Eaton County, Michigan
Encyclopedia
Eaton County is a county in the U.S. state
of Michigan
. As of the 2010 census
, the population was 107,759. The county seat
is Charlotte
. Eaton County was named for John Eaton, who was Secretary of War
under U.S. President Andrew Jackson
, making it one of Michigan's Cabinet counties
. It was organized in 1837.
because it was named after a member of the cabinet of US President Andrew Jackson
.
of 2000, there were 103,655 people, 40,167 households, and 28,237 families residing in the county. The population density
was 180 people per square mile (69/km²). There were 42,118 housing units at an average density of 73 per square mile (28/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 90.25% White
, 5.29% Black
or African American
, 0.44% Native American
, 1.13% Asian
, 0.03% Pacific Islander
, 1.17% from other races
, and 1.70% from two or more races. 3.21% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 24.1% were of German
, 13.0% English
, 11.2% American
and 8.7% Irish
ancestry according to Census 2000. 95.6% spoke English
and 2.0% Spanish
as their first language.
There were 40,167 households out of which 33.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.30% were married couples
living together, 10.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.70% were non-families. 24.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the county the population was spread out with 26.10% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 28.80% from 25 to 44, 24.60% from 45 to 64, and 11.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 94.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $49,588, and the median income for a family was $57,898. Males had a median income of $41,978 versus $29,638 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $22,411. About 4.10% of families and 5.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.80% of those under age 18 and 5.90% of those age 65 or over.
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.
(information as of May 2010)
Villages
Unincorporated
Townships
NOTE
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. As of the 2010 census
United States Census, 2010
The Twenty-third United States Census, known as Census 2010 or the 2010 Census, is the current national census of the United States. National Census Day was April 1, 2010 and is the reference date used in enumerating individuals...
, the population was 107,759. The county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Charlotte
Charlotte, Michigan
Charlotte is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 9,074. It is the county seat of Eaton County....
. Eaton County was named for John Eaton, who was Secretary of War
United States Secretary of War
The Secretary of War was a member of the United States President's Cabinet, beginning with George Washington's administration. A similar position, called either "Secretary at War" or "Secretary of War," was appointed to serve the Congress of the Confederation under the Articles of Confederation...
under U.S. President Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States . Based in frontier Tennessee, Jackson was a politician and army general who defeated the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend , and the British at the Battle of New Orleans...
, making it one of Michigan's Cabinet counties
Cabinet counties
The Cabinet counties of the U.S. state of Michigan are those named after President Andrew Jackson and people who served in his Cabinet. The Michigan Territorial legislature created twelve counties in 1829, naming eight of them after members of the recently elected Jackson's cabinet. Cass County was...
. It was organized in 1837.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 579.02 square miles (1,499.7 km²), of which 576.41 square miles (1,492.9 km²) (or 99.55%) is land and 2.61 square miles (6.8 km²) (or 0.45%) is water.Geographic features
- Battle Creek RiverBattle Creek RiverThe Battle Creek River is a river in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is a tributary of the Kalamazoo River, joining it at Battle Creek, Michigan....
- Grand RiverGrand River (Michigan)The Grand River is the longest river in the U.S. state of Michigan. It runs through the cities of Jackson, Eaton Rapids, Lansing, Grand Rapids, and Grand Haven.-Description:...
- Thornapple RiverThornapple RiverThe Thornapple River is an tributary of Michigan's longest river, the Grand River. The Thornapple is located in western Michigan. It joins the Grand in Ada, Michigan.- Description :...
Adjacent counties
- Clinton CountyClinton County, Michigan-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 64,753 people, 23,653 households, and 17,976 families residing in the county. The population density was 113 people per square mile . There were 24,630 housing units at an average density of 43 per square mile...
(northeast) - Ingham CountyIngham County, Michigan-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 279,320 people, 108,593 households, and 63,744 families residing in the county. The population density was 500 people per square mile . There were 115,056 housing units at an average density of 206 per square mile...
(east) - Jackson CountyJackson County, MichiganAs of the census of 2000, there were 158,422 people, 58,168 households, and 40,833 families residing in the county. The population density was 224 people per square mile . There were 62,906 housing units at an average density of 89/sq mi...
(southeast) - Calhoun CountyCalhoun County, Michigan-Interstates:* I-69* I-94* I-194* I-94 Business Loop serves the city of Albion.* I-94 Business Loop serves the city of Battle Creek.* I-94 Business Loop serves the city of Marshall.-Michigan State Trunklines:* M-37* M-60* M-66* M-78* M-89* M-96* M-99...
(south) - Barry CountyBarry County, Michigan-Highways:* M-37* M-43* M-50* M-66* M-78* M-79* M-89* M-179-Demographics:As of the 2000 census, there were 56,755 people, 21,035 households, and 15,986 families residing in the county. The population density was 102 people per square mile . There were 23,876 housing units at an average density of...
(west) - Ionia CountyIonia County, Michigan-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 61,518 people, 20,606 households, and 15,145 families residing in the county. The population density was 107 people per square mile . There were 22,006 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile...
(northwest)
Highways
, a business loop traveling through downtown Charlotte, a business loop traveling through Lansing and East Lansing, a business loop traveling through LansingAirports
- Fitch H. Beach AirportFitch H. Beach AirportFitch H. Beach Airport is a city-owned, public-use airport located two nautical miles northeast of the central business district of Charlotte, a city in Eaton County, Michigan, United States. According to the FAA's National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2009–2013, it is categorized as a...
is a general aviationGeneral aviationGeneral aviation is one of the two categories of civil aviation. It refers to all flights other than military and scheduled airline and regular cargo flights, both private and commercial. General aviation flights range from gliders and powered parachutes to large, non-scheduled cargo jet flights...
airport in Charlotte. - Capital Region International Airport, at the northeast corner of Eaton County, offers scheduled passenger flights.
History
Eaton County was formed in 1837 from open territory. It was named after John H. Eaton, an American Secretary of War. The county is one of the so-called Cabinet countiesCabinet counties
The Cabinet counties of the U.S. state of Michigan are those named after President Andrew Jackson and people who served in his Cabinet. The Michigan Territorial legislature created twelve counties in 1829, naming eight of them after members of the recently elected Jackson's cabinet. Cass County was...
because it was named after a member of the cabinet of US President Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States . Based in frontier Tennessee, Jackson was a politician and army general who defeated the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend , and the British at the Battle of New Orleans...
.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 103,655 people, 40,167 households, and 28,237 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 180 people per square mile (69/km²). There were 42,118 housing units at an average density of 73 per square mile (28/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 90.25% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 5.29% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.44% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.13% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.03% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.17% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.70% from two or more races. 3.21% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race. 24.1% were of German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
, 13.0% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
, 11.2% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and 8.7% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
ancestry according to Census 2000. 95.6% spoke English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and 2.0% Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
as their first language.
There were 40,167 households out of which 33.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.30% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 10.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.70% were non-families. 24.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the county the population was spread out with 26.10% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 28.80% from 25 to 44, 24.60% from 45 to 64, and 11.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 94.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $49,588, and the median income for a family was $57,898. Males had a median income of $41,978 versus $29,638 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $22,411. About 4.10% of families and 5.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.80% of those under age 18 and 5.90% of those age 65 or over.
Government
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
Public health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
regulations, and
participates with the state in the provision of welfare and other social services. The county
board of commissioners
County commission
A county commission is a group of elected officials charged with administering the county government in local government in some states of the United States. County commissions are usually made up of three or more individuals...
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.
Eaton County elected officials
- Prosecuting AttorneyProsecutorThe prosecutor is the chief legal representative of the prosecution in countries with either the common law adversarial system, or the civil law inquisitorial system...
: Jeffrey L. Sauter - SheriffSheriffA sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
: Mike Raines - County Clerk/Register of Deeds: Fran Fuller
- County TreasurerTreasurerA treasurer is the person responsible for running the treasury of an organization. The adjective for a treasurer is normally "tresorial". The adjective "treasurial" normally means pertaining to a treasury, rather than the treasurer.-Government:...
: Bill Conarton, Jr. - Drain CommissionerDrain commissionerA drain commissioner is an elected official in counties of the U.S. state of Michigan with a population over 12,000. In counties with a population under 12,000, the statutory duties and responsibilities of the drain commissioner are performed by the county's board of road commissioners.The office...
: Michael Atayan - Circuit Court Judge: Thomas S. Eveland
- Circuit Court Judge: Calvin Osterhaven
- Probate Court Judge: Thomas K. Byerley
(information as of May 2010)
Cities, villages, and townships
Cities- CharlotteCharlotte, MichiganCharlotte is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 9,074. It is the county seat of Eaton County....
- Eaton RapidsEaton Rapids, MichiganEaton Rapids is a city in Eaton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 5,214 at the 2010 census.The city is located in the south of Eaton Rapids Township, on the boundary with Hamlin Township, though it is politically independent of both townships...
- Grand LedgeGrand Ledge, MichiganGrand Ledge is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city lies mostly within Eaton County, though a small portion extends into Clinton County, and sits above the Grand River 12.7 miles directly west of downtown Lansing. The population was 7,813 at the 2000 census...
- LansingLansing, MichiganLansing is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located mostly in Ingham County, although small portions of the city extend into Eaton County. The 2010 Census places the city's population at 114,297, making it the fifth largest city in Michigan...
(partial) - OlivetOlivet, MichiganOlivet is a city in Eaton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,758 at the 2000 census. Olivet College is located there.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land.-Demographics:...
- PottervillePotterville, MichiganPotterville is a city in Eaton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,168 at the 2000 census.-History:Potterville is named after Linus Potter, who settled his family in the area in November, 1844. Linus was elected supervisor of Benton Township in 1846...
Villages
- BellevueBellevue, MichiganBellevue is a village in Eaton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,365 at the 2000 census. The village is located within Bellevue Township.-Geography:...
- DimondaleDimondale, MichiganDimondale is a village in Eaton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,342 at the 2000 census. The village is located within Windsor Charter Township. Dimondale is a suburb of Lansing, Michigan, which is northeast of the village in Ingham County, Michigan...
- MullikenMulliken, MichiganMulliken is a village in Eaton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 557 at the 2000 census. The village is within Roxand Township.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , all land....
- SunfieldSunfield, MichiganSunfield is a village in Eaton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 591 at the 2000 census. The village is located within Sunfield Township.-Geography:...
- VermontvilleVermontville, MichiganVermontville is a village in Eaton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 789 at the 2000 census. It is located within Vermontville Township...
Unincorporated
- Ainger
- Bismark
- Brookfield
- Carlisle
- Charlesworth
- Chester
- Delta Center
- Delta Mills
- Five Points Corner
- Gresham
- Hoytville
- Kalamo
- Kelly
- Kingsland
- Little Venice
- Millett
- Needmore
- Olivet Station
- Oneida Center
- Packard
- Petreville
- Shaytown
- Stalls Corner
- WaverlyWaverly, MichiganWaverly is an unincorporated community in Eaton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is a census-designated place for statistical purposes and has no legal status as a municipality. The population was 23,925 at the 2010 census...
- West Windsor
- Woodbury
Townships
- Bellevue TownshipBellevue Township, MichiganBellevue Township is a civil township of Eaton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 3,144.The Village of Bellevue is located within the township.-Geography:...
- Benton TownshipBenton Township, Eaton County, MichiganBenton Township is a civil township of Eaton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 2,712....
- Brookfield TownshipBrookfield Township, Eaton County, MichiganBrookfield Township is a civil township of Eaton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 1,429.- Communities :There are no incorporated municipalities in the township....
- Carmel TownshipCarmel Township, MichiganCarmel Township is a civil township of Eaton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,626 at the 2000 census.- Communities :* Five Points Corner is a named populated place south of the city of Charlotte at...
- Chester TownshipChester Township, Eaton County, MichiganChester Township is a civil township of Eaton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,778 at the 2000 census.-Communities:* Chester is a tiny unincorporated community in the southern part of the township at ....
- Delta Charter TownshipDelta Charter Township, MichiganDelta Charter Township, officially known as the Charter Township of Delta and commonly known as simply Delta Township, is a charter township of Eaton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 32,408. Delta Township is currently the fourth largest...
- Eaton Rapids TownshipEaton Rapids Township, MichiganEaton Rapids Township is a civil township of Eaton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,821 at the 2000 census.The City of Eaton Rapids is located south of the township and is administratively autonomous.-Geography:...
- Eaton TownshipEaton Township, MichiganEaton Township is a civil township of Eaton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,278 at the 2000 census.- Communities :* Five Points Corner is a named populated place south of the city of Charlotte at...
- Hamlin TownshipHamlin Township, Eaton County, MichiganHamlin Township is a civil township of Eaton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,953 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-Demographics:As of the census of...
- Kalamo TownshipKalamo Township, MichiganKalamo Township is a civil township of Eaton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,742 at the 2000 census.-Communities:...
- Oneida Charter TownshipOneida Charter Township, MichiganOneida Charter Township is a charter township of Eaton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,703 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
- Roxand TownshipRoxand Township, MichiganRoxand Township is a civil township of Eaton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,903 at the 2000 census.-Communities:*The Village of Mulliken is within the township....
- Sunfield TownshipSunfield Township, MichiganSunfield Township is a civil township of Eaton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,177 at the 2000 census.- Communities :* The Village of Sunfield is the only incorporated municipality within the township....
- Vermontville TownshipVermontville Township, MichiganVermontville Township is a civil township of Eaton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,100 at the 2000 census.The Village of Vermontville is located within the township....
- Walton TownshipWalton Township, MichiganWalton Township is a civil township of Eaton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,011 at the 2000 census.-History:Speculators began making land entries in the area that became Walton Township as early as 1832. Captain James W. Hickok became the first settler in 1836, and was...
- Windsor Charter TownshipWindsor Charter Township, MichiganWindsor Charter Township is a charter township of Eaton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 7,340 at the 2000 census.-Communities:The Village of Dimondale, and the unincorporated community of West Windsor are within the township....
School districts
School districts located in Eaton County:- Bellevue Community Schools, Bellevue
- Charlotte Public SchoolsCharlotte Public SchoolsCharlotte Public Schools is a school district in Michigan. Dr. Nancy Hipskind is the current superintendent of schools. Charlotte is the county seat, with a population of approximately 8,500. The district covers an area of with a total enrollment of over 3,350 children...
, Charlotte - Eaton Intermediate School DistrictEaton Intermediate School DistrictEaton Intermediate School District includes portions of Eaton County, Barry County, Ionia County, and Ingham County in Michigan. Its offices are located in Charlotte, Eaton County, Michigan.-School Districts:* Charlotte Public Schools...
, Charlotte - Eaton Rapids Public Schools, Eaton Rapids
- Grand Ledge Public Schools, Grand Ledge. Village of Mulliken schools was annexed by Grand Ledge Public Schools
- Maple Valley SchoolsMaple Valley SchoolsMaple Valley Schools is located in Vermontville, Eaton County, Michigan. Maple Valley Schools is within the Eaton Intermediate School District.-Location:...
, VermontvilleVermontville, MichiganVermontville is a village in Eaton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 789 at the 2000 census. It is located within Vermontville Township... - Olivet Community Schools, Olivet
- Oneida Township S/D #3, Oneida Township
- Potterville Public Schools, Potterville
- Roxand Township School District #12, Roxand Township
- Waverly Community Schools, Delta Township
NOTE
- Village of Dimondale (Holt Public Schools, Holt, Ingham County)
- Village of Sunfield (Lakewood Public Schools, Lake Odessa, Ionia County)
- A small portion of northeast Delta Township (Lansing Public Schools, Lansing, Ingham County)
- Ingham Intermediate School District (Waverly Community Schools, Village of Dimondale, portion of Delta Township)
- Ionia Intermediate School District (Village of Sunfield)
- Calhoun Intermediate School District ( Bellevue Community Schools, Olivet Community Schools)