Chippewa County, Michigan

Chippewa County is a county in the Upper Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the population was 38,543. The county seat is Sault Ste. Marie

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,698 square miles (6,987.8 km2), of which 1,561 square miles (4,043.0 km2) is land and 1,137 square miles (2,944.8 km2) (42.14%) is water.

The Michigan Meridian runs through the eastern portion of the county. South of Nine Mile Road, M-129 (Meridian Road) overlays the meridian. In Sault Ste. Marie, Meridian Street north of 12th Avenue overlays the meridian.

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.

Chippewa County elected officials

Prosecuting Attorney: Brian Peppler

Sheriff: Robert Savoie

County Clerk: Diane Cork

County Treasurer: Marilyn McDonald

Register of Deeds: Sharon Kennedy

Drain Commissioner: Anthony Bosley

County Surveyor: William Karr

As of the census of 2000, there were 38,543 people, 13,474 households, and 8,960 families residing in the county. The population density was 25 people per square mile (10/km²). There were 19,430 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 75.88% White, 5.52% Black or African American, 13.31% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.37% from other races, and 4.43% from two or more races. 1.55% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 14.9% were of German, 9.8% English, 9.0% Irish, 7.4% French and 6.0% Polish ancestry. 95.3% spoke English and 1.7% Spanish as their first language.