Leelanau County, Michigan Totally Explained

Everything about Leelanau County Michigan totally explained

Leelanau County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is part of the Traverse City, Michigan Micropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the population was 21,119. The county seat currently is the unincorporated community of Leland. However, on August 3, 2004, county voters approved a proposal to move the county seat to Suttons Bay Township, closer to the county's geographic center. A new governmental facility will be built on 45 acres (180,000 m²) of county-owned land one mile east of the unincorporated village of Lake Leelanau, where a new county law enforcement center already is under construction.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,532 square miles (6,559 km²), of which, 348 square miles (903 km²) of it's land and 2,184 square miles (5,656 km²) of it (86.24%) is water. The county has the second-highest proportion of water area of any county in the United States, behind only Keweenaw County, Michigan. Lake Leelanau is the county's largest body of inland water, formed from the Leland River dam near Leland. Glen Lake, located within the boundaries of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, is considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the world.
A substantial portion of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore lies within the county's borders, including North Manitou and South Manitou Islands.
Leelanau County is considered to be part of Northern Michigan.
Leelenau has been part to substantial efforts to protect itself from growth, and to foster a nature conservancy.

Major Highways

M-22

M-72

M-109

M-201

M-204

Adjacent counties

Grand Traverse County (southeast)

Benzie County (southwest)

History

The county's name is said to be a Native American word meaning "delight of life" However, there's substantial authority that suggests that this is a neologism made up by Henry Schoolcraft, who sometimes gave the name "Leelinau" to some Native American women in his tales. It is noted that the Ottawas and Ojibwas didn't use the letter "L". See, List of Michigan county name etymologies.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 21,119 people, 8,436 households, and 6,217 families residing in the county. The population density was 61 people per square mile (23/km²). There were 13,297 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile (15/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.52% White, 0.25% Black or African American, 3.66% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.34% from other races, and 0.97% from two or more races. 3.29% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 23.3% were of German, 11.5% English, 9.9% Polish, 9.0% Irish, 6.0% French and 5.2% American ancestry according to Census 2000. 95.1% spoke English and 2.9% Spanish as their first language.
There were 8,436 households out of which 29.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.60% were married couples living together, 7.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.30% were non-families. 22.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.40% under the age of 18, 5.70% from 18 to 24, 24.20% from 25 to 44, 28.30% from 45 to 64, and 17.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 99.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.10 males. The median income for a household in the county was $47,062, and the median income for a family was $53,228. Males had a median income of $35,719 versus $25,778 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,686. About 3.30% of families and 5.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.40% of those under age 18 and 4.50% 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. Leelenau County recently completed construction of a new jail.

Leelanau County elected officials

Prosecuting Attorney: Joseph T. Hubbell

Sheriff: Michael Oltersdorf

County Clerk: Michelle L. Crocker

County Treasurer: Vicki A. Kilway

Drain Commissioner: Steven R. Christensen

Other affiliations

Leelanau County is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gaylord. (information as of September 2005)

Cities, villages, and townships

Burdickville, unincorporated

Bingham Township

Cedar, unincorporated

Centerville Township

Cleveland Township

Elmwood Charter Township

Empire, village

Lake Leelanau, unincorporated

Leelanau Township

Leland, unincorporated

Leland Township

Maple City, unincorporated

Northport, village

Peshawbestown, unincorporated

Solon Township

Suttons Bay Township

Suttons Bay, village

Traverse City (partial) Further Information

Get more info on 'Leelanau County Michigan'.

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