Barry County, Michigan

Barry County, Michigan
Seal
Location in the state of Michigan
Michigan's location in the U.S.
Founded	April 29, 1829
Seat	Hastings
Largest city	Hastings
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	576.90 sq mi (1,494 km²) 556.14 sq mi (1,440 km²) 20.77 sq mi (54 km²), 3.60%
Population  - (2010)  - Density	59,173 101/sq mi (39/km²)
Congressional district	3rd
Website	www.barrycounty.org

Barry County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is part of the Grand Rapids – Wyoming Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the population was 59,173. The county seat is Hastings.

Barry County was formed by an act of the legislature of the Michigan Territory on April 29, 1829. The name comes from William Taylor Barry, United States Postmaster General under President Andrew Jackson, making it one of Michigan's "cabinet counties".

Barry County is part of the Grand Rapids-Wyoming metropolitan area.

Geography

According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 576.90 square miles (1,494.2 km²), of which 556.14 square miles (1,440.4 km²) (or 96.40%) is land and 20.77 square miles (53.8 km²) (or 3.60%) is water.

Adjacent counties

• Ionia County (northeast)
• Eaton County (east)
• Calhoun County (southeast)
• Kalamazoo County (southwest)
• Allegan County (west)
• Kent County (northwest)

Highways

• M-37
• M-43
• M-50
• M-66
• M-78
• M-79
• M-89
• M-179

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1900	22,514		—
1910	22,633		0.5%
1920	21,383		−5.5%
1930	20,928		−2.1%
1940	22,613		8.1%
1950	26,183		15.8%
1960	31,738		21.2%
1970	38,166		20.3%
1980	45,781		20.0%
1990	50,057		9.3%
2000	56,755		13.4%
Est. 2009	58,434

As of the 2000 census, there were 56,755 people, 21,035 households, and 15,986 families residing in the county. The population density was 102 people per square mile (39/km²). There were 23,876 housing units at an average density of 43 per square mile (17/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.39% White, 0.24% African American, 0.46% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.50% from other races, and 1.12% from two or more races. 1.46% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 21.8% were of German, 13.6% English, 12.5% Dutch, 12.4% American and 9.6% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000. 98.2% spoke English as their first language.

There were 21,035 households out of which 35.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.10% were married couples living together, 7.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.00% were non-families. 19.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the county the population was spread out with 27.20% under the age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 29.00% from 25 to 44, 24.60% from 45 to 64, and 11.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 99.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $46,820, and the median income for a family was $51,794. Males had a median income of $38,991 versus $26,387 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,636. About 3.90% of families and 5.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.90% of those under age 18 and 5.90% 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.

Barry County elected officials

• Prosecuting Attorney: Thomas E. Evans
• Sheriff: Dar Leaf
• County Clerk: Pamela A. Jarvis
• County Treasurer: Susan L. Vandecar
• Register of Deeds: Darla K. Burghdoff
• Drain Commissioner: Russ Yarger
• County Surveyor: Brian Reynolds
• County Board of Commissioners: 8 Members (8 Republicans, 0 Democrats)

(information as of January 2009)

Cities, villages, and townships

Cities Hastings Villages Freeport Middleville Nashville Woodland

Unincorporated Assyria Banfield Cloverdale Coats Grove Delton Dowling

Hickory Corners Lacey Maple Grove Prairieville Quimby Schultz

Townships

Assyria Township Baltimore Township Barry Township Carlton Township

Castleton Township Hastings Charter Township Hope Township Irving Township

Johnstown Township Maple Grove Township Orangeville Township Prairieville Township

Rutland Charter Township Thornapple Township Woodland Township Yankee Springs Township

Sports

Barry County is the host of the annual Barry-Roubaix cycling race.

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Barry County, Michigan

External links

• Official Website of Barry County, Michigan
• Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University, Bibliography on Barry County
• Barry County, MI GenWeb. Many history and genealogy pages.