Montcalm County, Michigan
County in Michigan, United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Montcalm County (/ˈmɒntkɔːlm/ MONT-kawlm) is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 66,614.[2] The county is geographically located in the West Michigan region of the Lower Peninsula. The county seat is Stanton, and the largest city is Greenville.[3] The county is named for General Marquis Louis-Joseph de Montcalm, military commander of French troops during the French and Indian War. The county was set off in 1831 and organized in 1850.[1]
Montcalm County, Michigan | |
|---|---|
| |
 Location within the U.S. state of Michigan | |
| Coordinates: 43°19′N 85°09′W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Michigan |
| Founded | 1738 (created) 1850 (organized)[1] |
| Named after | Louis-Joseph de Montcalm |
| Seat | Stanton |
| Largest city | Greenville |
| Area | |
• Total | 721 sq mi (1,870 km2) |
| • Land | 705 sq mi (1,830 km2) |
| • Water | 15 sq mi (39 km2) 2.1% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 66,614 |
• Estimate (2024) | 69,314  |
| • Density | 94.5/sq mi (36.5/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 2nd |
| Website | montcalm |
Montcalm County is part of the Grand Rapids metropolitan area.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 721 square miles (1,870 km2), of which 705 square miles (1,830 km2) is land and 15 square miles (39 km2) (2.1%) is water.[4]
Adjacent counties
- Isabella County (northeast)
- Mecosta County (north)
- Gratiot County (east)
- Newaygo County (west)
- Ionia County (south)
- Kent County (southwest)
- Clinton County (southeast)
National protected area
- Manistee National Forest (part)
Major highways
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 891 | — | |
| 1860 | 3,968 | 345.3% | |
| 1870 | 13,629 | 243.5% | |
| 1880 | 33,148 | 143.2% | |
| 1890 | 32,754 | −1.2% | |
| 1900 | 32,754 | 0.0% | |
| 1910 | 32,069 | −2.1% | |
| 1920 | 30,441 | −5.1% | |
| 1930 | 27,471 | −9.8% | |
| 1940 | 28,581 | 4.0% | |
| 1950 | 31,013 | 8.5% | |
| 1960 | 35,795 | 15.4% | |
| 1970 | 39,660 | 10.8% | |
| 1980 | 47,555 | 19.9% | |
| 1990 | 53,059 | 11.6% | |
| 2000 | 61,226 | 15.4% | |
| 2010 | 63,342 | 3.5% | |
| 2020 | 66,614 | 5.2% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 69,314 | [5] | 4.1% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[6] 1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8] 1990-2000[9] 2010-2018[2] | |||
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 66,614. The median age was 40.9 years, 21.5% were under the age of 18, and 17.6% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 114.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 117.8 males.[10]
The racial makeup of the county was 90.2% White, 3.2% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.1% from some other race, and 4.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 4.0% of the population.[11]
15.4% of residents lived in urban areas, while 84.6% lived in rural areas.[12]
There were 24,153 households in the county, of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 50.7% were married-couple households, 18.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 22.4% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 25.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[10]
There were 27,894 housing units, of which 13.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 80.3% were owner-occupied and 19.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 4.8%.[10]
2010 census
According to a 2010 American Community Survey estimate, 25.5% of the population were of English ancestry, 22.5% were of German ancestry, 9.5% were of Irish ancestry, 6.0% were of Dutch ancestry, and 5.7% were of Danish ancestry. 96.4% spoke only English at home, while 2.1% spoke Spanish.[13]
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 61,266 people, 22,079 households, and 16,183 families residing in the county. The population density was 86 people per square mile (33 people/km2). There were 25,900 housing units at an average density of 37 per square mile (14/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.83% White, 2.17% Black or African American, 0.60% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.64% from other races, and 1.46% from two or more races. 2.28% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[14]
There were 22,079 households, out of which 35.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.80% were married couples living together, 9.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.70% were non-families. 21.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.10% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 30.20% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 12.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 105.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $37,218, and the median income for a family was $42,823. Males had a median income of $32,635 versus $23,645 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,183. About 7.40% of families and 10.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.00% of those under age 18 and 8.70% of those age 65 or over.
Government
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1884 | 3,857 | 49.32% | 3,788 | 48.43% | 176 | 2.25% |
| 1888 | 4,480 | 53.38% | 3,495 | 41.64% | 418 | 4.98% |
| 1892 | 3,623 | 53.31% | 2,205 | 32.45% | 968 | 14.24% |
| 1896 | 4,523 | 54.23% | 3,651 | 43.78% | 166 | 1.99% |
| 1900 | 4,826 | 63.15% | 2,636 | 34.49% | 180 | 2.36% |
| 1904 | 5,314 | 76.73% | 1,372 | 19.81% | 240 | 3.47% |
| 1908 | 4,558 | 69.05% | 1,715 | 25.98% | 328 | 4.97% |
| 1912 | 1,874 | 28.80% | 1,373 | 21.10% | 3,261 | 50.11% |
| 1916 | 3,894 | 56.00% | 2,801 | 40.28% | 258 | 3.71% |
| 1920 | 6,644 | 77.27% | 1,695 | 19.71% | 259 | 3.01% |
| 1924 | 6,942 | 78.97% | 1,396 | 15.88% | 453 | 5.15% |
| 1928 | 7,691 | 82.54% | 1,572 | 16.87% | 55 | 0.59% |
| 1932 | 5,166 | 45.30% | 5,704 | 50.02% | 533 | 4.67% |
| 1936 | 5,031 | 46.05% | 4,950 | 45.31% | 944 | 8.64% |
| 1940 | 7,633 | 64.39% | 4,119 | 34.74% | 103 | 0.87% |
| 1944 | 7,525 | 69.74% | 3,168 | 29.36% | 97 | 0.90% |
| 1948 | 6,081 | 65.14% | 2,999 | 32.13% | 255 | 2.73% |
| 1952 | 9,946 | 71.42% | 3,844 | 27.60% | 136 | 0.98% |
| 1956 | 9,759 | 69.80% | 4,189 | 29.96% | 33 | 0.24% |
| 1960 | 10,085 | 67.72% | 4,767 | 32.01% | 40 | 0.27% |
| 1964 | 5,181 | 36.55% | 8,970 | 63.27% | 26 | 0.18% |
| 1968 | 8,329 | 55.89% | 5,303 | 35.59% | 1,270 | 8.52% |
| 1972 | 9,591 | 61.97% | 5,602 | 36.19% | 285 | 1.84% |
| 1976 | 10,439 | 60.36% | 6,684 | 38.65% | 171 | 0.99% |
| 1980 | 10,822 | 56.51% | 6,706 | 35.02% | 1,622 | 8.47% |
| 1984 | 13,109 | 70.14% | 5,491 | 29.38% | 89 | 0.48% |
| 1988 | 10,963 | 58.46% | 7,664 | 40.87% | 127 | 0.68% |
| 1992 | 8,420 | 36.96% | 8,730 | 38.32% | 5,630 | 24.71% |
| 1996 | 8,679 | 40.47% | 10,053 | 46.88% | 2,714 | 12.66% |
| 2000 | 12,696 | 55.43% | 9,627 | 42.03% | 581 | 2.54% |
| 2004 | 14,968 | 55.99% | 11,471 | 42.91% | 295 | 1.10% |
| 2008 | 13,291 | 49.05% | 13,208 | 48.75% | 597 | 2.20% |
| 2012 | 13,621 | 53.32% | 11,430 | 44.74% | 497 | 1.95% |
| 2016 | 16,907 | 63.18% | 7,874 | 29.42% | 1,979 | 7.40% |
| 2020 | 21,815 | 67.88% | 9,703 | 30.19% | 620 | 1.93% |
| 2024 | 23,946 | 68.72% | 10,368 | 29.75% | 531 | 1.52% |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 22,944 | 66.84% | 10,270 | 29.92% | 1,114 | 3.25% |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2022 | 16,165 | 61.24% | 9,622 | 36.45% | 608 | 2.30% |
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: Thomas Ginster
- Sheriff: Michael J. Williams
- County Clerk: Kristen Millard
- County Treasurer: JoAnne Vukin
- Register of Deeds: Kimberly Kuhn
- Drain Commissioner: Todd Sattler
- County Commission:Chris Johnston; Nathan Alexander; Adam Petersen; Patrick Q. Carr; Matt Murray; Scott Painter; Charlie Mahar
- Road Commissioners: Dale J. Linton; Bob Brundage; S. Michael Scott
(information as of August 2025)
Communities
Cities
- Carson City
- Greenville
- Stanton (county seat)
Villages
Census-designated places
Other unincorporated communities
Townships
- Belvidere Township
- Bloomer Township
- Bushnell Township
- Cato Township
- Crystal Township
- Day Township
- Douglass Township
- Eureka Charter Township
- Evergreen Township
- Fairplain Township
- Ferris Township
- Home Township
- Maple Valley Township
- Montcalm Township
- Pierson Township
- Pine Township
- Reynolds Township
- Richland Township
- Sidney Township
- Winfield Township
Education
The county has nine libraries, including the Montcalm Community College Library, Carson City Public Library, Crystal Community Library, Flat River Community Library, Home Township Library, Reynolds Township Library, Richland Township Library, Tamarack District Library, and White Pine Library.[17]
The county also has 8 public school districts, including Carson City Crystal Area School District, Central Montcalm Public Schools, Greenville Public Schools, Lakeview Public Schools, Montabella Community Schools, Montcalm Area ISD, Tri County Area Schools, and Vestaburg Community Schools.[18]
Finally, the county has one community college, Montcalm Community College.[19]
