Lapeer County, Michigan

Infobox U.S. County
county = Lapeer County
state = Michigan




map size = 200
founded = September 18, 1822 [http://www.county.lapeer.org/History/lchistory.html]
seat = Lapeer | area_total_sq_mi =663
area_water_sq_mi =9
area percentage = 1.34%
census yr = 2000
pop = 87904
density_km2 =52
web = www.county.lapeer.org
|

Lapeer County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the population was 87,904, a 2007 Census Bureau estimate placing the population at 92,012. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, it is part of Metro Detroit. The county seat is LapeerGR|6. The county was created on September 18, 1822, and was fully organized on February 2, 1835. The name is an Americanization of the French "la pierre", which means 'flint' or 'flint stone'. [ [http://www.michigan.gov/hal/0,1607,7-160-15481_20826_20829-54126--,00.html#lake Michigan county names per Michigan Arts and History.] ] List of Michigan county name etymologies.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 663 square miles (1,717 km²), of which, 654 square miles (1,694 km²) of it is land and 9 square miles (23 km²) of it (1.34%) is water. Lapeer County's geography is very similar to Oakland County, except Lapeer County is set in a more rural setting. Lapeer is one of the five counties that form the peninsula projecting into Lake Huron known as the Thumb, which in turn is a subregion of the Flint/Tri-Cities.

Major Highways

Interstates

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Michigan State Trunklines

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Adjacent counties

*Sanilac County (northeast)
*Tuscola County (northwest)
*St. Clair County (east)
*Genesee County (west)
*Macomb County (southeast)
*Oakland County (southwest)

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 87,904 people, 30,729 households, and 23,876 families residing in the county. The population density was 134 people per square mile (52/km²). There were 32,732 housing units at an average density of 50 per square mile (19/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.17% White, 0.82% Black or African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.07% from other races, and 1.16% from two or more races. 3.11% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 24.2% were of German, 11.8% English, 9.7% American, 9.6% Irish and 9.4% Polish ancestry according to Census 2000. 95.9% spoke English and 2.6% Spanish as their first language.

By 2005 non-Hispanic whites constituted 93.8% of the county population. African Americans were now 1.1% of the population. Asians were 0.5% of the population and Latinos were 3.6% of the population. By 2006 the county population had risen to 93,761. [ [http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/26/26087.html Lapeer County QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau ] ]

In 2000 There were 30,729 households out of which 38.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.70% were married couples living together, 8.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.30% were non-families. 18.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.19.

In the county the population was spread out with 28.00% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 31.00% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 9.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 102.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $51,717, and the median income for a family was $57,817. Males had a median income of $47,506 versus $26,385 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,462. About 3.80% of families and 5.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.70% of those under age 18 and 7.50% of those age 65 or over.

Historical markers

There are 13 historical markers scattered around the county: [ [http://www.michmarkers.com/Frameset.htm Michigan Historical Markers] ]
* Colubiaville Depot
* Currier House
* Dryden Depot
* General Squier Park
* Grand Trunk Depot / Imlay City
* Henry Stephens Memorial Library
* Ladies Library Hall
* Lapeer County
* Lapeer Public Library
* Pioneer Bank
* St. Patrick's Church Clifford
* United Methodist Church Columbiaville
* William Peter Mansion

Government

The county government operates the jail, maintains rural roads, operates themajor local courts, keeps files of deeds and mortgages, maintains vital records, administers
public health regulations, runs [http://www.lapeercountyparks.org county parks] , and participates with the state in the provision of welfare andother social services. The county board of commissioners controls thebudget but has only limited authority to make laws or ordinances. In Michigan, most localgovernment functions — police and fire, building and zoning, tax assessment, streetmaintenance, etc. — are the responsibility of individual cities, villages, and townships.

Lapeer County elected officials

* Prosecuting Attorney: Byron J. Konschuh
* Sheriff: Ron Kalanquin
* County Clerk: Marlene M. Bruns
* County Treasurer: Sally W. Eilersen
* Register of Deeds: Melissa DeVaugh
* Drain Commissioner: John E. Cosens
* County Surveyor: Ray Davis
* Road Commissioners: Douglas Hodge; Dale Duckert; Joe Suma

(information as of September 2005)

Cities, villages, and townships

Cities
*Brown City (Partial - mostly located in neighboring Sanilac County)
*Imlay City
*LapeerVillages
*Almont
*Clifford
*Columbiaville
*Dryden
*Hadley
*Metamora
*North Branch
*Otter LakeUnincorporated
*Barnes Lake-Millers Lake

Townships
*Almont Township
*Arcadia Township
*Attica Township
*Burlington Township
*Burnside Township
*Deerfield Township
*Dryden Township
*Elba Township
*Goodland Township
*Hadley Township
*Imlay Township
*Lapeer Township
*Marathon Township
*Mayfield Township
*Metamora Township
*North Branch Township
*Oregon Township
*Rich Township

Notes

Bibliography and further reading

* [http://www.clarke.cmich.edu/localhistory/Lapeer.htm Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University, Bibliography on Lapeer County]