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Lenawee County, Michigan
Lenawee County Courthouse (Adrian)
Lenawee County Courthouse in Adrian
Map of Michigan highlighting Lenawee County
Location in the state of Michigan
Map of the U.S
Michigan's location in the U.S.
Founded 1822 (created)
September 10, 1826 (organized)[1]
Seat Adrian
Largest city Adrian
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

761 sq mi (1,971 km²)
750 sq mi (1,942 km²)
12 sq mi (31 km²), 1.6%
Population
 - (2020)
 - Density

99,423
132/sq mi (51/km²)
Congressional district 7th
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website www.lenawee.mi.us

Lenawee County ("LENN-a-way") is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 99,423.[2] The county seat is Adrian.[3] The county was created in 1822, from territory partitioned out of Monroe County. Its governing structure was organized in 1826.[1]

Lenawee County comprises the Adrian, MI Micropolitan Statistical Area and is included in the Detroit-Warren-Ann Arbor, MI Combined Statistical Area. It is served by the Toledo Media market.

History[]

Irish Hills Towers

Towers of the Irish Hills near Hayes State Park

The county organization was created in 1826, after being authorized and described by the Michigan legislature in 1822. It was taken from Monroe County, Michigan.[1] The county's name is a Henry Schoolcraft neologism, thought to be derived from a Native American word meaning "male"—from the Delaware "leno or lenno" or the Shawnee "lenawai."[1]

Geography[]

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 761 square miles (1,970 km2), of which 750 square miles (1,900 km2) is land and 12 square miles (31 km2) (1.6%) is water.[4] Lenawee County is considered to be part of Southeastern Michigan.

Adjacent counties[]

Major highways[]

  • I-73 I-73 (future)
  • US 12 US 12
  • US 127 US 127
  • US 223 US 223
  • M-34 M-34
  • M-50 M-50
  • M-52 M-52
  • M-124 M-124
  • M-156 M-156

Within Lenawee County's townships, north–south roads are referred to as "highways", while east–west roads are referred to as "roads".

Demographics[]

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1830 1,491
1840 17,889 1,099.8%
1850 26,372 47.4%
1860 38,112 44.5%
1870 45,595 19.6%
1880 48,343 6.0%
1890 48,448 0.2%
1900 48,406 −0.1%
1910 47,907 −1.0%
1920 47,767 −0.3%
1930 49,849 4.4%
1940 53,110 6.5%
1950 64,629 21.7%
1960 77,789 20.4%
1970 81,609 4.9%
1980 89,948 10.2%
1990 91,476 1.7%
2000 98,890 8.1%
2010 99,892 1.0%
US Decennial Census[5]
1790-1960[6] 1900-1990[7]
1990-2000[8] 2010-2020[2]

As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 98,890 people, 35,930 households, and 26,049 families in the county. The population density was 132 people per square mile (51/km2). There were 39,769 housing units at an average density of 53 per square mile (20/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.51% White, 2.12% Black or African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 3.01% from other races, and 1.49% from two or more races. 6.96% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 30.4% were of German, 11.6% English, 10.2% American and 9.9% Irish ancestry, 94.7% spoke English and 4.2% Spanish as their first language.

There were 35,930 households, out of which 34.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.70% were married couples living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.50% were non-families. 22.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.07.

The county population contained 25.90% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 28.60% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 12.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 100.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $45,739, and the median income for a family was $53,661. Males had a median income of $38,458 versus $25,510 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,186. About 4.40% of families and 6.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.10% of those under age 18 and 9.20% of those age 65 or over.

Government and politics[]

Lenawee County has been reliably Republican in national elections. Since 1884, its voters have selected the Republican Party nominee in 85% (29 of 34) of the national elections through 2020.

United States presidential election results for Lenawee County, Michigan[9]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 31,541 59.01% 20,918 39.13% 993 1.86%
2016 26,430 57.09% 16,750 36.18% 3,118 6.73%
2012 22,351 49.75% 21,776 48.47% 801 1.78%
2008 22,225 46.43% 24,640 51.48% 1,000 2.09%
2004 25,675 54.61% 20,787 44.22% 550 1.17%
2000 20,681 51.58% 18,365 45.81% 1,047 2.61%
1996 14,168 39.78% 16,924 47.51% 4,527 12.71%
1992 14,297 36.32% 15,399 39.12% 9,669 24.56%
1988 19,115 57.84% 13,690 41.42% 243 0.74%
1984 22,409 66.70% 11,012 32.78% 176 0.52%
1980 20,366 56.44% 12,935 35.85% 2,784 7.72%
1976 18,397 55.02% 14,610 43.70% 428 1.28%
1972 19,125 62.39% 11,018 35.94% 511 1.67%
1968 16,280 55.85% 10,552 36.20% 2,315 7.94%
1964 11,385 40.29% 16,815 59.50% 60 0.21%
1960 19,859 64.65% 10,785 35.11% 75 0.24%
1956 21,100 72.68% 7,857 27.06% 74 0.25%
1952 20,035 72.72% 7,397 26.85% 117 0.42%
1948 14,369 67.49% 6,529 30.67% 393 1.85%
1944 16,382 70.48% 6,750 29.04% 111 0.48%
1940 16,963 70.19% 7,132 29.51% 71 0.29%
1936 12,154 56.70% 8,299 38.72% 982 4.58%
1932 10,912 50.50% 10,420 48.23% 275 1.27%
1928 14,794 76.94% 4,321 22.47% 112 0.58%
1924 13,358 72.65% 3,950 21.48% 1,080 5.87%
1920 11,973 68.89% 5,095 29.32% 311 1.79%
1916 6,247 52.01% 5,519 45.95% 246 2.05%
1912 2,996 27.02% 4,239 38.23% 3,854 34.76%
1908 6,607 56.22% 4,704 40.03% 441 3.75%
1904 7,891 67.40% 3,334 28.48% 482 4.12%
1900 6,847 51.75% 5,966 45.09% 419 3.17%
1896 6,863 50.89% 6,300 46.72% 323 2.40%
1892 5,833 46.86% 5,592 44.92% 1,024 8.23%
1888 6,475 49.49% 5,671 43.35% 937 7.16%
1884 5,827 46.63% 5,572 44.59% 1,098 8.79%



The county government operates the 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.

Adrian College and Siena Heights University are located within the county.

Lenawee County has supported candidates from both political parties in statewide elections making it a swing county. Tecumseh and Adrian have tended to lean Democrat, while Dover, Madison, and Riga Townships have tended to lean Republican. The rural areas of the county are bastions of populism and libertarianism which helped the Tea Party Movement gain considerable support. During the 2010 midterm elections, the county favored Republican Gubernatorial candidate Rick Snyder, Congressional candidate Tim Walberg, State Senate candidate Bruce Caswell, and State Representative candidates Nancy Jenkins and Mike Shirkey.

Lenawee County is located in Michigan's 7th congressional district, which is represented by Tea-Party backed Tim Walberg, who is a resident of the county. Walberg previously served as Lenawee's state representative. Walberg won the district, which includes all of Lenawee County, Jackson County, Hillsdale County, Branch County, and Eaton County, as well as parts of Calhoun County and Washtenaw County, after defeating then-incumbent Democrat Mark Schauer. Schauer had defeated Walberg in the 2008 congressional election, after Walberg's first stint in Congress. Walberg defeated incumbent Republican Joe Schwarz, a former State Representative and gubernatorial candidate, during the 2006 primary election. Also during the 2006 midterm elections, Lenawee County voted for businessman Dick DeVos, the Republican nominee.

Most of Lenawee County is represented by Republican Bronna Kahle in the Michigan House of Representatives. Kahle represents the 57th District, previously held by former Republican state Representative Nancy Jenkins And was also held by brothers Doug and Dudley Spade, both Democrats. Each of the Spade brothers served for the maximum three terms. Cambridge Township, which includes Onsted, is part of the 65th District, which covers much of the Irish Hills and is represented by Republican Mike Shirkey. Adrian is part of the 17th Senate District, represented by Dale Zorn of Ida, Michigan. Until the 2014 state senate election, Lenawee County was part of the 16th State Senate District, represented by Republican Bruce Caswell of Hillsdale. Caswell was preceded by Republican Cameron Brown. The district contained all of Lenawee, Hillsdale, and Branch Counties.

Lenawee County Courthouse Adrian Michigan

Lenawee County Courthouse, Adrian

Elected officials[]

  • Prosecuting Attorney: R. Burke Castleberry Jr. (R)
  • Sheriff: Troy Bevier (R)
  • County Clerk: Roxann Holloway (R)
  • County Treasurer: Erin Van Dyke (R)
  • Register of Deeds: Carolyn S. Bater (R)
  • Drain Commissioner: Jennifer Escott (R)
  • County Surveyor: Kevin Pickford (R)

Current as of February 26, 2022 [10]

County Commission[]

  • District 1: David Stimpson (R)
  • District 2: Dustin Krasny (R)
  • District 3: Nancy Jenkins-Arno (R)
  • District 4: Dawn Bales (R)
  • District 5: Karol "Kz" Bolton (D)
  • District 6: Terry Collins (R)
  • District 7: James Goetz (R)
  • District 8: Ralph Tillotson (R)
  • District 9: Chris Wittenbach (R)

Current as of February 26, 2022[10][11]

Law Enforcement Agencies[]

County[]

  • Lenawee County Sheriff's Office

City/Village[]

  • Adrian City Police
  • Blissfield Police
  • Clinton Police
  • Hudson Police
  • Morenci Police
  • Tecumseh Police

Township[]

  • Adrian Township Police
  • Cambridge Township Police
  • Columbia Township Police
  • Madison Township Police
  • Raisin Township Police

Special[]

  • Adrian & Blissfield Railroad Police

Communities[]

Lenawee County, MI census map

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

Cities[]

  • Adrian (county seat)
  • Hudson
  • Morenci
  • Tecumseh

Villages[]

  • Addison
  • Blissfield
  • Britton
  • Cement City (partial)
  • Clayton
  • Clinton
  • Deerfield
  • Onsted

Charter townships[]

  • Adrian Charter Township
  • Madison Charter Township
  • Raisin Charter Township

Civil townships[]

  • Blissfield Township
  • Cambridge Township
  • Clinton Township
  • Deerfield Township
  • Dover Township
  • Fairfield Township
  • Franklin Township
  • Hudson Township
  • Macon Township
  • Medina Township
  • Ogden Township
  • Palmyra Township
  • Ridgeway Township
  • Riga Township
  • Rollin Township
  • Rome Township
  • Seneca Township
  • Tecumseh Township
  • Woodstock Township

Census-designated places[]

  • Jasper (called Fairfield before 1874)
  • Manitou Beach–Devils Lake

Other unincorporated communities[]

  • Birdsall
  • Cadmus
  • Canandaigua
  • Dover
  • East Ogden
  • East Raisin
  • Evans Lake
  • Fairfield
  • Geneva
  • Gorman
  • Ridgeville
  • Ridgeway
  • Riga
  • Springville
  • Tipton
  • Weston
  • Sand Creek

See also[]

  • List of Michigan State Historic Sites in Lenawee County, Michigan
  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Lenawee County, Michigan

Notes[]

Further reading[]

External links[]

Coordinates: 41°53′N 84°04′W / 41.89, -84.07

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