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Washtenaw County, Michigan

Coordinates: 42°15′N 83°50′W / 42.25°N 83.84°W / 42.25; -83.84
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Washtenaw County
County
Official seal of Washtenaw County
Seal
Map of Michigan highlighting Washtenaw County
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Map of the United States highlighting Michigan
Michigan's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°15′N 83°50′W / 42.25°N 83.84°W / 42.25; -83.84
Country United States
State Michigan
Founded1826 [1]
SeatAnn Arbor
Area
 • Total723 sq mi (1,870 km2)
 • Land710 sq mi (1,800 km2)
 • Water13 sq mi (30 km2)  1.74%
Population
 (2000)
 • Total322,895
 • Density460/sq mi (176/km2)
Websitewww.ewashtenaw.org

Washtenaw County (Template:PronEng) is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the population was 322,895. Its county seat is Ann Arbor.Template:GR The United States Office of Management and Budget defines the county as part of the Detroit–Warren–Flint Combined Statistical Area.

History

The earliest histories mention trade conducted in the area at the Potawatomie Trail and Pontiac Trail crossings of the Huron River by French traders, and later English then American settlers.

Washtenaw County was established by an act of the Michigan Territorial Legislature in 1826, formed from Wayne County. It was attached for administrative purposes to Wayne County until {before 1829} when county government was seated. Ingham and other counties were formed from portions of territorial Washtenaw County.

The predecessor of the University of Michigan moved its main campus from Detroit to Ann Arbor. Swamps were drained and farms were tiled to lower the water table. The swamp northwest of the I-94 and US-23 intersection, and areas within Waterloo Recreation Area still appear as they did to early settlers. As productive farms became established, the local deer herds grew.

Following the Toledo Border War, the "frostbitten" constitutional convention at Washtenaw's county seat of Ann Arbor led to Michigan becoming a state on January 26, 1837. In the 1830s, the events surrounding the independence of Greece from Turkey inspired construction of Greek Revival buildings, and the names of townships, towns, and children.

Following the American Civil War, the Michigan Normal College was established in Washtenaw's oldest settlement, the city of Ypsilanti.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 723 square miles (1,871 km²), of which, 710 square miles (1,839 km²) of it is land and 13 square miles (33 km²) or 1.74% of it is water.

Adjacent counties

Transportation

Interstates

US highways

Michigan state trunklines

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
190047,761—
191044,714−6.4%
192049,52010.7%
193065,53032.3%
194080,81023.3%
1950134,60666.6%
1960172,44028.1%
1970234,10335.8%
1980264,74813.1%
1990282,9376.9%
2000322,89514.1%
2007 (est.)350,003

As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 322,895 people, 125,327 households, and 73,692 families residing in the county. The population density was 455 people per square mile (176/km²). There were 131,069 housing units at an average density of 185 per square mile (71/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 77.40% White, 12.29% Black or African American, 0.36% Native American, 6.30% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.04% from other races, and 2.57% from two or more races. 2.74% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 17.4% were of German, 9.0% English, 8.4% Irish, 5.3% Polish and 5.0% American ancestry according to Census 2000. 87.1% spoke English, 2.7% Spanish and 1.7% Chinese or Mandarin as their first language.

By 2005 non-Hispanic whites were 74.5% of the county population; African-Americans 12.2%; Native Americans 0.4%; Asians 7.8%; and Hispanic or Latinos 3.1% of the population.[1]

There were 125,327 households out of which 29.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.40% were married couples living together, 9.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.20% were non-families. 29.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the county the population was spread out with 22.10% under the age of 18, 17.10% from 18 to 24, 32.10% from 25 to 44, 20.60% from 45 to 64, and 8.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 98.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $51,990, and the median income for a family was $70,393 (these figures had risen to $59,887 and $80,779 respectively as of a 2007 estimate[2]). Males had a median income of $49,304 versus $33,598 for females. The per capita income for the county was $27,173. About 5.10% of families and 11.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.60% of those under age 18 and 5.80% of those age 65 or over.

Cities, villages, and townships

Washtenaw County was formed from a portion of Wayne County. It is one of many Michigan counties which has a name not borne by any other county in the United States. As the population increased, townships were formed. Amongst the townships, communities have grown from hamlets into villages and cities. Some of the townships have elected to incorporate as charter townships.

Cities Villages Charter Townships Townships

There are also a number of unincorporated communities, such as Bridgewater, Dixboro, Delhi Mills, Geddes, Mooreville, Salem, Stoney Creek, Whittaker, Whitmore Lake, and Willis.

Also see: Official Washtenaw County website page listing localities

Government

Washtenaw County Court House, sculpture by Carlton W. Angell

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.

Washtenaw County elected officials

The Board of Commissioners has eleven members, elected from single member districts, on a partisan ballot, in November of even-numbered years. The term is two years. Information as of March 2010

District Commissioner Party Positions
1 Mark Ouimet Republican Board Vice-Chair
2 Ken Schwartz Democrat
3 Jessica Ping Republican Working Session Chair
4 Wesley Prater Democrat
5 Rolland Sizemore Jr. Democrat Board Chair
6 Ronnie Peterson Democrat
7 Kristin Judge Democrat Ways & Means Vice-Chair
8 Barbara Levin Bergman Democrat
9 Leah Gunn Democrat
10 Conan Smith Democrat Ways & Means Chair
11 Jeff Irwin Democrat

Parks and recreation

Washtenaw county operates 10 parks, and 1 recreation center (gymnasium). These parks include one with a water sprinkler area for children to splash through, one park with a substantial water park component, and one golf course. The recreation center has a swimming pool, indoor track, basketball courts, complete set of resistance machines, a weight room, and several multipurpose rooms.

Washtenaw county is in the process of acquiring land for natural preservation. The program started in 2001 and will end in 2011. Eight parcels of land had been purchased as of July 2007. These parcels are of special ecological, recreational, and educational benefits. They are preserved in a natural unimproved state and are open to the public during daylight hours.

See also

References

  1. ^ Washtenaw County QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau
  2. ^ Washtenaw County, Michigan - Fact Sheet - American FactFinder

External links

42°15′N 83°50′W / 42.25°N 83.84°W / 42.25; -83.84

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