Alpena County, Michigan - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Alpena County is a county in the U.S. state

U.S. state

A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...

of Michigan

Michigan

Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....

. As of the 2010 census, the population was 29,598. The county seat

County seat

A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....

is Alpena

Alpena, Michigan

Alpena is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Alpena County. It is considered to be part of Northern Michigan. The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is located in the city. The population was 10,483 at the 2010 census...

. It is considered to be part of Northern Michigan

Northern Michigan

Northern Michigan, also known as Northern Lower Michigan , is a region of the U.S. state of Michigan...

.

It was founded originally in 1840 as Anomickee County. In 1843, the name was changed to Alpena, a pseudo-Native American word — a neologism coined by Henry Schoolcraft

Henry Schoolcraft

Henry Rowe Schoolcraft was an American geographer, geologist, and ethnologist, noted for his early studies of Native American cultures, as well as for his 1832 discovery of the source of the Mississippi River. He married Jane Johnston, whose parents were Ojibwe and Scots-Irish...

, meaning something like "a good partridge country." This was part of a much larger effort to rename a great many of the Michigan counties at the time.

Alpena County was officially organized in 1857.

Geography

Alpena County is in the northeast of the mitten-shaped Lower Peninsula of Michigan

Lower Peninsula of Michigan

The Lower Peninsula of Michigan is the southern of the two major landmasses of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is surrounded by water on all sides except its southern border, which it shares with Ohio and Indiana. Geographically, the Lower Peninsula has a recognizable shape that many people...

. Lake Huron

Lake Huron

Lake Huron is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. Hydrologically, it comprises the larger portion of Lake Michigan-Huron. It is bounded on the east by the Canadian province of Ontario and on the west by the state of Michigan in the United States...

and Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay (Michigan)

Thunder Bay is a bay in the U.S. state of Michigan on Lake Huron. The bay extends from North Point at to South Point at .The city of Alpena lies at the mouth of the Thunder Bay River at...

are to the east, Alcona County

Alcona County, Michigan

Alcona County is a county of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the population is 11,719. Its county seat is Harrisville. Alphabetically it is the first county in Michigan, as its flag states "First of the 83".-History:...

to the south, Oscoda County

Oscoda County, Michigan

See also: List of counties bordering eight counties-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 9,418 people, 3,921 households, and 2,717 families residing in the county. The population density was 17 people per square mile . There were 8,690 housing units at an average density of 15 per...

to the southwest, Montmorency County

Montmorency County, Michigan

-Michigan State trunklines:* M-32* M-33-Michigan State trunkline business loops:* Business M-32 is short, disconnected route in the village of Hillman.-Montmorency County intercounty highways:* F-01* F-21-Demographics:...

to the west, and Presque Isle County

Presque Isle County, Michigan

Presque Isle County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the population was 14,411. The county seat is Rogers City....

to the north. Most of the county is drained by the Thunder Bay River

Thunder Bay River

The Thunder Bay River is a river in the U.S. state of Michigan. It drains much of Alpena County and Montmorency County, and a small portion of Oscoda County, into Thunder Bay on the eastern side of northern Michigan...

and its tributaries. The Mackinaw State Forest

Mackinaw State Forest

The Mackinaw State Forest is a forested area owned by the U.S. state of Michigan and operated by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. It is located in the northern area of the Lower Peninsula within the eight counties of Alpena, Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet, Montmorency, Otsego,...

occupies large tracts of land in the county. The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve is a U.S. National Marine Sanctuary on Thunder Bay, part of Lake Huron, within the U.S. state of Michigan. The sanctuary and underwater preserve protects an estimated 116 historically significant shipwrecks ranging from nineteenth...

is located offshore adjacent to the county.

According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 1695 square miles (4,390 km²), of which 574.15 square miles (1,487 km²) (or 33.87%) is land and 1120.85 square miles (2,903 km²) (or 66.13%) is water.

The 45th parallel bisects the county, meaning it is half way between the North Pole

North Pole

The North Pole, also known as the Geographic North Pole or Terrestrial North Pole, is, subject to the caveats explained below, defined as the point in the northern hemisphere where the Earth's axis of rotation meets its surface...

and the equator

Equator

An equator is the intersection of a sphere's surface with the plane perpendicular to the sphere's axis of rotation and containing the sphere's center of mass....

.

Several islands in Thunder Bay are part of the Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge

Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge

The Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge is a designation for eight Michigan islands in the North American Great Lakes. Owned by the United States federal government, they were set aside for ecosystem protection purposes by President Franklin D. Roosevelt 1943.Charity, Little Charity,...

. There are automated lighthouses on Middle Island and Thunder Bay Island

Thunder Bay Island

Thunder Bay Island is a island in Lake Huron. The island is one of eight constituent islands of the Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge. The island is part of Alpena Township in Alpena County...

Geographic features

Thunder Bay River
Thunder Bay River
The Thunder Bay River is a river in the U.S. state of Michigan. It drains much of Alpena County and Montmorency County, and a small portion of Oscoda County, into Thunder Bay on the eastern side of northern Michigan...
Long Lake
Long Lake (Alpena County, Michigan)
Long Lake is lake in the U.S. state of Michigan. The lake is on the boundary between Alpena County to the south and Presque Isle County to the north near Lake Huron in Northern Michigan....
Grand Lake
Grand Lake (Presque Isle, Michigan)
Grand Lake is a lake in Presque Isle County in the U.S. state of Michigan. Grand Lake is a substantial lake of approximately 7 miles in length and up to 1.5 miles in width...

Glaciers shaped the area, creating a unique regional ecosystem. A large portion of the area is so-called Grayling outwash plain, consisting of broad outwash plain including sandy ice-disintegration ridges; jack pine barrens, some white pine-red pine forest, and northern hardwood forests. Large lakes were created by glacial action. Some of the inland lakes are truly massive.

Adjacent counties

Alcona County
Alcona County, Michigan
Alcona County is a county of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the population is 11,719. Its county seat is Harrisville. Alphabetically it is the first county in Michigan, as its flag states "First of the 83".-History:...

- south
Oscoda County
Oscoda County, Michigan
See also: List of counties bordering eight counties-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 9,418 people, 3,921 households, and 2,717 families residing in the county. The population density was 17 people per square mile . There were 8,690 housing units at an average density of 15 per...

- southwest
Montmorency County
Montmorency County, Michigan
-Michigan State trunklines:* M-32* M-33-Michigan State trunkline business loops:* Business M-32 is short, disconnected route in the village of Hillman.-Montmorency County intercounty highways:* F-01* F-21-Demographics:...

- west
Presque Isle County
Presque Isle County, Michigan
Presque Isle County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the population was 14,411. The county seat is Rogers City....

- northwest

US Highways

US 23 serves Alpena
Alpena, Michigan
Alpena is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Alpena County. It is considered to be part of Northern Michigan. The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is located in the city. The population was 10,483 at the 2010 census...

on its way along the Lake Huron shoreline. To the north, it passes past Long Lake
Long Lake (Alpena County, Michigan)
Long Lake is lake in the U.S. state of Michigan. The lake is on the boundary between Alpena County to the south and Presque Isle County to the north near Lake Huron in Northern Michigan....

and Grand Lake
Grand Lake (Presque Isle, Michigan)
Grand Lake is a lake in Presque Isle County in the U.S. state of Michigan. Grand Lake is a substantial lake of approximately 7 miles in length and up to 1.5 miles in width...

, thence to Rogers City, Michigan
Rogers City, Michigan
-Commercial airports:The nearest commercial airports are Alpena County Regional Airport an Cherry Capital Airport -US Highway Business Loops:* BUS US 23-Intercounty Highways:* F-21-Demographics:...

, through Cheboygan, Michigan
Cheboygan, Michigan
Cheboygan is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 5,295. It is the county seat of Cheboygan County....

, and on to Mackinaw City, Michigan
Mackinaw City, Michigan
Mackinaw City is a village in Emmet and Cheboygan counties in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2000 census the population was 859. The name "Mackinaw City" is a bit of a misnomer as it is actually a village...

, where it ends and connects to I-75
Interstate 75
Interstate 75 is a major north–south Interstate Highway in the Great Lakes and Southeastern regions of the United States. It travels from State Road 826 and State Road 924 in Hialeah, Florida to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, at the Ontario, Canada, border...

and the Mackinac Bridge
Mackinac Bridge
The Mackinac Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Straits of Mackinac to connect the non-contiguous Upper and Lower peninsulas of the U.S. state of Michigan. Opened in 1957, the bridge is the third longest in total suspension in the world and the longest suspension bridge between anchorages...

.

Michigan State Trunklines

M-32
M-32 (Michigan highway)
M-32 is a state trunkline highway in the Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is an east–west route running from M-66 in East Jordan to US Highway 23 in Alpena. It runs via Gaylord and Atlanta through forested terrain...

ends its 100 mile (161 km) easterly cross-peninsular route from Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America and the only one located entirely within the United States. It is the second largest of the Great Lakes by volume and the third largest by surface area, after Lake Superior and Lake Huron...

to Lake Huron
Lake Huron
Lake Huron is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. Hydrologically, it comprises the larger portion of Lake Michigan-Huron. It is bounded on the east by the Canadian province of Ontario and on the west by the state of Michigan in the United States...

within downtown Alpena
Alpena, Michigan
Alpena is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Alpena County. It is considered to be part of Northern Michigan. The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is located in the city. The population was 10,483 at the 2010 census...

at the intersection of US 23.
M-65
M-65 (Michigan highway)
M-65 is a state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan. The highway runs between termini on US Highway 23 near Omer and Rogers City in the northeastern Lower Peninsula of the state. M-65 runs inland through several small communities in the region, passing through forests and fields along...

is a more direct route to the south than US-23, which meanders along the lake shore through many villages and towns. M-65 goes north to Rogers City
Rogers City, Michigan
-Commercial airports:The nearest commercial airports are Alpena County Regional Airport an Cherry Capital Airport -US Highway Business Loops:* BUS US 23-Intercounty Highways:* F-21-Demographics:...

.

Demographics

As of the 2000 census

United States Census, 2000

The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...

, there were 31,314 people, 12,818 households, and 8,690 families residing in the county. The population density

Population density

Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...

was 54 /sqmi. There were 15,289 housing units at an average density of 27 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 98.21% White

Race (United States Census)

Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...

, 0.25% Black

Race (United States Census)

or African American

Race (United States Census)

, 0.39% Native American

Race (United States Census)

, 0.33% Asian

Race (United States Census)

, 0.12% from other races

Race (United States Census)

, and 0.70% from two or more races. 0.58% of the population were Hispanic

Race (United States Census)

or Latino

Race (United States Census)

of any race. 24.9% were of German

Germans

The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....

, 23.2% Polish

Poles

thumb|right|180px|The state flag of [[Poland]] as used by Polish government and diplomatic authoritiesThe Polish people, or Poles , are a nation indigenous to Poland. They are united by the Polish language, which belongs to the historical Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages of Central Europe...

, 9.6% French

French people

The French are a nation that share a common French culture and speak the French language as a mother tongue. Historically, the French population are descended from peoples of Celtic, Latin and Germanic origin, and are today a mixture of several ethnic groups...

, 6.9% English

English people

The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...

, 6.5% American

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

and 5.8% Irish

Irish people

The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...

ancestry according to Census 2000. 96.7% spoke English

English language

English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...

and 1.1% German

German language

German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....

as their first language.

There were 12,818 households out of which 29.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.30% were married couples

Marriage

Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...

living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.20% were non-families. 27.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the county the population was spread out with 23.70% under the age of 18, 7.80% from 18 to 24, 26.50% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 17.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,177, and the median income for a family was $42,366. Males had a median income of $34,571 versus $21,962 for females. The per capita income

Per capita income

Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...

for the county was $17,566. About 7.70% of families and 10.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.10% of those under age 18 and 6.80% 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

Public health

Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...

regulations, and participates with the state in the provision of welfare and other social services. The county board of commissioners

County commission

A county commission is a group of elected officials charged with administering the county government in local government in some states of the United States. County commissions are usually made up of three or more individuals...

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.

The County operates three parks (and camp grounds) with beaches on local lakes, namely Beaver Lake Park in Lachine; Long Lake

Long Lake (Alpena County, Michigan)

Long Lake is lake in the U.S. state of Michigan. The lake is on the boundary between Alpena County to the south and Presque Isle County to the north near Lake Huron in Northern Michigan....

Park in Alpena

Alpena, Michigan

; and Sunken Lake Park in Posen

Posen, Michigan

Posen is a village in Presque Isle County of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 292. The village is located within Posen Township....

Elected county officials

Probate Judge: Thomas J. LaCross
Prosecuting Attorney
Prosecutor
The prosecutor is the chief legal representative of the prosecution in countries with either the common law adversarial system, or the civil law inquisitorial system...

: K. Edward Black
Sheriff
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....

: Steven Kieliszewski
County Clerk: Bonnie Friedrichs
County Treasurer
Treasurer
A treasurer is the person responsible for running the treasury of an organization. The adjective for a treasurer is normally "tresorial". The adjective "treasurial" normally means pertaining to a treasury, rather than the treasurer.-Government:...

: Joelyn McCallum
Register of Deeds: Kathy J. Matash
Drain Commissioner
Drain commissioner
A drain commissioner is an elected official in counties of the U.S. state of Michigan with a population over 12,000. In counties with a population under 12,000, the statutory duties and responsibilities of the drain commissioner are performed by the county's board of road commissioners.The office...

: Don Wood

(information as of January 2009)

Communities

Cities

Alpena
Alpena, Michigan
Alpena is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Alpena County. It is considered to be part of Northern Michigan. The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is located in the city. The population was 10,483 at the 2010 census...

Villages

none

Unincorporated

Bolton
Cathro
Herron
Hubbard Lake

Lachine
Leer
Ossineke
Ossineke, Michigan
Ossineke is an unincorporated community in Sanborn Township, Alpena County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is a census-designated place used for statistical purposes. The population was 1,059 at the 2000 census. The community is located several miles south of Alpena on U.S. Highway 23...
Spratt

Townships

Alpena Township
Alpena Township, Michigan
Alpena Township is a civil township of Alpena County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 9,788.- Communities :* The City of Alpena is surrounded by the township, but is administratively autonomous...
Green Township
Green Township, Michigan
Green Township is a civil township of Alpena County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,205 at the 2000 census.- Communities :...
Long Rapids Township
Long Rapids Township, Michigan
Long Rapids Township is a civil township of Alpena County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,019 at the 2000 census.- Communities :...

Maple Ridge Township
Maple Ridge Township, Alpena County, Michigan
Maple Ridge Township is a civil township of Alpena County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,715 at the 2000 census. There is a fire department and township hall located here.- Communities :...
Ossineke Township
Ossineke Township, Michigan
Ossineke Township is a civil township of Alpena County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,761 at the 2000 census.-Communities:...
Sanborn Township
Sanborn Township, Michigan
Sanborn Township is a civil township of Alpena County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,152 at the 2000 census.- Communities :* Ossineke is an unincorporated community in the township on Lake Huron at the mouth of the Devils River...

Wellington Township
Wellington Township, Michigan
Wellington Township is a civil township of Alpena County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 296.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , all land....
Wilson Township
Wilson Township, Alpena County, Michigan
Wilson Township is a civil township of Alpena County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,074 at the 2000 census.- Communities :...

Local events

There are many recurring local activities.

Alpena Blues Festival, late June at The Alpena Fair Grounds and Merchant Building.
Alpena County Fair, Alpena County Fairgrounds.
Alpena Earth Day Celebration, April 22. Location in Alpena varies. Food, games.
Besser Museum Log Cabin Day, last Sunday in June. Approved by the Michigan legislature passed a bill to make Log Cabin Day an annual event to be held on the last Sunday in June. The Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan spotlights their own two log cabins on this day and celebrates by offering old fashioned, family activities.
Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival, second weekend in October.
Habitat for Humanity-Alpena Area "Drive to Build" Charity Golf Outing
Lafarge Downtown Alpena Riverfest, in mid-June. Family event centered on the Thundre Bay River, celebrating Alpena's lumbering history. Professional lumberjack shows, entertainment, music, storytelling, chainsaw carving, food, and games.
Michigan Brown Trout Festival, a week in mid-July.
Ramblin' Rods Car Show, second weekend in August at Mich-E-Kewis Park, Alpena.
Shelter, Inc. "Garden Walk", nine Gardens, all in Alpena, MI. 49707
Sunrise Side Heritage Bike Ride, Second weekend in September. Ride Along Lake Huron Shoreline (US - 23) to Mackinac Bridge then South to West Branch (M-33).
Thunder Bay Arts Council's "Art on the Bay" at beautiful Bay View Park in Alpena. A Juried Fine Arts and Fine Crafts Fair which coincides with The Michigan Brown Trout Festival. There are over one Hundred and Fifty Artist will fill more than 180 booths with their original artwork.
Thunder Bay Maritime Festival takes place at 500 W. Fletcher Street, Alpena, MI. 49707. It is presented by the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve is a U.S. National Marine Sanctuary on Thunder Bay, part of Lake Huron, within the U.S. state of Michigan. The sanctuary and underwater preserve protects an estimated 116 historically significant shipwrecks ranging from nineteenth...

and Underwater Preserve.
Youth Sailing Instruction and Training is offered by the Alpena Yacht Club.

Local museums and landmarks

The Besser Museum and Planetarium.
Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve is a U.S. National Marine Sanctuary on Thunder Bay, part of Lake Huron, within the U.S. state of Michigan. The sanctuary and underwater preserve protects an estimated 116 historically significant shipwrecks ranging from nineteenth...

.

Historical markers

There are nine recognized historical markers in the county:

Amber Stokes
Alpena City Hall
Alpena County Courthouse
Alpena County Courthouse
The Alpena County Courthouse Alpena County's first courthouse was destroyed by a fire on December 12, 1870. Its replacement met a similar fate on December 22, 1932. The current courthouse built in 1934 is an historic Art deco courthouse building located at 720 Chisholm Avenue in Alpena,...
The Daniel Carter Family
First Congregational Church [Alpena]
Monarch Mill
St. Bernard Catholic Church
World's Largest Cement Plant

Media

The Alpena News
Alpena News
The Alpena News is a general daily newspaper in the City of Alpena, Michigan. USA. It has an approximate circulation of 10,000, and is published by Ogden Newspapers Inc. News reports are available on line. The paper was founded in 1902. The paper currently has between 20 to 50 employees.It is...

is the daily newspaper of record for much of Northeast lower peninsula of Michigan. For a complete list of other media, see Alpena, Michigan.

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.