Washtenaw County ( / ˈ w ɔː ʃ t ə n ɔː / WAWSH -tə-naw ) is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. According to the 2020 census, the population was 372,258. Ann Arbor is the county seat and the largest city in the county. The county was created by a law in 1822 and officially established as a county in 1826. Washtenaw County is part of the Ann Arbor Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county includes several educational institutions, such as the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, Washtenaw Community College, and Concordia University Ann Arbor.

History

The first people living in the central part of what is now Michigan included: the Pottawattamies, the Chippewas, the Ottawas, the Wyandottes, and the Hurons. Native American groups whose lands included areas within Washtenaw County were the Myaamia (Miami), Bodéwadmiké (Potawatomi), Anishinabewaki, Peoria, Meškwahki·aša·hina (Meskwaki), and the Mississauga nation.

In the Ojibwe language, "Wash-ten-ong" or "Owashtanong" means "far away waters." This name was used by the Ojibwe people to describe the Grand River because of its long length. When the county was officially named in 1822, the beginning parts of the Grand River were within the original boundaries of Washtenaw County, which covered a much larger area than it does today.

Early records mention French trappers and traders trading goods in the area at crossings of the Huron River along the Potawatomi Trail and Pontiac Trail. Later, English and American settlers arrived. The first successful settlement was built near the current location of Ypsilanti around 1809 by French traders.

In 1822, the Legislative Council of the Michigan Territory defined the name and borders of the county. However, it was connected to Wayne County for tax and legal matters. Four years after the first map of the county was created, Washtenaw became a separate county in 1826 through a law passed by the Michigan Territorial Legislature. It remained linked to Wayne County for administrative tasks until before 1829, when local government was established. Other counties, like Ingham, were later formed from parts of the original Washtenaw County.

Swamps were drained to reduce water levels. The swamp near the intersection of I-94 and US-23, as well as areas in the Waterloo Recreation Area, still look similar to how early settlers saw them. As farms became productive, local deer populations increased. In the 1820s and 1830s, the independence of Greece from Turkey inspired the building of Greek Revival-style structures and the naming of townships, towns, and children.

The "frostbitten convention" took place in Ann Arbor, the county seat, in 1835. Michigan's path to statehood was delayed because it claimed the Toledo Strip, which Ohio also claimed. After the Toledo War (1835–1836), in which Michigan gave up its claim to Toledo in exchange for most of the Upper Peninsula, Ohio stopped opposing Michigan. Michigan became a state on January 26, 1837.

The convention also decided to move the capital from Detroit to a location farther from the Canadian border. After considering many communities, the delegates chose to build a new capital city, which became Lansing. The University of Michigan, founded in Detroit in 1817, was moved to Ann Arbor in 1839 as a gesture of recognition for the city’s efforts to become the state capital. The university later became and remains Washtenaw County's largest employer.

In 1849, the Michigan State Normal School (now Eastern Michigan University) was established in Ypsilanti, the oldest settlement in Washtenaw County. It became a college around 1891 and was renamed Eastern Michigan College in 1956. The institution was elevated to university status in 1959.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 722 square miles (1,870 km²), which includes 706 square miles (1,830 km²) of land and 16 square miles (41 km²) of water, making up 2.3% of the total area.

Demographics

In 2020, the census showed the county had a population of 372,258 people. The median age was 34.5 years. Eighteen point four percent of people were under 18 years old, and 14.8% were 65 years or older. For every 100 females, there were 96.5 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and older, there were 94.8 males aged 18 and older.

The racial makeup of the county was 69.2% White, 11.5% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 9.0% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 2.0% from some other race, and 7.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race made up 5.6% of the population.

Eighty-two point eight percent of people lived in urban areas, and 17.2% lived in rural areas.

There were 147,847 households in the county. Twenty-five percent of these households had children under 18 living in them. Of all households, 43.4% were married-couple households, 21.6% had a male householder with no spouse or partner, and 28.2% had a female householder with no spouse or partner. About 31.4% of households included only one person, and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years or older.

There were 156,882 housing units, of which 5.8% were vacant. Of the occupied units, 60.3% were owned by the residents, and 39.7% were rented. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.1%, and the rental vacancy rate was 5.7%.

Eighty-three point four percent of people spoke only English at home, 3.7% spoke Spanish, and 12.9% spoke another language.

The median income for a household was $83,754, and the median income for a family was $116,562. Fifteen point three percent of people had incomes below the poverty line.

Government

• Prosecuting Attorney: Eli Savit (Democrat)
• Sheriff: Alyshia M. Dyer (Democrat)
• County Clerk/Register of Deeds: Lawrence Kestenbaum (Democrat)
• County Treasurer: Latitia Lamelle Sharp (Democrat)
• Water Resources Commissioner: Gretchen Driskell (Democrat)

The Board of Commissioners has nine members. Each member is elected from a single district on a ballot that shows political parties. Elections happen in November of even-numbered years. Each member serves a two-year term. Information is current as of October 2024.

Washtenaw County operates 10 parks and one recreation center (gymnasium). One park has a water sprinkler area, one has a large water park, and one has a golf course. The recreation center includes a swimming pool, indoor track, basketball courts, machines for strength training, a weight room, and several rooms for different activities.

Washtenaw County is working to buy land for natural preservation. The program began in 2001 and was renewed in 2010. The millage was renewed again in 2020, with 72% of voters supporting the renewal. By July 2007, eight land parcels had been purchased. These lands have special value for nature, recreation, and learning. They remain in their natural state and are open to the public during daylight hours.

In partnership with private companies, the county maintains a wireless network. This network, called the Wireless Washtenaw Project, provides internet access to about half of the county’s residents. The goal of the project is to give all residents access to wireless internet.

The county government operates the jail, maintains rural roads (managed by an independent road commission), runs local courts, records deeds and mortgages, keeps vital records, enforces public health rules, and works with the state to provide welfare and social services. The county board of commissioners manages the budget and has limited power to create laws or rules. In Michigan, most local government duties—such as police and fire services, building and zoning rules, tax assessments, and street maintenance—are handled by individual cities and townships.

Politics

Since 1988, when Michael Dukakis won the election, the county has been a place where Democrats have been very strong in local and national elections because of Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan. In the 2020 United States presidential election, the county gave 72.4% of its votes to Democratic candidate Joe Biden. This was the highest percentage for a Democrat in the county, the third-highest total for any candidate in the county’s history, and the highest percentage in the state at that time. Between 1960 and 1988, the county often changed its support between political parties. The year 1992 was the first time since 1960 that the county supported the same party as in the previous election.

Even though the county now strongly supports Democrats, it was reliably Republican in presidential elections from 1896 to 1960. During that time, the county only voted Democratic once, in 1912, when the Republican vote was divided. It was one of the few places where Franklin D. Roosevelt did not win any of his four successful presidential campaigns. In 1972, George McGovern won the county’s support despite losing the national election to Richard Nixon by a large margin. This showed the county was beginning to favor Democrats more. However, in 1976, Michigander and former Wolverine Gerald R. Ford won the county, and in 1984, Ronald Reagan won the county during his national victory. These were the most recent times a Republican candidate won in the county.

Communities

• Ann Arbor (main town of the county)
• Chelsea
• Dexter
• Manchester
• Milan (northern part is in Washtenaw County, and the southern part is in Monroe County)
• Saline
• Ypsilanti

• Barton Hills

• Ann Arbor Charter Township
• Augusta Charter Township
• Pittsfield Charter Township
• Superior Charter Township
• York Charter Township
• Ypsilanti Charter Township

• Whitmore Lake (part of the area is in Washtenaw County, and part is in Livingston County)

• Rawsonville (part of the area)

Education

School districts are:

Former school districts are:

• Ypsilanti Public Schools
• Willow Run Community Schools