Manistee County
County
Tippy Dam on the Manistee River
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Michigan's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 44°18′N 86°19′W / 44.3°N 86.31°W / 44.3; -86.31
Country	United States
State	Michigan
Founded	1840 1855 (organized)[1]
Seat	Manistee
Largest city	Manistee
Area
• Total	1,281 sq mi (3,320 km2)
• Land	542 sq mi (1,400 km2)
• Water	738 sq mi (1,910 km2)  58%
Population  (2020)
• Total	25,032
• Density	46/sq mi (18/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	2nd
Website	www.manisteecountymi.gov

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.^[2] The county seat is Manistee.^[3] 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.^[1][4] In 1851, it was attached to Grand Traverse County for legal purposes.^[5] Manistee County was organized in its own right on February 13, 1855.^[6]

Etymology

The name "Manistee" is from an Ojibwe word first applied to the principal river of the county.^[1] The derivation is not certain,^[7] but it may be from ministigweyaa, "river with islands at its mouth".^[1][8][9]

Historical markers

There are thirteen recognized Michigan historical markers in the county:^[10]

• 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
• William Douglas House

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,281 square miles (3,320 km²), of which 542 square miles (1,400 km²) is land and 738 square miles (1,910 km²) (58%) is water.^[11] 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

Other unincorporated communities

Townships

Demographics

As of the census^[17] 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/km²). There were 14,272 housing units at an average density of 26 per square mile (10/km²). 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:^[18]

• 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