About Emmet County, Census and Population data

About Emmet County

Located in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the northernmost county in the Lower Peninsula. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 34,112, making it the second-most populous county in Northern Michigan (behind Grand Traverse County). The county seat is Petoskey, which is also the county’s largest city.

AIRPORTS: Pellston Regional Airport (PLN) served by Delta Airlines
Harbor Springs Municipal Airport (MGN)- Executive Class

ROADS: 92 miles of State trunk lines, 419.82 miles of paved county roads, 408.18 miles of gravel and earth county roads

EMMET COUNTY OFFERS:
  • Forest cover, scenic, rolling topography and Lake Michigan shoreline that combine to provide an excellent physical environment in which to live. Nearly 30% of the County’s land area is in public ownership (state, federal, county and local government lands).
  • Year round recreational resources and facilities for swimming, boating, golfing, fishing, hunting, skating, snowmobiling and skiing. Also, a 287-acre County Park (Camp Pet-o-se-ga), which offers 90 camp sites with electric and water hook-up, a fully modern bath house and cabin rentals, and the 600-acre Headlands International Dark Sky Park, adjacent to the Village of Mackinaw City, Cecil Bay park and many other amenities, trails and assets!
  • Multiple shopping centers, and the Petoskey Gaslight Shopping District, Harbor Springs Downtown, Bay Harbor, and the Villages of Alanson and Pellston which offer shopping opportunities as well.
  • Excellent medial facilities – McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey, a regional facility with a large number of on staff medical specialists, unequaled in Northern Michigan. Several assisted living facilities, nursing homes and Bay Bluffs, an Emmet County Medical Care Facility.
  • Excellent public and private schools, North Central Michigan College, local newspapers, radio and television stations, and churches of many denominations.
    Many cultural and civic organizations and activities at historic Bay View and the Crooked Tree Arts Center.
  • Industrial parks and industrial sites, including airport locations.
  • Five marinas – Bay Harbor, Harbor Springs, Petoskey, Ponshewaing, and Alanson.
  • A comprehensive community college curriculum, a business assistance center and a University Center is located at North Central Michigan College, with excellent facilities for conferences in a 71,000 sq. ft. Student and Community Resource Building.

The County has 21 units of government, which includes 2 cities, 3 incorporated villages and 16 townships.
Emmet County is also home to the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, a native American Community that manages a gaming casino, and provides a variety of services for tribal members, including housing, health care and other social services.

2020 Census Data

Population  
Census, April 1, 2020 34,112
PEOPLE
Population
 
Population Estimates, July 1, 2022, (V2022) 34,163
Population Estimates, July 1, 2021, (V2021) 34,280
Population estimates base, April 1, 2020, (V2022) 34,105
Population estimates base, April 1, 2020, (V2021) 34,105
Population, percent change – April 1, 2020 (estimates base) to July 1, 2022, (V2022) 0.2%
Population, percent change – April 1, 2020 (estimates base) to July 1, 2021, (V2021) 0.5%
Population, Census, April 1, 2020 34,112
Population, Census, April 1, 2010 32,694
Age and Sex
 
Persons under 5 years, percent 4.2%
Persons under 18 years, percent 18.5%
Persons 65 years and over, percent 24.0%
Female persons, percent 50.1%
Race and Hispanic Origin
 
White alone, percent 92.1%
Black or African American alone, percent(a) 0.8%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, percent(a) 4.0%
Asian alone, percent(a) 0.6%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, percent(a) 0.2%
Two or More Races, percent 2.3%
Hispanic or Latino, percent(b) 2.2%
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino, percent 90.5%
Population Characteristics
 
Veterans, 2017-2021 1,889
Foreign born persons, percent, 2017-2021 1.5%
Housing
 
Housing units, July 1, 2021, (V2021) 21,858
Owner-occupied housing unit rate, 2017-2021 76.8%
Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2017-2021 $217,800
Median selected monthly owner costs -with a mortgage, 2017-2021 $1,343
Median selected monthly owner costs -without a mortgage, 2017-2021 $535
Median gross rent, 2017-2021 $913
Building permits, 2021 138
Families & Living Arrangements
 
Households, 2017-2021 14,280
Persons per household, 2017-2021 2.35
Living in same house 1 year ago, percent of persons age 1 year+, 2017-2021 87.3%
Language other than English spoken at home, percent of persons age 5 years+, 2017-2021 3.4%
Computer and Internet Use
 
Households with a computer, percent, 2017-2021 93.2%
Households with a broadband Internet subscription, percent, 2017-2021 87.0%
Education
 
High school graduate or higher, percent of persons age 25 years+, 2017-2021 95.4%
Bachelor’s degree or higher, percent of persons age 25 years+, 2017-2021 37.0%
Health
 
With a disability, under age 65 years, percent, 2017-2021 8.7%
Persons without health insurance, under age 65 years, percent 8.5%
Economy
 
In civilian labor force, total, percent of population age 16 years+, 2017-2021 62.2%
In civilian labor force, female, percent of population age 16 years+, 2017-2021 58.0%
Total accommodation and food services sales, 2017 ($1,000)(c) 159,858
Total health care and social assistance receipts/revenue, 2017 ($1,000)(c) 423,155
Total transportation and warehousing receipts/revenue, 2017 ($1,000)(c) 19,332
Total retail sales, 2017 ($1,000)(c) 792,089
Total retail sales per capita, 2017(c) $23,929
Transportation
 
Mean travel time to work (minutes), workers age 16 years+, 2017-2021 19.8
Income & Poverty
 
Median household income (in 2021 dollars), 2017-2021 $63,488
Per capita income in past 12 months (in 2021 dollars), 2017-2021 $38,890
Persons in poverty, percent 8.6%
BUSINESSES
Businesses
 
Total employer establishments, 2021 1,527
Total employment, 2021 14,831
Total annual payroll, 2021 ($1,000) 722,830
Total employment, percent change, 2020-2021 -5.4%
Total nonemployer establishments, 2019 3,570
All employer firms, Reference year 2017 1,318
Men-owned employer firms, Reference year 2017 S
Women-owned employer firms, Reference year 2017 214
Minority-owned employer firms, Reference year 2017 23
Nonminority-owned employer firms, Reference year 2017 1,117
Veteran-owned employer firms, Reference year 2017 S
Nonveteran-owned employer firms, Reference year 2017 1,037
GEOGRAPHY
Geography
 
Population per square mile, 2020 73.0
Population per square mile, 2010 69.9
Land area in square miles, 2020 467.54
Land area in square miles, 2010 467.49
FIPS Code 26047

Source: census.gov

  •    2010 CENSUS DATA ARCHIVE

    2010 Census DataThe County of Emmet
    Organized in 1853County Seat – PetoskeyPOPULATION: 2010 Census – 32,694
    Scroll down for most current Census dataLAND AREA: 295,040 acres which includes: 197,677 acres of forested land, 113,285 acres of crop and pasture land, 10,400 acres of inland water area, 68 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline.

    2010 U.S. Census Summary

    Highlights of 2010 Census Data, released March 22, 2011 (most current Census available)

    Even though Michigan’s population overall decreased slightly from 2000 to 2010, several areas of the state experienced significant growth, including Northwest Michigan.

    Over the last decade, the population of the 10 counties within “Region 10,” (the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments, including Emmet County) grew by 5.8 percent, according to the figures released by the Census Bureau on March 22, 2011.

    The data shows Emmet County’s population is 32,694, indicating a 0-5 percent gain from the 2000 Census.

    The population of the West Michigan area, Planning Region 8 which consists of seven counties in the Grand Rapids area, also grew significantly, by 6 percent over the last decade.

    Those areas losing population include the city of Detroit, cities with more than 100,000 residents, central metropolitan counties and northeastern Michigan.

    The state’s total population is 9,883,640.

    To read a summary of the Michigan census results, click here.

    Areas of Growth and Decline

    Several areas of the state experienced significant growth.

    • Areas of population growth include:
    +6.2% townships as a group
    +6.0% West Michigan
    (Planning Region 8, which consists of seven counties in the Grand Rapids area)
    +5.8%Northwest Michigan
    (Planning Region 10, which consists of 10 counties in the Traverse City area
    including Emmet County)
    +4.0% fringe metropolitan counties

    • Areas of population decline include
    -25.0% the city of Detroit
    -15.5% cities with 100,000 or more residents
    -6.8% cities as a group
    -4.2% central metropolitan counties
    -3.2% Northeast Michigan
    (Planning Region 9, which consists of eight counties north of Higgins Lake and
    generally east of I-75)
    -2.0% the Upper Peninsula

    The population count for the city of Detroit (713,777) is considerably lower than expected from both SEMCOG’s latest estimate (772,419 for July 2010) and the Census Bureau’s latest estimate (910,920 for 2009). The Census Bureau’s estimate was based in part on an alternative methodology that is used for communities that challenge their initial estimate. Because the alternative methodology assumes no change in vacancy rate or household size since the prior census, it tends to overstate population levels for most of the communities that challenge their initial figures. Future use of the alternative methodology is under review by the Census Bureau.

    The data for Michigan shows that the five most populous incorporated places and their 2010 Census counts are Detroit, 713,777; Grand Rapids, 188,040; Warren, 134,056; Sterling Heights, 129,699; and Lansing, 114,297. Detroit decreased by 25 percent since the 2000 Census. Grand Rapids decreased by 4.9 percent, Warren decreased by 3 percent, Sterling Heights grew by 4.2 percent, and Lansing decreased by 4.1 percent.

    The largest county is Wayne, with a population of 1,820,584. Its population decreased by 11.7 percent since 2000. The other counties in the top five include Oakland, with a population of 1,202,362 (increase of 0.7 percent); Macomb, 840,978 (increase of 6.7 percent); Kent, 602,622 (increase of 4.9 percent); and Genesee, 425,790 (decrease of 2.4 percent).

    Census data is used by state officials to realign congressional and state legislative districts, taking into account population shifts since the 2000 Census.

    Race and Hispanic Origin
    Like other states, Michigan has continued to become more racially diverse. Although its non-Hispanic white population decreased, most of Michigan’s other principal race and Hispanic population categories increased from 2000 to 2010.

    Michigan’s non-Hispanic Asian population has increased slightly faster than any of Michigan’s other major race/Hispanic groups since 2000. This segment of Michigan’s population increased by 34.9 percent from 2000-2010. When combined with Pacific Islanders, the increase was 34.5 percent, which is very close to the growth of 34.7 percent that had been expected from the Census Bureau’s latest population estimates.
    .
    Michigan’s Hispanic population grew by 34.7 percent from 2000 to 2010. This is somewhat higher than the growth of 31.7 percent that had been expected from the Census Bureau’s latest population estimates. This is consistent with the experience of other states. (Of the first 32 states for which census data was released, 28 had higher Hispanic populations than previously expected. The total Hispanic population of these 32 states exceeded the expected level by 1.6 percent.)

    Michigan’s non-Hispanic white population declined by 3.0 percent, which is somewhat greater than the decline of 2.1 percent that had been expected from the Census Bureau’s latest population estimates. This is consistent with the experience of other states. (Of the first 32 states for which census data was released, 28 had lower non-Hispanic white populations than previously expected. The total non-Hispanic white population of these 32 states was 1.6 percent lower than the expected level.)

    Distribution of Michigan Population by Race and Hispanic Origin

    Race Category % of Total % Change Since 2000

    Total Population 100.0% – 0.6%
    Hispanic 4.4% +34.7%
    Non-Hispanic White Alone 76.6% – 3.0%
    Non-Hispanic Black Alone 14.0% – 1.3%
    Non-Hispanic Native American Alone 0.6% +2.3%
    Non-Hispanic Asian/Pacific Alone 2.4% 34.5%
    Non-Hispanic Multiracial 1.9% 16.5%

    Housing Units and Vacancy Rates

    Michigan’s housing stock increased by 7.0 percent from 4,234,279 in 2000 to 4,532,233 in 2010. Its vacancy rate increased from 10.6% to 14.6%. Most of the housing units that are classified as vacant in the Census are second homes and seasonal residences, and they are concentrated in the northern half of the state.

     

    2010 Census Data

    Civil Division 2010 Census Population
    United States of America 308,745,538
    State of Michigan 9,883,640
    County of Emmet 32,694
    Township of:
    Bear Creek 6,201
    Bliss 620
    Carp Lake 759
    Center 568
    Cross Village 281
    Friendship 889
    Littlefield (excluding Alanson) 2,240
    Little Traverse 2,380
    McKinley (excluding Pellston) 674
    Maple River (excluding Pellston) 1,149
    Pleasantview 823
    Readmond 581
    Resort 2,697
    Springvale 2,141
    Wawatam (excluding Mackinaw City) 155
    West Traverse 1,606
    City of:
    Harbor Springs 1,194
    Petoskey 5,670
    Village of:
    Alanson 738
    Mackinaw City (Part in Emmet County) 506
    Pellston 822

    Summary of County Population Projections

    Projection Reference 2000 Population 2010 Population 2020 Population
    Long Term Arithmetic 31,437 36,099 40,468
    Long Term Trend 31,437 35,656 39,883
    Long Term Ratio Apportionment 31,437 N/A N/A
    Short Term Arithmetic 31,437 37,834 44,231
    Straight Line Projection 31,437 33,328 37,315
    Short Term Ratio Apportionment 31,437 31,883 33,799
    Average Projection Population 34,960 39,139

    Alternative Projections

    Following is a brief discussion of various projections applicable to Emmet County:

    1. Long-Term Arithmetic ProjectionBetween 1970 and 2000, Emmet County’s population increased at the rate of 436.9 persons per year. Projecting this rate, the 2010 population results in a figure of 36,099.
    2. Short-Term Arithmetic ProjectionBetween 1990 and 2000, Emmet County’s population increased at a rate of 639.7 persons per year. Projecting this rate, the 2010 population results in a figure of 37,834.
    3. Long-Term TrendThe State of Michigan preliminary population projections projected to the year 2020. Utilizing the projection data and adjusting for the actual 2000 census data, the 2010 projected population for Emmet County is 35,656.
    4. Straight Line ProjectionThe projections to the years 2010 and 2020 are the results of a “straight line projection” of the trends experienced between 1980 and 2000.
    5. Short Term Ratio ApportionmentThe projections are based on the percentage of Emmet County population as it relates to the State of Michigan in the 2000 Census. If Emmet County holds its 2000 percentage share of the State of Michigan’s 2000 population and assume that this ratio continues to 2010 and 2020, the projection results are 31,883 and 33,799 respectively.
    6. Long Term Ratio ApportionmentEmploying a ratio apportionment projection technique with a population base dating back to 1970, the Emmet County projection would decline to 27,196 by 2010. This low projection result is deemed inapplicable to Emmet County’s actual growth situation and growth potential based on actual 2000 Census data. This method has been deleted from any further consideration.

    Population Projections

     
    Civil Divisions Townships Low 2010 High 2010 Low 2020 High 2020 Based on Percentage
    2010 2020
    Bear Creek 5,835 6,923 6,692 8,758 6,398 7,750
    Bliss 574 681 608 796 629 705
    Carp Lake 893 1,059 946 1,238 909 1,018
    Center 510 605 541 708 559 626
    Cross Village 287 341 304 398 315 353
    Friendship 925 1,097 1,047 1,371 1,049 1,213
    Littlefield 2,838 3,367 3,008 3,966 3,111 3,483
    Little Traverse 2,487 2,913 2,603 3,406 2,798 3,209
    McKinley 1,275 1,513 1,352 1,769 1,398 1,566
    Maple River 1,243 1,476 1,318 1,725 1,398 1,604
    Pleasantview 956 1,135 1,014 1,327 1,049 1,174
    Readmond 510 605 541 708 559 626
    Resort 2,519 2,989 2,670 3,494 2,762 3,092
    Springvale 1,754 2,081 1,859 2,433 1,993 2,309
    Wawatam 701 832 744 973 769 861
    West Traverse 1,467 1,740 1,555 2,035 1,608 1,895
    Ciry of Harbor Springs 1,540 1,567 1,540 1,567 1,573 1,580
    City of Petoskey 6,077 6,085 6,075 6,085 6,083 6,075
    County Totals 32,391 37,009 34,417 42,757 34,960 39,139

    Population Trends

     
    Civil Divisions Townships 1970 Pop. 1970 to 1980 1980 Pop. 1980 to 1990 1990 Pop. 1990 to 2000 2000 Pop.
    Bear Creek 2,450 +837 3,287 +182 3,469 +1,800 5,269
    Bliss 282 +159 441 +42 483 +89 572
    Carp Lake 439 +198 637 -40 597 +210 807
    Center 349 +86 435 +82 517 -18 499
    Cross Village 185 +30 215 -14 201 +93 294
    Friendship 240 +227 467 +124 591 +253 844
    Littlefield 986 +328 1,314 +319 1,633 +365 1,998
    Little Traverse 1,266 +308 1,574 +231 1,805 +621 2,426
    McKinley 835 -439 396 +101 497 +1 498
    Maple River 435 +219 654 +89 743 +489 1,232
    Pleasantview 124 +88 212 +163 375 +568 943
    Readmond 234 +122 356 +18 374 +119 493
    Resort 1,009 +678 1,687 +381 2,068 +411 2,479
    Springvale 663 +410 1,073 +227 1,300 +427 1,727
    Wawatam 431 -349 82 +14 96 +69 165
    West Traverse 430 +567 997 -29 968 +480 1,448
    Village of:
    Alanson 362 +146 508 +169 677 +108 785
    Pellston 330 +235 565 +18 583 +188 771
    Mackinaw City 469 -41 428 +39 467 +73 540
    City of:
    Harbor Springs 1,662 -95 1,567 -27 1,540 +27 1,567
    Petoskey 6,342 -245 6,097 -41 6,056 +24 6,080
    County Totals 18,331 +4,661 22,992 +2,048 25,040 +6,397 31,437

Emmet County, Michigan
200 Division Street, Petoskey MI 49770
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