Mason County, Michigan


Mason County is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 29,052. The county seat is Ludington.
Mason County comprises the Ludington, MI Micropolitan Statistical Area.
WWW Official Site

History

Image:1842 Manistee Kawtawwabet Missaukee Mickenauk Ogemaw Kanotin Notipeskago Aishcum Unwattin Kaykakee Gladwin Arenac counties Michigan.jpg|thumb|A detail from A New Map of Michigan with its Canals, Roads & Distances by Henry Schenck Tanner, showing Mason County as "Notipeskago" Several nearby counties are also shown with names that would later be changed.
The county is named for Stevens T. Mason, Governor of Michigan from 1835 to 1840. It was created by the Michigan Legislature in 1840 as Notipekago County, then renamed Mason County in 1843. The county was administered by Ottawa County prior to the organization of county government in 1855.

Geography

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and is water.

Major highways

  • – runs east–west through central part of county. Runs from Ludington through Amber, Scottville, Custer, and Branch.
  • – enters Mason County at east of SW corner; runs north to intersect US-10 near Ludington. Runs concurrent with US-10 east for, then runs north. Exits county at east of NW corner of county.
  • – runs NW from Ludington along shoreline of Lake Michigan to Ludington State Park.
  • is a business spur running east of Ludington.

U.S. Bicycle Routes

Adjacent counties

By land
By water

National protected area

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 29,052 and a median age of 47.6 years. 19.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 25.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 98.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 96.8 males age 18 and over.
The racial makeup of the county was 91.1% White, 0.6% Black or African American, 0.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.4% from some other race, and 5.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 4.4% of the population.
40.9% of residents lived in urban areas, while 59.1% lived in rural areas.
There were 12,319 households in the county, of which 24.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 50.2% were married-couple households, 18.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 23.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 29.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 17,392 housing units, of which 29.2% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 78.1% were owner-occupied and 21.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 11.8%.

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census, there were 28,274 people, 11,406 households, and 7,881 families in the county. The population density was. There were 16,063 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the county was 95.84% White, 0.73% Black or African American, 0.78% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.82% from other races, and 1.53% from two or more races. 3.01% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 24.5% were of German, 10.4% Polish, 8.8% English, 8.5% Irish, 7.7% American and 5.0% Swedish ancestry. 96.0% spoke only English, while 2.2% spoke Spanish at home.
There were 11,406 households, out of which 29.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.40% were married couples living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.90% were non-families. 26.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.92.
The county population contained 24.20% under the age of 18, 7.10% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 25 to 44, 25.80% from 45 to 64, and 16.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 97.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $34,704, and the median income for a family was $41,654. Males had a median income of $33,873 versus $22,616 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,713. About 8.20% of families and 11.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.50% of those under age 18 and 7.00% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Mason County has usually voted Republican in national elections. Since 1884, the county's voters have selected the Republican Party nominee in 83% of the national elections through 2024.
Mason 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

Communities

Cities

Villages

Charter township

Civil townships

Unincorporated communities

Indian reservation

Education

The West Shore Educational Service District, based in Ludington, services the districts in the county along with those of Lake and Oceana. The intermediate school district offers regional special education and general education services, as well as technical career programs for its students.
Mason County is served by the following regular public school districts:
The county also has one charter school, the Gateway to Success Academy.
Mason County has the following private schools: