Monroe County, Michigan

Monroe County, Michigan

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Monroe County, Michigan

Monroe County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the population was 145,945 with the 2007 Census Bureau estimate placing the population at 153,608. The county seat is Monroe. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, it forms a part of the Metro Detroit area. However, the southern portion of the county may feel more closely tied to Toledo, Ohio.

Economy
History
Geography

Geographic features
Adjacent counties
National protected area

Demographics
Government

Monroe County elected officials

Cities, villages, and townships
Education
Major Highways
Local landmarks
Bibliography and further reading
Notes
External links

Economy

There is a large agricultural component to the economy and culture.
There are also many industries around Monroe, including auto-parts manufacturing, cement, glass making, metal fabrication, and packaging.^[1]
The Fermi nuclear power plant is located within the county.

History

Monroe County was named for President James Monroe, in anticipation of his 1817 visit to the Michigan Territory.^[2]
Toledo was formerly part of Monroe County, but was ceded to Ohio as a consequences of the 1835 Toledo War. That was a dispute between Ohio and Michigan fought over a 500 square mile of land, which included the Maumee River's mouth. In exchange, Michigan got the Upper Peninsula, then considered a wilderness.
The Battle of Frenchtown, one of the bloodiest battles in War of 1812 was fought in Monroe County. It was the largest conflict ever fought on Michigan soil. The River Raisin Battlefield is being considered for inclusion in the National Parks System.^[3]
The City of Monroe is one of the most historic cities in Michigan, and has a well marked trail of the battlefield.^[4]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 680 square miles (1,761 km²), of which, 551 square miles (1,427 km²) of it is land and 129 square miles (334 km²) of it (18.96%) is water.

Geographic features

Monroe is Michigan's only county on Lake Erie, which is to the east. Fishing and boating are popular along coastal venues such as Estral Beach, Luna Pier, Monroe, and South Rockwood.
The River Raisin and Sandy Creek flow through the county. Wetlands, inlets and marshes abound along the lakeshore and near the mouth of the river. The presence of waterfowl, shore birds and wildlife makes the area a favorite for birdwatchers duck hunters.
The Sterling State Park is the only state park in the county, though there are also numerous tracts of state-owned hunting land.
Monroe county is rich in aleuvial soil, and its agricultural activities produce alfalfa, corn, grains, potatoes, soy beans, and sugar beets.

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge (part)

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 145,945 people, 53,772 households, and 39,952 families residing in the county. The population density was 265 people per square mile (102/km²). There were 56,471 housing units at an average density of 102 per square mile (40/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.42% White, 1.90% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.62% from other races, and 1.31% from two or more races. 2.13% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 28.5% were of German, 8.9% American, 8.3% Polish, 8.2% French, 8.0% Irish, 7.5% English and 5.7% Italian ancestry according to Census 2000. 96.4% spoke English and 1.5% Spanish as their first language.

There were 53,772 households out of which 36.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.00% were married couples living together, 10.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.70% were non-families. 21.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the county the population was spread out with 27.40% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 29.80% from 25 to 44, 23.50% from 45 to 64, and 11.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 98.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $51,743, and the median income for a family was $59,659. Males had a median income of $46,715 versus $27,421 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,458. About 4.80% of families and 7.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.10% of those under age 18 and 8.30% 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.

Monroe County elected officials

Prosecuting Attorney: William P. Nichols
Sheriff: Tilman Crutchfield
County Clerk/Register of Deeds: Geri Allen
County Treasurer: Kay Sisung
Drain Commissioner: Daniel Stefanski

(information as of September 2005)

Cities, villages, and townships

Cities

Villages

Unincorporated

Townships

Education

Major Highways

	I-75 continues from Ohio, passing Detroit, Flint, Saginaw and Bay City; it then proceeds in a roughly north and westerly route, passing Grayling and Gaylord, then crossing the Mackinac Bridge leading to the Upper Peninsula and Sault Ste. Marie).
	I-275
	US-23
	US-24
	US-223
	M-50
	M-125

Local landmarks

The Monroe County Social and Welfare Association is spearheading the development of the Phillip Murray – first president of the United Steelworkers of America and president of the Congress of Industrial Organizations – building into the Monroe County Labor History Museum.^[5]
The County contains ten registered state historical markers.^[6]
- Exeter Township Hall
- George Armstrong Custer
- Lake Erie
- Michigan: Historic Crossroads
- Milan Village, Michigan Hall & Fire Barn
- Monroe, Michigan
- Peter Seitz Tavern & Stagecoach Inn
- St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
- Saint John's Evangelical Lutheran Church
- St. Patrick Church Carleton, Michigan

Bibliography and further reading

Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University, Bibliography on Monroe County
Nicholas, J.R., G.L. Rowe, and J.R. Brannen. (1996). Hydrology, water quality, and effects of drought in Monroe County, Michigan [Water-Resources Investigations Report 94-4161]. Lansing, MI: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey.