Charlevoix County, Michigan

Cstateharlevoix County is a county in the U.S.  of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the population was 26,090. The county seat is Charlevoix.

Lake Charlevoix, with 17,200 acres (70 km²) surface area and 56 miles (90 km) of shoreline, is a very prominent feature of the county. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,391 square miles (3,602.7 km2), of which 417 square miles (1,080.0 km2) is land and 974 square miles (2,522.6 km2) (70.03%) is water.

The county is considered to be part of Northern Michigan.

Gull, Hat, Pismire, and Shoe Islands, which are part of the Beaver Island archipelago, form the Lake Michigan division of the Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge, and two of them are part of the Michigan Islands Wilderness Area.

Mackinac County (north)

Cheboygan County & Emmet County (northeast)

Otsego County (southeast)

Antrim County (south)

Leelanau County (southwest)

Schoolcraft County (northwest)

As of the census of 2000, there were 26,090 people, 10,400 households, and 7,311 families residing in the county. The population density was 63 people per square mile (24/km²). There were 15,370 housing units at an average density of 37 per square mile (14/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.31% White, 0.17% Black or African American, 1.54% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.41% from other races, and 1.25% from two or more races. 1.04% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 21.8% were of German, 12.0% English, 11.0% American, 10.6% Irish and 8.4% Polish ancestry according to Census 2000. 97.3% spoke English and 1.1% Spanish as their first language.

There were 10,400 households out of which 31.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.40% were married couples living together, 8.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.80% were non-families. 25.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the county the population was spread out with 25.90% under the age of 18, 6.50% from 18 to 24, 27.40% from 25 to 44, 25.20% from 45 to 64, and 14.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 97.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.80 males.

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.

Beaver Island has a unique history, particularly because of the temporary influence of James J. Strang, who founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite). Strang moved his followers to Beaver Island in 1848, and they are known as Strangites.

There are ten recognized Michigan historical markers in the county:

Big Rock Point Nuclear Power Plant

Boyne City United Methodist Church

Charlevoix Depot

Greensky Hill Mission

Horace S. Harsha House

Horton Bay

John Porter and Eva Porter Estate

Mormon Kingdom

Mormon Print Shop

Norwood Township Hall