Alger County, Michigan

{{short description|County in Michigan, United States}} {{About||the community in Arenac County|Alger, Michigan}} {{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox U.S. county | county = Alger County | state = Michigan | image_flag = Flag of Alger County, Michigan.svg | seal = Seal of Alger County, Michigan.svg | founded date = March 17 | founded year = 1885<ref name=clarke>{{cite web|url=http://www.cmich.edu/library/clarke/AccessMaterials/Bibliographies/MichiganLocalHistory/Pages/alger.aspx|publisher=Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University|title=Bibliography on Alger County|access-date=July 2, 2013}}</ref> | seat = Munising | largest city wl = Munising | area_total_sq_mi = 5048 | area_land_sq_mi = 915 | area_water_sq_mi = 4133 | area percentage = 82% | census yr = 2020 | pop = 8842 | pop_est_as_of = 2025 | population_est = 8641 {{loss}} | density_sq_mi = 9.6 | ex image = Lake Superior Picture from Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.jpg | ex image cap = Lake Superior from Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore | district = 1st | time zone = Eastern | named for = Russell A. Alger | website = https://www.algercounty.gov/ }}

'''Alger County''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|æ|l|dʒ|ɚ}} {{respell|AL|jər}}) is a county in the Upper Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 8,842.<ref name="QF">{{cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/algercountymichigan/POP010220 |access-date=September 15, 2021 |publisher=US Census Bureau}}</ref> It is the state's second-largest county by area, including the waters of Lake Superior. The county seat is Munising.<ref>{{cite web |title=Find a County |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 |access-date=June 7, 2011 |publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> Alger County is home to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, which features rock formations, waterfalls, and sand dunes along the shore of Lake Superior. Much of the county is also part of the Hiawatha National Forest. [[File:2009-0618-Munising-AlgerCtyCourt.jpg|thumb|Alger County Courthouse Complex in Munising]]

==History== Alger County was detached from Schoolcraft County, set off and organized in 1885. The county was named for lumber baron Russell Alexander Alger, who was elected as a Michigan Governor, and US Senator, and appointed as US Secretary of War during the William McKinley Presidential administration.<ref name=clarke/> ''See also'', List of Michigan county name etymologies, List of Michigan counties, and List of abolished U.S. counties.

==Geography==

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of {{convert|5048|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|915|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|4133|sqmi}} (82%) is water.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_26.txt|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=September 18, 2014|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113024015/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_26.txt|archive-date=November 13, 2013}}</ref> It is the second-largest county in Michigan by total area, mainly because of Lake Superior on the north side of the county.

===Highways=== {{div col|colwidth=22em}} * {{jct|state=MI|US|41}} * {{jct|state=MI|M|28}} * {{jct|state=MI|M|67}} * {{jct|state=MI|M|77}} * {{jct|state=MI|M|94}} * {{jct|state=MI|CDH|H-01|county1=Alger}} * {{jct|state=MI|CDH|H-03|county1=Alger}} * {{jct|state=MI|CDH|H-05|county1=Alger}} * {{jct|state=MI|CDH|H-11|county1=Alger}} * {{jct|state=MI|CDH|H-13|county1=Alger}} * {{jct|state=MI|CDH|H-15|county1=Alger}} * {{jct|state=MI|CDH|H-44|county1=Alger}} * {{jct|state=MI|CDH|H-52|county1=Alger}} * {{jct|state=MI|CDH|H-58|county1=Alger}}, passes through Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. * {{jct|state=MI|FFH|13}} {{div col end}}

===Adjacent counties=== '''By land''' * Luce County – east * Schoolcraft County – southeast * Delta County – south * Marquette County – west '''By water'''

* Thunder Bay District, Ontario – north

===National protected areas=== * Grand Island National Recreation Area * Hiawatha National Forest (part) * Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

==Demographics== {{US Census population | 1890 = 1238 | 1900 = 5868 | 1910 = 7675 | 1920 = 9983 | 1930 = 9327 | 1940 = 10167 | 1950 = 10007 | 1960 = 9250 | 1970 = 8568 | 1980 = 9225 | 1990 = 8972 | 2000 = 9862 | 2010 = 9601 | 2020 = 8842 | estyear = 2025 | estimate = 8641 | estref = <ref name="USCensusEst2025">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|title=County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 6, 2026}}</ref> {{decrease}} | align-fn = center | footnote = US Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=US Decennial Census|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=September 18, 2014}}</ref> 1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=September 18, 2014}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/mi190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=September 18, 2014}}</ref> 1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=September 18, 2014}}</ref> 2010-2018<ref name=QF/> | align = right }}

===Racial and ethnic composition=== {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;" |+'''Alger County, Michigan – Racial and ethnic composition''' {{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}} !Race / Ethnicity (''NH = Non-Hispanic'') !Pop 1980<ref name=1980Census>{{Cite web|title=1980 Census of Population - General Social and Economic Characteristics - Michigan - Tables 15 and 16 – Race by Sex: 1980 and Tables 16 and 17 – Persons by Spanish Origin, Race, and Sex: 1980 |url=https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980/1980censusofpopu80124uns_bw.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau|page=24-59|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250111013246/https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980/1980censusofpopu80124uns_bw.pdf| archive-date=January 11, 2025|via= Wayback Machine}}</ref> !Pop 1990<ref name=1990Census>{{Cite web |title=1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Michigan: Table 3-5 - Race and Hispanic Origin |website=United States Census Bureau|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1990/cp-1/cp-1-24.pdf|access-date=|page=37-179|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260304021445/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1990/cp-1/cp-1-24.pdf|via= Wayback Machine| archive-date=March 4, 2026}}</ref> !Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Alger County, Michigan|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=050XX00US26003&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date= }}</ref> !Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Alger County, Michigan|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US26003&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date= }}</ref> !style="background-color: #ffffb3;" | Pop 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Alger County, Michigan|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US26003&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date= }}</ref> !% 1980 !% 1990 !% 2000 !% 2010 !style="background-color: #ffffb3;" |% 2020 |- |White alone (NH) |8,927 |8,392 |8,625 |8,213 |style='background: #ffffe6; |7,323 |96.77% |93.54% |87.46% |85.54% |style='background: #ffffe6; |82.82% |- |Black or African American alone (NH) |49 |211 |595 |607 |style='background: #ffffe6; |585 |0.53% |2.35% |6.03% |6.32% |style='background: #ffffe6; |6.62% |- |Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) |194 |301 |303 |387 |style='background: #ffffe6; |327 |2.10% |3.35% |3.07% |4.03% |style='background: #ffffe6; |3.70% |- |Asian alone (NH) |14 |24 |32 |31 |style='background: #ffffe6; |22 |0.15% |0.27% |0.32% |0.32% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.25% |- |Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) |x <ref>included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census</ref> |x <ref>included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census</ref> |3 |0 |style='background: #ffffe6; |1 |x |x |0.03% |0.00% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.01% |- |Other race alone (NH) |5 |1 |14 |0 |style='background: #ffffe6; |25 |0.05% |0.01% |0.14% |0.00% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.28% |- |Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) |x <ref>not an option in the 1980 Census</ref> |x <ref>not an option in the 1990 Census</ref> |191 |249 |style='background: #ffffe6; |444 |x |x |1.94% |2.59% |style='background: #ffffe6; |5.02% |- |Hispanic or Latino (any race) |36 |43 |99 |114 |style='background: #ffffe6; |115 |0.39% |0.48% |1.00% |1.19% |style='background: #ffffe6; |1.30% |- |'''Total''' |'''9,225''' |'''8,972''' |'''9,862''' |'''9,601''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''8,842 ''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%''' |}

===2020 census===

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 8,842. The median age was 49.4 years. 15.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 25.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 123.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 129.6 males age 18 and over.<ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME,DP1_0021P,DP1_0024P,DP1_0025C,DP1_0049C,DP1_0045C,DP1_0069C,DP1_0073C,DP1_0125P,DP1_0126P,DP1_0129P,DP1_0133P,DP1_0137P,DP1_0138P,DP1_0139P,DP1_0141P,DP1_0142P,DP1_0143P,DP1_0145P,DP1_0146P,DP1_0147C,DP1_0148C,DP1_0149C,DP1_0156C,DP1_0157C,DP1_0158C,DP1_0159P,DP1_0160P&for=county%3A003&in=state%3A26|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=January 1, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

The racial makeup of the county was 83.3% White, 6.6% Black or African American, 3.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.5% from some other race, and 5.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.3% of the population.<ref name="Census2020PL">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME,P1_001N,P1_003N,P1_004N,P1_005N,P1_006N,P1_007N,P1_008N,P1_009N,P2_001N,P2_002N,H1_001N,H1_002N&for=county%3A003&in=state%3A26|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=January 1, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

<0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.<ref name="Census2020DHC">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME,P2_002N,P2_003N&for=county%3A003&in=state%3A26|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=January 1, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

There were 3,609 households in the county, of which 20.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 51.4% were married-couple households, 21.1% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 20.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

There were 6,169 housing units, of which 41.5% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 83.7% were owner-occupied and 16.3% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.3% and the rental vacancy rate was 18.8%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

===2010 census===

As of the 2010 census, Alger County had a population of 9,601.<ref name="USCensus2010">{{cite web |title=U.S. Census website |url=https://www.census.gov |access-date=July 6, 2013}}</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 86.3% White, 6.4% Black or African American, 4.1% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% of some other race and 2.7% of two or more races; of them 1.2% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). Regarding specific ethnicities, 15.7% of the population was of German heritage, 13.5% Finnish, 12.6% French, French Canadian or Cajun, 9.3% English, 7.3% Polish, 6.9% Irish and 5.3% American ancestry.<ref name="USCensus2010Ancestry">{{cite web |title=U.S. Census website |url=https://www.census.gov}}</ref>

In 2010, there were 3,898 households, out of which 20.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.2% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.2 and the average family size was 2.74. In the county, the population was spread out, with 17.1% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 22.8% from 25 to 44, 32.8% from 45 to 64, and 20.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47.3 years. The population was 54.4% male and 45.6% female.<ref name="USCensus2010"/>

In 2010, the median income for a household in the county was $38,231, and the median income for a family was $46,154. The per capita income for the county was $19,858. About 9.3% of people in families and 14.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.3% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over. The 2021 census estimates showed the county had a median household income of $48,822.<ref name="QF" />

==Government== The county government operates the jail, maintains rural roads, operates local courts, records deeds, mortgages, and 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 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.

==Politics== Alger County was reliably Republican from the beginning through 1928. Since then it has voted for the Democratic nominee 67% (16 of 24) of the time, though it has voted Republican in the last four elections. {{PresHead|place=Alger County, Michigan|source=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of US Presidential Elections|first=David|last=Leip|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=April 8, 2018}}</ref>}}  {{PresRow|1888|Republican|284|162|10|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1892|Republican|160|156|2|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1896|Republican|801|539|31|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1900|Republican|1,017|415|23|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1904|Republican|1,081|204|43|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1908|Republican|997|231|91|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1912|Progressive|290|263|539|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1916|Republican|687|650|85|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1920|Republican|1,263|468|180|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1924|Republican|1,623|228|589|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1928|Republican|1,716|1,053|137|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1932|Democratic|1,354|2,111|225|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1936|Democratic|1,291|2,824|94|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1940|Democratic|1,629|2,984|62|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1944|Democratic|1,504|2,519|13|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1948|Democratic|1,702|2,009|272|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1952|Republican|2,066|2,058|35|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1956|Democratic|2,070|2,105|18|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1960|Democratic|1,663|2,321|6|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1964|Democratic|1,010|2,743|2|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1968|Democratic|1,406|1,927|179|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1972|Republican|2,035|1,803|40|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1976|Democratic|1,722|2,379|60|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1980|Democratic|2,059|2,242|346|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1984|Republican|2,175|2,018|15|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1988|Democratic|1,830|2,210|19|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1992|Democratic|1,471|2,144|955|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1996|Democratic|1,429|2,229|573|Michigan}} {{PresRow|2000|Republican|2,142|2,071|153|Michigan}} {{PresRow|2004|Democratic|2,318|2,395|52|Michigan}} {{PresRow|2008|Democratic|2,188|2,472|90|Michigan}} {{PresRow|2012|Republican|2,330|2,212|76|Michigan}} {{PresRow|2016|Republican|2,585|1,663|270|Michigan}} {{PresRow|2020|Republican|3,014|2,053|68|Michigan}} {{PresRow|2024|Republican|3,116|2,075|67|Michigan}} {{PresFoot}} {{U.S. SenHead|place=Alger County, Michigan|Seat=1|source=<ref>{{cite news |title=2024 Senate Election (Official Returns)|website=Commonwealth of Michigan by county|date=November 5, 2024 |access-date=December 5, 2024 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-elections/pennsylvania-senate-results}}</ref>}}  {{U.S. SenRow|2024|Republican|3,002|2,047|84|Michigan}} {{U.S. SenFoot}} {{M.I. GovHead|place=Alger County|Seat=|source=}}  {{M.I. GovRow|2022|Republican|2,258|1,984|84}} {{M.I GovFoot}}

==Communities== {{Stack|250px|thumb|U.S. Census data map showing local municipal boundaries within Alger County. Shaded areas represent incorporated cities.|float=right}}

===City=== * Munising (county seat)

===Village=== * Chatham

===Civil townships=== {{div col|colwidth=22em}} * Au Train Township * Burt Township * Grand Island Township * Limestone Township * Mathias Township * Munising Township * Onota Township * Rock River Township {{div col end}}

===Census-designated place===

* Grand Marais

===Unincorporated communities=== {{div col|colwidth=15em}} * Au Train * Christmas * Coalwood * Deerton * Diffin * Dixon * Dorsey * Doty * Eben Junction * Evelyn * Forest Lake * Green Haven * Indian Town * Juniper * Kentucky * Kiva * Ladoga * Limestone * Mantila Camp * Melstrand * Munising Junction * Myren * Onota * Rock River * Rumely * Sand River * Shingleton * Slapneck * Star * Stillman * Sullivans Landing * Sundell * Sunrise Landing * Traunik * Trenary * Vail * Van Meer * Wetmore * Williams Crossing * Williams Landing * Winters {{div col end}}

===Other locations=== {{div col|colwidth=15em}} * Bay Furnace (1869–1940) {{div col end}}

===Indian reservations=== * Alger County contains two very small portions of the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians tribal community, which is headquartered in Sault Ste. Marie in Chippewa County. One portion is in the northeastern corner of Au Train Township, and another slightly larger portion is about two miles south of Munising in Munising Township.<ref>{{cite web|last=United States Census Bureau|author-link=United States Census Bureau|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/general_ref/cousub_outline/cen2k_pgsz/mi_cosub.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609141604/http://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/general_ref/cousub_outline/cen2k_pgsz/mi_cosub.pdf |archive-date=June 9, 2011 |url-status=live|title=Michigan County Subdivision Outline Map|date=2000|access-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist|30em}}

==External links== * [https://algercounty.gov/ Alger County Online] * [https://algercountychamber.com/ Greater Munising Bay Partnership for Commerce Development & Alger County Chamber] ** [http://www.nmu.edu/sites/DrupalRuralAndLocal/files/UserFiles/Files/Pre-Drupal/SiteSections/Resources/Alger.pdf County Profile, Sam M Cohodas Regional Economist, Tawni Hunt Ferrarini, Ph.D.] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070830074232/http://www.naco.org/Template.cfm?Section=Find_a_County National Association of Counties - Alger County, MI] * [https://algercounty.gov/departments/sheriff/ Alger County Sheriff's Office] * [http://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=091-26-12 US Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 26-12] * {{cite web|url=http://www.cmich.edu/library/clarke/AccessMaterials/Bibliographies/MichiganLocalHistory/Pages/alger.aspx|publisher=Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University|title=Bibliography on Alger County|access-date=July 2, 2013}} {{Prone to spam|date=June 2017}}

{{Geographic Location |Centre = Alger County, Michigan |North = Lake Superior |East = Luce County |Southeast = Schoolcraft County |South = Delta County |West = Marquette County }}

{{Alger County, Michigan}} {{Upper Peninsula of Michigan}} {{Michigan}} {{Authority control}} {{Coord|47.16|-86.48|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-MI_source:UScensus1990}}

Category:Alger County, Michigan Category:Michigan counties Category:Populated places in the United States established in 1885 Category:1885 establishments in Michigan