Meridian Charter Township, Ingham County, Michigan

Ingham County, Michigan

Ingham County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. The 2000 census recorded its population at 279,320; with the 2007 Census Bureau estimate placing the population at 279,295. The county seat is Mason. Lansing, the state capital of Michigan, is also within the county. Lansing is the only state capital in the nation that is not also a county seat. About 79% of the couty's population is in Lansing and East Lansing.

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.

The county is named for Samuel D. Ingham, the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury under President Andrew Jackson, making Ingham one of the so-called Cabinet counties.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 561 square miles (1,453 km²), of which, 559 square miles (1,448 km²) of it is land and 2 square miles (5 km²) of it (0.31%) is water.

The county consists of gently rolling hills with an elevation ranging between 800 to 1000 feet above sea level. 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.

Major highways

Interstates

I-96
I-496
I-69 Business Loop serves the cities of Lansing and East Lansing.
I-96 Business Loop serves the city of Lansing.

US highways

US-127

Michigan State Trunklines

Adjacent counties

Shiawassee County (northeast)
Livingston County (east)
Washtenaw County (southeast)
Jackson County (south)
Eaton County (west)
Clinton County (northwest)

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 279,320 people, 108,593 households, and 63,744 families residing in the county. The population density was 500 people per square mile (193/km²). There were 115,056 housing units at an average density of 206 per square mile (79/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 79.46% White, 10.86% Black or African American, 0.55% Native American, 3.68% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 2.42% from other races, and 2.99% from two or more races. 5.80% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 18.7% were of German, 10.1% English, 8.4% Irish and 6.4% American ancestry according to Census 2000. 90.0% spoke English and 3.8% Spanish as their first language.

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 the population was spread out with 23.40% under the age of 18, 18.50% 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

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 16-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.

Ingham County Elected Officials

Prosecuting Attorney: Stuart Dunnings III (Democrat)
Sheriff: Gene Wrigglesworth (Democrat)
County Clerk: Mike Bryanton (Democrat)
Register of Deeds: Paula Johnson (Democrat)
County Treasurer: Eric Schertzing (Democrat)
Drain Commissioner: Patrick Lindemann (Democrat)
County Commission or Board of Commissioners: 16 members, elected from districts (13 Democrats, 3 Republicans)