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Newaygo County, Michigan
Newago County Courthouse (White Cloud)
Newaygo County Courthouse
Seal of Newaygo County, Michigan
Seal
Map of Michigan highlighting Newaygo County
Location in the state of Michigan
Map of the U.S
Michigan's location in the U.S.
Founded 1840 (established)
1851 (organized)[1]
Seat White Cloud
Largest city Fremont
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

862 sq mi (2,233 km²)
813 sq mi (2,106 km²)
48 sq mi (124 km²), 5.6%
Population
 - (2020)
 - Density

49,978
57/sq mi (22/km²)
Congressional district 2nd
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4

Newaygo County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 49,978.[2] The county seat is White Cloud.[3] The county was created in 1840, and was organized in 1851. It was either named for an Ojibwe leader who signed the Treaty of Saginaw in 1819[1] or for an Algonquian word meaning "much water".[4]

Geography[]

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has an area of 862 square miles (2,230 km2), of which 813 square miles (2,110 km2) is land and 48 square miles (120 km2) (5.6%) is covered by water.[5] The county is considered to be part of West Michigan.

The county has more than 230 natural lakes. The combined total length of all the county's rivers and streams exceeds 350 miles (560 km). Three huge dams, Croton, Hardy, and Newaygo, were built at the beginning of the 20th century. The Hardy Dam is the largest earthen dam east of the Mississippi.[6] Over half of the county is in the Manistee National Forest.

Rivers[]

  • Muskegon River
  • Pere Marquette River
  • Rogue River
  • White River

Major highways[]

  • M-20 M-20 runs east–west through center of county. Passes Hesperia, Aetna, and White Cloud.
  • M-37 M-37 runs north–south through center of county. Passes Bitely, Brohman, White Cloud, Newaygo, Grant, and Ashland.
  • M-82 M-82 runs east–west through southern part of county. Goes through Newaygo. Ends at county line tri-point of Muskegon, Oceana, and Newaygo Counties.
  • M-120 M-120 runs the length of county's west line. Terminates in Hesperia.[7]

County designated highways[]

  • County B-96 B-96

Adjacent counties[]

National protected area[]

  • Manistee National Forest (part)

Demographics[]

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1850 510
1860 2,760 441.2%
1870 7,294 164.3%
1880 14,688 101.4%
1890 20,476 39.4%
1900 17,673 −13.7%
1910 19,220 8.8%
1920 17,378 −9.6%
1930 17,029 −2.0%
1940 19,286 13.3%
1950 21,567 11.8%
1960 24,160 12.0%
1970 27,992 15.9%
1980 34,917 24.7%
1990 38,202 9.4%
2000 47,874 25.3%
2010 48,460 1.2%
US Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2020[2]

As of the 2000 United States Census,[12] there were 47,874 people, 17,599 households, and 12,935 families 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. 21.5% were of English ancestry, 20.5% were of German ancestry, 14.4% were of Dutch ancestry, 8.1% were of Irish ancestry and 5.0% were of Polish ancestry according to the 2010 American Community Survey.[13] 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.

The county population contained 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.

Religion[]

  • The Catholic church – 3,242 members
  • The Christian Reformed Church in North America – 7 congregations and 2,056 members
  • The United Methodist Church – 7 congregations and 1,600 members
  • The Reformed Church in America – 3 congregations and 1,000 members[14]
  • The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - 1 meetinghouse in the county.[15]
  • The Seventh-day Adventist Church has only one church in Newaygo County.

Newaygo County is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids.[16]

Economy[]

Tourism is the most important economic activity in Newaygo County.[17] Secondly is a blend of agricultural and small manufacturing. International baby food manufacturer Gerber Products Company is currently the county's largest employer with approximately 1,300 employees.[18]

Newaygo County also has a large number 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 is common in the Manistee National Forest.[6]

Notable companies[]

Government[]

Newaygo County has been strongly Republican since the Civil War era. Since 1884, the Republican Party nominee has carried the county vote in 91% of the national presidential elections (31 of 34).

United States presidential election results for Newaygo County, Michigan[19]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 18,857 69.33% 7,873 28.95% 467 1.72%
2016 15,173 66.60% 6,212 27.27% 1,397 6.13%
2012 12,457 58.00% 8,728 40.64% 293 1.36%
2008 11,862 51.14% 10,790 46.52% 544 2.35%
2004 13,608 59.49% 9,057 39.60% 208 0.91%
2000 11,399 58.29% 7,677 39.25% 481 2.46%
1996 7,868 44.58% 7,614 43.14% 2,169 12.29%
1992 7,333 40.93% 6,455 36.03% 4,128 23.04%
1988 9,896 64.32% 5,389 35.03% 100 0.65%
1984 10,636 69.95% 4,496 29.57% 73 0.48%
1980 8,918 58.58% 5,236 34.40% 1,069 7.02%
1976 8,258 58.78% 5,622 40.01% 170 1.21%
1972 8,245 65.62% 3,978 31.66% 342 2.72%
1968 6,626 59.97% 3,369 30.49% 1,053 9.53%
1964 4,931 47.42% 5,457 52.48% 11 0.11%
1960 7,453 68.55% 3,404 31.31% 15 0.14%
1956 7,088 71.48% 2,808 28.32% 20 0.20%
1952 6,715 71.81% 2,541 27.17% 95 1.02%
1948 4,394 66.92% 2,027 30.87% 145 2.21%
1944 5,250 70.62% 2,156 29.00% 28 0.38%
1940 5,418 66.52% 2,693 33.06% 34 0.42%
1936 3,930 51.41% 3,288 43.01% 426 5.57%
1932 3,458 49.73% 3,275 47.10% 220 3.16%
1928 4,552 83.29% 888 16.25% 25 0.46%
1924 4,243 79.22% 720 13.44% 393 7.34%
1920 4,188 78.91% 929 17.51% 190 3.58%
1916 2,417 58.27% 1,625 39.18% 106 2.56%
1912 964 24.59% 776 19.80% 2,180 55.61%
1908 2,677 69.37% 956 24.77% 226 5.86%
1904 2,966 75.86% 790 20.20% 154 3.94%
1900 2,607 62.68% 1,424 34.24% 128 3.08%
1896 2,650 56.53% 1,943 41.45% 95 2.03%
1892 2,106 51.02% 1,531 37.09% 491 11.89%
1888 2,448 51.85% 1,932 40.92% 341 7.22%
1884 1,971 46.65% 2,051 48.54% 203 4.80%



Newaygo County operates the County jail, maintains rural roads, operates the major local courts, records deeds, mortgages, and vital records, administers public health regulations, and participates with the state in the provision of social services. The county board of commissioners controls the budget and has 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[]

  • Prosecuting Attorney: Worth Stay
  • Sheriff: Robert "Bob" Mendham
  • County Clerk: Jason VanderStelt
  • County Treasurer: Holly Moon
  • Register of Deeds:Stewart K. Sanders
  • Drain Commissioner: Dale Twing[20]

(information as of September 2018)

Festivals and events[]

  • Memorial Weekend Arts & Crafts Festival - Newaygo
  • River Country Home & Garden Show - Newaygo Middle School
  • Newaygo County Kids' Day - Downtown Newaygo
  • Trail Town Celebration - Celebrating White Clouds Trails & Waterways
  • City-Wide Yard Sales - Grant
  • Harvest Celebration - Grant
  • Harvest Festival - Fremont
  • Logging Festival - Mid-Michigan Lumberjack Competition in Newaygo
  • Bitely Homecoming - Bitely
  • National Baby Food Festival - Fremont
  • Pow Wow - White Cloud
  • Santa Parade - Fremont
  • West Michigan's Longest Yard Sale - Grant, Newaygo, White Cloud, Bitely
  • Winterfest - Newaygo
  • Christmas in Newaygo
  • Christmas in Grant
  • Christmas in White Cloud

Historic sites[]

In Newaygo County there are 16 locations that the State Historic Preservation Office has designated as historical. Two of the sixteen have been listed with the National Register of Historic Places:[21]

  • Big Prairie Grange Hall No. 935 - Goodwell Twp
  • Birch Grove School - Lincoln Twp
  • Croton Congregational Church - Croton Twp
  • Croton Hydroelectric Plant - Croton Twp
  • Ensley Windmill Tower
  • First Christian Reformed Church (Demolished) - Fremont
  • Gerber, Cornelius, Cottage - Sheridan Charter Twp
  • Grant Depot and Water Tower - Grant
  • Hardy Hydroelectric Plant - Big Prairie - Twp
  • Lilley District No. 5 School - Lilley Twp
  • Oak Grove District No. 3 Schoolhouse - Croton Twp
  • Penoyer's Sawmill - Newaygo
  • Saint Mark's Episcopal Church - Newaygo
  • Weaver, Daniel, House - Denver Twp
  • White Cloud Village Hall (Demolished) - White Cloud
  • Woods, John F., Residence - Newaygo

Communities[]

Croton dam Brian

Croton Hydroelectric Plant

Cities[]

  • Fremont
  • Grant
  • Newaygo
  • White Cloud (county seat)

Village[]

  • Hesperia (partially)

Unincorporated communities[]

  • Bitely
  • Brunswick (partially)
  • Riverview
  • Woodland Park
  • Croton

Townships[]

  • Ashland Township
  • Barton Township
  • Beaver Township
  • Big Prairie Township
  • Bridgeton Township
  • Brooks Township
  • Croton Township
  • Dayton Township
  • Denver Township
  • Ensley Township
  • Everett Township
  • Garfield Township
  • Goodwell Township
  • Grant Township
  • Home Township
  • Lilley Township
  • Lincoln Township
  • Merrill Township
  • Monroe Township
  • Norwich Township
  • Sheridan Charter Township
  • Sherman Township
  • Troy Township
  • Wilcox Township

See also[]

  • Michigan State Historic Sites in Newaygo County
  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Newaygo County

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Bibliography on Newaygo County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. https://www.cmich.edu/library/clarke/AccessMaterials/Bibliographies/MichiganLocalHistory/Pages/newaygo.aspx. 
  2. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/newaygocountymichigan/POP010220. 
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. 
  4. ^ "Michigan government on county names". http://www.michigan.gov/hal/0,1607,7-160-15481_20826_20829-54126--,00.html. 
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_26.txt. 
  6. ^ a b Newaygo County government
  7. ^ Google Inc. Google Maps (Map). Cartography by Google, Inc. 
  8. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html. 
  9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu. 
  10. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/mi190090.txt. 
  11. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". US Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf. 
  12. ^ "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov. 
  13. ^ "2010 Data Release – Data & Documentation – American Community Survey – US Census Bureau". https://www.census.gov/acs/www/data_documentation/2010_release/. 
  14. ^ "The Association of Religion Data Archives - Maps & Reports". thearda.com. http://www.thearda.com/rcms2010/r/c/26/rcms2010_26123_county_name_2010.asp. 
  15. ^ LDS.org Find a Meetinghouse (accessed 15 September 2018)
  16. ^ "Diocese of Grand Rapids MI". http://www.dioceseofgrandrapids.org/socialjustice/cathsocserv.html. 
  17. ^ Peavey, Sandra Vincent; Center, Terry Wantz Historical Research (June 2, 2014) (in en). Newaygo County: 1920-2000. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 9781439645505. https://books.google.com/books?id=8haaAwAAQBAJ&q=Tourism+is+the+most+important+economic+activity+in+Newaygo+County.&pg=PA40. 
  18. ^ Michigan Works! West Central
  19. ^ US Election Atlas
  20. ^ Newaygo County website
  21. ^ "State Historical Site Listings". http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/hso/advancematch.asp?ctype=county&cname=&cnty=Newaygo. 

External links[]

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"Bibliography on Newaygo County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. http://clarke.cmich.edu/resource_tab/bibliographies_of_clarke_library_material/michigan_local_history/county_material/newaygo.html. 

Template:West Michigan

Coordinates: 43°33′N 85°48′W / 43.55, -85.80


This page uses content from the English language Wikipedia. The original content was at Newaygo County, Michigan. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with this Familypedia wiki, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons License.
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