Macomb County, Michigan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Macomb County, Michigan | |
| Map | |
 Location in the state of Michigan |
|
 Michigan's location in the USA |
|
| Statistics | |
| Founded | January 15, 1818 [1] |
|---|---|
| Seat | Mt. Clemens |
| Largest City | Warren |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
570 sq mi (1,476 km²) 480 sq mi (1,244 km²) 89 sq mi (231 km²), 15.68% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
788,149 633/km² |
| Website: macombcountymi.gov | |
Macomb County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the population was 788,149. The county seat is Mt. Clemens6. The county is part of Metro Detroit. The county was named for an early U.S. Army commander, Alexander Macomb, Jr..
Contents |
[edit] Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 570 square miles (1,476 km²)—480 square miles (1,244 km²) of it is land and 89 square miles (231 km²) of it (15.68%) is water.
To the East, Macomb County has shore on Lake St. Clair. To the West, there is Oakland County; Wayne County is to the South; St. Clair County is to the Northeast and Lapeer County is to the Northwest.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 788,149 people, 309,203 households, and 210,876 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,640 people per square mile (633/km²). There were 320,276 housing units at an average density of 667 per square mile (257/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.66% White, 2.71% Black or African American, 0.31% Native American, 2.14% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.39% from other races, and 1.77% from two or more races. 1.58% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 309,203 households out of which 31.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.30% were married couples living together, 10.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.80% were non-families. 26.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.10% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 31.50% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 96.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $52,102, and the median income for a family was $62,816. Males had a median income of $48,303 versus $30,215 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,446. About 4.00% of families and 5.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.00% of those under age 18 and 6.40% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] History
The Ojibwa were the first settlers in the area. The first Europeans arrived in the area during the 17th century. They included French fur trappers and missionaries. In addition to the original French and English, later settlers included Germans, Belgians and others who came directly from Europe.
Macomb County was formally organized on January 15, 1818 as the third county in the Michigan territory. At that time, it covered a much larger area than it does today. In 1819 and 1820, large portions of the county were removed to form the counties of Oakland, Lapeer, Genesee and St. Clair. The county was named in honor of General Alexander Macomb, Jr. a highly decorated veteran of the War of 1812.
[edit] Parks and Recreation
Macomb County is home to more than 130 parks covering 12,000 acres managed by the state, regional, county, and local government. There are four major public parks in the County - Freedom Hill County Park, Macomb Orchard Trail, Metro Beach Metropark, and Stony Creek Metropark. The county also has 31 miles of shoreline and over 100 marinas.
[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] Macomb County Elected Officials
- Prosecuting Attorney: Eric J. Smith (Democrat)
- Sheriff: Mark A. Hackel (Democrat)
- County Clerk/Register of Deeds: Carmella Sabaugh (Democrat)
- County Treasurer: Ted B. Wahby (Democrat)
- Public Works Commissioner: Anthony V. Marrocco (Democrat)
- State Senator: Alan Sanborn (Republican)
- County Commission or Board of Commissioners: 26 members, elected from districts (17 Democrats, 9 Republicans)
- Circuit Court: 12 judges (non-partisan)
- Probate Court: 2 judges (non-partisan)
(information as of February 2006)
[edit] Noted People From Macomb County
- Kid Rock, Rocker, Romeo
- Alice Cooper, Rocker, St. Clair Shores
- Mitch Ryder, Rocker, Roseville
- Derian Hatcher, NHL Player, Sterling Heights
- Kevin Hatcher, NHL Player, Sterling Heights
- Justin Jeffre, Pop Singer (98 Degrees), Mount Clemens
- Ralph R. Roberts, Author/Speaker,Warren
- Dick Enberg, Sports Announcer, Armada
- Dave Coulier, Actor/comedian, St. Clair Shores
- Uncle Kracker, Singer, Mount Clemens
- Dino Ciccarelli, NHL Player
- Bob Livernois, Rocker, St. Clair Shores
- Dean Cain, Actor, Mount Clemens
- Shirley Muldowney, race car driver, Armada
- Michele Van Gorp, WNBA player from Duke University
- Candice Miller, Michigan politician
- Eminem, Rapper, Warren
- Butch Hartman, Creator of the cartoon show The Fairy Oddparents, New Baltimore
- Martha Griffiths, Lieutenant Governor of Michigan in the late 1980s, Armada
- Jerry M. Linenger, NASA Astronaut, Eastpointe
[edit] Cities, villages, and townships
- Armada Township
- Armada, village
- Bruce Township
- Center Line, city
- Chesterfield Township
- Clinton Charter Township
- Eastpointe, city
- Fraser, city
- a small part of Grosse Pointe Shores, village
- Harrison Charter Township
- Lake Township (the part of Grosse Pointe Shores in Macomb County)
- Lenox Township
- Macomb Township
- Memphis, city
- Mount Clemens, city (county seat)
- New Baltimore, city
- New Haven, village
- Ray Township
- Richmond Township
- Richmond, city
- Romeo, village
- Roseville, city
- Shelby Charter Township
- St. Clair Shores, city
- Sterling Heights, city
- Utica, city
- Warren, city
- Washington Township
[edit] External links
- Macomb County - Offical Website
- Office of Carmella Sabaugh (County Clerk/Register of Deeds)
- Macomb County Library
- Macomb County Voice
