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Lapeer County | |
|---|---|
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 Location within the U.S. state ofMichigan | |
 Michigan's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:43°05′N83°13′W / 43.09°N 83.22°W /43.09; -83.22 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Michigan |
| Founded | September 18, 1822 (created) February 2, 1835 (organized)[1][2] |
| Seat | Lapeer |
| Largest city | Lapeer |
| Area | |
• Total | 663 sq mi (1,720 km2) |
| • Land | 643 sq mi (1,670 km2) |
| • Water | 20 sq mi (50 km2) 3.0% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 88,619 |
| • Density | 137/sq mi (53/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 9th |
| Website | www |
Lapeer County (/ləˈpɪər/lə-PEER) is acounty located in theU.S. state ofMichigan. As of the2020 Census, the population was 88,619.[3] Thecounty seat isLapeer.[4] The county was created on September 18, 1822, and was fully organized on February 2, 1835. The name is acorruption of the Frenchla pierre, which means "the stone".[5] Lapeer County is located north ofDetroit and east ofFlint.
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Lapeer County was part ofNew France from 1534. As New France gained in population, this area was considered part of the Pays d'en Haut (upper countries) dependency of theColony of Canada, from its formation as a department of New France in 1712. In 1763 England took possession of all French territory in North America east of the Mississippi River after winning theSeven Years' War. It renamed the colony and its dependencies as theProvince of Quebec. France and England had controlled trading with First Nations in this area by establishing forts as a place for gathering and trading, and to settle disputes and enforce laws. They used the ancient overland and waterborne trade routes of the First Nations, while providing superior tools and weapons in exchange for valuable furs.
Following theAmerican Revolution,Great Britain ceded portions of the Province of Quebec to the newly independent United States of America. By an ordinance of the Congress of the United States passed on July 13, 1787, under theArticles of Confederation, the whole of the territory of the United States lying northwest of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi River, though still occupied by theBritish, was organized as theNorthwest Territory.[6] The area that is now Lapeer County used to be a part of the County of Wayne, named in the honor of GeneralAnthony Wayne. This originalWayne County was created on August 11, 1796; very large, it included all of the lower peninsula of Michigan, parts of NorthernOhio andIndiana, and also portions of Wisconsin and Illinois. As population increased in the area, new counties were organized in this territory.
What is now Lapeer County, on May 7, 1800, was considered part of theTerritory of Indiana, which included all of the lower peninsula of Michigan. After Ohio and Indiana became states, theTerritory of Michigan was formed. In 1807 local Indian tribes: theOttawa,Ojibwa (Chippewa),Wyandot andPotawatomi, ceded the land of Southeast Michigan to the United States in theTreaty of Detroit. They had been under pressure for some time, especially as they had been allied with the British in the Revolutionary War. They were encouraged to move west out of the area, but some remained in Michigan.
In January 1820, theCounty of Oakland was formed. On September 18, 1822, GovernorLewis Cass set Lapeer County's boundaries, although it remained a part of Oakland County until it was organized. Lapeer County officially became a county on February 2, 1835. The first recorded elections for county officers, with 520 people voting, occurred in 1837.
The first European-American settler in Lapeer wasAlvin N. Hart, who was born inCornwall, Connecticut on February 11, 1804. He came to Lapeer in 1831 and platted theVillage of Lapeer on November 8, 1833.[6] The plat was registered inPontiac, December 14, 1833, in Oakland County's Associate Judge Bagley's court. Alvin Hart became a state senator in 1843, representing Lapeer, Oakland, Genesee, Shiawassee, Tuscola, Saginaw counties and the entire Upper Peninsula. He was instrumental in having the state capital moved fromDetroit toLansing.
On March 9, 1843, a column of townships was removed from westernmost Lapeer County and annexed to Genesee County. From north to south, the townships wereForest,Richfield,Davison andAtlas.[7]
Lumber was the principal industry of the Lapeer County area from the 1830s until 1870. Lumber was in demand with development throughout the Midwest. In addition there was the expectation that clearing much of the county's forests would attract farmers as settlers. Lapeer's economy shifted to become primarily agriculturally based.
On October 26, 2010, Lapeer became a founding member of theKaregnondi Water Authority.[8]
Fifteen historical markers have been installed throughout Lapeer County commemorating sites and structures of interest:[9]
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 663 square miles (1,720 km2), of which 643 square miles (1,670 km2) is land and 20 square miles (52 km2) (3.0%) is water.[10] Lapeer County's geography is very similar toOakland County, except Lapeer County is more rural. Lapeer is one of the five counties that form the peninsula projecting intoLake Huron known asThe Thumb, which in turn is a sub-region ofMid Michigan.
The headwaters of theFlint River are inColumbiaville. It flows through the county towardGenesee. The City of Lapeer straddles it course.
I-69 runs east and west through the county
M-24 runs north and south through the western part of the county, including the city of Lapeer
M-53 runs north and south through the eastern part of the county, including Imlay City
M-90 runs east and west through the county, including the city of North Branch| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1840 | 4,265 | — | |
| 1850 | 7,029 | 64.8% | |
| 1860 | 14,754 | 109.9% | |
| 1870 | 21,345 | 44.7% | |
| 1880 | 30,138 | 41.2% | |
| 1890 | 29,213 | −3.1% | |
| 1900 | 27,641 | −5.4% | |
| 1910 | 26,033 | −5.8% | |
| 1920 | 25,782 | −1.0% | |
| 1930 | 28,348 | 10.0% | |
| 1940 | 32,116 | 13.3% | |
| 1950 | 35,794 | 11.5% | |
| 1960 | 41,926 | 17.1% | |
| 1970 | 52,317 | 24.8% | |
| 1980 | 70,038 | 33.9% | |
| 1990 | 74,768 | 6.8% | |
| 2000 | 87,904 | 17.6% | |
| 2010 | 88,319 | 0.5% | |
| 2020 | 88,619 | 0.3% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 88,977 | [11] | 0.4% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[12] 1790-1960[13] 1900-1990[14] 1990-2000[15] 2010-2018[3] | |||
As of the2010 United States Census, there were 88,319 people living in the county. 95.5% wereWhite, 1.0%Black or African American, 0.5%Native American, 0.3%Asian, 1.2% of some other race and 1.4%of two or more races. 4.1% wereHispanic or Latino (of any race). 23.9% were ofGerman, 10.9%English, 10.4%Irish, 8.6%Polish, 7.3%American and 5.2%French,French Canadian orCajun ancestry.[16]
As of thecensus[17] of 2000, there were 87,904 people, 30,729 households, and 23,876 families living in the county. The population density was 134 inhabitants per square mile (52/km2). There were 32,732 housing units at an average density of 50 per square mile (19/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.17%White, 0.82%Black orAfrican American, 0.38%Native American, 0.39%Asian, 0.01%Pacific Islander, 1.07% fromother races, and 1.16% from two or more races. 3.11% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race. 24.2% were ofGerman, 11.8%English, 9.7%American, 9.6%Irish and 9.4%Polish ancestry, 95.9% spokeEnglish and 2.6%Spanish as their first language.
In 2000, there were 30,729 households, of which 38.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.70% weremarried couples living together, 8.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.30% were non-families. 18.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.19.
The county's population was spread out in terms of age, with 28.00% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 31.00% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 9.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $51,717, and the median income for a family was $57,817. Males had a median income of $47,506 versus $26,385 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $21,462. About 3.80% of families and 5.40% of the population lived below thepoverty line, including 5.70% of those under age 18 and 7.50% of those age 65 or over.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 38,398 | 69.18% | 16,338 | 29.43% | 772 | 1.39% |
| 2020 | 35,482 | 67.29% | 16,367 | 31.04% | 883 | 1.67% |
| 2016 | 30,037 | 66.48% | 12,734 | 28.18% | 2,412 | 5.34% |
| 2012 | 23,734 | 55.05% | 18,796 | 43.60% | 585 | 1.36% |
| 2008 | 22,831 | 50.33% | 21,457 | 47.30% | 1,074 | 2.37% |
| 2004 | 25,556 | 57.89% | 18,086 | 40.97% | 505 | 1.14% |
| 2000 | 20,351 | 54.66% | 15,749 | 42.30% | 1,134 | 3.05% |
| 1996 | 13,369 | 40.71% | 14,308 | 43.57% | 5,164 | 15.72% |
| 1992 | 12,326 | 35.13% | 11,982 | 34.15% | 10,776 | 30.71% |
| 1988 | 16,670 | 60.19% | 10,736 | 38.76% | 291 | 1.05% |
| 1984 | 19,222 | 70.67% | 7,800 | 28.68% | 178 | 0.65% |
| 1980 | 15,996 | 56.99% | 9,671 | 34.45% | 2,402 | 8.56% |
| 1976 | 12,349 | 55.59% | 9,503 | 42.78% | 363 | 1.63% |
| 1972 | 11,615 | 66.02% | 5,531 | 31.44% | 446 | 2.54% |
| 1968 | 8,866 | 54.85% | 5,199 | 32.17% | 2,098 | 12.98% |
| 1964 | 6,012 | 41.11% | 8,595 | 58.77% | 17 | 0.12% |
| 1960 | 10,450 | 67.13% | 5,099 | 32.76% | 18 | 0.12% |
| 1956 | 10,527 | 72.81% | 3,913 | 27.06% | 19 | 0.13% |
| 1952 | 9,940 | 72.79% | 3,644 | 26.68% | 72 | 0.53% |
| 1948 | 8,358 | 62.85% | 4,668 | 35.10% | 272 | 2.05% |
| 1944 | 7,769 | 71.80% | 3,002 | 27.74% | 50 | 0.46% |
| 1940 | 7,714 | 69.85% | 3,299 | 29.87% | 31 | 0.28% |
| 1936 | 5,081 | 54.26% | 3,868 | 41.31% | 415 | 4.43% |
| 1932 | 4,882 | 51.87% | 4,315 | 45.85% | 215 | 2.28% |
| 1928 | 6,514 | 82.80% | 1,312 | 16.68% | 41 | 0.52% |
| 1924 | 6,297 | 83.65% | 929 | 12.34% | 302 | 4.01% |
| 1920 | 5,523 | 78.61% | 1,298 | 18.47% | 205 | 2.92% |
| 1916 | 3,345 | 61.77% | 1,937 | 35.77% | 133 | 2.46% |
| 1912 | 1,728 | 32.09% | 1,200 | 22.28% | 2,457 | 45.63% |
| 1908 | 3,426 | 63.49% | 1,644 | 30.47% | 326 | 6.04% |
| 1904 | 3,917 | 68.96% | 1,519 | 26.74% | 244 | 4.30% |
| 1900 | 3,706 | 59.71% | 2,208 | 35.57% | 293 | 4.72% |
| 1896 | 3,809 | 53.63% | 3,065 | 43.15% | 229 | 3.22% |
| 1892 | 3,126 | 49.11% | 2,698 | 42.39% | 541 | 8.50% |
| 1888 | 3,662 | 53.36% | 2,914 | 42.46% | 287 | 4.18% |
| 1884 | 3,062 | 50.15% | 2,741 | 44.89% | 303 | 4.96% |
The county government operates thejail, maintains rural roads, operates the major local courts, keeps files of deeds and mortgages, maintainsvital records, administerspublic health regulations, runs county parks, and participates with the state in the provision of welfare and other social services. Thecounty 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, villages, and townships.
7 members, elected from districts (1 Democrat, 6 Republicans)[20]
| District | Commissioner | Party | District's Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cheryl Clark (Vice-chairman) | Democratic | Townships of Marathon, Oregon and portion of Elba |
| 2 | Dyle Henning | Republican | Townships of Rich, Deerfield and portion of Mayfield |
| 3 | Gary Roy (chairman) | Republican | Townships of Arcadia, Burlington, Burnside, Goodland and North Branch |
| 4 | Lenny Schneider | Republican | City of Lapeer and portions of Lapeer and Mayfield Townships |
| 5 | Dave Eady | Republican | Townships of Hadley, Metamora and portion of Elba |
| 6 | Linda Jarvis | Republican | Townships of Attica, Dryden and portion of Lapeer |
| 7 | Ian Kempf | Republican | Imlay City and Townships of Almont and Imlay |
Places adjacent to Lapeer County, Michigan | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities ofLapeer County, Michigan,United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
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| Civil townships | ||
| CDPs | ||
| Other communities | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
Central/Mid-Michigan including the Tri-Cities and Thumb | |||||||
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| Topics | .jpg) | |
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| Detroit | ||
| Municipalities over 80,000 | ||
| Municipalities 40,000 to 80,000 | ||
| Cultural enclaves | ||
| Satellite cities | ||
| Counties in MSA | ||
| Counties in CSA | ||
43°05′N83°13′W / 43.09°N 83.22°W /43.09; -83.22
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