Houghton County, Michigan
Houghton County is a
county in the
U.S. state of
Michigan. As of the
2000 census, the population was 36,016. The
county seat is
Houghton6.
According to the
U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3,889
km² (1,502
mi²). 2,620 km² (1,012 mi²) of it is land and 1,269 km² (490 mi²) of it (32.62%) is water.
Adjacent Counties
*
Keweenaw County (north)
*
Baraga County (east)
*
Iron County (south)
*
Ontonagon County (west)
As of the
census² of 2000, there were 36,016 people, 13,793 households, and 8,137 families residing in the county. The
population density was 14/km² (36/mi²). There were 17,748 housing units at an average density of 7/km² (18/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.52%
White, 0.94%
Black or
African American, 0.54%
Native American, 1.79%
Asian, 0.02%
Pacific Islander, 0.17% from
other races, and 1.02% from two or more races. 0.70% of the population were
Hispanic or
Latino of any race.
There were 13,793 households out of which 26.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.50% were
married couples living together, 8.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.00% were non-families. 32.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the county the population was spread out with 21.80% under the age of 18, 19.10% from 18 to 24, 22.60% from 25 to 44, 20.90% from 45 to 64, and 15.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 113.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 115.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $28,817, and the median income for a family was $38,635. Males had a median income of $30,200 versus $22,468 for females. The
per capita income for the county was $15,078. About 9.90% of families and 16.80% of the population were below the
poverty line, including 16.10% of those under age 18 and 13.40% of those age 65 or over.
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.
Houghton County elected officials
*
Prosecuting Attorney: Douglas Edwards
*
Sheriff: Brian J. McLean
*
County Clerk/
Register of Deeds: Mary Schoos
*
County Treasurer: Kathleen Beattie
*
Drain Commissioner: Raymond W. Niemi
* Mine Inspector: Murray Gillis
(information as of September 2005)Cities
*
Hancock*
HoughtonVillages
*
Calumet*
Copper City*
Lake Linden*
Laurium*
South RangeUnincorporated Communities
*
Atlantic Mine*
Dakota Heights*
Dodgeville*
Dollar Bay*
Dreamland*
Franklin Mine*
Hubbell*
Hurontown*
Jacobsville*
SenterTownships
*
Adams Township*
Calumet Township*
Chassell Township*
Duncan Township*
Elm River Township*
Franklin Township*
Hancock Township*
Laird Township*
Osceola Township*
Portage Township*
Quincy Township*
Schoolcraft Township*
Stanton Township*
Torch Lake Township*
HoughtonCounty.net*
Houghton County Webpage at InfoMi*
Houghton County Sheriff's Office*[
1]Copper Country
