# Manistee County, Michigan

Manistee County (/mænɪsti/ man-iss-TEE) is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the population was 25,032. The county seat is Manistee. The county is named for the Manistee River. Manistee County is part of Northern Michigan and has a shoreline on Lake Michigan.

## History

Manistee County was set off in 1840 from Michilimackinac County as an unorganized county. In 1851, it was attached to Grand Traverse County for legal purposes. Manistee County was organized in its own right on February 13, 1855.

### Etymology

The name "Manistee" is from an Ojibwe word first applied to the principal river of the county. The derivation is not certain, but it may be from ministigweyaa, "river with islands at its mouth".

### Historical markers

There are thirteen recognized Michigan historical markers in the county:
* Harriet Quimby Childhood Home
* John J. Makinen Bottle House
* First Congregational Church, Manistee
* Great Fire of 1871
* Holy Trinity Episcopal Church
* Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Rectory
* Kaleva, Michigan
* Manistee City Library
* Manistee Fire Hall
* Our Saviour's Lutheran Church
* Ramsdell Theatre
* Trinity Lutheran Church [Arcadia]
* William Douglas House

## Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,281 square miles (3,320 km$^2$), of which 542 square miles (1,400 km$^2$) is land and 738 square miles (1,910 km$^2$) (58%) is water. Manistee County is considered to be part of Northern Michigan.

### Adjacent counties

By land
* Benzie County - north
* Grand Traverse County - northeast
* Wexford County - east
* Lake County - southeast
* Mason County - south
By water
* Manitowoc County, Wisconsin - southwest
* Kewaunee County, Wisconsin - west

### Protected areas

* Manistee National Forest (part)
* Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness
* Orchard Beach State Park

## Communities
### City

* Manistee (county seat)

### Villages

* Bear Lake
* Copemish
* Eastlake
* Kaleva
* Onekama

### Census-designated places

* Arcadia
* Brethren
* Filer City
* Oak Hill
* Parkdale
* Stronach
* Wellston

### Other unincorporated communities

* Dublin
* Harlan
* Marilla
* Norwalk
* Pierport
* Pleasanton
* Portage Point
* Red Park
* Wick-A-Te-Wah
* Williamsport

### Townships

* Arcadia Township
* Bear Lake Township
* Brown Township
* Cleon Township
* Dickson Township
* Filer Charter Township
* Manistee Township
* Maple Grove Township
* Marilla Township
* Norman Township
* Onekama Township
* Pleasanton Township
* Springdale Township
* Stronach Township

## Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 24,527 people, 9,860 households, and 6,714 families residing in the county. The population density was 45 people per square mile (17 people/km$^2$). There were 14,272 housing units at an average density of 26 per square mile (10/km$^2$). As of 2020, its population was 25,032.
In 2000, the racial makeup of the county was 94.16% White, 1.63% Black or African American, 1.30% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.01% from other races, and 1.55% from two or more races. 2.61% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 23.5% were of German, 16.9% Polish, 8.8% English, 8.8% American and 7.1% Irish ancestry. 96.2% spoke English and 2.3% Spanish as their first language.
There were 9,860 households, out of which 27.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.10% were married couples living together, 9.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.90% were non-families. 27.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.86.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.60% under the age of 18, 6.70% from 18 to 24, 26.30% from 25 to 44, 26.30% from 45 to 64, and 18.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 103.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.00 males.
In 2000, the median income for a household in the county was $34,208, and the median income for a family was $41,664. Males had a median income of $33,211 versus $20,851 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,204. About 6.90% of families and 10.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.50% of those under age 18 and 7.90% of those age 65 or over.

## Education

School districts include:
* Bear Lake School District
* Benzie County Central School
* Kaleva Norman Dickson School District
* Manistee Area Schools
* Mason County Eastern District
* Mesick Consolidated Schools
* Onekama Consolidated Schools

## Government

United States presidential election results for Manistee County, Michigan :
| Year | Republican | Republican | Democratic | Democratic | Third party(ies) | Third party(ies) |
| Year | No. | % | No. | % | No. | % |
| 2024 | 8,748 | 57.09% | 6,309 | 41.17% | 266 | 1.74% |
| 2020 | 8,321 | 56.69% | 6,107 | 41.60% | 251 | 1.71% |
| 2016 | 6,915 | 54.62% | 4,979 | 39.33% | 766 | 6.05% |
| 2012 | 5,737 | 46.26% | 6,473 | 52.19% | 192 | 1.55% |
| 2008 | 5,510 | 42.36% | 7,235 | 55.62% | 264 | 2.03% |
| 2004 | 6,295 | 49.41% | 6,272 | 49.23% | 173 | 1.36% |
| 2000 | 5,401 | 47.26% | 5,639 | 49.34% | 388 | 3.40% |
| 1996 | 3,807 | 36.12% | 5,383 | 51.08% | 1,349 | 12.80% |
| 1992 | 3,491 | 29.96% | 5,193 | 44.57% | 2,967 | 25.47% |
| 1988 | 5,368 | 52.58% | 4,765 | 46.67% | 77 | 0.75% |
| 1984 | 6,328 | 61.45% | 3,917 | 38.04% | 53 | 0.51% |
| 1980 | 5,662 | 52.91% | 4,164 | 38.91% | 876 | 8.19% |
| 1976 | 5,532 | 54.59% | 4,479 | 44.20% | 123 | 1.21% |
| 1972 | 5,070 | 57.20% | 3,625 | 40.90% | 168 | 1.90% |
| 1968 | 4,007 | 48.24% | 3,671 | 44.20% | 628 | 7.56% |
| 1964 | 2,918 | 34.56% | 5,520 | 65.37% | 6 | 0.07% |
| 1960 | 4,867 | 54.08% | 4,122 | 45.81% | 10 | 0.11% |
| 1956 | 5,313 | 63.74% | 3,014 | 36.16% | 9 | 0.11% |
| 1952 | 5,235 | 62.50% | 3,114 | 37.18% | 27 | 0.32% |
| 1948 | 3,913 | 52.89% | 3,339 | 45.13% | 147 | 1.99% |
| 1944 | 4,095 | 54.38% | 3,398 | 45.13% | 37 | 0.49% |
| 1940 | 4,630 | 52.07% | 4,242 | 47.71% | 20 | 0.22% |
| 1936 | 3,509 | 42.02% | 4,542 | 54.40% | 299 | 3.58% |
| 1932 | 3,256 | 40.12% | 4,475 | 55.14% | 384 | 4.73% |
| 1928 | 4,129 | 60.73% | 2,624 | 38.59% | 46 | 0.68% |
| 1924 | 3,701 | 58.09% | 1,314 | 20.62% | 1,356 | 21.28% |
| 1920 | 2,179 | 47.68% | 2,184 | 47.79% | 207 | 4.53% |
| 1916 | 2,360 | 50.17% | 2,177 | 46.28% | 167 | 3.55% |
| 1912 | 1,240 | 26.27% | 1,790 | 37.92% | 1,691 | 35.82% |
| 1908 | 2,706 | 56.79% | 1,799 | 37.75% | 260 | 5.46% |
| 1904 | 3,155 | 67.43% | 1,235 | 26.39% | 289 | 6.18% |
| 1900 | 3,152 | 56.33% | 2,336 | 41.74% | 108 | 1.93% |
| 1896 | 2,697 | 50.65% | 2,487 | 46.70% | 141 | 2.65% |
| 1892 | 1,481 | 35.42% | 2,310 | 55.25% | 390 | 9.33% |
| 1888 | 1,668 | 39.23% | 2,328 | 54.75% | 256 | 6.02% |
| 1884 | 1,305 | 38.46% | 1,926 | 56.76% | 162 | 4.77% |
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.

### Elected officials

* Prosecuting Attorney: Jason Haag
* Sheriff: Brian Gutowski
* County Clerk: Jill Nowak
* County Treasurer: Rachel Nelson
* Register of Deeds: Penny Pepera
* Drain Commissioner: Ken Hilliard
* County Surveyor: Patrick Bentley
(information as of February 2012)

## Fire departments and emergency medical services
### County ambulance service

As of early 2021 North Flight EMS has since transferred the primary ambulance service to Mobile Medical Response.

### Fire departments

* Arcadia Township Fire Department
* Bear Lake Township Fire Department
* City of Manistee Fire Department
* Cleon Township Fire Department
* Dickson Township Fire Department
* East Lake Township Fire Department
* Filer Township Fire Department
* Manistee Township Fire Department
* Maple Grove Township Fire Department
* Norman Township Fire Department
* Onekama Township Fire Department
* Stronach Township Fire Department

## Transportation
### Airport

Manistee County-Blacker Airport is approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) northeast of Manistee. It offers direct flights to Chicago O'Hare International Airport.

### Major highways

* US 31 runs through Manistee and Bear Lake, paralleling Lake Michigan further inland than M-22.
* M-22 begins five miles (8.0 km) north of Manistee and goes through Onekama and Arcadia, paralleling the Lake Michigan shoreline and offering a scenic route.
* M-55 begins two miles (3.2 km) north of Manistee and runs across the Lower Peninsula to Tawas City via Cadillac, Lake City, Houghton Lake, and West Branch.
* M-115 is a diagonal highway, running southeast–northwest across the northeast corner of the county. It enters Benzie County to the north and Wexford County to the east.
Previously, an additional highway, M-110, was designated to run from US 31 at Parkdale to Orchard Beach State Park. However, the highway was returned to local control in 2003.

### Bicycle routes

* USBR 35 comes from Mason County and goes through Manistee, Onekama, and Arcadia to proceed north to Benzie County with M-22