Cheboygan County (pronounced shə-BOY-gən) is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. According to the 2020 census, the population was 25,579. The county seat is Cheboygan. The county boundaries were established in 1840, with land divided from Michilimackinac County. The Cheboygan County government was organized and merged with the former Wyandot County in 1853.

Etymology

The county's name has the same origin as the Cheboygan River, but the exact meaning is not known today. One possible source is the Ojibwe word zhaabonigan, which means "sewing needle." Another possibility is the word Chabwegan, which means "a place of ore." It has also been described as "a Native American word first applied to the river." For more information, see the List of Michigan County Name Etymologies. The word "Cheboygan" is pronounced the same as "Sheboygan" (a city in Wisconsin).

Geography

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that the county has a total area of 885 square miles (2,290 km²). Out of this, 715 square miles (1,850 km²) is land, and 170 square miles (440 km²), which is 19%, is water. The county is part of Northern Michigan.

Surrounding counties include:
– Presque Isle County to the east
– Montmorency County to the southeast
– Otsego County to the south
– Charlevoix County to the southwest
– Emmet County to the west
– Mackinac County to the north

Communities

• Cheboygan (the main city of the county)
• Mackinaw City (a section of the county)
• Wolverine
• Indian River
• Tower
• Burt Lake Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians
• Mackinac Bands of Chippewa and Ottawa Indians

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 25,579. The median age was 51.1 years. 17.5% of residents were under the age of 18, and 27.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females, there were 99.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.4 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 90.0% White, 0.4% Black or African American, 2.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.4% from some other race, and 6.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.3% of the population.

21.2% of residents lived in urban areas, while 78.8% lived in rural areas.

There were 11,290 households in the county, of which 21.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 48.8% were married-couple households, 19.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 23.7% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 17,631 housing units, of which 36.0% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 81.4% were owner-occupied and 18.6% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.0%, and the rental vacancy rate was 9.3%.

As of the 2000 census, there were 26,448 people, 10,835 households, and 7,573 families in the county. The population density was 37 people per square mile (14 people/km²). There were 16,583 housing units at an average density of 23 per square mile (8.9/km²).

In 2000, the racial makeup of the county was 94.80% White, 0.25% Black or African American, 2.55% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.15% from other races, and 2.05% from two or more races. 0.76% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 21.4% were of German, 10.4% English, 10.0% French, 9.5% Polish, 9.2% American, and 8.9% Irish ancestry. 97.7% spoke English as their first language.

There were 10,835 households, out of which 28.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.00% were married couples living together, 8.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.10% were non-families. 25.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41, and the average family size was 2.87.

The county population contained 23.70% under the age of 18, 6.20% from

Government

Cheyboygan County has often voted Republican over the years. Since 1884, voters in the county have chosen the Republican Party candidate in 72% of the national elections, which is 26 out of 36 elections.

Cheyboygan County runs the county jail, keeps rural roads in good condition, operates the main local courts, keeps records of property deeds, mortgages, and important life events like births and deaths, enforces public health rules, and works with the state to provide social services. The county board of commissioners manages the budget and can create some laws or rules, but not many. In Michigan, most local government tasks, such as police and fire services, building rules, tax assessments, and street repairs, are handled by cities and townships.

(Information as of September 2018)

Transportation

• I-75
• US 23
• US 31
• M-27
• M-33
• M-68
• M-108 (former highway)
• M-212

• C-58
• C-64
• C-66
• F-05

• Cheboygan County Airport, located in Cheboygan, is a private airport. There are no commercial airline airports in Cheboygan County. The closest ones are Alpena County Regional Airport, Chippewa County International Airport (Sault Ste. Marie, MI), and Cherry Capital Airport (Traverse City). Delta Air Lines has daily flights from Pellston Regional Airport.