Oakland County, Michigan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Oakland County, Michigan | |
| Map | |
 Location in the state of Michigan |
|
| Statistics | |
| Formed | January 12, 1819 [1] |
|---|---|
| Seat | Pontiac |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
908 sq mi (2,352 km²) 873 sq mi (2,260 km²) 35 sq mi (92 km²), 3.91% |
| Population - (2005) - Density |
1,214,361 1,391/sq mi (537/km²) |
| Website: www.co.oakland.mi.us | |
Oakland County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of 2005, the population was estimated at 1,214,361.[2] The county seat is Pontiac6. It is part of the Detroit metropolitan area.
Oakland County is one of the wealthiest counties in the United States. The county's technology-oriented economic base, coined "Automation Alley", is one of largest employment centers for engineering and related occupations in the United States. Oakland County has shared in the recent economic hardships brought on by troubles at General Motors, Ford, and DaimlerChrysler, although it has fared better than Detroit and Flint, as its economy is more diverse and less reliant on manufacturing jobs. All three automotive companies are major employers within southeast Michigan, and have significant investments within Oakland County.
Contents |
[edit] Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 908 square miles (2,352 km²). Of that, 873 square miles (2,260 km²) is land and 35 square miles (92 km²) of it (3.91%) is water.
Oakland County is divided into 25 separate townships, which are listed below. Each township is roughly equal in size at 6 miles by 6 miles for a total township area of 36 square miles. The roots of this design were born out of the Land Ordinance of 1785 and the subsequent Northwest Ordinance of 1787. Oakland County itself is a prime example of the land policy that was established, as all townships are equal in size (save for slight variations due to waterways). Section 16 in each township was reserved for financing and maintaining publing education, and even today many schools in Oakland County townships are located within that section.
Wayne County, where the city of Detroit is located, borders Oakland County to the south. The southern boundary is 8 Mile Road, also known as "Baseline Road" in some areas. The baseline was used during the original surveying for Michigan, and serves as the northern/southern boundaries for counties from Lake St. Clair all the way to Lake Michigan. This divide (8 Mile Road) has been widely known as an unofficial racial dividing line between the largely black city and mostly white suburbs, although this pattern of de facto segregation has lessened somewhat in recent years. Blacks have started to move north into the suburbs while many whites have gone further out from the city.
[edit] Adjacent counties
- Macomb County (east)
- Livingston County (west)
- Wayne County (southeast)
- Washtenaw County (southwest)
- Lapeer County (northeast)
- Genesee County (northwest)
[edit] Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 1,194,156 people, 471,115 households, and 315,175 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,369 people per square mile (528/km²). There were 492,006 housing units at an average density of 564 per square mile (218/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 82.75% White, 10.11% Black or African American, 0.27% Native American, 4.14% Asian American, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.84% from other races, and 1.86% from two or more races. 2.43% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 471,115 households out of which 32.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.20% were married couples living together, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.10% were non-families. 27.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the county the population was spread out with 25.20% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 32.40% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64, and 11.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $61,907, and the median income for a family was $75,540. Males had a median income of $55,833 versus $35,890 for females. The per capita income for the county was $32,534. About 3.80% of families and 5.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.50% of those under age 18 and 6.50% 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] Oakland County Elected Officials
- County Executive: L. Brooks Patterson (Republican)
- Prosecuting Attorney: David Gorcyca (Republican)
- Sheriff: Michael J. Bouchard (Republican)
- County Clerk/Register of Deeds: Ruth Johnson (Republican)
- County Treasurer: Patrick M. Dohany (Republican)
- Drain Commissioner: John P. McCulloch (Republican)
- Board of Commissioners: 25 members, elected from districts (15 Republicans, 10 Democrats)
(information as of February 2006)
[edit] Cities, villages, and townships
[edit] Cities
1In the 2000 Census, Farmington Hills was the most populous city in the county. As of the 2005 Census estimates, Troy is now the most populous city.
[edit] Villages
- Beverly Hills
- Bingham Farms
- Franklin
- Holly
- Lake Orion
- Leonard
- Milford
- Ortonville
- Oxford
- Wolverine Lake
[edit] Townships
An asterisk indicates the township has been incorporated into a city: Avon to the City of Rochester Hills, Farmington to the City of Farmington Hills, Pontiac to the City of Pontiac, and Troy to the City of Troy. For some purposes, these areas are still referred to by the assigned township name.
[edit] References
- ^ http://oaklandweb.com/govt/county/county_history.htm
- ^ Oakland County Quick Facts. U.S. Census Bureau (2005). Retrieved on 2006-08-04.
[edit] External links
- Oakland County
- An Account of Oakland County edited by Lillian Drake Avery. Dayton, Ohio: National Historical Association, Inc., [1925?]
