconsin (south)
- Iron County, Wisconsin (southwest)
- Ashland County, Wisconsin (northwest)
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Ashland County, Wisconsin | Ontonagon County | |
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Iron County | |||
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| Iron County, Wisconsin | Vilas County, Wisconsin |
National protected area[edit]
- Ottawa National Forest (part)
State protected area[edit]
Demographics[edit]
As of the census of 2010[6] , there were 16,427 people, 7,037 households, and 4,171 families residing in the county. The population density was 15 people per square mile (6/km²). There were 10,795 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 91.7% White, 4.1% Black or African American, 2.4% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.2% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. 0.9% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 7,037 households out of which 20.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.4% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.7% were non-families. 35.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.69.
In the county the population was spread out with 16.9% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 22.2% from 25 to 44, 31.1% from 45 to 64, and 21.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46.8 years. 53.3% of the population was male, and 46.7% of the population was female.
The median income for a household in the county was $34,917, and the median income for a family was $47,219. The per capita income for the county was $20,759. About 14.0% of families and 17.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.6% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.
Government[edit]
The county government operates the jail, maintains rural roads, operates the major local courts, maintains vital records and property 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 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.
Cities, villages, and townships[edit]
Cities[edit]
Townships[edit]
Unincorporated communities[edit]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Bibliography on Gogebic County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
- ^ "2010 US census",
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
- ^ "Michigan Counties" from the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries.
- ^ "Census 2010 Gazetteer Files". Retrieved June 5, 2013.
- ^ "Census 2010 American Fact Finder". Retrieved June 5, 2013.
External links[edit]
- Gogebic County government
- "Bibliography on Gogbebic County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
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