Founded 1840, organized 1855 Website www.masoncounty.net Population 28,605 (2013) | Area 3,217 km² | |
University West Shore Community College Points of interest Destinations Ludington, Ludington State Park, Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness, Scottville, Hamlin Lake | ||
Mason County is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the population was 28,705. The county seat is Ludington.
Contents
- Map of Mason County MI USA
- History
- Geography
- Major highways
- Adjacent counties
- National protected area
- Demographics
- Government
- Elected officials
- Cities
- Villages
- References
Map of Mason County, MI, USA
Mason County comprises the Ludington, MI Micropolitan Statistical Area.
History
The county is named for Stevens T. Mason, Governor of Michigan. It was created by the Michigan Legislature in 1840 as Notipekago County, then renamed Mason County in 1843. The county was administered by Ottawa County prior to the organization of county government in 1855.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,242 square miles (3,220 km2), of which 495 square miles (1,280 km2) is land and 747 square miles (1,930 km2) (60%) is water.
Major highways
Bus. US 31
Adjacent counties
National protected area
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 28,274 people, 11,406 households, and 7,881 families residing in the county. The population density was 57 people per square mile (22/km²). There were 16,063 housing units at an average density of 32 per square mile (13/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.84% White, 0.73% Black or African American, 0.78% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.82% from other races, and 1.53% from two or more races. 3.01% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 24.5% were of German, 10.4% Polish, 8.8% English, 8.5% Irish, 7.7% American and 5.0% Swedish ancestry according to Census 2000. 96.0% spoke English and 2.2% Spanish as their first language.
There were 11,406 households out of which 29.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.40% were married couples living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.90% were non-families. 26.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the county, the population was spread out with 24.20% under the age of 18, 7.10% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 25 to 44, 25.80% from 45 to 64, and 16.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 97.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $34,704, and the median income for a family was $41,654. Males had a median income of $33,873 versus $22,616 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,713. About 8.20% of families and 11.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.50% of those under age 18 and 7.00% of those age 65 or over.
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 Jan 2013)