Largest city Holland Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4 Area 4,747 km² Unemployment rate 3.8% (Apr 2015) | Congressional districts 2nd, 6th Website www.allegancounty.org Population 112,531 (2013) County seat Allegan | |
 | ||
Founded established 1831
organized 1835 Rivers Black River, Kalamazoo River, Pine Creek, Silver Creek Points of interest Saugatuck Dunes State Park, Allegan State Game Area, Lake Michigan, Bittersweet Ski Area, Oval Beach Saugatuck Destinations Holland, Saugatuck, South Haven, Douglas, Allegan | ||
Allegan County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of 2010 census, the population was 111,408. The county seat is Allegan. The name was coined by Henry Rowe Schoolcraft to sound like a Native American word.
Contents
- Map of Allegan County MI USA
- History
- Geography
- Demographics
- Religion
- Government
- Elected officials
- Villages
- References
Map of Allegan County, MI, USA
Allegan County comprises the Holland, MI Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Muskegon, MI Combined Statistical Area. It is primarily an agricultural area that is rapidly becoming urbanized as the population centers of Grand Rapids on the northeast and Kalamazoo to the southeast expand into Allegan County.
The county has long been a regional tourist draw, particularly the Tulip Time Festival in Holland and the area along Lake Michigan. The Lake Michigan shoreline has long been a popular place for vacation homes, and that such development continues, especially around Saugatuck and Douglas. Another draw is Allegan State Game Area, a 45,000 acres (180 km2) forest attracting campers, snowmobilers, cross-country skiers and hunters. Allegan County also hosts Saugatuck Dunes State Park with trails through scenic dunes and a swimming beach on Lake Michigan. Lake Allegan is another popular destination.
History
As with other areas of Michigan, this territory was long occupied by bands of the Potowatomi and Ojibwe of the Lake Superior Band of Chippewa Indians. The United States government persuaded the tribes to cede their extensive territories to the federal government, in exchange for annuities and small reservations. The federally recognized Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottowatomi has a reservation here.
The boundaries of Allegan County were laid out by the legislature in 1831. The county was organized in 1835. At that time there were only about four European-American families permanently settled in the area. Among the first settlers of Allegan County were Giles Scott and Turner Aldrich.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,833 square miles (4,750 km2), of which 825 square miles (2,140 km2) is land and 1,008 square miles (2,610 km2) (55%) is water.
Demographics
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 111,408 people residing in the county. 92.9% were White, 1.2% Black or African American, 0.6% Asian, 0.6% Native American, 2.8% of some other race and 1.9% of two or more races. 6.7% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). 23.0% were of Dutch, 17.5% German, 8.3% English, 7.1% Irish and 7.1% American ancestry.
As of the 2000 census, there were 105,665 people, 38,165 households, and 28,394 families residing in the county. The population density was 128 people per square mile (49/km²). There were 43,292 housing units at an average density of 52 per square mile (20/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.47% White, 1.31% Black or African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.77% from other races, and 1.32% from two or more races. 5.72% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 25.6% were of Dutch, 17.8% German, 9.6% American, 8.4% English and 7.2% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000. 93.6% spoke only English; 5.2% spoke Spanish at home.
There were 38,165 households out of which 37.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.40% were married couples living together, 9.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.60% were non-families. 20.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.15.
In the county, the population was spread out with 28.90% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 30.00% from 25 to 44, 22.00% from 45 to 64, and 11.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 99.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $45,813, and the median income for a family was $51,908. Males had a median income of $38,681 versus $26,887 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,918. About 5.00% of families and 7.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.50% of those under age 18 and 7.90% of those age 65 or over.
Religion
The Reformed Church in America was the largest Protestant denomination with 4,500 members in 11 churches, followed by the United Methodist Church with 3,600 congregants in 20 churches. The third largest Protestant denomination is the Christian Reformed Church with 10 churches and 2,600 members. The Catholic Church has 10,000 members as of 2010.
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.
Elected officials
(Information as of September 2005)