Ionia County, Michigan

Ionia County (/aɪˈoʊnjə/ eye-OH-nyə) is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the population was 66,804.[2] The county seat is Ionia.[3] The Ionia County Courthouse was designed by Claire Allen, a prominent southern Michigan architect.

Ionia County
County
Ionia County Courthouse in Ionia
Ionia County Courthouse in Ionia
Official seal of Ionia County
Seal
Map of Michigan highlighting Ionia 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°56′N 85°04′W
Country United States
State Michigan
FoundedMarch 2, 1831 (created)
1837 (organized)[1]
Named forIonia
SeatIonia
Largest cityIonia
Area
 • Total580 sq mi (1,500 km2)
 • Land571 sq mi (1,480 km2)
 • Water8.7 sq mi (23 km2)  1.5%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total66,804
 • Density112/sq mi (43/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websiteioniacounty.org

Ionia County is part of the Grand Rapids-Kentwood metropolitan statistical area.

History

The county is named for Ionia, a historic area of Greece.[4]

Geography

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 580 square miles (1,500 km2), of which 571 square miles (1,480 km2) is land and 8.7 square miles (23 km2) (1.5%) is water.[5]

Adjacent counties

Major highways
  • I-96 is an east–west freeway running through the heart of Ionia County. The freeway can be used to access Grand Rapids, to the west, and Lansing and Detroit, to the east.
  • M-21 is an east–west highway that runs north of I-96. The highway runs through the city of Ionia.
  • M-44 is an east–west highway that runs in the northwest of Ionia County, including access to Belding.
  • M-50 is a highway in the southwest of Ionia County, following a largely east–west route. The highway runs through Lake Odessa.
  • M-66 is the primary north–south thoroughfare in Ionia County. Running through the center of the county, the highway also passes through downtown Ionia. M-66 is one of Michigan's longest state trunkline highways, running from the Indiana border near Sturgis to Charlevoix, on Lake Michigan.
  • M-91 is a highway in the northwest of Ionia County, beginning at M-44 near Belding and running north toward Greenville.
  • US 16 is a former US Route that travelled east–west in Ionia County, along what is today known as Grand River Avenue. The highway was replaced by I-96 in 1962.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18401,923—
18507,597295.1%
186016,682119.6%
187027,68165.9%
188033,87222.4%
189032,801−3.2%
190034,3294.7%
191033,550−2.3%
192033,087−1.4%
193035,0936.1%
194035,7101.8%
195038,1586.9%
196043,13213.0%
197045,8486.3%
198051,81513.0%
199057,02410.1%
200061,5187.9%
201063,9053.9%
202066,8044.5%
US Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2018[2]

As of the 2000 census,[10] there were 61,518 people, 20,606 households, and 15,145 families residing in the county. The population density was 107 inhabitants 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, 4.56% Black or African American, 0.56% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.04% from other races, and 1.55% from two or more races. 2.78% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 29.0% were of German, 14.7% American, 11.6% English, 8.9% Irish and 5.3% Dutch ancestry. 96.3% spoke English and 2.6% Spanish 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 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.

The county's population spread included 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 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.

Government

Ionia County has been reliably Republican from the beginning. Since 1884, the Republican Party nominee has carried the county vote in 82% of the elections (29 of 35 elections).

United States presidential election results for Ionia County, Michigan[11][12]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 20,657 64.13% 10,901 33.84% 651 2.02%
2016 16,635 61.52% 8,352 30.89% 2,052 7.59%
2012 14,315 55.36% 11,018 42.61% 523 2.02%
2008 14,156 51.74% 12,565 45.93% 638 2.33%
2004 16,621 60.18% 10,647 38.55% 350 1.27%
2000 13,915 58.05% 9,481 39.55% 574 2.39%
1996 9,574 44.63% 9,261 43.17% 2,617 12.20%
1992 9,135 38.35% 8,370 35.14% 6,317 26.52%
1988 12,028 59.05% 8,160 40.06% 181 0.89%
1984 14,162 70.69% 5,735 28.62% 138 0.69%
1980 12,040 57.38% 7,039 33.55% 1,903 9.07%
1976 11,737 62.46% 6,820 36.29% 234 1.25%
1972 10,898 62.57% 6,240 35.83% 278 1.60%
1968 8,625 54.01% 6,055 37.92% 1,288 8.07%
1964 5,698 35.36% 10,362 64.31% 53 0.33%
1960 10,405 61.81% 6,377 37.88% 52 0.31%
1956 11,001 68.76% 4,952 30.95% 46 0.29%
1952 10,970 69.35% 4,722 29.85% 127 0.80%
1948 7,970 62.60% 4,450 34.95% 311 2.44%
1944 9,331 67.06% 4,437 31.89% 146 1.05%
1940 9,439 63.28% 5,399 36.20% 78 0.52%
1936 6,487 43.88% 7,140 48.30% 1,155 7.81%
1932 6,074 40.23% 8,695 57.58% 331 2.19%
1928 9,471 74.91% 3,089 24.43% 83 0.66%
1924 9,502 73.21% 2,821 21.74% 656 5.05%
1920 7,977 67.59% 3,395 28.77% 430 3.64%
1916 3,950 48.36% 3,911 47.88% 307 3.76%
1912 2,049 26.50% 2,757 35.66% 2,926 37.84%
1908 4,584 54.77% 3,232 38.61% 554 6.62%
1904 5,440 63.81% 2,729 32.01% 356 4.18%
1900 5,101 54.31% 4,055 43.18% 236 2.51%
1896 4,593 48.35% 4,757 50.08% 149 1.57%
1892 4,288 49.45% 3,779 43.58% 604 6.97%
1888 4,436 50.95% 3,779 43.41% 491 5.64%
1884 3,552 45.10% 3,814 48.43% 510 6.48%

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 February 2023)

Education

Public school districts serving Ionia County include:[20]

Communities

Cities

Villages

Townships

Unincorporated communities

See also

References
  1. "Ionia County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  2. "QuickFacts: Ionia County, Michigan". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2023. 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. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 165.
  5. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved September 25, 2014.
  6. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 25, 2014.
  7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 25, 2014.
  8. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 25, 2014.
  9. "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 25, 2014.
  10. "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  11. US Election Atlas
  12. The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 2,579 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 170 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 165 votes, and Socialist Labor candidate Arthur Reimer received 12 votes.
  13. "Prosecuting Attorney". Ionia County. Archived from the original on October 25, 2022. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  14. "Sheriff Charlie Noll". Ionia County. Archived from the original on February 13, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  15. "County Clerk". Ionia County. Archived from the original on February 13, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  16. "Treasurer's Office". Ionia County. Archived from the original on February 13, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  17. "Register of Deeds". Ionia County. Archived from the original on February 13, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  18. "Drain Commissioner". Ionia County. Archived from the original on October 25, 2022. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  19. "Board of Commissioners". Ionia County. Archived from the original on February 13, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  20. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Ionia County, MI" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved February 25, 2023. - Text list

42.94°N 85.07°W / 42.94; -85.07

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