Montmorency County, Michigan
Montmorency County | |
---|---|
UTC−4 (EDT) | |
Congressional district | 1st |
Website | montcounty |
Montmorency County (/ˌmɒntməˈrɛnsi/ MONT-mə-REN-see) is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the population was 9,153,[3] making it the second-least populous county in Michigan's Lower Peninsula, behind its southern neighbor, Oscoda County. The county seat is Atlanta.[4]
Montmorency County is part of Northern Michigan, and is part of the Lake Huron watershed. The Thunder Bay River, which drains much of the county, flows to Lake Huron's Thunder Bay at Alpena.
History
The county was created by the Michigan Legislature in 1840 as Cheonoquet County,
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 563 square miles (1,460 km2), of which 547 square miles (1,420 km2) is land and 16 square miles (41 km2) (2.8%) is water.[9] Although it lies on Michigan's Lower Peninsula, Montmorency County is considered to be part of Northern Michigan.
Most of the county is covered by state forest land. There is an abundance of lakes, such as Long Lake. Glaciers shaped the area, creating a unique regional ecosystem. A large portion of the area is the Grayling outwash plain, a broad outwash plain including sandy ice-disintegration ridges, jack pine barrens, some white pine-red pine forest, and northern hardwood forest. Large lakes were created by glacial action.[10]
Adjacent counties
- Presque Isle County - northeast
- Alpena County - east
- Alcona County - southeast
- Oscoda County - south
- Crawford County - southwest
- Otsego County - west
- Cheboygan County - northwest
Major highways
There are no
Communities
Village
Census-designated places
- Atlanta (county seat)
- Canada Creek Ranch
- Lewiston
Townships
Other unincorporated communities
- Big Rock
- Hetherton
- Vienna Corners
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1890 | 1,487 | — | |
1900 | 3,234 | 117.5% | |
1910 | 3,755 | 16.1% | |
1920 | 4,089 | 8.9% | |
1930 | 2,814 | −31.2% | |
1940 | 3,840 | 36.5% | |
1950 | 4,125 | 7.4% | |
1960 | 4,424 | 7.2% | |
1970 | 5,247 | 18.6% | |
1980 | 7,492 | 42.8% | |
1990 | 8,936 | 19.3% | |
2000 | 10,315 | 15.4% | |
2010 | 9,765 | −5.3% | |
2020 | 9,153 | −6.3% | |
2023 (est.) | 9,678 | [11] | 5.7% |
US Decennial Census[12] 1790-1960[13] 1900-1990[14] 1990-2000[15] 2010-2018[3] |
As of the 2000 United States census,[16] there were 10,315 people, 4,455 households, and 3,047 families residing in the county. In 2020, its population declined to 9,153.
Economy
Dairy products and dry beans are an important part of the county's agricultural production. Service industry and retail trade relating to tourism make up most of the economic base in this rural area.[17] Boating, fishing, and other outdoor activities are offered in abundance.[18]
Government
Voters in Montmorency County favored Democratic Party nominees at the start, but since 1896 have usually voted for the Republican Party. Republican Party nominees have garnered the Montmorency County vote 76% of the time (26 of 34 elections).
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 4,171 | 71.14% | 1,628 | 27.77% | 64 | 1.09% |
2016 | 3,498 | 69.52% | 1,287 | 25.58% | 247 | 4.91% |
2012 | 2,928 | 57.97% | 2,049 | 40.57% | 74 | 1.47% |
2008 | 2,841 | 53.00% | 2,403 | 44.83% | 116 | 2.16% |
2004 | 3,300 | 59.32% | 2,196 | 39.48% | 67 | 1.20% |
2000 | 2,750 | 54.90% | 2,139 | 42.70% | 120 | 2.40% |
1996 | 1,760 | 38.33% | 2,120 | 46.17% | 712 | 15.51% |
1992 | 1,794 | 37.45% | 1,903 | 39.72% | 1,094 | 22.83% |
1988 | 2,514 | 61.32% | 1,563 | 38.12% | 23 | 0.56% |
1984 | 2,913 | 67.54% | 1,387 | 32.16% | 13 | 0.30% |
1980 | 2,400 | 55.71% | 1,654 | 38.39% | 254 | 5.90% |
1976 | 1,882 | 52.03% | 1,684 | 46.56% | 51 | 1.41% |
1972 | 1,798 | 64.49% | 914 | 32.78% | 76 | 2.73% |
1968 | 1,279 | 54.40% | 810 | 34.45% | 262 | 11.14% |
1964 | 863 | 38.60% | 1,369 | 61.23% | 4 | 0.18% |
1960 | 1,565 | 64.32% | 866 | 35.59% | 2 | 0.08% |
1956 | 1,385 | 69.39% | 608 | 30.46% | 3 | 0.15% |
1952 | 1,449 | 71.91% | 544 | 27.00% | 22 | 1.09% |
1948 | 1,054 | 64.11% | 553 | 33.64% | 37 | 2.25% |
1944 | 1,034 | 65.20% | 541 | 34.11% | 11 | 0.69% |
1940 | 1,189 | 60.48% | 768 | 39.06% | 9 | 0.46% |
1936 | 792 | 44.05% | 958 | 53.28% | 48 | 2.67% |
1932 | 595 | 38.04% | 903 | 57.74% | 66 | 4.22% |
1928 | 787 | 73.97% | 270 | 25.38% | 7 | 0.66% |
1924 | 748 | 63.93% | 140 | 11.97% | 282 | 24.10% |
1920 | 832 | 75.57% | 199 | 18.07% | 70 | 6.36% |
1916 | 396 | 54.25% | 272 | 37.26% | 62 | 8.49% |
1912 | 325 | 43.62% | 163 | 21.88% | 257 | 34.50% |
1908 | 580 | 75.23% | 179 | 23.22% | 12 | 1.56% |
1904 | 654 | 80.54% | 146 | 17.98% | 12 | 1.48% |
1900 | 543 | 69.17% | 233 | 29.68% | 9 | 1.15% |
1896 | 481 | 58.73% | 330 | 40.29% | 8 | 0.98% |
1892 | 246 | 47.67% | 255 | 49.42% | 15 | 2.91% |
1888 | 235 | 48.86% | 237 | 49.27% | 9 | 1.87% |
1884 | 93 | 38.91% | 137 | 57.32% | 9 | 3.77% |
The county government operates the
Elected officials
- Prosecuting Attorney: Vicki Klindinger
- Sheriff: Chad Brown
- County Clerk: Cheryl A. Neilsen
- County Treasurer: Jean Klein
- Register of Deeds: Teresa Walker
- Drain Commissioner: Jim Zavislak
- Road Commissioners: Joseph R. LaFleche; Theodore Orm; Linda Hicks
(information as of August 2018)
Recreation
- Atlanta is the "Elk Capital of Michigan".[20] Every year during opening day of Elk hunting season the largest bagged are displayed at the "buck pole" on the town's central square. During the off season, driving around in the wilderness surrounding Atlanta looking for these graceful creatures becomes a pastime of locals, cottagers, and tourists.[21]
- Rainbow trout, brook trout, steelhead, perch, bass and other pan fish abound. The county is a hotbed of fly fishing and angling on the edge of some world-class streams and rivers.
- White tail deer hunting is a popular local activity and the firearms deer season opening (November 15) being noted as a holiday to some residents, with schools being closed on opening day.[22] Most of the land in Montmorency County is controlled by state or federal government, making the county a popular hunting area.[23]
- snow mobile riding are popular outdoor activities. The Sno*Driftrallying race is held on snowy surfaces in February.
- Morel mushroomhunting is a local pastime and attracts many tourists.
- There are many recurring events throughout the area,[24][25] such as the annual sled dog races held near the end of January on Clear Lake State Park.[26]
ORV/ATV and snowmobile trails are some of the state's best. Many areas are designated as "trail mazes" on some maps.[27] Montmorency County is one of the few counties that allow ATVs on public county roads, thus creating access for fuel, food and various hotels to Hillman, Atlanta, and Lewiston.[28] The main trail system incorporates a scenic Elk tour and various levels of ATV trails.
Media
- The newspaper of record for Montmorency County is the Montmorency County Tribune.[29]
Endangered species
Montmorency County is home to Michigan's most endangered species and one of the most endangered species in the world: the
See also
- List of Michigan State Historic Sites in Montmorency County, Michigan
References
- ^ a b "Bibliography on Montmorency County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
- ^ a b c Newberry Library. "Michigan: Individual County Chronologies". Atlas of County Historical Boundaries. Archived from the original on July 28, 2018. Retrieved November 4, 2016.[dead link]
- ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ George Dawson (1840). Acts of the Legislature of the State of Michigan Passed at the Annual Session of 1840. Detroit. pp. 196–200.
- ^ Powers, Perry F. (1912). "A History of Northern Michigan and Its People". google.com.
- ^ a b "Montmorency County genealogical page". Archived from the original on December 14, 2007.
- ^ a b Montmorency County home page.
- ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
- ^ "NPWRC :: Regional Landscape". usgs.gov. Archived from the original on June 25, 2013.
- ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
- ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
- ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
- ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "Montmorency County economic profile". Archived from the original on July 15, 2007.
- ^ "Montmorency County tourism profile" (PDF). Michigan State University extension service. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 10, 2008. Retrieved December 11, 2007.
- ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
- ^ "About us". AtlantaMichiganChamber.com. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
- ^ "Pigeon River Country Elk Range". Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Archived from the original on January 17, 2012. Retrieved January 9, 2013.
- ^ "J-L School Calendar". jlas.org. Johannesburg-Lewiston Area Schools. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
- ^ "Economic profiler, Montmorency County". michigan.org. July 15, 2007. Archived from the original on July 15, 2007.
- ^ "List and calendar of events". NEMichigan.com. Archived from the original on January 28, 2001.
- ^ "Calendar of events". hillmanchamber.org. Hillman MI: Hillman Area Chamber of Commerce. 2018. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
- ^ "MUSH Clear Lake State Park Sled Dog Race". sleddogcentral.com. Archived from the original on January 3, 2010. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
- ISBN 978-0-7625-6505-4.
- ^ "Off Road Vehicle Road Map" (PDF). Montmorency County Tribune. 2009. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 8, 2014. Retrieved April 11, 2018 – via montmorencytribune.com.
- ^ "The Montmorency County Tribune - News, Sports, Weather and Entertainment". www.montmorencytribune.com.
External links
- Hillman, Michigan Chamber of Commerce; includes calendar of local events and list of local official addresses, phone numbers
- Atlanta, Michigan Chamber of Commerce; includes calendar of local events
- "Bibliography on Montmorency County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University.
- Economic profiler, Montmorency County
- The Enchanted Forest, Northern Michigan source for information, calendars etc.
- Montmorency County home page; includes history of the county
- Montmorency County Tribune