Newaygo County, Michigan Totally Explained

Everything about Newaygo County totally explained

Newaygo County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is part of the Grand Rapids–Wyoming, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the population was 47,874. The county seat is White Cloud. Newaygo County was either named for an Ojibwe leader who signed the Saginaw Treaty of 1819 or for a Native American word meaning much water. See List of Michigan county name etymologies.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 861 square miles (2,231 km²), of which, 842 square miles (2,182 km²) of it's land and 19 square miles (49 km²) of it (2.21%) is water.
The county is considered to be part of West Michigan.
Newaygo County is considered to be part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids.

Geographic features

The county contains more than 230 natural lakes. The combined total of all the rivers and streams is longer than 350 miles.

Built at the beginning of the 20th century, there are three huge dams: Croton, Hardy and Newaygo. Hardy Dam is the largest earthen dam east of the Mississippi.

Over half of the county is in the Manistee National Forest.

The Muskegon River watershed is within this county.

Major Highways

Michigan Highways

M-20

M-37

M-82

M-120

Newaygo County Highways

B-15

B-31

B-35

B-96

Adjacent counties

Lake County (north)

Mecosta County (east)

Montcalm County (east-southeast)

Kent County (southeast)

Muskegon County (southwest)

Oceana County (west)

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 47,874 people, 17,599 households, and 12,935 families residing in the county. The population density was 57 people per square mile (22/km²). There were 23,202 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile (11/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.80% White, 1.12% Black or African American, 0.65% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.63% from other races, and 1.48% from two or more races. 3.85% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 20.5% were of German, 14.4% Dutch, 12.1% American, 9.4% English, 8.1% Irish and 5.0% Polish ancestry according to Census 2000. 95.7% spoke English and 3.2% Spanish as their first language.
   There were 17,599 households out of which 35.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.20% were married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.50% were non-families. 22.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.13.
   In the county the population was spread out with 29.10% under the age of 18, 7.40% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 12.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 99.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.20 males.
   The median income for a household in the county was $37,130, and the median income for a family was $42,498. Males had a median income of $35,549 versus $22,738 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,976. About 9.00% of families and 11.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.60% of those under age 18 and 8.50% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

An important economic activity is tourism. Secondary is a blend of agricultural and small manufacturing. There is large base of summer cottage residents. Fishermen can find many steelhead in the spring and salmon in the fall within the county's rivers and streams. Camping, hunting, cross country skiing, bicycling, birding and ORVing about in the Manistee National Forest.

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.

Newaygo County elected officials

Prosecuting Attorney: Chrystal Roach

Sheriff: Michael S. Mercer

County Clerk: Laurel J. Breuker

County Treasurer: Holly Moon

Drain Commissioner: Cynthia J. Sullivan

County Surveyor: Norman L. Ochs (information as of September 2005)

Cities, villages, and townships

Bitely, unincorporated community

Bridgeton Township

Brooks Township

Brunswick unincorporated community

Fremont, city

Grant, city

Hesperia, village (partially)

Newaygo, city

Riverview, unincorporated community

Sheridan Charter Township

Sherman Township

Troy Township

White Cloud, city

Wilcox Township Further Information

Get more info on 'Newaygo County'.

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