Benzie County, Michigan

{{short description|County in Michigan, United States}} {{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox U.S. county | county = Benzie County | state = Michigan | ex image = Benzie County Courthouse.jpg | ex image size = 300px | ex image cap = Old Benzie County Courthouse in Beulah | seal = | founded year = 1863 (created) 1869 (organized)<ref name="Clarke"/> | founded date = | seat wl = Beulah | largest city wl = Frankfort | area_total_sq_mi = 860 | area_land_sq_mi = 320 | area_water_sq_mi = 540 | area percentage = 63% | census yr = 2020 | pop = 17,970 | density_sq_mi = 55 | web = www.benzieco.net | district = 1st | time zone = Eastern | named for = Betsie River |population_est=18,568 {{increase}}|pop_est_as_of=2025}}

'''Benzie County''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|ɛ|n|z|i:}} {{respell|BEN|zee}}) is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the population was 17,970.<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/benziecountymichigan/POP010220|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 15, 2021}}</ref> The county seat is Beulah.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 }}</ref> The county was initially set off in 1863 and organized in 1869.<ref name="Clarke">{{cite web |title=Bibliography on Benzie County |url=https://www.cmich.edu/library/clarke/AccessMaterials/Bibliographies/MichiganLocalHistory/Pages/benzie.aspx |access-date=January 19, 2013 |publisher=Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University}}</ref><ref name=":0">[http://www.michigan.gov/hal/0,1607,7-160-15481_20826_20829-54126--,00.html County place names] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090728130613/http://www.michigan.gov/hal/0%2C1607%2C7-160-15481_20826_20829-54126--%2C00.html |date=July 28, 2009 }}</ref> At {{convert|321|mi2|km2}}, Benzie County is the smallest of the 83 counties in Michigan in terms of land area. Benzie County is home to the [https://www.frankfortmich.com/ City of Frankfort] which sits on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is located within Benzie county. It is also home to Crystal Mountain, one of Michigan's top-rated ski resorts.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 4, 2019 |title=Comprehensive Guide to Ski Resorts in Michigan |url=https://www.michigan.org/article/trip-idea/comprehensive-guide-ski-resorts-michigan |access-date=January 10, 2023 |website=Pure Michigan {{!}} Official Travel & Tourism Website for Michigan |language=en}}</ref> [[File:Frankfort Lighthouse IMG 2776 (4674091249).jpg|thumb|Frankfort Light]] [[File:032-1 POINT BETSIE LIGHT (4020329203).jpg|thumb|Point Betsie Light]] [[File:Frankfort Harbor 2.JPG|thumb|Frankfort Harbor; the mouth of the Betsie River at Lake Michigan]]

==History== Today's Benzie County was originally part of Leelanau County. Leelanau County was separated from Michilimackinac County in 1840, and was attached to Grand Traverse County.<ref name="clarke2">{{cite web |title=Bibliography on Leelanau County |url=https://www.cmich.edu/library/clarke/AccessMaterials/Bibliographies/MichiganLocalHistory/Pages/leelanau.aspx |access-date=January 19, 2013 |publisher=Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University}}</ref> In 1863, The northern section of Leelanau County was organized, and the southern section, now named Benzie County, was left attached to Grand Traverse County.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Benzie County, Michigan History |url=http://genealogytrails.com/mich/benzie/history.html |access-date=November 14, 2022 |website=genealogytrails.com}}</ref> Benzie County was organized in its own right in 1869.<ref name="Clarke" /><ref name=":0" />

===Etymology=== The name "Benzie" is derived from the French ''{{lang|fr|la rivière aux Bec-scies}}'', "the river of sawbills", ''bec-scie'' ("bill-saw") being a type of ducks. Americans altered the pronunciation of the river's name, which became known as the "Betsie River". A similar alteration in pronunciation produced "Benzie".<ref name="Clarke" />

==Geography== According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of {{convert|860|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|320|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|540|sqmi}} (63%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_26.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113024015/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_26.txt |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 13, 2013 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=September 19, 2014 |date=August 22, 2012 |title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files }}</ref> It is the smallest county in Michigan by land area.

Benzie County is located in the northwest of the Lower Peninsula, in the "little finger" position of the mitten-shaped peninsula and is considered to be part of the Northern Michigan region. Lake Michigan is to the west, Leelanau County and the Leelanau Peninsula are to the north. Grand Traverse County and Traverse City are to the east. Wexford County is to the southeast and Manistee County to the south. The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore extends into the northwest portion of the county. Crystal Lake is a prominent physical feature of the area. The Platte River rises out of a lake district around Lake Ann in the northeast of the county and flows southwest and the northwest into Big Platte Lake before emptying into Lake Michigan at Platte River Point. The Betsie River rises in neighboring Grand Traverse County, flowing southwest across the southeast corner of the county into Manistee County, where it bends northwest until just south of Benzonia where it receives the outflow of Crystal Lake and then flows mostly west through Elberta and Frankfort and into Lake Michigan.

Portions of the Pere Marquette State Forest lie within the county and offer several trails including a {{convert|10|mi|km|adj=on}} route along the Betsie River and a {{convert|5.8|mi|km|adj=on}} trail near Lake Ann. There are state forest campgrounds at Platte River and Lake Ann. The Betsie River State Game Area is located just east of Elberta. {{convert|50|mi|km}} of the Betsie River is a state-designated Natural River from Grass Lake, just west of the Grand Traverse County line, to its inlet into Lake Betsie just east of Elberta. The natural and scenic richness of the area has made it a host to a variety of conservation, education, and recreation programs, including Crystalaire, the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, and others.

===Major highways=== * {{jct|state=MI|US|31}} enters the county from the south, passes through Benzonia and Beulah on the south end of Crystal Lake before turning to exit the county to the east. * {{jct|state=MI|M|22}} traverses the western edge of the county, providing a scenic drive along the shore of Lake Michigan. * {{jct|state=MI|M|115}} enters the county from the south, angling northwest, and merges with US 31 for a couple of miles until Benzonia where M-115 continues west to end in Frankfort. Previously, an additional highway, M-168, ran in the village of Elberta, serving the former Ann Arbor Railroad ferry docks. The route was handed back to local control in 2012.<ref name="MoU">{{cite web |author=Staff |date=April 24, 2012 |title=Contract Number 2012-0366 |url=http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/greatlakesroads/message/16786 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130105161909/http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/greatlakesroads/message/16786 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 5, 2013 |url-access=registration |access-date=May 7, 2012 |publisher=Michigan Department of Transportation}}</ref>

===Adjacent counties=== '''By land''' * Leelanau County - north * Grand Traverse County - east * Manistee County - south * Wexford County - adjacent at the southeast corner

'''By water''' * Door County, Wisconsin - northwest across Lake Michigan * Kewaunee County, Wisconsin - southwest across Lake Michigan

==Communities== [[File:Benzie County, MI census map.png|thumb|right|450px|U.S. Census data map showing local municipal boundaries within Benzie County. Shaded areas represent incorporated cities.]]

===City=== * Frankfort

===Villages=== * Benzonia * Beulah (county seat) * Elberta * Honor * Lake Ann * Thompsonville

===Civil townships=== {{div col|colwidth=22em}} * Almira Township * Benzonia Township * Blaine Township * Colfax Township * Crystal Lake Township * Gilmore Township * Homestead Township * Inland Township * Joyfield Township * Lake Township * Platte Township * Weldon Township {{div col end}}

===Census-designated places=== * Bendon * Crystal Downs Country Club * Crystal Mountain * Hardwood Acres * Maple Grove * Nessen City * Pilgrim

===Other unincorporated communities=== {{div col|colwidth=22em}} * Aral * Averytown * Cedar Run * Chimney Corners Resort * Crystallia * Edgewater * Oberlin * Platte River * Wallin * Weldon * Watervale {{div col end}}

===Indian reservation=== * The Grand Traverse Indian Reservation, which has territory in five counties, occupies a small area in southern Benzonia Township.

==Demographics== {{US Census population | 1870 = 2184 | 1880 = 3433 | 1890 = 5237 | 1900 = 9685 | 1910 = 10638 | 1920 = 6947 | 1930 = 6587 | 1940 = 7800 | 1950 = 8306 | 1960 = 7834 | 1970 = 8593 | 1980 = 11205 | 1990 = 12200 | 2000 = 15998 | 2010 = 17525 | 2020 = 17970 | estyear = 2025 | estimate = 18568 | estref = <ref name="USCensusEst2025">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/benziecountymichigan,US/PST045225|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates Tables|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 1, 2026}}</ref> {{increase}} | align-fn = center | footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 19, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426102944/http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|archive-date=April 26, 2015}}</ref> 1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=September 19, 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=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 19, 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=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 19, 2014}}</ref> 2010-2018<ref name="QF"/> | align = right }}

===Racial and ethnic composition=== {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;" |+'''Benzie 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 – Benzie County, Michigan|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=050XX00US26019&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) – Benzie County, Michigan|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US26019&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) – Benzie County, Michigan|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US26019&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date= }}</ref> !% 1980 !% 1990 !% 2000 !% 2010 !style="background-color: #ffffb3;" |% 2020 |- |White alone (NH) |10,894 |11,770 |15,270 |16,658 |style='background: #ffffe6; |16,597 |97.22% |96.48% |95.45% |95.05% |style='background: #ffffe6; |92.36% |- |Black or African American alone (NH) |36 |30 |43 |71 |style='background: #ffffe6; |56 |0.32% |0.25% |0.27% |0.41% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.31% |- |Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) |143 |236 |248 |244 |style='background: #ffffe6; |164 |1.28% |1.93% |1.55% |1.39% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.91% |- |Asian alone (NH) |13 |35 |25 |44 |style='background: #ffffe6; |71 |0.12% |0.29% |0.16% |0.25% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.40% |- |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> |0 |0 |style='background: #ffffe6; |0 |x |x |0.00% |0.00% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.00% |- |Other race alone (NH) |14 |0 |11 |3 |style='background: #ffffe6; |65 |0.12% |0.00% |0.07% |0.02% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.36% |- |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> |168 |203 |style='background: #ffffe6; |626 |x |x |1.05% |1.16% |style='background: #ffffe6; |3.48% |- |Hispanic or Latino (any race) |105 |129 |233 |302 |style='background: #ffffe6; |391 |0.94% |1.06% |1.46% |1.72% |style='background: #ffffe6; |2.18% |- |'''Total''' |'''11,205''' |'''12,200''' |'''15,998''' |'''17,525''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''17,970 ''' |'''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 17,970 and a median age of 50.6 years. 17.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 27.2% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 100.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 98.3 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%3A019&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 93.1% White, 0.4% Black or African American, 1.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.7% from some other race, and 4.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.2% 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%3A019&in=state%3A26|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=January 1, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

14.5% of residents lived in urban areas, while 85.5% 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%3A019&in=state%3A26|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=January 1, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

There were 7,753 households in the county, of which 22.0% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 52.9% were married-couple households, 18.3% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 21.9% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

There were 12,099 housing units, of which 35.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 86.7% were owner-occupied and 13.3% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.3% and the rental vacancy rate was 22.3%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

===2000 census===

As of the 2000 census,<ref>[http://censtats.census.gov/data/MI/05026019.pdf Statistical profile of Benzie County, Michigan] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080410054452/http://censtats.census.gov/data/MI/05026019.pdf |date=April 10, 2008 }}, United States Census Bureau, Census 2000</ref> there were 15,998 people, 6,500 households, and 4,595 families residing in the county.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the county was $37,350, and the median income for a family was $42,716. Males had a median income of $30,218 versus $21,730 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,524. About 4.7% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.2% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over.

==Government== For most of its history, Benzie County has primarily supported Republican presidential candidates, with the only times they failed to carry to the county prior to 1992 being in 1912 & 1964. Starting with the 1992 election, the county has become a Republican-leaning bellwether county, with 2012 and 2020 being the only two presidential elections it did not vote for the national winner from 1980 on as of 2024. {{PresHead|place=Benzie County, Michigan|source=<ref>[http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections]</ref>}}  {{PresRow|1884|Republican|556|380|77|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1888|Republican|710|412|111|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1892|Republican|774|498|203|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1896|Republican|1,366|803|93|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1900|Republican|1,472|626|123|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1904|Republican|1,582|295|259|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1908|Republican|1,437|551|294|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1912|Progressive|568|326|1,019|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1916|Republican|900|770|237|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1920|Republican|1,520|422|169|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1924|Republican|1,922|198|483|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1928|Republican|1,849|321|24|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1932|Republican|1,595|1,432|149|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1936|Republican|1,742|1,686|230|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1940|Republican|2,320|1,429|16|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1944|Republican|2,026|1,084|32|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1948|Republican|2,013|964|112|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1952|Republican|2,752|980|36|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1956|Republican|2,620|1,046|15|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1960|Republican|2,484|1,306|5|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1964|Democratic|1,674|1,983|5|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1968|Republican|2,138|1,147|225|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1972|Republican|2,686|1,310|58|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1976|Republican|3,085|1,891|62|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1980|Republican|3,054|1,842|602|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1984|Republican|3,590|1,866|46|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1988|Republican|3,240|2,437|55|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1992|Democratic|2,438|2,715|1,699|Michigan}} {{PresRow|1996|Democratic|2,856|3,081|848|Michigan}} {{PresRow|2000|Republican|4,172|3,546|354|Michigan}} {{PresRow|2004|Republican|5,284|4,383|111|Michigan}} {{PresRow|2008|Democratic|4,687|5,451|171|Michigan}} {{PresRow|2012|Republican|5,075|4,685|141|Michigan}} {{PresRow|2016|Republican|5,539|4,108|581|Michigan}} {{PresRow|2020|Republican|6,601|5,480|181|Michigan}} {{PresRow|2024|Republican|6,895|5,780|196|Michigan}} {{PresFoot}} {{U.S. SenHead|place= 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|6,742|5,659|338|Michigan}} {{U.S. SenFoot}} {{M.I. GovHead|place=Benzie County|Seat=|source=}}  {{M.I. GovRow|2022|Democratic|5,064|5,446|179}} {{M.I GovFoot}} 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 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.

===Elected officials=== * Prosecuting Attorney: Sara Swanson * Sheriff: Kyle Rosa * County Clerk: Tammy Bowers * County Treasurer: Kelly Long * Register of Deeds: Paula Eberhart * Drain Commissioner: Edward Hoogterp * County Surveyor: John Smendzuik <ref>[http://www.benzieco.net/ Welcome to Benzie County, Michigan]</ref>

(information as of September 2005)

==Education==

The Northwest Educational Services, based in Traverse City, services the students in the county along with those of Antrim, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau. The intermediate school district offers regional special education services, early education and English learner programs, and technical career pathways for students of its districts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About us |url=https://www.northwested.org/inside-north-ed/ |access-date=July 17, 2023 |publisher=Northwest Educational Services}}</ref>

Benzie County is served by the following regular public school districts:<ref>{{cite web |title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Benzie County, MI |url=https://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/mgdl/pdfmaps/CountySchools/SD_BYCO_esize_BENZIE%20COUNTY.pdf |accessdate=February 14, 2024 |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st26_mi/schooldistrict_maps/c26115_monroe/DC20SD_C26115_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>

* Benzie County Central Schools, which serves most of the county, including Benzonia, Beulah, Honor, Lake Ann, and Thompsonville * Frankfort-Elberta Area Schools, which serves the west of the county, including Frankfort and Elberta * Glen Lake Community Schools, which serves a small portion of Platte Township * Traverse City Area Public Schools, which serves a small portion of Almira Township

Benzie County has one private school, the New Covenant Christian Academy (Christian).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Search for Private Schools - Benzie County, MI |url=https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pss/privateschoolsearch/school_list.asp?Search=1&State=26&County=Benzie |access-date=July 17, 2023 |author=National Center for Education Statistics |publisher=Institute of Education Sciences }}</ref>

==References== {{reflist|30em}}

==Further reading== * {{cite web |url=http://clarke.cmich.edu/resource_tab/bibliographies_of_clarke_library_material/michigan_local_history/county_material/benzie.html |publisher=Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University |title=Bibliography on Benzie County|access-date=January 19, 2013}} * [https://books.google.com/books/about/A_history_of_Herring_Lake.html?id=K8_hAAAAMAAJ A history of Herring Lake: with an introductory legend, The bride of mystery]

==External links== * [http://www.visitbenzie.com Benzie Area Visitors Bureau] * [http://www.benzie.org Benzie County Chamber of Commerce] * [https://www.benzieco.net/ Benzie County official website]

{{Geographic location |Centre = Benzie County, Michigan |North = Leelanau County |Northeast = |East = Grand Traverse County |Southeast = Wexford County |South = Manistee County |Southwest = |West = Lake Michigan |Northwest = }}

{{coord|44.63|-86.25|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-MI_source:UScensus1990}}

Category:Benzie County, Michigan Category:Michigan counties Category:Traverse City metropolitan area Category:1869 establishments in Michigan Category:Populated places in the United States established in 1869