Montcalm County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the population was 63,342. The county is geographically located in the West Michigan region of the Lower Peninsula. The county seat is Stanton, and the largest city is Greenville. The county is named for General Marquis Louis-Joseph de Montcalm, military commander of French troops during the French and Indian War. The county was set off in 1831 and organized in 1850.
Montcalm County is part of the Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Video Montcalm County, Michigan
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 721 square miles (1,870 km2), of which 705 square miles (1,830 km2) is land and 15 square miles (39 km2) (2.1%) is water.
Adjacent counties
- Isabella County (northeast)
- Mecosta County (north)
- Gratiot County (east)
- Newaygo County (west)
- Ionia County (south)
- Kent County (southwest)
- Clinton County (southeast)
National protected area
- Manistee National Forest (part)
Major highways
- US 131
- M-46
- M-57
- M-66
- M-82
- M-91
- Template:Jtt
Maps Montcalm County, Michigan
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 61,266 people, 22,079 households, and 16,183 families residing in the county. The population density was 86 people per square mile (33/km²). There were 25,900 housing units at an average density of 37 per square mile (14/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.83% White, 2.17% Black or African American, 0.60% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.64% from other races, and 1.46% from two or more races. 2.28% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 25.5% were of English ancestry, 22.5% were of German ancestry, 9.5% were of Irish ancestry, 6.0% were of Dutch ancestry and 5.7% were of Danish ancestry according to the 2010 American Community Survey estimate. 96.4% spoke only English at home, while 2.1% spoke Spanish.
There were 22,079 households out of which 35.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.80% were married couples living together, 9.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.70% were non-families. 21.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the county, the population was spread out with 27.10% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 30.20% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 12.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 105.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $37,218, and the median income for a family was $42,823. Males had a median income of $32,635 versus $23,645 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,183. About 7.40% of families and 10.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.00% of those under age 18 and 8.70% 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
- Prosecuting Attorney: Andrea Krause
- Sheriff: Michael J. Williams
- County Clerk: Kristen Millard
- County Treasurer: JoAnne Vukin
- Register of Deeds: Lori A. Wilson
- Drain Commissioner: Sandy Rains
- County Commission:Betty Kellenberger; Jeremy Miller; John Johansen; Patric Q. Carr; Ron Baker; Ron Braman; Ron Retzloff; Tom Lindeman; Tom Porter
- Road Commissioners: Dale J. Linton; Bob Brundage; S. Michael Scott
(information as of January 2017)
Communities
Cities
- Carson City
- Greenville
- Stanton (county seat)
Villages
- Edmore
- Howard City
- Lakeview
- McBride
- Pierson
- Sheridan
Unincorporated communities
- Coral
- Trufant
- Vestaburg
Townships
Education
The county has nine libraries, including the Montcalm Community College Library, Carson City Public Library, Crystal Community Library, Flat River Community Library, Home Township Library, Reynolds Township Library, Richland Township Library, Tamarack District Library, and White Pine Library.
See also
- Cowden Lake
- List of Michigan State Historic Sites in Montcalm County, Michigan
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Montcalm County, Michigan
References
External links
- Montcalm County government
- Ionia Montcalm Magazine website
- "Bibliography on Montcalm County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
Source of article : Wikipedia