Midland County, Michigan

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 528 square miles (1,370 km²), of which 516 square miles (1,340 km²) is land and 12 square miles (31 km²) (2.2%) is water.

Adjacent counties

Highways

Airports

Scheduled airline service is available from MBS International Airport in Freeland, Michigan and Bishop International Airport in Flint, Michigan. Midland also has a general aviation airport, Jack Barstow Municipal Airport.

Public transportation

There is no regularly scheduled public transportation (bus service). Residents can call in advance to schedule pickup for transport within the county by two government sponsored agencies ("Dial-A-Ride" within the city of Midland and "County Connection" for those outside the city of Midland but still within Midland County) for a nominal fee.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 82,874 people, 31,769 households, and 22,683 families residing in the county. The population density was 159 people per square mile (61/km²). There were 33,796 housing units at an average density of 65 per square mile (25/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.50% White, 1.05% Black or African American, 0.40% Native American, 1.49% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.44% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. 1.55% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 28.6% were of German, 11.5% English, 10.2% United States or American, 8.9% Irish and 6.1% Polish ancestry according to Census 2000. 96.7% spoke only English, while 1.6% spoke Spanish at home.

There were 31,769 households out of which 34.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.10% were married couples living together, 8.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.60% were non-families. 23.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the county, the population was spread out with 26.90% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 29.20% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 12.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 96.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $45,674, and the median income for a family was $55,483. Males had a median income of $45,656 versus $27,470 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,383. About 5.70% of families and 8.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.50% of those under age 18 and 7.50% of those age 65 or over.

Religion

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Saginaw is the controlling regional body for the Catholic Church.

Politics

Midland County predominantly supports the Republican Party, in contrast to the neighboring counties of Isabella, Saginaw, and Bay, who mainly support the Democratic Party.

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. Due to funding cuts, the Midland County Sheriff does not have a patrol division. Former patrol officers now serve in the Citizens Assistance Responders (CAR) division and will respond to requests for assistance.

Elected officials

(information as of January 2013)

Board of Commissioners

7 members, elected from districts (7 Republicans)

Cities

Village