Wexford County, Michigan

Infobox U.S. County
county = Wexford County
state = Michigan




map size = 200
founded = 1840
seat = Cadillac | area_total_sq_mi =576
area_land_sq_mi =565
area_water_sq_mi =10
area percentage = 1.80%
census yr = 2000
pop = 30484
density_km2 =21
web = www.wexfordcounty.org
|

Wexford County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the population was 30,484. The county seat is CadillacGR|6.

Wexford County is part of the Cadillac, Michigan Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Missaukee County.

Geography

*According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 576 square miles (1,491 km²), of which, 565 square miles (1,465 km²) of it is land and 10 square miles (27 km²) of it (1.80%) is water.
*Wexford County is considered to be part of Northern Michigan

Major highways

US Highways

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* is a loop route through downtown Cadillac.
* is a loop route through downtown Manton.

Michigan State Trunklines

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Adjacent counties

Geographic Location
Centre = Wexford County
North = Grand Traverse County
Northeast = Kalkaska County
East = Missaukee County
Southeast = Osceola County
Southwest = Lake County
West = Manistee County
Northwest = Benzie County|

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 30,484 people, 11,824 households, and 8,383 families residing in the county. The population density was 54 people per square mile (21/km²). There were 14,872 housing units at an average density of 26 per square mile (10/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.29% White, 0.19% Black or African American, 0.74% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. 1.01% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 21.4% were of German, 11.3% English, 9.5% American, 9.4% Irish, 6.1% Dutch, 5.8% Swedish and 5.3% Polish ancestry according to Census 2000. 97.7% spoke English and 1.1% Spanish as their first language.

There were 11,824 households out of which 33.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.20% were married couples living together, 10.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.10% were non-families. 24.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the county the population was spread out with 26.80% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 14.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 98.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,363, and the median income for a family was $39,915. Males had a median income of $31,198 versus $21,733 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,144. About 7.70% of families and 10.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.50% of those under age 18 and 8.50% of those age 65 or over.

Government

The county government operates the jail, maintains rural roads, operates themajor 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 andother social services. The county board of commissioners controls thebudget but has only limited authority to make laws or ordinances. In Michigan, most localgovernment functions — police and fire, building and zoning, tax assessment, streetmaintenance, etc. — are the responsibility of individual cities and townships.

Wexford County elected officials

* Prosecuting Attorney: William Fagerman
* Sheriff: Gary A. Finstrom
* County Clerk: Elaine L. Richardson
* County Treasurer: Wendy S. Moore
* Register of Deeds: Lorie Sorensen
* Drain Commissioner: Michael Solomon
* County Surveyor: Richard Wilcox

(information as of September 2005)

Cities, villages, and townships

{| ! Townships
- valign="top"|
*Antioch Township
*Boon Township
*Cedar Creek Township
*Cherry Grove Township|
*Clam Lake Township
*Colfax Township
*Greenwood Township
*Hanover Township|
*Haring Township
*Henderson Township
*Liberty Township
*Selma Township|
*Slagle Township
*South Branch Township
*Springville Township
*Wexford Township

Historical markers

There are ten recognized Michigan historical markers in the county: [ [http://www.michmarkers.com/Frameset.htm Michigan Historical Markers] ] They are:
* Battle of Manton
* Caberfae Ski Resort
* Cadillac Carnegie Library
* Charles T. Mitchell House
* Clam Lake Canal
* Cobbs & Mitchell Building
* Cobbs and Mitchell Mill No.1
* First Wexford County Courthouse
* Greenwood Disciples of Christ Church
* Shay Locomotive

Notes

Further reading

* [http://www.clarke.cmich.edu/localhistory/Wexford.htm Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University, Bibliography on Wexford County]

External links

* [http://www.wexfordcounty.org/ Wexford County]
* [http://35.8.121.133/wexford_county/factbook/toc.html Wexford County Fact Book]
* [http://www.hti.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=micounty;cc=micounty;sid=c12af7270938601cae674ee1b9f7dfaa;q1=sherman;q2=wexford;op2=and;op3=and;rgn=full%20text;idno=bac9250.0001.001;view=image;seq=00000442 Chapter XVII Wexford County] in "A history of northern Michigan and its people" by Perry F. Powers ; assisted by H.G. Cutler. Powers, Perry Francis, 1857-1945. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1912. p. 404
* [http://name.umdl.umich.edu/bad1138 "History of Wexford County, Michigan"] , comp. by John H. Wheeler, Logansport, Ind.:B. F. Bowen, 1903.