Gogebic County, Michigan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gogebic County, Michigan
Gogebic County Courthouse in Bessemer

Logo
Map of Michigan highlighting Gogebic County
Location in the state of Michigan
Map of the United States highlighting Michigan
Michigan's location in the U.S.
Founded 1887[1]
Seat Bessemer
Area
 • Total 1,476.35 sq mi (3,824 km2)
 • Land 1,101.85 sq mi (2,854 km2)
 • Water 374.50 sq mi (970 km2), 25.37%
Population
 • (2010) 16,427
 • Density 16/sq mi (6/km²)
Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5
Website www.gogebic.org

Gogebic County (/ɡoʊˈɡɪ.bɪk/ go-GI-bik) is the westernmost county in the Upper peninsula in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the population was 16,427.[2] The county seat is Bessemer[3].

The county was set off and organized in 1867. It had been part of Ontonagon County. The name is said to be derived from the Ojibwe word "bic" which most references interpret as "rock."[4] Alternatively, it is claimed to be derived from Lake Agogebic, later changed to Lake Gogebic.[1] See List of Michigan county name etymologies.

Geography

According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 1,476.35 square miles (3,823.7 km2), of which 1,101.85 square miles (2,853.8 km2) (or 74.63%) is land and 374.50 square miles (970.0 km2) (or 25.37%) is water.[5]


Geographic features

Transportation

Highways

Air service

Adjacent counties

 Ashland County, Wisconsin Ontonagon County
Iron County
   Gogebic County, Michigan  
Iron County, Wisconsin Vilas County, Wisconsin

National protected area

State protected area

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
189013,166
—
190016,73827.1%
191023,33339.4%
192033,22542.4%
193031,577−5.0%
194031,7970.7%
195027,053−14.9%
196024,370−9.9%
197020,676−15.2%
198019,686−4.8%
199018,052−8.3%
200017,370−3.8%
201016,427−5.4%
Est. 201216,084−2.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
2012 Estimate[7]

The 2010 United States Census[8] indicates Gogebic County had a population of 16,427. This is a decrease of 943 people from the 2000 United States Census. This is a -5.4% change in population. In 2010 there were 7,037 households and 4,171 families residing in the county. The population density was 15 people per square mile (6/km²). There were 10,795 housing units at an average density of 10 per square mile (4/km²). 91.7% of the population were White, 4.1% Black or African American, 2.4% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% of some other race and 1.4% of two or more races. 0.9% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). 17.4% were of Finnish, 12.8% German, 11.2% American, 10.0% Italian, 6.8% Polish, 6.7% English and 5.1% Irish ancestry.[9]

There were 7,037 households out of which 20.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.4% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.7% were non-families. 35.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.69.

In the county the population was spread out with 16.9% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 22.2% from 25 to 44, 31.1% from 45 to 64, and 21.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46.8 years. 53.3% of the population was male, and 46.7% of the population was female.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,917, and the median income for a family was $47,219. The per capita income for the county was $20,759. About 14.0% of families and 17.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.6% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.

Government

The county government operates the jail, maintains rural roads, operates the major local courts, maintains vital records and property 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 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.

Cities, villages, and townships

Cities

Townships

Unincorporated communities

  • Connorville
  • Marenisco
  • Ramsay
  • Thomaston
  • Watersmeet

See also

  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Gogebic County, Michigan

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Bibliography on Gogebic County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Retrieved June 29, 2013. 
  2. ↑ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 27, 2013. 
  3. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07. 
  4. ↑ "Michigan Counties" from the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries.
  5. ↑ "Census 2010 Gazetteer Files". Retrieved June 5, 2013. 
  6. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". Census.gov. Retrieved June 26, 2013. 
  7. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012". Census.gov. Retrieved June 26, 2013. 
  8. ↑ "Census 2010 American Fact Finder". Retrieved July 6, 2013. 
  9. ↑ "American FactFinder"

External links

Municipalities and communities of Gogebic County, Michigan, United States
Cities
Charter
township
General law
townships
CDPs
  • Marenisco
  • Watersmeet
Indian
reservation
Lansing (capital)
Topics
Society
  • Culture
  • Crime
  • Demographics
  • Economy
  • Education
  • Politics
Regions
Largest
Municipalities
Counties

Coordinates: 46°29′N 89°47′W / 46.48°N 89.79°W / 46.48; -89.79

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike; additional terms may apply for the media files.