Bay County, Michigan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Bay County, Michigan | |
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| Map | |
 Location in the state of Michigan |
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| Statistics | |
| Formed | February 17, 1857 [1] |
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| Seat | Bay City |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
1,634 km² (631 mi²) 1,151 km² (444 mi²) 483 km² (187 mi²), 29.59% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
110,157 96/km² |
| Website: www.co.bay.mi.us | |
Bay County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the population was 110,157. The county seat is Bay City6. Bay County is included in the Bay City Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county was created by Michigan Law as a fully organized county on April 20, 1857.
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[edit] Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,634 km² (631 mi²). 1,151 km² (444 mi²) of it is land and 483 km² (187 mi²) of it (29.59%) is water.
The Saginaw River flows through Bay City while the Kawkawlin River drains much of the central portion of the county. Pinconning Creek and Saganing Creek drain the northern portion. The Saginaw Bay of Lake Huron lies to the east, giving the county its name. I-75 and US 23, which are coterminus within the county, are the major north-south route. North of Bay City, M-13 follows a parallel route a few miles to the east. US 10 has its eastern terminus in Bay City. M-25, M-15, and M-84 enter Bay City from the east, southeast and southwest respectively and terminate in or near the city.
[edit] Major highways
[edit] Adjacent counties
- Arenac County (north)
- Saginaw County (south)
- Midland County (west)
- Tuscola County (east)
- Gladwin County (northwest)
[edit] Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 110,157 people, 43,930 households, and 30,048 families residing in the county. The population density was 96/km² (248/mi²). There were 46,423 housing units at an average density of 40/km² (104/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.94% White, 1.26% Black or African American, 0.54% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.23% from other races, and 1.54% from two or more races. 3.91% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 43,930 households out of which 30.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.70% were married couples living together, 10.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.60% were non-families. 27.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.50% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 28.20% from 25 to 44, 24.40% from 45 to 64, and 14.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 94.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $38,646, and the median income for a family was $48,111. Males had a median income of $38,190 versus $23,879 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,698. About 6.70% of families and 9.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.20% of those under age 18 and 9.10% 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] Bay County elected officials
- County Executive: Thomas Hickner
- Prosecuting Attorney: Kurt C. Asbury
- Sheriff: John E. Miller
- County Clerk: Cynthia A. Luczak
- County Treasurer: Richard F. Brzezinski
- Register of Deeds: Vicki Roupe
- Drain Commissioner: Joseph Rivet
- Road Commissioners: Gilbert A. Lewandowski; Gerald Redmond; Mike Studders
(information as of September 2005)
[edit] Cities, villages, and townships
[edit] Cities
- Auburn
- Bay City
- Essexville
- Pinconning
- Midland (partially)
[edit] Villages
none
[edit] Townships
- Bangor Township
- Beaver Township
- Frankenlust Township
- Fraser Township
- Garfield Township
- Gibson Township
- Hampton Township
- Kawkawlin Township
- Merritt Township
- Monitor Township
- Mount Forest Township
- Pinconning Township
- Portsmouth Township
- Williams Township
