Kalkaska County, Michigan
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Image:Map of Michigan highlighting Kalkaska County.png
Kalkaska County is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of 2000, the population is 16,571. Its county seat is Kalkaska6.
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Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,478 km² (571 mi²). 1,453 km² (561 mi²) of it is land and 25 km² (10 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.71% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 16,571 people, 6,428 households, and 4,634 families residing in the county. The population density is 11/km² (30/mi²). There are 10,822 housing units at an average density of 7/km² (19/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 97.54% White, 0.21% Black or African American, 0.78% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.10% from other races, and 1.10% from two or more races. 0.86% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 6,428 households out of which 31.70% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.60% are married couples living together, 9.00% have a female householder with no husband present, and 27.90% are non-families. 22.30% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.20% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.55 and the average family size is 2.95.
In the county the population is spread out with 25.60% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 28.60% from 25 to 44, 24.50% from 45 to 64, and 13.70% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 101.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 98.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $36,072, and the median income for a family is $39,932. Males have a median income of $31,860 versus $20,455 for females. The per capita income for the county is $16,309. 10.50% of the population and 8.20% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 14.20% of those under the age of 18 and 7.00% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
History
The first settler in Kalkaska County was an Englishman named William Copeland, who purchased land in the northwest corner of the county in 1855. The county was originally called Wabasee. The name Kalkaska is thought to be a Chippewa word meaning flat or burned-over country. Logging was the first important industry.
The discovery of substantial deposits of oil and natural gas resulted in the contruction of a processing plant by Shell Oil in 1973 and a major economic boom in the community.
Cities, villages, and townships
- Bear Lake Township
- Blue Lake Township
- Boardman Township
- Clearwater Township
- Coldsprings Township
- Excelsior Township
- Garfield Township
- Kalkaska Township
- Kalkaska, village
- Oliver Township
- Orange Township
- Rapid River Township
- Springfield Township
External links
- Kalkaska County entry on MIGenWeb (http://www.grandtraverseregion.com/kalkaska/)
Further reading
Kalkaska Genealogical Society: Big Trout, Black Gold: History of Kalkaska County, Michigan. nd.
