Washtenaw County, Michigan
Washtenaw County | |
---|---|
UTC−4 (EDT) | |
Congressional district | 6th |
Website | washtenaw |
Washtenaw County (
History
Native American territories
The first peoples occupying the central portion of what is now Michigan included: "the Pottawattamies, the Chippewas, the Ottawas, the Wyandottes and the Hurons".[5] Native Americans whose territories included land within the Washtenaw County boundaries are shown to have included: Myaamia (Miami),[6] Bodéwadmiké (Potawatomi),[7] Anishinabewaki ᐊᓂᔑᓈᐯᐗᑭ,[8] Peoria,[9] Meškwahki·aša·hina (Fox),[10] and the Mississauga nation.[11]
Etymology of Washtenaw
In the Ojibwe language, "Wash-ten-ong" or "Owashtanong" literally translates as "far away waters", and was then used by the Ojibwe as the name for the Grand River due to its great length.[5][1][12] At the time of the official naming of the county in 1822, the headwaters of the Grand River fell within the original boundaries of Washtenaw County, which encompassed a much larger area than the present county.[1]
Early colonization
The earliest histories mention French trappers and traders conducting trade in the area at the Potawatomi Trail and Pontiac Trail crossings of the Huron River, and later English then American settlers. The first successful settlement was established at the present site of Ypsilanti about 1809 by French traders.[13]
In 1822, the
Swamps were drained to lower the water table. The swamp northwest of the I-94 and US-23 intersection, and areas within Waterloo Recreation Area still appear as they did to early settlers. As productive farms became established, the local deer herds grew. In the 1820s and 1830s, the events surrounding the independence of Greece from Turkey inspired construction of Greek Revival buildings, and the names of townships, towns, and children.
The "frostbitten convention" was held at Ann Arbor, the county seat, in 1835. Statehood was delayed because Michigan claimed the Toledo Strip, which was also claimed by Ohio. Following resolution of the Toledo War (1835–1836), in which Michigan Territory ceded its claim to Toledo in exchange for most of the Upper Peninsula (from the Porcupine Mountains eastward), Ohio withdrew its objection and Michigan became a state on January 26, 1837.
The convention also decided to move the capital from Detroit to a point further away from the Canadian border. After considering many existing communities, the delegates decided to build an entirely new capital city, which became
In 1849, the Michigan State Normal School (now Eastern Michigan University) was established in Washtenaw's oldest settlement, Ypsilanti. It was elevated to collegiate status c. 1891 as Michigan State Normal College. The name was changed in 1956 to Eastern Michigan College, which was elevated to university status in 1959.
Geography
According to the
Adjacent counties
- Livingston County (north)
- Oakland County (northeast)
- Wayne County (east)
- Monroe County (southeast)
- Lenawee County (southwest)
- Jackson County (west)
- Ingham County (northwest)
Major highways
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1830 | 4,042 | — | |
1840 | 23,571 | 483.2% | |
1850 | 28,567 | 21.2% | |
1860 | 35,686 | 24.9% | |
1870 | 41,434 | 16.1% | |
1880 | 41,848 | 1.0% | |
1890 | 42,210 | 0.9% | |
1900 | 47,761 | 13.2% | |
1910 | 44,714 | −6.4% | |
1920 | 49,520 | 10.7% | |
1930 | 65,530 | 32.3% | |
1940 | 80,810 | 23.3% | |
1950 | 134,606 | 66.6% | |
1960 | 172,440 | 28.1% | |
1970 | 234,103 | 35.8% | |
1980 | 264,748 | 13.1% | |
1990 | 282,937 | 6.9% | |
2000 | 322,895 | 14.1% | |
2010 | 344,791 | 6.8% | |
2020 | 372,258 | 8.0% | |
2023 (est.) | 365,536 | [15] | −1.8% |
U.S. Decennial Census[16] 1790–1960[17] 1900–1990[18] 1990–2000[19] 2010–2019[3] |
As of the
Washtenaw has the highest proportion of Asian-American residents of any Michigan county.
As of the
There were 125,327 households, out of which 29.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.40% were married couples living together, 9.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.20% were non-families. 29.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the county, 22.10% of the population was under the age of 18, 17.10% was from 18 to 24, 32.10% from 25 to 44, 20.60% from 45 to 64, and 8.10% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $51,990, and the median income for a family was $70,393 (these figures had risen to $59,887 and $80,779 respectively as of a 2007 estimate.
Government
Elected officials
- Prosecuting Attorney: Eli Savit (Democrat)
- Sheriff: Jerry Clayton (Democrat)
- Register of Deeds: Lawrence Kestenbaum(Democrat)
- County Treasurer: Catherine McClary (Democrat)
- Water Resources Commissioner: Evan Pratt (Democrat)
The Board of Commissioners has nine members, elected from single member districts, on a partisan ballot, in November of even-numbered years. The term is two years. Information as of May 2017.
District Archived July 26, 2011, at the Wayback Machine | Commissioner | Party | Positions |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Jason Maciejewski | Democrat | |
2 | Crystal Lyte | Democrat | |
3 | Shannon Beeman | Democrat | |
4 | Caroline Sanders | Democrat | Vice Chair of the Board |
5 | Justin Hodge | Democrat | Board Chair |
6 | Annie Sommerville | Democrat | Working Session Committee Chair |
7 | Andy LaBarre | Democrat | Vice Chair of the Working Session |
8 | Yousef Rabhi | Democrat | |
9 | Katie Scott | Democrat |
Government services
Parks and recreation
This section needs to be updated.(December 2022) |
Washtenaw County operates 10 parks and one recreation center (gymnasium). One park has a water sprinkler area, one has a substantial water park component, and there is one golf course. The recreation center has a swimming pool, indoor track, basketball courts, complete set of resistance machines, a weight room, and several multipurpose rooms.
Washtenaw County is in the process of acquiring land for natural preservation. The program started in 2001, was renewed in 2010. The millage was renewed a second time in 2020 with a record high of 72% of votes supporting the renewal.[23] Eight parcels of land had been purchased by July 2007. These parcels are of special ecological, recreational, and educational benefits.[24] They are preserved in a natural unimproved state and are open to the public during daylight hours.
Wireless communication
In partnership with private enterprise, the county maintains a wireless network which is currently available to approximately 50% of county residents. This is the Wireless Washtenaw Project; its stated aim of this project is to provide wireless access to all county residents.
Miscellaneous
The county government operates the
Politics
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 56,241 | 25.93% | 157,136 | 72.44% | 3,554 | 1.64% |
2016 | 50,631 | 26.64% | 128,483 | 67.59% | 10,965 | 5.77% |
2012 | 56,412 | 31.28% | 120,890 | 67.04% | 3,035 | 1.68% |
2008 | 53,946 | 28.76% | 130,578 | 69.62% | 3,024 | 1.61% |
2004 | 61,455 | 35.47% | 109,953 | 63.46% | 1,856 | 1.07% |
2000 | 52,459 | 36.19% | 86,647 | 59.78% | 5,834 | 4.03% |
1996 | 40,097 | 32.33% | 73,106 | 58.94% | 10,825 | 8.73% |
1992 | 41,386 | 30.11% | 73,325 | 53.34% | 22,755 | 16.55% |
1988 | 55,029 | 46.67% | 61,799 | 52.41% | 1,092 | 0.93% |
1984 | 58,736 | 51.27% | 55,084 | 48.08% | 749 | 0.65% |
1980 | 48,699 | 41.92% | 51,013 | 43.91% | 16,467 | 14.17% |
1976 | 56,807 | 50.86% | 50,917 | 45.59% | 3,965 | 3.55% |
1972 | 50,535 | 46.98% | 55,350 | 51.45% | 1,690 | 1.57% |
1968 | 36,432 | 46.82% | 33,073 | 42.50% | 8,309 | 10.68% |
1964 | 25,595 | 37.70% | 42,089 | 62.00% | 206 | 0.30% |
1960 | 39,632 | 60.99% | 25,129 | 38.67% | 225 | 0.35% |
1956 | 38,911 | 66.88% | 19,124 | 32.87% | 141 | 0.24% |
1952 | 35,826 | 66.64% | 17,671 | 32.87% | 262 | 0.49% |
1948 | 24,588 | 63.75% | 12,721 | 32.98% | 1,258 | 3.26% |
1944 | 24,740 | 62.00% | 14,922 | 37.39% | 244 | 0.61% |
1940 | 21,664 | 64.25% | 11,802 | 35.00% | 253 | 0.75% |
1936 | 14,986 | 50.78% | 13,589 | 46.05% | 935 | 3.17% |
1932 | 15,368 | 52.81% | 12,552 | 43.13% | 1,180 | 4.05% |
1928 | 19,676 | 78.41% | 5,308 | 21.15% | 109 | 0.43% |
1924 | 14,326 | 72.24% | 3,603 | 18.17% | 1,901 | 9.59% |
1920 | 14,082 | 74.46% | 4,468 | 23.63% | 362 | 1.91% |
1916 | 6,505 | 54.09% | 5,279 | 43.90% | 242 | 2.01% |
1912 | 2,495 | 23.64% | 4,164 | 39.45% | 3,897 | 36.92% |
1908 | 5,845 | 54.58% | 4,441 | 41.47% | 423 | 3.95% |
1904 | 6,566 | 62.04% | 3,779 | 35.71% | 238 | 2.25% |
1900 | 5,369 | 50.10% | 5,072 | 47.33% | 275 | 2.57% |
1896 | 5,671 | 49.73% | 5,348 | 46.90% | 384 | 3.37% |
1892 | 4,362 | 41.99% | 5,508 | 53.02% | 518 | 4.99% |
1888 | 4,549 | 42.96% | 5,482 | 51.78% | 557 | 5.26% |
1884 | 4,049 | 40.53% | 5,315 | 53.20% | 626 | 6.27% |
Since
Economy
The largest employers in Washtenaw County, as of July 2018, are:[27]
# | Employer | # of full-time employees |
---|---|---|
1 | University of Michigan | 33,225 |
2 | Trinity Health | 7,435 |
3 | United States Federal government | 3,060 |
4 | Ann Arbor Public Schools | 2,225 |
5 | Faurecia North America | 2,178 |
6 | Eastern Michigan University | 1,559 |
7 | IHA Health Services | 1,442 |
8 | State of Michigan | 1,409 |
9 | Washtenaw County | 1,264 |
10 | Thomson Reuters | 1,155 |
11 | Domino's Pizza
|
812 |
12 | City of Ann Arbor
|
712 |
13 | Ford Motor Company | 700 |
14 | NSF International | 693 |
15 | US Postal Service
|
650 |
16 | Washtenaw Community College | 597 |
17 | DTE Energy | 568 |
18 | Ypsilanti Community Schools | 550 |
19 | ProQuest | 542 |
Communities
Cities
Village
Charter townships
- Ann Arbor Charter Township
- Augusta Charter Township
- Pittsfield Charter Township
- Superior Charter Township
- York Charter Township
- Ypsilanti Charter Township
Civil townships
Census-designated place
- Whitmore Lake (partial)
Other unincorporated communities
- Bridgewater
- Dixboro
- Delhi Mills
- Geddes
- Mooreville
- Paint Creek
- Salem
- Stony Creek
- Whittaker
- Willis
Ghost town
- Rawsonville (partial)
Education
School districts include:[28]
- Ann Arbor Public Schools
- Columbia School District
- Chelsea School District
- Clinton Community Schools
- Dexter Community School District
- Grass Lake Community Schools
- Lincoln Consolidated School District
- Manchester Community Schools
- Milan Area Schools
- Northville Public Schools
- Pinckney Community Schools
- Plymouth-Canton Community Schools
- Saline Area Schools
- South Lyon Community Schools
- Stockbridge Community Schools
- Van Buren Public Schools
- Whitmore Lake Public Schools
- Ypsilanti Community Schools
Former school districts:[29]
- Ypsilanti Public Schools
- Willow Run Community Schools
See also
- List of Michigan State Historic Sites in Washtenaw County, Michigan
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Washtenaw County, Michigan
- USS Washtenaw County (LST-1166)
References
- ^ a b c d "Bibliography on Washtenaw County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved January 23, 2013.
- ^ "About —". ewashtenaw.org. Archived from the original on October 28, 2012. Retrieved June 16, 2006.
- ^ a b "US Census QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ a b Publications of the Historical Society of Grand Rapids, Vol. 1, Parts 1–7. 2013. p. 36. Retrieved January 23, 2013. Early tribes and Ojibwe etymology of the word: Wash-ten-ong".
- ^ "Myaamia". Native-Land.ca. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
- ^ "Bodéwadmiké (Potawatomi) territory". Native-Land.ca. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
- ^ "Anishinabewaki ᐊᓂᔑᓈᐯᐗᑭ". Native-Land.ca. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
- ^ "Peoria". Native-Land.ca. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
- ^ "Meškwahki·aša·hina (Fox)". Native-Land.ca. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
- ^ "Mississauga". Native-Land.ca. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
- ^ "Washtenaw County Historical Society: Etymology of the Name". 2013. Archived from the original on August 2, 2012. Retrieved January 23, 2013. Washtenaw County Historical Society detail of etymology of the county's name.
- ^ a b Chapman 1881, pp. 116–124.
- ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
- ^ "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 28, 2014.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
- ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 15, 2015. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
- ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
- ^ Data Access and Dissemination Systems (DADS). "U.S. Census website". census.gov.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "American FactFinder – Community Facts". factfinder.census.gov. Archived from the original on February 11, 2020. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
- ^ "From the Director – Natural Areas Preservation Program Millage Renewal". Washtenaw County. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
- ^ Larson, Lucas Smolcic (December 2, 2022). "$1.44M conservation purchase sets up one of largest nature preserves in Ann Arbor area". MLive. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
- ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
- ^ "Datajoe - Product Download". ecom.datajoe.com.
Sources
- Chapman, Chas. C. (1881). History Of Washtenaw County, Michigan: Together With Sketches Of Its Cities, Villages And Townships...and Biographies Of Representative Citizens: History Of Michigan, Volume 1. Chas. C. Chapman & Co. pp. 1412–1413. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
External links
- Foodloose in Washtenaw: A Foodie's Guide to Washtenaw County, 2018
- Dexter District Library
- Washtenaw County Government
- Past and present of Washtenaw County, Michigan by Samuel W. Beakes Chicago: The S.J. Clarke publishing co., 1906
- Washtenaw Community Cafe An online discussion group for the county of Washtenaw
- Ypsilanti Historical Society