Arenac County, Michigan

Arenac County
Arenac County
County
	Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
	Michigan's location within the U.S.
	Coordinates: 44°03′N 83°45′W / 44.05°N 83.75°W
Country	United States
State	Michigan
Founded	1883
Seat	Standish
Largest city	Standish
Area
• Total	680.81 sq mi (1,763.3 km2)
• Land	366.84 sq mi (950.1 km2)
• Water	313.97 sq mi (813.2 km2) 46.12%
Population (2010)
• Total	17,269
• Density	50/sq mi (18/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	5th
Website	www.arenaccountygov.com

Arenac County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the population was 17,269.^[2] The county seat is Standish.^[3]

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 “A sandy place for a good footing.”^[1]^[4]

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.^[5]

Geographic features

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

Highways

Adjacent counties

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

National protected area

Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1890	5,683	—
1900	9,821	72.8%
1910	9,640	−1.8%
1920	9,460	−1.9%
1930	8,007	−15.4%
1940	9,233	15.3%
1950	9,644	4.5%
1960	9,860	2.2%
1970	11,149	13.1%
1980	14,706	31.9%
1990	14,931	1.5%
2000	17,269	15.7%
2010	15,899	−7.9%
2012 (est.)	15,477	−2.7%
U.S. Decennial Census^[6] 2012 Estimate^[7]

As of the 2000 census,^[8] 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.^[9] The Saganing Eagles Landing Casino grand opening was held Thursday, January 24, 2008 at 2690 Worth Road.^[10]

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: Darlene Mikkola
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

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Melita
Pine River

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