Luce County, Michigan

Luce County
County
Luce County Courthouse in Newberry
Luce County Courthouse in Newberry
Map of Michigan highlighting Luce County
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Map of the United States highlighting Michigan
Michigan's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 46°17′N 85°20′W / 46.28°N 85.33°W / 46.28; -85.33
Country United States
State Michigan
Founded1887[1]
Named forCyrus G. Luce
SeatNewberry
Largest villageNewberry
Area
 • Total1,912 sq mi (4,950 km2)
 • Land899 sq mi (2,330 km2)
 • Water1,013 sq mi (2,620 km2)  53%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total5,339
 • Density7.4/sq mi (2.9/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitewww.lucecountymi.com

Luce County (/luːs/ LOOS) is a county located in the Upper Peninsula in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the population was 5,339,[2] making it the second-least populous county in Michigan (behind Keweenaw County). The county seat is Newberry, Luce County's only incorporated community.[3] The county was set off and organized in 1887 and named after former Michigan Governor Cyrus G. Luce.[1]

In 2002, Newberry was designated as the moose capital of Michigan by the state legislature.[4]

Luce County is served by The Newberry News, a weekly community newspaper that began in 1886.

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,912 sq mi (4,950 km2), of which 899 sq mi (2,330 km2) is land and 1,013 sq mi (2,620 km2) (53%) is water.[5] Luce County is part of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It has a northern border with Canada across Lake Superior.

McMillan Township, the largest municipality in Michigan by land area (at 588.78 square miles (1,524.9 km2) of total land area), is part of Luce County.

Major highways

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Airport

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Luce County Airport (KERY), provides service for the county and surrounding communities.

Adjacent counties

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Communities

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U.S. Census data map showing local municipal boundaries within Luce County.

Village

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Civil townships

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Unincorporated communities

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Indian reservations

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18902,455—
19002,98321.5%
19104,00434.2%
19206,14953.6%
19306,5286.2%
19407,42313.7%
19508,1479.8%
19607,827−3.9%
19706,789−13.3%
19806,659−1.9%
19905,763−13.5%
20007,02421.9%
20106,631−5.6%
20205,339−19.5%
2023 (est.)6,435[6]20.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2018[2]

The 2010 census indicated Luce County had a population of 6,631.[11] This is a decrease of 393 people from the 2000 United States census. This is a -5.6% change in population. In 2010 there were 2,412 households and 1,542 families residing in the county. The population density was 7 people per square mile (2.7 people/km2). There were 4,343 housing units at an average density of 5 per square mile (1.9/km2). In 2020, its population was 5,339.[2]

At the 2010 census, the racial makeup of the county was 80.4% White, 11.1% Black or African American, 5.0% Native American, 0.3% Asian and 3.1% of two or more races; of them, 1.2% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). In 2010 among its population, 14.5% were of German, 7.6% French, French Canadian or Cajun, 7.4% Irish, 6.8% English, 6.3% American and 5.5% Finnish ancestry.[12] At the 2022 American Community Survey, its racial makeup was 87.6% non-Hispanic white, 1% Black or African American, 6.9% Native American, 0.2% Asian American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 4.2% multiracial, and 2% Hispanic or Latino of any race.[2]

There were 2,412 households, out of which 24.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.2% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.1% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.77. In the county, the population was spread out, with 17.9% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 29.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. The population was 57.7% male and 42.3% female.

In 2010, the median income for a household in the county was $42,083, and the median income for a family was $49,948. The per capita income for the county was $18,294. About 12.6% of families and 16.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.7% of those under age 18 and 12.5% of those age 65 or over. From 2017–2021, its median household income was $49,667.[2]

Religiously, the Association of Religion Data Archives in 2020 determined Christianity was the dominant religion. Roman Catholicism and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America were the largest Christian groups in the county.[13]

Government

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United States presidential election results for Luce County, Michigan[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 2,109 70.14% 842 28.00% 56 1.86%
2016 1,756 67.77% 681 26.28% 154 5.94%
2012 1,580 60.86% 991 38.17% 25 0.96%
2008 1,490 54.38% 1,191 43.47% 59 2.15%
2004 1,749 61.82% 1,045 36.94% 35 1.24%
2000 1,480 58.36% 956 37.70% 100 3.94%
1996 964 39.20% 1,107 45.02% 388 15.78%
1992 958 36.80% 972 37.34% 673 25.85%
1988 1,528 63.22% 864 35.75% 25 1.03%
1984 1,715 66.97% 833 32.53% 13 0.51%
1980 1,659 57.56% 992 34.42% 231 8.02%
1976 1,379 55.27% 1,099 44.05% 17 0.68%
1972 1,579 63.49% 862 34.66% 46 1.85%
1968 1,351 58.33% 855 36.92% 110 4.75%
1964 871 37.37% 1,459 62.59% 1 0.04%
1960 1,534 64.94% 828 35.06% 0 0.00%
1956 1,734 72.55% 651 27.24% 5 0.21%
1952 1,603 74.25% 553 25.61% 3 0.14%
1948 1,273 67.46% 570 30.21% 44 2.33%
1944 1,195 59.96% 790 39.64% 8 0.40%
1940 1,542 58.92% 1,069 40.85% 6 0.23%
1936 1,199 47.67% 1,297 51.57% 19 0.76%
1932 1,259 56.33% 928 41.52% 48 2.15%
1928 1,466 80.24% 350 19.16% 11 0.60%
1924 850 80.65% 112 10.63% 92 8.73%
1920 708 76.54% 187 20.22% 30 3.24%
1916 527 65.30% 257 31.85% 23 2.85%
1912 234 37.38% 102 16.29% 290 46.33%
1908 354 70.66% 108 21.56% 39 7.78%
1904 364 80.89% 63 14.00% 23 5.11%
1900 405 70.31% 159 27.60% 12 2.08%
1896 358 57.01% 236 37.58% 34 5.41%
1892 234 55.45% 160 37.91% 28 6.64%
1888 212 53.54% 172 43.43% 12 3.03%

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.

Elected officials

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(information as of March 2024)[15]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Bibliography on Luce County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Retrieved July 17, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ "Newberry, Official Moose Capital of Michigan". Retrieved July 17, 2013.
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved September 26, 2014.
  6. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 26, 2014.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 26, 2014.
  9. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 26, 2014.
  10. ^ "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 26, 2014.
  11. ^ "U.S. Census website". Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  12. ^ Data Access and Dissemination Systems (DADS). "U.S. Census website". census.gov.
  13. ^ "Congregational Membership Reports | US Religion". www.thearda.com. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  14. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
  15. ^ "Luce County Official Website". Retrieved July 17, 2013.

Bibliography

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46°17′N 85°20′W / 46.28°N 85.33°W / 46.28; -85.33

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