About Emmet County, Census and Population data

Here are some of the nuts and bolts about Emmet County, Michigan:

2010 Census Data

The County of Emmet
Organized in 1853

County Seat – Petoskey

POPULATION: 2010 Census – 32,694
Scroll down for most current Census data

LAND 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.

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.

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.
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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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