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Montmorency County, Michigan

Coordinates: 45°02′N 84°08′W / 45.03°N 84.13°W / 45.03; -84.13
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Montmorency County
County
Map of Michigan highlighting Montmorency 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 84°08′W / 45.03°N 84.13°W / 45.03; -84.13
Country United States
State Michigan
Founded1881
SeatAtlanta
Area
 • Total562 sq mi (1,460 km2)
 • Water15 sq mi (40 km2)  2.63%
Population
 (2000)
 • Total10,315
 • Density20/sq mi (7/km2)
Websitewww.montmorencycountymichigan.us

Montmorency County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the population was 10,315. The county seat is AtlantaTemplate:GR. In 1840, it was first named "Cheonoquet" after a well known Chippewa (also known as Ojibwa) Chief, whose name meant Big Cloud. Cheonoquet took part in Indian treaties in 1807, 1815, 1825 and 1837.[1][2] In 1843, the county was renamed for the Count Morenci, who aided the colonies in the war with England. The county was organized in 1881.[3] The reason for the change in spelling is subject to some dispute.[2] See, List of Michigan county name etymologies. It is interesting to note that the name Montmorency probably means Mountain Moor. Montmorency is very much a boggy land or moor that is at the top of a broad mount or highland. When the county was formed in 1881, the some land area was taken from Cheboygan County, Michigan, and Alpena County, Michigan. Three townships were divided, namely Briley, Montmorency and Rust. By 1901 Albert, Hillman, and Wheatfield were added. Brush Creek, later known as Hillman, was the first county seat. In 1891 the county seat was moved to Atlanta.[4]

Geography and Economics

  • According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 562 square miles (1,457 km²), of which, 548 square miles (1,418 km²) of it is land and 15 square miles (38 km²) of it (2.63%) is water.
  • Most of the county is covered by state forest land. There is and has been an abundance of lakes. Dairy products and dry beans are an important part of the county's agricultural production. Service industry and retail trade relating to tourism make up most of the economic base in this rural area.[5] Boating, fishing, and other outdoor activities are offered in abundance.[6]
  • Glaciers shaped the area, creating a unique regional ecosystem. A large portion of the area is the so-called Grayling outwash plain, which consists of broad outwash plain including sandy ice-disintegration ridges; jack pine barrens, some white pine-red pine forest, and northern hardwood forest. Large lakes were created by glacial action.[7]
  • The county is considered to be part of Northern Michigan.

Major highways

Michigan State Trunklines

Montmorency County Intercounty Highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 10,315 people, 4,455 households, and 3,047 families residing in the county. The population density was 19 people per square mile (7/km²). There were 9,238 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile (7/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.36% White, 0.24% Black or African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 0.10% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. 0.65% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 28.3% were of German, 12.7% English, 9.5% American, 8.8% Irish, 7.6% Polish and 7.4% French ancestry according to Census 2000. 98.1% spoke English as their first language.

There were 4,455 households out of which 22.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.10% were married couples living together, 7.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.60% were non-families. 27.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.75.

In the county the population was spread out with 20.30% under the age of 18, 5.90% from 18 to 24, 20.90% from 25 to 44, 29.10% from 45 to 64, and 23.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females there were 96.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,005, and the median income for a family was $34,784. Males had a median income of $30,910 versus $19,299 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,493. About 9.80% of families and 12.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.00% of those under age 18 and 8.70% 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.

Montmorency County elected officials

(information as of August 2008)

Cities, villages, and townships

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Wheatfield was changed to Vienna. Avery and Loud Townships were added.[8]

Recreation

  • Montmorency County is noted as the "Elk Capital of Michigan".
  • Rainbow trout, brook trout, steelhead, perch, bass and other pan fish abound. The county is a hotbed of fly fishing and angling on the edge of some world class streams and rivers.
  • As is true in the rest of Michigan, White tail deer hunting is locally considered to be a 'sacrament' and the firearms deer opener (November 15) its 'holy day of obligation.' With most of Montmorency County owned by federal and state government, and open to the public, it is a hunter's dream. Various terrain types yield trophy bucks, and other fauna, from squirrels to waterfowl. Montmorency County is a sportmen's paradise.[9]
  • Snow shoeing, Cross country skiing and snow mobile riding are activities that fit right in to the local weather and topography.
  • Morel mushroom hunting is a big event here.
  • There are many recurring events throughout the area.[10]

ORV/ATV & Snowmobile trails are considered some of the best in Michigan. Montmorency county is one of a few counties that allow AVT's on public county roads. Thus creating access for fuel, food and hotels to both Hillman and Atlanta. The main trail system incorperates a scenic Elk tour and various levels of ATV trails.

Newspapers

  • The official newspaper of record is the Montmorency County Tribune.[11]

Notes

  1. ^ Montmorency County geneaological page.
  2. ^ a b Montmorency County home page.
  3. ^ Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University, Montmorency County
  4. ^ Montmorency County genealogical page
  5. ^ Montmorency County economic profile.
  6. ^ Montmorency County tourism profile, Michigan State University extension service
  7. ^ Michigan regional geology.
  8. ^ Montmorency County genealogical page 1903 Montmorency County Atlas.
  9. ^ Economic profiler, Montmorency County
  10. ^ List and calendar of events
  11. ^ Montmorency County Tribune.

External links

45°02′N 84°08′W / 45.03°N 84.13°W / 45.03; -84.13

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