Ingham County, Michigan

Coordinates: 42°36′N 84°22′W / 42.60°N 84.37°W / 42.60; -84.37
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ingham County
Ingham County Courthouse
Official seal of Ingham County
Official logo of Ingham County
Map of Michigan highlighting Ingham 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°36′N 84°22′W / 42.6°N 84.37°W / 42.6; -84.37
Country United States
State Michigan
FoundedOctober 29, 1829 (created)
1838 (organized)[1]
Named forSamuel D. Ingham[1]
SeatMason
Largest cityLansing
Area
 • Total561 sq mi (1,450 km2)
 • Land556 sq mi (1,440 km2)
 • Water4.6 sq mi (12 km2)  0.8%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total284,900 Increase
 • Density505/sq mi (195/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district7th
Websitewww.ingham.org

Ingham County (/ˈɪŋəm/ ING-əm) is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 284,900.[2] The county seat is Mason.[3] Lansing, the state capital of Michigan, is largely located within the county. Lansing is the only state capital in the United States located in a county of which it is not also the seat of government. The county is home to Michigan State University, Lansing Community College, and the Class A minor league baseball team Lansing Lugnuts. Ingham County is included in the Lansing–East Lansing, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is considered to be a part of Mid Michigan.

History[edit]

Ingham County was established by an act of the Michigan Territorial Legislature on October 29, 1829, from portions of Shiawassee County, Washtenaw County and unorganized territory. It was attached for administrative purposes to Washtenaw County until 1838 when county government was established for Ingham.[1]

The county was named for Samuel D. Ingham, the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury under President Andrew Jackson, making Ingham one of Michigan's so-called Cabinet counties.[1]

Geography[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 561 square miles (1,450 km2), of which 556 square miles (1,440 km2) is land and 4.6 square miles (12 km2) (0.8%) is water.[4]

The county consists of gently rolling hills with an elevation ranging between 800 and 1,000 feet above sea level. The highest point in the county is the top of Teaspoon Hill rising to a height of 1,056 feet above sea level 1.5 miles north of Leslie.[5]

The Grand River winds northward along the western boundary of the county and the Red Cedar River flows west across the northern section into the Grand River in Lansing. Most of the midsection of the county drains to the north into the Red Cedar River and the northern tier of townships drain to the south into the Cedar. The Sycamore Creek, flowing northwest into the Red Cedar in Lansing, drains much of the midsection of the county. Most of the southern portion of the county drains south or west into the Grand River. The southeastern corner drains to the southeast into the Huron River via the Portage Creek and Portage River and a series of small lakes.

Adjacent counties[edit]

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18402,498
18508,631245.5%
186017,435102.0%
187025,26844.9%
188033,67633.3%
189037,66611.8%
190039,8185.7%
191053,31033.9%
192081,55453.0%
1930116,58743.0%
1940130,61612.0%
1950172,94132.4%
1960211,29622.2%
1970261,03923.5%
1980275,5205.5%
1990281,9122.3%
2000279,320−0.9%
2010280,8950.6%
2020284,9001.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010-2019[2]

As of the census[10] of 2010, there were 280,895 people, 111,162 households, and 62,674 families residing in the county. The population density was 502.3 inhabitants per square mile (193.9/km2). There were 121,281 housing units at an average density of 216.8 per square mile (83.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 76.2% White, 11.8% Black or African American, 0.6% Native American, 5.2% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 2.3% from other races, and 4.0% from two or more races. 7.83% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

According to the 2007–2010 American Community Survey 22.8% were of German, 13.2% Irish, 12.5% English and 5.6% Polish ancestry. 88.2% spoke only English, while 3.9% spoke Asian languages and 3.8% Spanish at home.

As of the 2000 Census, there were 108,593 households, out of which 29.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.00% were married couples living together, 12.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.30% were non-families. 30.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the county, 23.40% of the population was under the age of 18, 18.50% was from 18 to 24, 28.60% from 25 to 44, 20.10% from 45 to 64, and 9.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $40,774, and the median income for a family was $53,063. Males had a median income of $40,335 versus $30,178 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,079. About 8.30% of families and 14.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.60% of those under age 18 and 6.60% of those age 65 or over.

Government[edit]

For most of the 20th century, Ingham County was rather conservative for an urban county. From 1900 to 1988, it voted Republican all but three times, in the national Democratic landslides of 1932, 1936 and 1964.

However, the Republican edge narrowed in the 1980s, and the county has gone Democratic at every election since 1992. In recent years, only Wayne County has been more Democratic.

United States presidential election results for Ingham County, Michigan[11]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 47,639 32.96% 94,212 65.18% 2,699 1.87%
2016 43,868 33.20% 79,110 59.87% 9,157 6.93%
2012 45,306 35.31% 80,847 63.01% 2,157 1.68%
2008 46,483 32.50% 93,994 65.72% 2,549 1.78%
2004 54,734 41.14% 76,877 57.78% 1,442 1.08%
2000 47,314 39.23% 69,231 57.41% 4,050 3.36%
1996 43,096 36.89% 63,584 54.43% 10,135 8.68%
1992 43,926 32.83% 61,596 46.04% 28,270 21.13%
1988 58,363 50.56% 55,984 48.50% 1,088 0.94%
1984 68,753 59.23% 46,411 39.98% 919 0.79%
1980 56,777 45.19% 48,278 38.43% 20,576 16.38%
1976 66,729 55.92% 47,890 40.13% 4,708 3.95%
1972 63,376 53.60% 53,458 45.21% 1,409 1.19%
1968 46,805 51.46% 37,362 41.08% 6,786 7.46%
1964 32,965 37.97% 53,685 61.83% 179 0.21%
1960 54,655 62.89% 32,043 36.87% 209 0.24%
1956 55,211 66.80% 27,323 33.06% 120 0.15%
1952 51,503 67.62% 24,125 31.68% 533 0.70%
1948 31,868 60.61% 19,366 36.83% 1,341 2.55%
1944 34,255 58.74% 23,655 40.57% 403 0.69%
1940 32,565 56.75% 24,375 42.48% 442 0.77%
1936 19,434 40.23% 27,086 56.06% 1,793 3.71%
1932 21,044 47.24% 22,370 50.22% 1,131 2.54%
1928 29,383 78.90% 7,654 20.55% 206 0.55%
1924 28,005 81.16% 4,814 13.95% 1,686 4.89%
1920 18,437 69.63% 7,061 26.67% 982 3.71%
1916 7,846 47.76% 7,664 46.65% 917 5.58%
1912 3,515 26.71% 3,915 29.75% 5,729 43.54%
1908 6,723 53.69% 5,016 40.06% 782 6.25%
1904 6,817 60.55% 3,871 34.38% 571 5.07%
1900 5,350 49.60% 5,104 47.32% 333 3.09%
1896 4,958 45.43% 5,691 52.14% 265 2.43%
1892 4,341 44.08% 4,061 41.23% 1,447 14.69%
1888 4,547 45.71% 4,782 48.07% 619 6.22%
1884 3,709 42.36% 4,562 52.11% 484 5.53%

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 14-member county board of commissioners controls the budget, but has only limited authority to make laws or ordinances due to Michigan's large devolution of local power to cities, villages, and townships. The county board of commissioners also hires a county administrator/controller who serves as the chief fiscal and administrative officer of the county.

Elected officials[edit]

County Board of Commissioners[edit]

15 members, elected from districts (12 Democrats, 3 Republicans)

District Commissioner Party
1 Randy Maiville, Vice Chair Pro Tem Rep
2 Karla Ruest Rep
3 Chris Trubac, Vice Chair Dem
4 Todd Tennis Dem
5 Myles Johnson Dem
6 Victor Celentino Dem
7 Thomas Morgan Dem
8 Robert Peña Dem
9 Ryan Sebolt, Chair Dem
10 Gabrielle Lawrence Dem
11 Mark Grebner Dem
12 Irene Cahill Dem
13 Simar Pawar[c] Dem
14 Mark Polsdofer Dem
15 Monica Schafer Rep

55th Judicial District Court[edit]

2 judges (non-partisan)

  • Judge Donald Allen, Jr.
  • Judge Richard Hillman

30th Judicial Circuit Court[edit]

9 judges (non-partisan)

  • General Trial Division
    • Judge Joyce Draganchuk, Chief Circuit Judge
    • Judge Rosemarie Aquilina
    • Judge James Jamo
    • Judge Wanda Stokes
  • Family Division
    • Judge Lisa McCormick, Presiding Judge
    • Judge Shauna Dunnings, Chief Circuit & Probate Judge Pro Tempore
    • Judge Richard Garcia, Judge of Probate
    • Judge Carol Koenig
    • Judge Morgan E. Cole

Transportation[edit]

Air service[edit]

Rail service[edit]

Bus service[edit]

Highways[edit]

Recreational[edit]

Communities[edit]

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

Cities[edit]

Villages[edit]

Charter townships[edit]

Civil townships[edit]

Former townships[edit]

Census-designated places[edit]

Other unincorporated communities[edit]

Education[edit]

School districts include
[13]

The Michigan School for the Blind, a state-operated school, was formerly in Lansing.

Michigan State University is in the county.

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Appointed Dec 31, 2022
  2. ^ Appointed Apr 5, 2022
  3. ^ Appointed Jan 25, 2023

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d "Bibliography on Ingham County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  2. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States 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. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved September 25, 2014.
  5. ^ "Hiking Trails, Mountain Bike Trails & Trail Maps - Trails.com". mountainzone.com.
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States 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". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 25, 2014.
  9. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved September 25, 2014.
  10. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  11. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  12. ^ Romig, Walter (1986). Michigan Place Names. Detroit: Wayne State University Press. p. 84. ISBN 978-0-8143-1838-6 – via Google Books.
  13. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Ingham County, MI" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 20, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022. - Text list

External links[edit]

42°36′N 84°22′W / 42.60°N 84.37°W / 42.60; -84.37