Arenac County, Michigan

Arenac County, Michigan
Location in the state of Michigan
Michigan's location in the U.S.
Founded	1883
Seat	Standish
Largest city	Deep River
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	680.81 sq mi (1,763 km²) 366.84 sq mi (950 km²) 313.97 sq mi (813 km²), 46.12%
Population  - (2000)  - Density	17,269 47/sq mi (18/km²)
Website	www.arenaccountygov.com

Arenac County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the population was 17,269. The county seat is Standish.

History

Arenac County was organized in 1883 and the name Arenac, coined by Henry Schoolcraft, is a derivation of the Latin "arena" and the Native American "ac". The combined words mean “sandy place.”

Geography

• According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 680.81 square miles (1,763.3 km²), of which 366.84 square miles (950.1 km²) (or 53.88%) is land and 313.97 square miles (813.2 km²) (or 46.12%) is water.

Geographic features

• Saginaw Bay on Lake Huron
• Au Gres River
• Rifle River
• Pine River (Arenac County)

Highways

• I-75
• US 23
• M-13
• M-33
• M-61
• M-65

Adjacent counties

• Iosco County - northeast
• Bay County - south
• Gladwin County - west
• Ogemaw County - northwest

National protected area

• Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Demographics

As of the 2000 census, there were 17,269 people, 6,710 households, and 4,717 families residing in the county. The population density was 47 people per square mile (18/km²). There were 9,563 housing units at an average density of 26 per square mile (10/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.38% White, 1.82% Black or African American, 0.95% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races, and 1.33% from two or more races. 1.38% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 24.0% were of German, 14.1% Polish, 11.6% French, 10.6% American, 7.9% English, 6.8% Irish and 5.3% French Canadian ancestry according to Census 2000. 96.9% spoke English and 1.3% Spanish as their first language.

There were 6,710 households out of which 29.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.00% were married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.70% were non-families. 25.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the county the population was spread out with 23.30% under the age of 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 26.80% from 25 to 44, 25.50% from 45 to 64, and 16.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 105.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,805, and the median income for a family was $39,033. Males had a median income of $31,205 versus $20,363 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,300. About 11.30% of families and 13.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.70% of those under age 18 and 7.80% of those age 65 or over.

Casino

In early 2007, plans were confirmed for a casino located outside of the city of Standish with a scheduled opening by the end of the year; operated by the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe. The Saganing Eagles Landing Casino grand opening was held Thursday, January 24, 2008 at 2690 Worth Road.

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.

Arenac County elected officials

• Prosecuting Attorney: Curtis Broughton
• Sheriff: Jim Mosciski
• County Clerk: Ricky R. Rockwell
• County Treasurer: Dennis Stawowy
• Register of Deeds: Rose Smith
• Drain Commissioner: Larry Davis
• Road Commissioners: Blair Dyer-Superintendent; David T. Robinson; Lewis Ostrander-V. Chair; Ray Gulvas-Chair

(information as of March 2009)

Cities, villages, and townships

Cities Au Gres Omer Standish

Villages Sterling Turner Twining

Unincorporated Alger Delano Maple Ridge

Melita Pine River

Townships

Adams Township Arenac Township Au Gres Township

Clayton Township Deep River Township Lincoln Township

Mason Township Moffatt Township Sims Township

Standish Township Turner Township Whitney Township

Religion

Catholic

• The Roman Catholic Diocese of Saginaw is the controlling regional body for the Catholic Church.

Recurrent events

• Sunrise Side Heritage Bike Ride, first weekend in September. Ride Along Lake Huron Shoreline (US 23) from the Arenac County fairgrounds to Mackinac Bridge then South to West Branch on M-33 and M-55 . This is a 400-mile long organized ride.

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Arenac County, Michigan
• USS Arenac (APA-128)

External links

• Arenac County government
• Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University, Bibliography on Arenac County