Midland County | |
---|---|
![]() Midland County Courthouse | |
![]() Location within the U.S. state of Michigan | |
![]() Michigan's location within the U.S. | |
Coordinates: 43°38′N84°23′W / 43.64°N 84.39°W | |
Country | ![]() |
State | ![]() |
Founded | 1831, reorganized 1855 [1] |
Seat | Midland |
Largest city | Midland |
Area | |
• Total | 528 sq mi (1,370 km2) |
• Land | 516 sq mi (1,340 km2) |
• Water | 12 sq mi (30 km2) 2.2% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 83,494 |
• Density | 162/sq mi (63/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
Congressional districts | 2nd, 8th |
Website | www |
Midland County is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the population was 83,494. [2] The county seat is Midland. [3] The county's name is due to its closeness to the geographical Lower Peninsula's geographical center. It was founded in 1831. However, it was not until 1855 that the county was effectively organized. [1]
Midland County comprises the Midland, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area and is included in the Saginaw–Midland–Bay City Combined Statistical Area in the Mid/Central Michigan region.
For many centuries, Midland County was inhabited by Native Americans, and by the time of European contact it was inhabited by the Chippewa Indian Tribe. [4]
In the year of 1831, Midland County's borders had been set. [5] In 1850, Midland County was officially organized. [5] In 1874, the Flint and Pere Marquette Railroad linked Midland to the nationwide railroad network. [4] The City of Midland, the county seat, is officially incorporated in 1887, and 3 years later in 1890, Herbert Henry Dow arrives and founds the Dow Chemical Corporation, now one of the largest chemical companies in the world. [4]
When the American Civil War broke out in 1861, many men from the county enlisted in the Union Army, many in Company B of the 10th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment, and Company H of the 27th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment, but some ended up in different regiments. [6] Not all of them came back alive and several were wounded. Many veterans of the war are also buried in the county. [7] There were a total of 5 different Posts, or veteran groups, of the Grand Army of the Republic, a Union veterans organization, in Midland County. [8]
Some of the regiments which included men from Midland County are: 10th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment, 27th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment, 29th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment, 16th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment, 3rd Michigan Volunteer Cavalry Regiment, 7th Michigan Volunteer Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Michigan Volunteer Cavalry Regiment, 1st Michigan Volunteer Cavalry Regiment, and 23rd Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment.
In the 20th century the county saw significant growth with the entrenchment of the Dow Chemical Corporation and the establishment of major roads, highways, and a few minor airports. However, in the late 20th century the Pere Marquette Railroad was closed, which cut off passenger train travel from the region.
In World War 1, once the US had entered the war in 1917, the Dow Chemical Corporation, based mainly in the city of Midland, was involved with the production of poisonous gases for use during the war, and with the production of ammunition. [9] Additionally, 675 men from Midland joined the US military during the war, and 8 of them died in the line of duty. [10]
In World War 2, many men from the county enlisted in the US Military, and several would die. Additionally Dow turned its factories towards supplying the war effort and they would assist in manufacturing explosives, flares, and medicine. [11] There is also a large memorial to veterans from Midland County from this war.
During the Cold War, an Army National Guard depot was set up in the city of Midland. In the Vietnam War, Dow and the rest of Midland County were the main suppliers of Napalm used during the conflict. [11] Several men would also die in the Korean War and Vietnam War.
In the 21st century, the Sons of Union Veterans, the successor to the Grand Army of the Republic, founded the U.S. Grant Camp No. 67, which serves the Midland, Saginaw, and Bay City area. [12] [13] During the War on Terror, many men from the county enlisted and few died. The Midland County Veterans Memorial was refurbished. The city of Coleman also built a new war memorial. Curiously, none of these memorials reference the service of Midland men in the Civil War.
In May 2020, Midland County residents in parts of the city of Midland, the village of Sanford, Edenville Township, Midland Township, Tittabawassee, Thomas Township, Saginaw Township, Lincoln Township, Homer Township and Dow Chemical were forced to evacuate due to high flooding which was caused by the breach of the Edenville and Sanford dams. [14]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 528 square miles (1,370 km2), of which 516 square miles (1,340 km2) is land and 12 square miles (31 km2) (2.2%) is water. [15]
Scheduled airline service is available from MBS International Airport [16] in Freeland, Michigan and Bishop International Airport in Flint, Michigan. [17] Midland also has a general aviation airport, Jack Barstow Municipal Airport. [18]
There is no regularly scheduled public transportation (bus service). Residents can call in advance to schedule pickup for transport within the county by two government sponsored agencies ("Dial-A-Ride" within the city of Midland and "County Connection" for those outside the city of Midland but still within Midland County) for a nominal fee. [19]
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1850 | 65 | — | |
1860 | 787 | 1,110.8% | |
1870 | 3,285 | 317.4% | |
1880 | 6,893 | 109.8% | |
1890 | 10,657 | 54.6% | |
1900 | 14,439 | 35.5% | |
1910 | 14,005 | −3.0% | |
1920 | 17,237 | 23.1% | |
1930 | 19,150 | 11.1% | |
1940 | 27,094 | 41.5% | |
1950 | 35,662 | 31.6% | |
1960 | 51,450 | 44.3% | |
1970 | 63,769 | 23.9% | |
1980 | 73,578 | 15.4% | |
1990 | 75,651 | 2.8% | |
2000 | 82,874 | 9.5% | |
2010 | 83,629 | 0.9% | |
2020 | 83,494 | −0.2% | |
2023 (est.) | 84,039 | [20] | 0.7% |
U.S. Decennial Census [21] 1790-1960 [22] 1900-1990 [23] 1990-2000 [24] 2010-2018 [2] |
As of the census [25] of 2000, there were 82,874 people, 31,769 households, and 22,683 families residing in the county. The population density was 159 people per square mile (61 people/km2). There were 33,796 housing units at an average density of 65 per square mile (25/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.50% White, 1.05% Black or African American, 0.40% Native American, 1.49% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.44% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. 1.55% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 28.6% were of German, 11.5% English, 10.2% United States or American, 8.9% Irish and 6.1% Polish ancestry, 96.7% spoke only English, while 1.6% spoke Spanish at home.
There were 31,769 households, out of which 34.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.10% were married couples living together, 8.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.60% were non-families. 23.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.90% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 29.20% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 12.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 96.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $45,674, and the median income for a family was $55,483. Males had a median income of $45,656 versus $27,470 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,383. About 5.70% of families and 8.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.50% of those under age 18 and 7.50% of those age 65 or over.
According to the Midland Daily News, the top employers in Midland County are: [28]
# | Employer | Full-time employees |
---|---|---|
1 | MidMichigan Health | 4,878 |
2 | Dow Chemical | 4,003 |
3 | Midland Public Schools | 1,039 |
4 | DuPont | 697 |
5 | Corteva Agriscience | 664 |
6 | Greater Midland Community Centers | 564 |
7 | Huntington Bank | 535 |
8 | Northwood University | 501 |
9 | City of Midland Government | 467 |
10 | Three Rivers Corporation | 396 |
11 | Walmart | 327 |
12 | Midland County Government | 324 |
13 | Meijer | 303 |
14 | Huhtamaki Plastics | 257 |
15 | International Flavors & Fragrances | 250 |
16 | Bierlein Companies | 236 |
17 | Trinseo | 230 |
18 | Fisher Companies | 200 |
19 | Bullock Creek Public Schools | 195 |
20 | Robinson Industries | 150 |
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 27,675 | 56.28% | 20,493 | 41.67% | 1,007 | 2.05% |
2016 | 23,846 | 55.75% | 15,635 | 36.55% | 3,295 | 7.70% |
2012 | 23,919 | 56.98% | 17,450 | 41.57% | 610 | 1.45% |
2008 | 22,263 | 50.83% | 20,701 | 47.26% | 834 | 1.90% |
2004 | 24,369 | 56.31% | 18,355 | 42.41% | 551 | 1.27% |
2000 | 21,887 | 56.28% | 15,959 | 41.04% | 1,042 | 2.68% |
1996 | 16,547 | 46.01% | 15,177 | 42.20% | 4,243 | 11.80% |
1992 | 16,149 | 41.81% | 13,382 | 34.65% | 9,093 | 23.54% |
1988 | 19,994 | 59.12% | 13,452 | 39.78% | 371 | 1.10% |
1984 | 21,521 | 66.11% | 10,769 | 33.08% | 262 | 0.80% |
1980 | 17,828 | 53.04% | 12,019 | 35.76% | 3,763 | 11.20% |
1976 | 17,631 | 58.57% | 11,959 | 39.73% | 511 | 1.70% |
1972 | 16,473 | 61.38% | 9,504 | 35.42% | 859 | 3.20% |
1968 | 14,329 | 60.57% | 7,428 | 31.40% | 1,901 | 8.04% |
1964 | 9,020 | 41.65% | 12,587 | 58.13% | 48 | 0.22% |
1960 | 14,235 | 67.56% | 6,815 | 32.34% | 21 | 0.10% |
1956 | 13,207 | 74.78% | 4,422 | 25.04% | 33 | 0.19% |
1952 | 10,508 | 72.12% | 3,945 | 27.08% | 117 | 0.80% |
1948 | 5,811 | 63.19% | 3,204 | 34.84% | 181 | 1.97% |
1944 | 6,850 | 65.35% | 3,569 | 34.05% | 63 | 0.60% |
1940 | 6,269 | 61.72% | 3,834 | 37.75% | 54 | 0.53% |
1936 | 3,829 | 48.12% | 3,751 | 47.14% | 377 | 4.74% |
1932 | 3,791 | 50.62% | 3,553 | 47.44% | 145 | 1.94% |
1928 | 4,555 | 82.25% | 964 | 17.41% | 19 | 0.34% |
1924 | 4,004 | 79.08% | 625 | 12.34% | 434 | 8.57% |
1920 | 4,115 | 78.88% | 959 | 18.38% | 143 | 2.74% |
1916 | 2,104 | 57.82% | 1,454 | 39.96% | 81 | 2.23% |
1912 | 902 | 29.09% | 671 | 21.64% | 1,528 | 49.27% |
1908 | 1,987 | 66.97% | 875 | 29.49% | 105 | 3.54% |
1904 | 2,107 | 70.63% | 766 | 25.68% | 110 | 3.69% |
1900 | 1,784 | 57.64% | 1,221 | 39.45% | 90 | 2.91% |
1896 | 1,524 | 48.83% | 1,507 | 48.29% | 90 | 2.88% |
1892 | 1,069 | 46.16% | 815 | 35.19% | 432 | 18.65% |
1888 | 1,336 | 49.59% | 1,148 | 42.61% | 210 | 7.80% |
1884 | 1,071 | 53.36% | 883 | 44.00% | 53 | 2.64% |
Midland County is rather conservative for an urban county. It has been a consistent stronghold of the Republican Party, having supported its presidential candidates in every election from 1968 onward and all but twice since 1884. It is one of the few counties where Franklin D. Roosevelt was shut out in all four of his successful campaigns. In contrast, neighboring Saginaw County mainly supports the Democratic Party.
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. Due to funding cuts, the Midland County Sheriff does not have a patrol division. Former patrol officers now serve in the Citizens Assistance Responders (CAR) division and will respond to requests for assistance. [30]
(information as of June 2020)
7 members, elected from districts (7 Republicans)
District | Commissioner | Party |
---|---|---|
1 | Jeanette M. Snyder | Republican |
2 | Mark Bone | Republican |
3 | Steve Glaser | Republican |
4 | Gaye Terwilliegar | Republican |
5 | James Geisler | Republican |
6 | Eric Dorrien | Republican |
7 | Alaynah Smith | Democrat |
The Midland County Educational Service Agency, based in Midland, services the students in the county. The intermediate school district offers regional special education services, early education programs, and technical career pathways for students of its districts. [32]
Midland County is served by the following regular public school districts: [33]
The county also has the following independent charter districts:
Midland County has the following private schools: [34]
Saginaw County, officially the County of Saginaw, is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 190,124. The county seat is Saginaw. The county was created by September 10, 1822, and was fully organized on February 9, 1835. The etymology of the county's name is uncertain. It may be derived from Sace-nong or Sak-e-nong, as the Sauk tribe is believed by some to have once lived there. A more likely possibility is that it comes from Ojibwe words meaning "place of the outlet" –sag and ong. See List of Michigan county name etymologies.
Isabella County is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 64,394. Its county seat is Mount Pleasant. The area was known as Ojibiway Besse, meaning "the place of the Ojibwa". Isabelle County contains the Isabella Indian Reservation, on which members of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Nation live.
Gratiot County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 41,761. The county seat is Ithaca, although its most populous city is Alma.
Gladwin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 25,386. The county seat is Gladwin.
Clare County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 30,856. The county seat is Harrison.
Bay County is located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 103,856. The county seat is Bay City.
Edenville Township is a civil township of Midland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the township population was 2,493.
Sanford is a village in Midland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 813 at the 2020 census. The village is located within Jerome Township.
Freeland is a census-designated place in Tittabawassee Township, Saginaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is part of the Saginaw-Midland-Bay Metropolitan Area. As of the 2000 census, the CDP population was 5,147. The CDP covers an area in the central portion of Tittabawassee Township. The Freeland post office, ZIP code 48623, serves nearly the entire township, as well as portions of Midland and Williams townships to the north, Frankenlust and Kochville townships to the east, Thomas and Richland townships to the south, and Ingersoll Township to the west.
Saginaw is a city in and the seat of Saginaw County, Michigan, United States. The city proper had a population of 44,202 at the 2020 census. Located along the Saginaw River, Saginaw is adjacent to Saginaw Charter Township and considered part of Greater Tri-Cities region of Central Michigan. The Saginaw metropolitan area had a population of 190,124 in 2020. The city is also the largest municipality in the Greater Tri-Cities, with a combined population of 377,474 in the combined statistical area in 2020.
Saginaw Charter Township is a charter township of Saginaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 41,679 at the 2020 census. The city of Saginaw is adjacent to the township to the southeast, but is administratively autonomous.
Midland is a city in and the county seat of Midland County, Michigan, in the United States. The city's population was 42,547 as of the 2020 census. It is the principal city of the Midland Metropolitan Statistical Area, part of the larger Saginaw-Midland-Bay City Combined Statistical Area.
Edenville is a small unincorporated community in Edenville Township, Midland County in the U.S. state of Michigan.
M-30 is a state trunkline highway in the U.S. state of Michigan that runs in a north–south direction from M-46 near Merrill to M-55 in West Branch. The highway runs through rural parts of five counties in the Lower Peninsula. The southern end runs along the Michigan Meridian and parallel to the Tittabawassee River. The southern end of the highway has been truncated twice and re-extended twice back to its pre-1962 extent.
Sanford Lake was a man-made reservoir located in Midland County, Michigan, but is no longer present since the failure of the dam in May 2020. It was formed by the damming of the Tittabawassee River near the village of Sanford, Michigan. It was built for flood control and the production of hydroelectric power. The dam is owned and operated by the Four Lakes Task Force, a property owners' group that was established by the Midland and Gladwin County boards of commissioners to oversee the dams and the impoundment lakes created by them, who took over ownership as a condition of the settlement agreement that resulted from the condemnation proceedings with former dam owner, Boyce Hydro, LLC.
Central Michigan, also called Mid Michigan, is a region in the Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. As its name implies, it is the middle area of the Lower Peninsula. Lower Michigan is said to resemble a mitten, and Mid Michigan corresponds roughly to the thumb and palm, stretching from Michigan's eastern shoreline along Lake Huron into the fertile rolling plains of the Michigan Basin. The region contains cities of moderate size, including Flint, Saginaw, and the state capital of Lansing. Generally Central, or "Mid", Michigan is defined by governmental organizations as an area North of Jackson, and South of Clare.
The Tittabawassee River flows in a generally southeasterly direction through the Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. The river begins at Secord Lake in Clement Township, at the confluence of the East Branch and the Middle Branch. From there it flows through Gladwin, Midland and Saginaw counties where, as a major tributary of the Saginaw River, it flows into it at Saginaw. Its tributaries include the Chippewa, Pine, Molasses, Sugar, and Tobacco rivers.
Michigan's 95th State House District is a Michigan legislative district currently located in part of Gladwin County and all of Midland County.
Edenville Dam was an earthen embankment dam at the confluence of the Tittabawassee River and the Tobacco River in Mid Michigan, United States, forming Wixom Lake. The dam was about one mile (1.6 km) north of Edenville, mostly in the southeast corner of Tobacco Township in Gladwin County, with its southeastern end reaching into Edenville Township in Midland County. Its height was 54 feet (16 m), the length was 6,600 feet (2,000 m) at its crest.
The Saginaw-Midland-Bay City Combined Statistical Area is a United States metropolitan area defined by the federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) surrounding the Saginaw Bay and Saginaw River. The region is a part of the larger area known as Mid/Central Michigan. It includes the smaller statistical areas of Saginaw, Midland, and Bay City.