Wexford County, Michigan

Wexford County is a county in the Northern Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 33,673.[3] The seat of Wexford County is Cadillac, which is also the county's largest city.[4]

This article is about Wexford County in Michigan. For the county in Ireland, see County Wexford.

Wexford County
County
Wexford County Courthouse in Cadillac
Wexford County Courthouse in Cadillac
Official seal of Wexford County
Seal
Nickname: 
"Wex"
Map of Michigan highlighting Wexford County
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Map of the United States highlighting Michigan
Michigan's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 44°20′N 85°35′W
Country United States
State Michigan
Founded1840 (created)
1869 (organized)[1][2]
Named forCounty Wexford, Ireland
SeatCadillac
Largest cityCadillac
Area
 • Total575.46 sq mi (1,490.4 km2)
 • Land565.00 sq mi (1,463.3 km2)
 • Water10.46 sq mi (27.1 km2)  1.8%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total33,673
 • Density59.2/sq mi (22.9/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts1st, 2nd
Websitewww.wexfordcounty.org

Wexford County is largely covered by the Manistee National Forest, and thus is heavily wooded. The Manistee River flows from east to west in the north of the county. Briar Hill, the highest point in Michigan's Lower Peninsula, is located in northwestern Wexford County, at 1,706 feet (520 m).

The county is the location of the first known sighting of the Michigan Dogman, in 1887.[5]

History
See also: History of Northern Michigan
A detail from A New Map of Michigan with its Canals, Roads & Distances (1842) by Henry Schenck Tanner, showing Wexford County as "Kawtawwabet" (a misspelling of Kautawaubet, the county's name from 1840 to 1843.[6]) Several nearby counties are also shown with names that would later be changed.

The county was established by the Michigan Legislature in 1840 as Kautawaubet County,[6][7] after a Potawatomi phrase meaning "broken tooth," and the name of a local Potawatomi chief. In 1843, legislators renamed the county Wexford,[6] after County Wexford in Ireland.

In 1851, Wexford County was attached to Grand Traverse County for administrative purposes.[8] It was then attached to Manistee County in 1855, before being organized on its own in 1869.[1]

County seat battle

The Wexford County seat of government, originally located in Sherman, was moved to Manton in 1881, as the result of a compromise between the feuding residents of Cadillac and Sherman. Cadillac partisans, however, won the county seat by a county-wide vote in April 1882.[9] The day following the election, a sheriff's posse left the city for Manton by special train to seize the county records. After they arrived and collected a portion of the materials, however, an angry crowd confronted the Cadillac men and drove them out of town.[10]

When the sheriff returned to Cadillac, he encountered a force consisting of several hundred armed men; this group reportedly included a brass band. The Sheriff's force, some of whom may have been intoxicated, traveled back to Manton to seize the remaining records. Although Manton residents confronted the Cadillac men and barricaded the courthouse, the posse successfully seized the documents. They returned to Cadillac in dubious glory.[10]

Geography

The Manistee River flows westward through the upper part of Wexford County. The county terrain consists of low rolling hills, largely tree-covered.[11] The terrain slopes to the west,[12] with its highest point, Briar Hill in Manistee National Forest[13] at 1,706 feet (520 m).

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 575.46 sqmi (1,490 km2), of which 565.00 sqmi (1,463 km2) is land and 10.46 sqmi (27.1 km2) (1.8%) is water.[14]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Protected areas

Lakes[11]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1870650—
18806,815948.5%
189011,27865.5%
190016,84549.4%
191020,76923.3%
192018,207−12.3%
193016,827−7.6%
194017,9766.8%
195018,6283.6%
196018,466−0.9%
197019,7176.8%
198025,10227.3%
199026,3605.0%
200030,48415.6%
201032,7357.4%
202033,6732.9%
US Decennial Census[15]
1790–1960[16] 1900–1990[17]
1990–2000[18] 2010–2018[3]

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States Census,[19] there were 30,484 people, 11,824 households, and 8,383 families in the county. The population density was 54 per square mile (21/km2). There were 14,872 housing units at an average density of 26.3 per square mile (10.2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.29% White, 0.19% Black or African American, 0.74% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. 1.01% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 21.4% were of German, 11.3% English, 9.5% American, 9.4% Irish, 6.1% Dutch, 5.8% Swedish and 5.3% Polish ancestry. 97.7% spoke English and 1.1% Spanish as their first language.

There were 11,824 households, out of which 33.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.20% were married couples living together, 10.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.10% were non-families. 24.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.00.

The county population contained 26.80% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 14.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,363, and the median income for a family was $39,915. Males had a median income of $31,198 versus $21,733 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,144. About 7.70% of families and 10.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.50% of those under age 18 and 8.50% 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 regulations, and participates with the state in the provision of welfare and other social services. The county board of commissioners 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.

Elected officials

(information as of July 2019)[20]

Politics

Wexford County is one of the few counties to have given majorities to both the first Republican candidate, John C. Frémont,[21] and to John McCain in his 2008 presidential campaign.[22] The county also twice favored Democrat Bill Clinton.[23]

Wexford County is divided between Michigan's 1st and 2nd congressional districts, both represented by Republicans.

United States presidential election results for Wexford County, Michigan[24]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 12,102 66.16% 5,838 31.92% 352 1.92%
2016 10,000 65.06% 4,436 28.86% 934 6.08%
2012 8,450 56.72% 6,184 41.51% 264 1.77%
2008 8,044 51.10% 7,379 46.88% 318 2.02%
2004 8,966 59.14% 6,034 39.80% 160 1.06%
2000 7,215 55.58% 5,326 41.03% 441 3.40%
1996 4,866 40.93% 5,510 46.35% 1,512 12.72%
1992 4,696 37.34% 4,894 38.92% 2,985 23.74%
1988 6,043 58.07% 4,287 41.20% 76 0.73%
1984 7,279 67.93% 3,398 31.71% 38 0.35%
1980 6,027 54.01% 4,173 37.39% 960 8.60%
1976 5,670 54.96% 4,519 43.80% 128 1.24%
1972 5,221 61.43% 3,048 35.86% 230 2.71%
1968 4,364 56.38% 2,832 36.59% 544 7.03%
1964 3,016 40.50% 4,414 59.28% 16 0.21%
1960 5,262 65.00% 2,807 34.67% 27 0.33%
1956 5,052 65.76% 2,604 33.89% 27 0.35%
1952 5,569 68.98% 2,407 29.82% 97 1.20%
1948 3,833 57.06% 2,635 39.23% 249 3.71%
1944 4,074 61.21% 2,489 37.39% 93 1.40%
1940 4,322 59.00% 2,947 40.23% 57 0.78%
1936 3,153 44.35% 3,771 53.05% 185 2.60%
1932 3,425 50.34% 3,251 47.78% 128 1.88%
1928 4,825 84.53% 853 14.94% 30 0.53%
1924 3,926 77.47% 592 11.68% 550 10.85%
1920 3,406 73.03% 1,095 23.48% 163 3.49%
1916 2,333 55.21% 1,683 39.82% 210 4.97%
1912 1,075 26.52% 817 20.15% 2,162 53.33%
1908 2,886 71.95% 831 20.72% 294 7.33%
1904 3,003 76.37% 690 17.55% 239 6.08%
1900 2,519 67.75% 1,014 27.27% 185 4.98%
1896 2,036 58.27% 1,359 38.90% 99 2.83%
1892 1,388 49.91% 1,156 41.57% 237 8.52%
1888 1,437 53.96% 1,065 39.99% 161 6.05%
1884 1,220 54.81% 876 39.35% 130 5.84%

Tourism

There are many attractions and hot spots in Wexford County. The Manistee National Forest is one recreation site. The Manistee River is used by fishermen, kayakers, and canoers. There are many lakes; the largest are Cadillac and Mitchell. Two hundred miles of snowmobile trails are maintained by the Cadillac Winter Promotions volunteer group. There are at least eight golf courses near Cadillac. There are several museums near Cadillac. The Wexford Civic Center is a 4,000 capacity arena, 300 capacity hockey facility, 300 capacity grand stand, and several buildings for agricultural shows and expos.

Communities
U.S. Census data map showing local municipal boundaries within Wexford County. Shaded areas represent incorporated cities.

Cities

Villages

Charter township

Civil townships

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

Education

The Wexford–Missaukee Intermediate School District, based in Cadillac, services the school districts in the county (with the exception of Buckley Community Schools, which is covered by Northwest Educational Services). The intermediate school district offers regional special education services and technical career programs to students of its districts.[25][26]

Wexford County is served by the following regular public school districts:[27]

The county also has one charter school, the Highpoint Virtual Academy of Michigan.

Wexford County has the following private schools:[28]

Historical markers
Charles T. Mitchell House in Cadillac

There are several recognized Michigan historical markers in the county:[29][30]

See also

References
  1. "Bibliography on Wexford County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Retrieved January 23, 2013.
  2. Cadillac History Archived February 29, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  3. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  4. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. Royce, Julie Albrecht (2007). Traveling Michigan's Sunset Coast. Dog Ear Publishing. pp. 419–420. ISBN 978-1-59858-321-2. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  6. Newberry Library. "Michigan: Individual County Chronologies". Atlas of County Historical Boundaries. Retrieved November 4, 2016.
  7. George Dawson (1840). Acts of the Legislature of the State of Michigan Passed at the Annual Session of 1840. Detroit. pp. 196–200.
  8. "History in Grand Traverse County, Michigan". genealogytrails.com. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  9. Schindler, Kurt H. (2002) Wexford County Factbook, History, Archived February 4, 2012, at the Wayback Machine Chapter B2. MSU Extension. Retrieved on January 5, 2008
  10. Battling for the County Seat. Absolute Michigan. Retrieved on January 5, 2008.
  11. Wexford County MI – Google Maps (accessed 10 July 2019)
  12. Find an Altitude/Wexford County MI (accessed 10 July 2019)
  13. Brian Hill, Michigan (PeakBagger.com) Accessed 10 July 2019
  14. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
  15. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
  16. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
  17. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
  18. "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 28, 2014.
  19. "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  20. Wexford County Directory (accessed 10 July 2019)
  21. "1856 Presidential Election Statistics". uselectionatlas.org.
  22. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections – State Data". uselectionatlas.org.
  23. The New York Times electoral map, 2008 (Zoom in on Michigan)
  24. US Election Results
  25. "Welcome". Wexford–Missaukee Intermediate School District. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  26. "Welcome to Northwest Education Services". Northwest Educational Services. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  27. National Center for Education Statistics. "Search for Public School Data - Wexford County, MI". Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  28. National Center for Education Statistics. "Search for Private Schools - Wexford County, MI". Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  29. "Michigan Historical Markers". michmarkers.com. Archived from the original on March 15, 2010. Retrieved January 8, 2008.
  30. "Michigan Historical Markers". Michigan History Center. Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved July 10, 2023.

44.34°N 85.58°W / 44.34; -85.58

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