Ionia County, Michigan
Encyclopedia
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 61,518 people, 20,606 households, and 15,145 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 107 people per square mile (41/km²). There were 22,006 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile (15/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 91.96% 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...
, 4.56% Black
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...
or African American
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...
, 0.56% Native American
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...
, 0.32% Asian
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...
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
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...
, 1.04% from other races
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...
, and 1.55% from two or more races. 2.78% of the population were Hispanic
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...
or Latino
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...
of any race. 29.0% 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....
, 14.7% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 11.6% 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...
, 8.9% 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...
and 5.3% Dutch
Dutch people
The Dutch people are an ethnic group native to the Netherlands. They share a common culture and speak the Dutch language. Dutch people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in Suriname, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United...
ancestry according to Census 2000. 96.3% 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 2.6% Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
as their first language.
There were 20,606 households out of which 38.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.70% 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, 10.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.50% were non-families. 21.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.15.
In the county the population was spread out with 26.90% under the age of 18, 11.50% from 18 to 24, 31.00% from 25 to 44, 20.50% from 45 to 64, and 10.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 115.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 120.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $43,074, and the median income for a family was $49,797. Males had a median income of $36,995 versus $25,443 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 $17,451. About 6.80% of families and 8.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.40% of those under age 18 and 8.10% of those age 65 or over.
History
Ionia County was formed in 1831 from portions of Mackinac County and open territory. It was named after Ionia, the ancient Greek region in Asia Minor nowaday Turkey.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
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.
Ionia County elected officials
- MayorMayorIn many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
: Daniel A. Balice - Prosecuting AttorneyProsecutorThe prosecutor is the chief legal representative of the prosecution in countries with either the common law adversarial system, or the civil law inquisitorial system...
: Ronald J. Schafer - SheriffSheriffA 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....
: Dwain Dennis - County Clerk: Tonda Rich
- County TreasurerTreasurerA 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:...
: Nancy Hickey - Register of Deeds: Diane M. Adams
- Drain CommissionerDrain commissionerA 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...
: John M. Bush - County Commissioner District 1: Lynn Mason
- County Commissioner District 2: James Lower
- County Commissioner District 3: Jack Shattuck
- County Commissioner District 4: Mark Vroman
- County Commissioner District 5: Larry Tiejema
- County Commissioner District 6: James L. Banks
- County Commissioner District 7: Julie Calley
(information as of Jan. 2011)
Populated places
Cities- BeldingBelding, MichiganBelding is a city in Ionia County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 5,877 at the 2000 census. Belding is a small rural city surrounded almost entirely by farmland...
- IoniaIonia, MichiganIonia is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Ionia County, Michigan, United States. The population was 11,394 at the 2010 census. Every late July it hosts what may be the world's largest free-admission fair...
- PortlandPortland, MichiganPortland is a city in Ionia County of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 3,789. The city is situated in the south central portion of Portland Township, but is administratively autonomous.-Geography:...
Villages
- ClarksvilleClarksville, MichiganClarksville is a village in Ionia County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the village population was 394. The village is within Campbell Township...
- HubbardstonHubbardston, MichiganHubbardston is a village located in the U.S. state of Michigan. The village is on the boundary between Ionia County and Clinton County, and is partially in both. The village is mostly within North Plains Township in Ionia County and partially within Lebanon Township in Clinton County...
(part) - Lake OdessaLake Odessa, Michigan-External links:...
- LyonsLyons, MichiganLyons is a village in Ionia County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 726 at the 2000 census. Most of the village is within Lyons Township. A small portion extends west into Ionia Township.- Geography :...
- MuirMuir, MichiganMuir is a village in Lyons Township, Ionia County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 634 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , of which, of it is land and 1.30% is water....
- PewamoPewamo, MichiganPewamo is a village in Lyons Township, Ionia County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It was founded in 1857 as a station along the Detroit, Grand Haven and Milwaukee Railway. The village name was suggested by J.C. Blanchard in honor of Chief Pewamo, with whom he had hunted along the nearby Grand River...
- SaranacSaranac, MichiganSaranac is a village in Ionia County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the village had a population of 1,326.Saranac is the birthplace of world-renowned geologist J...
Townships
- Berlin TownshipBerlin Township, Ionia County, MichiganBerlin Township is a civil township of Ionia County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 2,787.-Communities:* Berlin Center is an unincorporated community near the center of the township at ....
- Boston TownshipBoston Township, MichiganBoston Township is a civil township of Ionia County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 4,961.-Geography:...
- Campbell TownshipCampbell Township, MichiganCampbell Township is a civil township of Ionia County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,243 at the 2000 census.- Communities :...
- Danby TownshipDanby Township, MichiganDanby Township is a civil township of Ionia County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,696 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-Demographics:As of the census of...
- Easton TownshipEaston Township, MichiganEaston Township is a civil township of Ionia County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,835 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-Demographics:As of the census of...
- Ionia TownshipIonia Township, MichiganIonia Township is a civil township of Ionia County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,669 at the 2000 census. The city of Ionia is mostly within the township, but is administratively autonomous.-Geography:...
- Keene TownshipKeene Township, MichiganKeene Township is a civil township of Ionia County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,660 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-Demographics:As of the census of...
- Lyons TownshipLyons Township, MichiganLyons Township is a civil township of Ionia County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,446 at the 2000 census. The village of Lyons is mostly within the township...
- North Plains TownshipNorth Plains Township, MichiganNorth Plains Township is a civil township of Ionia County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,366 at the 2000 census.-Communities:...
- Odessa TownshipOdessa Township, MichiganOdessa Township is a civil township of Ionia County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,036 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-Demographics:As of the census of...
- Orange TownshipOrange Township, Ionia County, MichiganOrange Township is a civil township of Ionia County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,040 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 36.0 square miles , of which, 36.0 square miles of it is land and 0.04 square...
- Orleans TownshipOrleans Township, MichiganOrleans Township is a civil township of Ionia County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,736 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-Demographics:As of the census of...
- Otisco TownshipOtisco Township, MichiganOtisco Township is a civil township of Ionia County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 2,243. Township offices are located in the community of Smyrna.-Communities:...
- Portland TownshipPortland Township, MichiganPortland Township is a civil township of Ionia County in th eU.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,460 at the 2000 census. The City of Portland is situated in the south central portion of the township, but is administratively autonomous.-Geography:...
- Ronald TownshipRonald Township, MichiganRonald Township is a civil township of Ionia County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,903 at the 2000 census.Ronald Township was formed in 1845 from parts of Lyons and Ionia townships, and given its name by state representative A. L. Roof, who said he was inspired by the lead...
- Sebewa TownshipSebewa Township, MichiganSebewa Township is a civil township of Ionia County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 1,202.-Communities:...
Highways
Interstates
I-96Interstate 96Interstate 96 is an intrastate Interstate Highway that is entirely within the US state of Michigan. Its western terminus is at an interchange with US Highway 31 and Business US Highway 31 , on the western boundary of Norton Shores southeast of Muskegon. Its eastern terminus is at I-75 near the...
Michigan State Trunklines
M-21M-21 (Michigan highway)M-21 is an east–west state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan connecting the cities of Grand Rapids and Flint. The highway passes through rural farming country and several small towns along its course through the Lower Peninsula...
M-44M-44 (Michigan highway)M-44 is a state trunkline highway in the western region of the US state of Michigan. It runs northward from the intersection of M-11 and M-37 toward the Rockford area. The highway then turns eastward to Belding, and it ends six miles north of Ionia at M-66...
M-50M-50 (Michigan highway)M-50 is a state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan. Although designated as an east–west highway, it is nearly a diagonal northwest-southeast route...
M-66M-66 (Michigan highway)M-66 is a north–south state trunkline highway on the Lower Peninsula of the US state of Michigan. It runs from the Indiana state line in the south to Charlevoix in the north. M-66 is the only state highway to traverse almost the entire north–south distance of the LP. It starts as a...
M-91M-91 (Michigan highway)M-91 is a largely north–south state trunkline highway in the Lower Peninsula of the US state of Michigan. It runs from Belding to south of Lakeview. Its length exists entirely within Ionia and Montcalm counties. It is all undivided surface route...