Montcalm County (/ˈmɒntkɔːlm/ MONT-kawlm) is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. According to the 2020 Census, the population was 66,614. It is located in the West Michigan region of the Lower Peninsula. The county seat is Stanton, and the largest city is Greenville. The county is named after General Marquis Louis-Joseph de Montcalm, a French military leader during the French and Indian War. Montcalm County was created in 1831 and officially established in 1850. It is part of the Grand Rapids metropolitan area.

Geography

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that the county covers a total area of 721 square miles, which is about 1,870 square kilometers. Out of this area, 705 square miles, or 1,830 square kilometers, are land, and 15 square miles, or 39 square kilometers, are water. This means 2.1% of the county’s area is water.

The county is bordered by the following areas:
– Isabella County to the northeast
– Mecosta County to the north
– Gratiot County to the east
– Newaygo County to the west
– Ionia County to the south
– Kent County to the southwest
– Clinton County to the southeast

Part of Manistee National Forest is located within the county.

Major highways that pass through the county include:
– US 131
– M-46
– M-57
– M-66
– M-82
– M-91

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 66,614. The average 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 aged 18 and over, there were 117.8 males.

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, less than 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 made up 4.0% of the population.

Fifteen point four percent of residents lived in urban areas, while 84.6% lived in rural areas.

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.

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%.

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.

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.

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 aged 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

The county government runs the jail, repairs rural roads, manages major local courts, stores records of property deeds and mortgages, keeps important documents like birth and death records, enforces public health rules, and works with the state to provide welfare and other social services. The county board of commissioners manages the budget but 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 repairs—are handled by individual cities and townships.

• 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

• Carson City
• Greenville
• Stanton (county seat)

• Edmore
• Howard City
• Lakeview
• McBride
• Pierson
• Sheridan

• Crystal
• Trufant

Education

The county contains nine libraries, such as 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.

The county also contains eight public school districts, such as 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.

Finally, the county contains one community college, Montcalm Community College.