Bay County, Michigan
Bay County | |
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Masonic Temple . | |
UTC−4 (EDT) | |
Congressional district | 8th |
Website | www |
Bay County is located in the
Bay County comprises the Bay City, MI
History
19th century
This section needs expansion with: history after the county was organized. You can help by adding to it. (August 2012) |
Bay County was created in 1857 from portions of Midland County, Saginaw County, and Arenac County.[1] Its name references that it "surrounds Saginaw Bay."[1] Being only sparsely populated at that time, Arenac County government was unorganized and was attached to Saginaw County for administrative purposes. There was considerable opposition to the creation of Bay County from elected officials in both Saginaw and Midland counties. In 1854, a bill introduced to the state legislature to create Bay County was defeated by a small majority.
In 1857, a new bill was introduced into the legislature. After initial opposition from the representatives of Saginaw and Midland counties, a compromise revision that would present the matter for ratification to the voters of "in said county" was passed by the legislature on February 17, 1857. The matter was put before all the voters of Saginaw and Midland counties and was soundly defeated. However, the population within the boundaries proposed for Bay County approved the measure. The bill passed by the legislature included phrasing, which was deliberately included by the Bay City lawyer Chester H. Freeman, that allowed Bay County to claim ratification. Under the act, the county was to become effective April 20, 1857.
Residents of Bay County held elections for county officials in June 1857. However, Saginaw County did not recognize the organization of the new county government. In the winter of 1858, Freeman secured passage of a bill in the legislature that would have confirmed the organization of Bay County. But the bill was vetoed by the governor. However, a case that went before the Michigan Supreme Court in its May 1858 term settled the matter. In the case, a defendant was tried in a Saginaw County court, but filed a plea for abatement, claiming that the supposed offense was committed in Bay County and was not in the jurisdiction of the Saginaw County court. Freeman had represented the defendant and prepared arguments, but became incapacitated due to illness. At the request of Freeman's wife, Colonel William M. Fenton argued the case before the Michigan Supreme Court, with the result that Bay County was declared a fully organized county.[5]
20th century
This section needs expansion with: history between 1900—1978 and after 1979. You can help by adding to it. (August 2012) |
During World War II, shipyards in Bay County were used to produce US Destroyers and missile vessels.[6]
In 1978, Bay County became the second Michigan county (after Oakland County) to adopt a County Executive form of government. Act 139 of 1973 provides for an optional unified form of county government under an appointed County Manager or an elected County Executive. With the County Executive, all departments of the county government that are not headed by a separate elected official (e.g. Treasurer, Clerk, Sheriff, etc.) are under the direction of the County Executive. The County Executive also has veto power over the motions and resolutions passed by the County Commission.
Since the adoption of this form of government, Bay County has had four County Executives: Gary Majeske (R) (1979–1989), Kim Higgs (D) (1989–1993), Thomas Hickner (D) (1993–2016), and James Barcia (D).
Geography
According to the
The Saginaw River flows through Bay City while the Kawkawlin River drains much of the central portion of the county. The Pinconning River and Saganing Creek drain the northern portion. The Saginaw Bay of Lake Huron lies to the east, giving the county its name.
Major highways
Adjacent counties
- Arenac County (north)
- Gladwin County (northwest)
- Tuscola County (southeast)
- Midland County (west)
- Saginaw County (south)
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1860 | 3,164 | — | |
1870 | 15,900 | 402.5% | |
1880 | 38,081 | 139.5% | |
1890 | 56,412 | 48.1% | |
1900 | 62,378 | 10.6% | |
1910 | 68,238 | 9.4% | |
1920 | 69,548 | 1.9% | |
1930 | 69,474 | −0.1% | |
1940 | 74,981 | 7.9% | |
1950 | 88,461 | 18.0% | |
1960 | 107,042 | 21.0% | |
1970 | 117,339 | 9.6% | |
1980 | 119,881 | 2.2% | |
1990 | 111,723 | −6.8% | |
2000 | 110,157 | −1.4% | |
2010 | 107,771 | −2.2% | |
2020 | 103,856 | −3.6% | |
2023 (est.) | 102,500 | [9] | −1.3% |
U.S. Decennial Census[10] 1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12] 1990-2000[13] 2010-2018[3] |
The
There were 44,603 households, out of which 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were husband and wife families, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.7% were non-families, and 29.3% were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.2% under age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 29.5% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93 males.
The
Religion
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Saginaw is the controlling regional body for the Catholic Church.[15]
Economy
According to Bay Future, Inc.[16] the top employers in the county are:
# | Employer | # of Employees |
---|---|---|
1 | McLaren - Bay Region | 2,083 |
2 | The Dow Chemical Company | 1,160 |
3 | Delta College | 957 |
4 | Michigan Sugar | 900 |
Government
From 1932 to 2012, Bay County voted for the Democratic Party candidate in every Presidential election except for five national Republican landslides: 1952, 1956, 1972, 1980 and 1984. However, the county has turned increasingly Republican in recent elections. The November 2022 election resulted in the first majority Republican Board of Commissioners ever sitting in Bay County since the adoption of the Optional Unified Form of County Government (Act 139). Despite this, Bay County had voted Democratic in all 3 statewide races in 2022, and Democrat James Barcia remains as County Executive.
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 33,125 | 54.90% | 26,151 | 43.34% | 1,057 | 1.75% |
2016 | 28,328 | 53.17% | 21,642 | 40.62% | 3,304 | 6.20% |
2012 | 24,911 | 46.49% | 27,877 | 52.02% | 798 | 1.49% |
2008 | 23,795 | 41.32% | 32,589 | 56.59% | 1,204 | 2.09% |
2004 | 25,448 | 44.60% | 31,049 | 54.42% | 562 | 0.98% |
2000 | 22,150 | 42.90% | 28,251 | 54.71% | 1,235 | 2.39% |
1996 | 16,038 | 32.33% | 27,835 | 56.12% | 5,730 | 11.55% |
1992 | 16,383 | 30.14% | 26,492 | 48.74% | 11,480 | 21.12% |
1988 | 20,710 | 42.13% | 28,225 | 57.42% | 217 | 0.44% |
1984 | 26,198 | 53.43% | 22,597 | 46.09% | 235 | 0.48% |
1980 | 25,331 | 46.40% | 24,517 | 44.91% | 4,744 | 8.69% |
1976 | 23,174 | 46.64% | 25,958 | 52.24% | 557 | 1.12% |
1972 | 23,094 | 50.08% | 21,712 | 47.08% | 1,312 | 2.84% |
1968 | 18,779 | 44.12% | 21,410 | 50.30% | 2,378 | 5.59% |
1964 | 11,896 | 28.52% | 29,754 | 71.34% | 56 | 0.13% |
1960 | 20,909 | 47.51% | 22,998 | 52.26% | 104 | 0.24% |
1956 | 23,519 | 60.39% | 15,301 | 39.29% | 128 | 0.33% |
1952 | 20,087 | 58.40% | 14,113 | 41.03% | 196 | 0.57% |
1948 | 13,321 | 47.58% | 14,349 | 51.25% | 327 | 1.17% |
1944 | 15,459 | 49.54% | 15,602 | 50.00% | 143 | 0.46% |
1940 | 14,618 | 49.41% | 14,902 | 50.37% | 67 | 0.23% |
1936 | 8,729 | 35.08% | 13,789 | 55.41% | 2,367 | 9.51% |
1932 | 9,816 | 39.12% | 14,708 | 58.62% | 568 | 2.26% |
1928 | 12,467 | 56.88% | 9,395 | 42.87% | 55 | 0.25% |
1924 | 14,861 | 64.75% | 5,881 | 25.62% | 2,209 | 9.62% |
1920 | 13,933 | 64.93% | 7,011 | 32.67% | 516 | 2.40% |
1916 | 6,708 | 51.09% | 5,996 | 45.67% | 426 | 3.24% |
1912 | 2,625 | 23.43% | 2,990 | 26.68% | 5,590 | 49.89% |
1908 | 6,760 | 58.22% | 4,223 | 36.37% | 628 | 5.41% |
1904 | 7,609 | 68.25% | 3,142 | 28.18% | 397 | 3.56% |
1900 | 6,462 | 54.60% | 5,081 | 42.93% | 293 | 2.48% |
1896 | 6,037 | 48.09% | 6,296 | 50.16% | 220 | 1.75% |
1892 | 4,587 | 42.96% | 5,714 | 53.51% | 377 | 3.53% |
1888 | 4,378 | 43.73% | 5,386 | 53.80% | 248 | 2.48% |
1884 | 2,916 | 35.15% | 4,963 | 59.83% | 416 | 5.02% |
Bay County government is set up under Public Act 139 of 1973. This format provides for an elected County Executive who, as chief administrator, has influence over all departments, except those headed by other elected officials. In that manner, the County Executive appoints and supervises all department heads. It is the duty of the County Executive to coordinate all county activities and unify the management of county affairs, enforce all orders, rules and ordinances passed by the Board of Commissioners and all laws enacted by the state. In addition, the County Executive must submit to the Board of Commissioners a recommended budget each year. The county government operates the
Elected officials
- James Barcia
- Prosecuting Attorney: Nancy E. Borushko
- Sheriff: Troy R. Cunningham
- County Clerk: Kathleen Zanotti
- County Treasurer: Weston Prince
- Register of Deeds: Brandon Krause
- Drain Commissioner: Michael Rivard
- Road Commissioners: William Schumacher, William Jordan, Kevin Shark
Board of Commissioners
7 members, elected from districts (three Democrats, four Republicans)[19]
District | Commissioner | Party |
---|---|---|
1 | Kathy Niemiec | Republican |
2 | Tim Banaszak | Republican |
3 | Vaughn J. Begick, Chairman | Republican |
4 | Colleen Maillette | Democratic |
5 | Thomas M. Herek, | Democratic |
6 | Kaysey Owczarzak Radtke | Democratic |
7 | Dennis R. Poirier | Republican |
Communities
Cities
- Auburn
- Bay City (county seat)
- Essexville
- Pinconning
- Midland (partial)
Charter townships
- Bangor Charter Township
- Hampton Charter Township
- Monitor Charter Township
- Portsmouth Charter Township
- Williams Charter Township
Civil townships
Unincorporated communities
- Almeda Beach
- Amelith
- Aplin Beach
- Arn
- Beaver
- Bentley
- Brissette Beach
- Brooks
- Crump
- Donahue Beach
- Duel
- Fisherville
- Frankenlust
- Kawkawlin
- Killarney Beach
- Lagoon Beach
- Linwood
- Linwood Beach
- Little Killarney Beach
- Loehne
- Meyers Beach
- Mount Forest
- Munger
- Nine Mile
- North Williams
- Seidlers
- Three Churches Corner
- Tobico Beach
- Willard
- Woodville
- University Center
Former city
See also
- Bay County Library System
- List of Michigan State Historic Sites in Bay County, Michigan
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Bay County, Michigan
References
- ^ a b c "Bibliography on Bay County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
- ^ "History of Bay County". baycounty-mi.gov.
- ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on July 4, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ Butterfield, George Ernest; George N. Fuller (2005) [192?]. "County Organization and Government". History of Bay County. Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan Library. pp. 42–53. Retrieved March 22, 2008.
- ^ "Bay County Michigan MIGenWeb Site". www.mifamilyhistory.org. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
- ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
- ^ Kusmierz, Marvin (October 2005). "Michigan Map History Relevant to Bay County, MI". Archived from the original on August 24, 2012. Retrieved August 26, 2012.
- ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
- ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
- ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
- ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
- ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
- ^ "Diocese of Saginaw". saginaw.org.
- ^ "Bay County by the Numbers". welcometobaycounty. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
- ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
- ^ "About the Bay County Board of Road Commissioners".
- ^ "Summary Results Report - 2020 General Election" (PDF). Bay County, Michigan. November 4, 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 23, 2021.