Charlevoix County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. The main city in the county is Charlevoix, and the largest city is Boyne City. The county is located in the Northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan and is divided by Lake Charlevoix, which is the third largest inland lake in the state. According to the 2020 census, the county had a population of 26,054. Beaver Island, the largest island in Lake Michigan, is also located within Charlevoix County.

History

Between 1840 and 1841, surveyors William Austin Burt, John Mullett, and Charles W. Cathcart mapped much of Northern Michigan. Cathcart was in charge of surveying the internal lines for 34N 08W, an area later called Charlevoix. Mullett and Cathcart helped plan many of the townships in the new county, including Charlevoix Township.

The county was first organized in 1840 as Kesk-kauko, named after a chief from the Saginaw tribe. The name changed to Resh-kanko in 1843 and then to Charlevoix County in 1843. The name Charlevoix was chosen to honor Pierre François Xavier de Charlevoix, a French missionary from the colonial era.

In 1847, a group of Mormons called "Strangites" settled on Beaver Island and created a community led by James Jesse Strang, who was called "King." Conflicts arose between Strang’s followers and other settlers. Strang became a member of the Michigan State House of Representatives and pushed for a law in 1853 titled "An act to organize the County of Emmet." This law added nearby Lake Michigan islands, parts of Cheboygan County, and the area known as Kesk-kauko/Resh-kanko/Charlevoix to Emmet County. Charlevoix became a township under Emmet County in 1853 and included all nine townships in the southern half of Emmet County.

Because of Strang’s influence, Mormons held power in Emmet County government, leading many non-Mormon settlers to leave the area. In 1855, non-Mormons succeeded in persuading the Michigan Legislature to reorganize Emmet County. The islands, including Beaver Island and the Manitou Islands, were moved to a new county called Manitou, which removed Mormons from Emmet County government. Strang was shot in an attack on June 20, 1856, and died three weeks later.

Emmet County faced disagreements over where to place the county seat, with some supporting Little Traverse (Harbor Springs) and others supporting Mackinaw City. In 1867, voters chose Charlevoix as the county seat, and a court decision in 1868 confirmed this choice. However, in 1869, Charlevoix County was separated from Emmet County, making Charlevoix the official county seat for both counties.

In 1873, the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad was completed through eastern Charlevoix County to Petoskey, leading to more people settling near Pine Lake. Townships like Resort and Springvale were created in 1880 as part of Charlevoix County. As new townships formed, Boyne City and East Jordan worked together to gain enough votes to move the county seat. In 1884, 11 of 16 township supervisors voted to make East Jordan the county seat. In 1886, Boyne City convinced two-thirds of supervisors to move the seat to Boyne City.

In 1897, Charlevoix County reached an agreement with Emmet County and the state legislature. Charlevoix County gained three townships on Beaver Island while giving up Resort, Bear Lake, and Springvale townships to Emmet County. This change in voting power allowed Charlevoix City to regain the county seat after 13 years.

The Ironton Ferry began operating in 1876, and Ironton became a center for iron production.

There are ten Michigan state historical markers in the county, and the area was once home to Odawa people who fished, hunted, and trapped fur.

Historical sites include:
• Big Rock Point Nuclear Power Plant
• Boyne City United Methodist Church
• Charlevoix Depot
• Greensky Hill Mission
• Horace S. Harsha House
• Horton Bay
• John Porter and Eva Porter Estate
• Mormon Kingdom
• Mormon Print Shop
• Norwood Township Hall

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,390 square miles (3,600 km²), of which 416 square miles (1,080 km²) is land and 974 square miles (2,520 km²) (70%) is water. It is the fourth smallest county in Michigan when comparing land area.

Mainland Charlevoix County has a shoreline along both Traverse Bays (Grand Traverse Bay and Little Traverse Bay) of Lake Michigan.

Lake Charlevoix, with a surface area of 17,200 acres (7,000 hectares) and 56 miles (90 kilometers) of shoreline, is a major feature of the county. Gull, Hat, Pismire, and Shoe Islands, which are part of the Beaver Island group of islands, are included in the Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Two of these islands are also part of the Michigan Islands Wilderness Area.

The county is located in Northern Michigan.

Adjacent Counties:
– Emmet County (north)
– Cheboygan County (northeast)
– Otsego County (southeast)
– Antrim County (south)

Other Nearby Counties:
– Mackinac County (north)
– Leelanau County (southwest)
– Schoolcraft County (northwest)

Protected Area:
– Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Communities

• Boyne City
• Charlevoix (county seat)
• East Jordan

• Boyne Falls

Charlevoix County includes parts of two Native American reservations. Both reservations belong to the officially recognized Odawa tribe. The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians has a small reservation in southwest Evaline Township. The Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians has four separate reservations in the county—three small areas in Hayes Township and one section in St. James Township on Beaver Island.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 26,054 people. The average age of residents was 49.8 years, and 18.4% of people were younger than 18 years old. Twenty-five point six percent of residents were 65 years old or older. For every 100 females, there were 99.5 males. For every 100 females who were 18 years old or older, there were 97.6 males who were 18 years old or older.

The racial makeup of the county was 92.3% White, 0.3% Black or African American, 1.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% Asian, less than 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.6% from some other race, and 4.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race made up 1.6% of the population.

Thirty point two percent of residents lived in urban areas, and 69.8% lived in rural areas.

There were 11,274 households in the county. Twenty-three percent of these households had children younger than 18 living in them. Of all households, 51.2% were married-couple households, 18.7% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 23.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years old or older.

There were 17,451 housing units in the county. Thirty-five point four percent of these units were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 80.8% were owner-occupied, and 19.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6%, and the rental vacancy rate was 14.0%.

As of the 2000 census, there were 26,090 people, 10,400 households, and 7,311 families living in the county. The population density was 63 people per square mile (24 people per square kilometer). There were 15,370 housing units, with an average density of 37 per square mile (14 per square kilometer).

In 2000, the racial makeup of the county was 96.31% White, 0.17% Black or African American, 1.54% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.41% from other races, and 1.25% from two or more races. One point zero four percent of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Twenty-one point eight percent were of German ancestry, 12.0% English, 11.0% American, 10.6% Irish, and 8.4% Polish. Ninety-seven point three percent spoke English as their first language, and 1.1% spoke Spanish.

There were 10,400 households in 2000. Thirty-one point eight percent of these households had children younger than 18 living with them. Fifty-eight point four percent were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.8% were non-families. Twenty-five point two percent of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years old or older. The average household size was 2.48, and the average family size was 2.96.

In 2000, 25.9% of the population was younger than 18 years old, 6.5% were between 18 and 24 years old, 27.4% were between 25 and 44 years old, 25.2% were between 45 and 64 years old, and 14.9% were 65 years old or older. The average age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.9 males. For every 100 females who were 18 years old or older, there were 94.8 males who were 18 years old or older.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the county was $39,788, and the median income for a family was $46,260. Males had a median income of $32,457, and females had a median income of $22,447. The average income per person was $20,130. About 5.4% of families and 8.0% of the population lived below the poverty line. This included 10.0% of those younger than 18 and 5.9% of those who were 65 years old or older.

Government

The county government runs the jail, fixes rural roads, manages local courts, keeps records of property deeds and mortgages, stores important documents like birth and death certificates, enforces public health rules, and works with the state to provide welfare and social services. The county board of commissioners decides how money is spent but cannot create laws or rules on its own. In Michigan, most tasks handled by local governments, such as police and fire services, building rules, property taxes, and road repairs, are managed by individual cities and townships. Charlevoix is located in the 114th district.

Transportation

• US 31 is a road that runs along the shore of Lake Michigan. It passes through the city of Charlevoix and connects to Traverse City to the south and to Petoskey and the Mackinac Bridge to the north.
• US 131 is a north–south road in the eastern part of the county. It passes through the city of Boyne Falls.
• M-32 is an east–west road that starts in East Jordan and continues southeast into Antrim County. This highway can be used to reach Gaylord and Alpena to the east.
• M-66 is a north–south road that ends at US 31 in Charlevoix. It is the longest state highway in the Lower Peninsula and continues south to the Indiana border near Sturgis.
• M-75 is a highway that is entirely within Charlevoix County. It begins at US 131 in Boyne Falls, goes northwest to Boyne City, then turns northeast and ends at US 31 in Walloon Lake.

• C-48
• C-56
• C-65
• C-71
• C-73
• C-81

• Beaver Island is served by two airlines: Welke Airport and Beaver Island Airport.
• Beaver Island Boat Company operates a regular car ferry from Charlevoix.
• The Ironton Ferry at Ironton, Michigan crosses the south arm of Lake Charlevoix. It is a Michigan Historical Site and has been in use since 1876.
• Indian Trails provides bus service with stops in Charlevoix and Boyne Falls.
• Charlevoix County Transit System offers a county-wide dial-a-ride bus service.