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Benzie County, Michigan
LightningVolt Frankfort Lighthouse
Frankfort Light
Map of Michigan highlighting Benzie County
Location in the state of Michigan
Map of the U.S
Michigan's location in the U.S.
Founded 1863 (created)
1869 (organized)[1]
Named for Betsie River
Seat Beulah
Largest city Frankfort
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

860 sq mi (2,227 km²)
320 sq mi (829 km²)
540 sq mi (1,399 km²), 63%
Population
 - (2020)
 - Density

17,970
55/sq mi (21/km²)
Congressional district 1st
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website www.benzieco.net

Benzie County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 17,970.[2] The county seat is Beulah.[3] The county was initially set off in 1863 and organized in 1869.[1][4]

The name Benzie is derived from the French la rivière aux Bec-scies, "the river of sawbills", bec-scie ("bill-saw") being a type of ducks. Americans altered the pronunciation of the river's name, which became known as the "Betsie River". A similar alteration in pronunciation produced "Benzie".[1] At 321 square miles (831 km2), Benzie County is the smallest of the 83 counties in Michigan in terms of land area.

Benzie County is part of the Traverse City Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography[]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 860 square miles (2,200 km2), of which 320 square miles (830 km2) is land and 540 square miles (1,400 km2) (63%) is water.[5] It is the smallest county in Michigan by land area.

Benzie County is located in the northwest of the Lower Peninsula, in the "little finger" position of the mitten-shaped peninsula and is considered to be part of the Northern Michigan region. Lake Michigan is to the west, Leelanau County and the Leelanau Peninsula are to the north. Grand Traverse County and Traverse City are to the east. Wexford County is to the southeast and Manistee County to the south. The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore extends into the northwest portion of the county. Crystal Lake is a prominent physical feature of the area. The Platte River rises out of a lake district around Lake Ann in the northeast of the county and flows southwest and the northwest into Big Platte Lake before emptying into Lake Michigan at Platte River Point. The Betsie River rises in neighboring Grand Traverse County, flowing southwest across the southeast corner of the county into Manistee County, where it bends northwest until just south of Benzonia where it receives the outflow of Crystal Lake and then flows mostly west through Elberta and Frankfort and into Lake Michigan.

Portions of the Pere Marquette State Forest lie within the county and offer several trails including a 10-mile (16 km) route along the Betsie River and a 5.8-mile (9.3 km) trail near Lake Ann. There are state forest campgrounds at Platte River and Lake Ann. The Betsie River State Game Area is located just east of Elberta. 50 miles (80 km) of the Betsie River is a state-designated Natural River from Grass Lake, just west of the Grand Traverse County line, to its inlet into Lake Betsie just east of Elberta. The natural and scenic richness of the area has made it a host to a variety of conservation, education, and recreation programs, including Crystalaire, the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, and others.

Major highways[]

  • US 31 US 31 enters the county from the south, passes through Benzonia and Beulah on the south end of Crystal Lake before turning to exit the county to the east.
  • M-22 M-22 traverses the western edge of the county, providing a scenic drive along the shore of Lake Michigan.
  • M-115 M-115 enters the county from the south, angling northwest, and merges with US 31 for a couple of miles until Benzonia where M-115 continues west to end in Frankfort.
  • M-168 M-168 was one of the shortest state highways in Michigan, extending 0.95 miles (1.53 km) from a junction with M-22 in downtown Elberta northwest to the former Ann Arbor Railroad ferry docks.[6]

Adjacent counties[]

By land

By water

Demographics[]

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1870 2,184
1880 3,433 57.2%
1890 5,237 52.5%
1900 9,685 84.9%
1910 10,638 9.8%
1920 6,947 −34.7%
1930 6,587 −5.2%
1940 7,800 18.4%
1950 8,306 6.5%
1960 7,834 −5.7%
1970 8,593 9.7%
1980 11,205 30.4%
1990 12,200 8.9%
2000 15,998 31.1%
2010 17,525 9.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2020[2]

As of the 2000 census,[11] there were 15,998 people, 6,500 households, and 4,595 families residing in the county. The population density was 50 people per square mile (19/km2). There were 10,312 housing units at an average density of 32 per square mile (12/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.39% White, 0.28% Black or African American, 1.59% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.39% from other races, and 1.19% from two or more races. 1.46% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 24.0% were of German, 13.5% Polish, 9.2% Irish, 7.6% American, 6.0% British and 5.0% French ancestry. 96.8% spoke English and 1.9% Spanish as a first language.

There were 6,500 households, out of which 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.2% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.30% were non-families. 24.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.4% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.4 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,350, and the median income for a family was $42,716. Males had a median income of $30,218 versus $21,730 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,524. About 4.7% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.2% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over.

Religion[]

  • It is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gaylord.[12]

Government[]

For most of its history, Benzie County has primarily supported Republican presidential candidates, with the only times they failed to carry to the county prior to 1992 being in 1912 & 1964. Starting with the 1992 election, the county has become more of a swing county, with 2012 and 2020 being the only two presidential elections it did not vote for the national winner from 1980 on as of 2020.

United States presidential election results for Benzie County, Michigan[13]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 6,601 53.83% 5,480 44.69% 181 1.48%
2016 5,539 54.16% 4,108 40.16% 581 5.68%
2012 5,075 51.26% 4,685 47.32% 141 1.42%
2008 4,687 45.47% 5,451 52.88% 171 1.66%
2004 5,284 54.04% 4,383 44.83% 111 1.14%
2000 4,172 51.68% 3,546 43.93% 354 4.39%
1996 2,856 42.09% 3,081 45.41% 848 12.50%
1992 2,438 35.58% 2,715 39.62% 1,699 24.80%
1988 3,240 56.52% 2,437 42.52% 55 0.96%
1984 3,590 65.25% 1,866 33.91% 46 0.84%
1980 3,054 55.55% 1,842 33.50% 602 10.95%
1976 3,085 61.23% 1,891 37.53% 62 1.23%
1972 2,686 66.26% 1,310 32.31% 58 1.43%
1968 2,138 60.91% 1,147 32.68% 225 6.41%
1964 1,674 45.71% 1,983 54.15% 5 0.14%
1960 2,484 65.45% 1,306 34.41% 5 0.13%
1956 2,620 71.18% 1,046 28.42% 15 0.41%
1952 2,752 73.04% 980 26.01% 36 0.96%
1948 2,013 65.17% 964 31.21% 112 3.63%
1944 2,026 64.48% 1,084 34.50% 32 1.02%
1940 2,320 61.62% 1,429 37.95% 16 0.42%
1936 1,742 47.62% 1,686 46.09% 230 6.29%
1932 1,595 50.22% 1,432 45.09% 149 4.69%
1928 1,849 84.28% 321 14.63% 24 1.09%
1924 1,922 73.84% 198 7.61% 483 18.56%
1920 1,520 72.00% 422 19.99% 169 8.01%
1916 900 47.19% 770 40.38% 237 12.43%
1912 568 29.69% 326 17.04% 1,019 53.27%
1908 1,437 62.97% 551 24.15% 294 12.88%
1904 1,582 74.06% 295 13.81% 259 12.13%
1900 1,472 66.28% 626 28.19% 123 5.54%
1896 1,366 60.39% 803 35.50% 93 4.11%
1892 774 52.47% 498 33.76% 203 13.76%
1888 710 57.58% 412 33.41% 111 9.00%
1884 556 54.89% 380 37.51% 77 7.60%



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[]

  • Prosecuting Attorney: Sara Swanson
  • Sheriff: Kyle Rosa
  • County Clerk: Dawn Olney
  • County Treasurer: Michelle L. Thompson
  • Register of Deeds: Amy Bissell
  • Drain Commissioner: Edward Hoogterp
  • County Surveyor: John Smendzuik

[14]

(information as of September 2005)

Historic locations[]

There are eight historical markers in the County:[15]

  • Benzonia College
  • Benzonia Congregational Church
  • Bruce Catton
  • Car Ferries on Lake Michigan
  • Joyfield Cemetery
  • Marquette's Death
  • Mills Community House
  • Pacific Salmon

Communities[]

Benzie County, MI census map

U.S. Census data map showing local municipal boundaries within Benzie County. Shaded areas represent incorporated cities.

City[]

  • Frankfort

Villages[]

  • Benzonia
  • Beulah (county seat)
  • Elberta
  • Honor
  • Lake Ann
  • Thompsonville

Census-designated places[]

  • Bendon
  • Crystal Downs Country Club
  • Crystal Mountain
  • Hardwood Acres
  • Maple Grove
  • Nessen City
  • Pilgrim

Townships[]

  • Almira Township
  • Benzonia Township
  • Blaine Township
  • Colfax Township
  • Crystal Lake Township
  • Gilmore Township
  • Homestead Township
  • Inland Township
  • Joyfield Township
  • Lake Township
  • Platte Township
  • Weldon Township

Indian reservations[]

  • The Grand Traverse Indian Reservation, which has territory in five counties, occupies a small area in southern Joyfield Township in Benzie County.

Ghost towns[]

  • Allyn Station (Pratts)
  • Almira
  • Aral
  • Cedar Run
  • Edgewater
  • Gilmore
  • Grant House (Homestead)
  • Homestead
  • Inland
  • Joyfield
  • Kentville
  • Melva
  • Osborn
  • Oviat
  • Platte
  • Playtte River (Melva)
  • Pratts
  • Stormer
  • Success (Ransom Creek)
  • Wallin
  • Weldon

Source:[16]

See also[]

  • List of Michigan State Historic Sites in Benzie County, Michigan
  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Benzie County, Michigan
  • USS Benzie County (LST-266)
  • Benzie Central Schools
  • Benzie Central High School

References[]

  1. ^ a b c "Bibliography on Benzie County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. https://www.cmich.edu/library/clarke/AccessMaterials/Bibliographies/MichiganLocalHistory/Pages/benzie.aspx. 
  2. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/benziecountymichigan/POP010220. 
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. 
  4. ^ County place names Archived July 28, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_26.txt. 
  6. ^ "M-168 Endpoint Photos". state-ends.com. http://www.state-ends.com/michigan/m168/. 
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html. 
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu. 
  9. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/mi190090.txt. 
  10. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf. 
  11. ^ Statistical profile of Benzie County, Michigan Archived April 10, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, United States Census Bureau, Census 2000
  12. ^ "The Diocese of Gaylord, Michigan : A Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church - Diocese of Gaylord". dioceseofgaylord.org. http://www.dioceseofgaylord.org/. 
  13. ^ Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections
  14. ^ Welcome to Benzie County, Michigan
  15. ^ "Michigan Historical Markers". michmarkers.com. http://www.michmarkers.com/Frameset.htm. 
  16. ^ Dodge, Roy L., Michigan Ghost Towns of the Lower Peninsula ISBN 0-932212-64-6 ISBN 978-0-932212-64-1

Further reading[]

External links[]

Template:Benzie County, Michigan Template:Northern Michigan

Coordinates: 44°38′N 86°15′W / 44.63, -86.25

This page uses content from the English language Wikipedia. The original content was at Benzie 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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