Allegan County, Michigan

Allegan County (/ˈæləɡən/ AL-ə-gən) is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 120,502.[2] The county seat is Allegan.[3] The name was coined by Henry Rowe Schoolcraft to sound like a Native American word.[1]

Allegan County
County
Saugatuck Dunes State Park
Saugatuck Dunes State Park
Map of Michigan highlighting Allegan County
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Map of the United States highlighting Michigan
Michigan's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°35′N 85°54′W
Country United States
State Michigan
Foundedestablished 1831
organized 1835[1]
SeatAllegan
Largest cityHolland
Area
 • Total1,833 sq mi (4,750 km2)
 • Land825 sq mi (2,140 km2)
 • Water1,008 sq mi (2,610 km2)  55%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total120,502
 • Density135/sq mi (52/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitehttp://www.allegancounty.org

Allegan County comprises the Holland, Michigan Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Grand Rapids–Kentwood–Muskegon Combined Statistical Area. It is primarily an agricultural area that is rapidly becoming urbanized as the population centers of Grand Rapids on the northeast and Kalamazoo to the southeast expand into Allegan County.

The county has long been a regional tourist draw, particularly the Tulip Time Festival in Holland and the area along Lake Michigan. The Lake Michigan shoreline has long been a popular place for vacation homes, and that development continues, especially around Saugatuck and Douglas. Another draw is Allegan State Game Area, a 45,000 acres (180 km2) forest attracting campers, snowmobilers, cross-country skiers and hunters. Allegan County contains Saugatuck Dunes State Park with trails through scenic dunes and a swimming beach on Lake Michigan. The county also contains Pier Cove Park, a public beach with Lake Michigan access. Lake Allegan is a popular destination.[4]

History

The Michigan peninsula was long occupied by bands of the Potowatomi and Ojibwe of the Lake Superior Band of Chippewa Indians. The United States government forced the tribes to cede their extensive territories to the federal government, in exchange for annuities and small reservations. The federally recognized Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottowatomi has a reservation here.

The boundaries of Allegan County were laid out by the Territorial legislature in 1831. The county was organized in 1835. At that time there were only about four European-American families in the area. Among the first settlers of Allegan County were Giles Scott and Turner Aldrich.[5]

Geography

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,833 sq mi (4,750 km2), of which 825 sq mi (2,140 km2) is land and 1,008 sq mi (2,610 km2) (55%) is water.[6]

Adjacent counties

By land

By water

Transportation

Major highways

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18401,783—
18505,125187.4%
186016,087213.9%
187032,10599.6%
188037,81517.8%
189038,9613.0%
190038,812−0.4%
191039,8192.6%
192037,540−5.7%
193038,9743.8%
194041,8397.4%
195047,49313.5%
196057,72921.6%
197066,57515.3%
198081,55522.5%
199090,50911.0%
2000105,66516.7%
2010111,4085.4%
2020120,5028.2%
US Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2019[2]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 111,408 people living in the county. 92.9% were White, 1.2% Black or African American, 0.6% Asian, 0.6% Native American, 2.8% of some other race and 1.9% of two or more races. 6.7% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). 23.0% were of Dutch, 17.5% German, 8.3% English, 7.1% Irish and 7.1% American ancestry.[11]

As of the 2000 United States Census,[12] there were 105,665 people, 38,165 households, and 28,394 families living in the county. The population density was 128 inhabitants per square mile (49/km2). There were 43,292 housing units at an average density of 52 per square mile (20/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.47% White, 1.31% Black or African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.77% from other races, and 1.32% from two or more races. 5.72% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 25.6% were of Dutch, 17.8% German, 9.6% American, 8.4% English and 7.2% Irish ancestry, 93.6% spoke only English; 5.2% spoke Spanish at home.

There were 38,165 households, out of which 37.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.40% were married couples living together, 9.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.60% were non-families. 20.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.15.

The county population contained 28.90% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 30.00% from 25 to 44, 22.00% from 45 to 64, and 11.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $45,813, and the median income for a family was $51,908. Males had a median income of $38,681 versus $26,887 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,918. About 5.00% of families and 7.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.50% of those under age 18 and 7.90% of those age 65 or over.

Religion

Government

The county government operates the jail, maintains rural roads, operates the major local courts, records deeds, mortgages, and vital records, administers public health regulations, and participates with the state in the provision of social services. The county board of commissioners controls the budget and has 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.

Elected officials

(Information as of September 2022)

Politics

Allegan County has been strongly Republican from its start, and is very Republican even by the standards of West Michigan. Since 1884, the Republican Party nominee has carried the county vote in 94% of the elections (32 of 34 elections). It was one of the few counties in the nation where Franklin D. Roosevelt was completely shut out in all four of his successful runs for president. FDR actually garnered fewer votes in the county in his 46-state landslide of 1936 than he did in 1932. Lyndon Johnson is the only Democrat to have carried the county since 1884, and even then only by 701 votes; it was the last time a Democrat has managed even 40 percent of the county's vote until Barack Obama received 43.63 percent of its vote in 2008. The only other time that the Republicans lost the county in the 20th century was in 1912, when the GOP was mortally divided and Theodore Roosevelt carried it on the Bull Moose ticket.

United States presidential election results for Allegan County, Michigan[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 41,392 61.60% 24,449 36.39% 1,354 2.02%
2016 34,183 60.91% 18,050 32.16% 3,887 6.93%
2012 31,123 58.97% 20,806 39.42% 846 1.60%
2008 30,061 54.28% 24,165 43.63% 1,154 2.08%
2004 34,022 63.11% 19,355 35.90% 530 0.98%
2000 28,197 62.81% 15,495 34.52% 1,199 2.67%
1996 20,859 53.77% 14,361 37.02% 3,570 9.20%
1992 19,077 46.72% 12,823 31.40% 8,935 21.88%
1988 22,163 66.78% 10,785 32.50% 240 0.72%
1984 23,762 73.48% 8,389 25.94% 187 0.58%
1980 20,560 62.24% 9,877 29.90% 2,594 7.85%
1976 19,330 65.59% 9,794 33.23% 347 1.18%
1972 18,407 68.47% 7,883 29.32% 594 2.21%
1968 14,769 60.32% 7,276 29.72% 2,438 9.96%
1964 11,223 48.39% 11,934 51.45% 37 0.16%
1960 16,660 70.98% 6,752 28.77% 60 0.26%
1956 16,509 74.44% 5,617 25.33% 51 0.23%
1952 15,663 73.40% 5,437 25.48% 238 1.12%
1948 10,439 67.68% 4,594 29.78% 391 2.54%
1944 12,327 73.04% 4,480 26.54% 71 0.42%
1940 12,347 69.40% 5,385 30.27% 60 0.34%
1936 9,247 57.41% 5,922 36.77% 937 5.82%
1932 8,705 54.13% 7,030 43.71% 347 2.16%
1928 10,792 81.65% 2,358 17.84% 67 0.51%
1924 9,417 79.32% 1,562 13.16% 893 7.52%
1920 7,825 75.89% 2,154 20.89% 332 3.22%
1916 4,803 54.81% 3,591 40.98% 369 4.21%
1912 2,121 27.92% 1,925 25.34% 3,550 46.74%
1908 5,422 67.32% 2,186 27.14% 446 5.54%
1904 5,589 73.98% 1,576 20.86% 390 5.16%
1900 5,590 61.13% 3,275 35.82% 279 3.05%
1896 5,810 57.85% 3,937 39.20% 296 2.95%
1892 4,283 50.96% 3,207 38.16% 915 10.89%
1888 5,078 52.01% 3,829 39.22% 856 8.77%
1884 4,080 48.27% 3,445 40.75% 928 10.98%

Arts and Culture

Allegan County is part of the annual Arts and Eats tour, which highlights local art, food, and farms.[16]

Communities

Cities

Villages

Unincorporated communities

Townships

See also

References
  1. "Bibliography on Allegan County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  2. "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. "Exploring Lake Allegan". Archived from the original on December 21, 2014. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  5. Thomas, Henry F. (Ed.) (1907). A Twentieth Century History of Allegan County, Michigan, pp. 4–6. The Lewis Publishing Co.
  6. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  7. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  9. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  10. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved September 18, 2014.
  11. Data Access and Dissemination Systems (DADS). "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  12. Statistical profile of Allegan County, Michigan Archived April 10, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  13. "The Association of Religion Data Archives – Maps & Reports". University Park PA. 2010. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  14. LDS.org Locator Map (accessed 3 September 2018)
  15. US Election Atlas
  16. "Arts and Eats tour kicks off this weekend for its 11th year". FOX 17 West Michigan News (WXMI). October 15, 2022. Retrieved March 21, 2023.

Further reading
  • Thomas, Henry F. A twentieth century history of Allegan County, Michigan (1907) online; ends in 1907

42.59°N 85.90°W / 42.59; -85.90

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