LENAWEE County, MI

Lenawee County ("LENN-a-way") is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 99,423. The county seat is Adrian. The county was created in 1822, from territory partitioned from Monroe County. Its governing structure was organized in 1826.

Lenawee County comprises the Adrian, MI Micropolitan Statistical Area and is included in the Detroit-Warren-Ann Arbor, MI Combined Statistical Area. It is served by the Toledo Media market.

History

The county was organized in 1826, after being authorized and described by the Michigan legislature in 1822. It was taken from Monroe County, Michigan. The county's name was a neologism created by Henry Schoolcraft, a US Indian agent in this region who named several newly created counties. It is thought to be derived from a Native American word meaning "male"—from the Delaware leno or lenno or the Shawnee lenawai.

Geography

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (1.6%) is water. Lenawee County is considered to be part of Southeastern Michigan.

Adjacent counties

Major highways

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Within Lenawee County's townships, north–south roads are referred to as "highways", while east–west roads are referred to as "roads".

Demographics

As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 98,890 people, 35,930 households, and 26,049 families in the county. The population density was 132 people per square mile (51/km²). There were 39,769 housing units at an average density of 53 per square mile (20/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.51% White, 2.12% Black or African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 3.01% from other races, and 1.49% from two or more races. 6.96% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Residents identified as being 30.4% of German, 11.6% English, 10.2% American and 9.9% Irish ancestry. Some 94.7% spoke English and 4.2% Spanish as their first language.

There were 35,930 households, out of which 34.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.70% were married couples living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.50% were non-families. 22.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.07.

The county population contained 25.90% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 28.60% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 12.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 100.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $45,739, and the median income for a family was $53,661. Males had a median income of $38,458 versus $25,510 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,186. About 4.40% of families and 6.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.10% of those under age 18 and 9.20% of those age 65 or over.

Government and politics

Lenawee County has been reliably Republican in national elections. Since 1884, its voters have selected the Republican Party nominee in 85% (29 of 34) of the national elections through 2016.

The county government operates the jail, maintains rural roads, operates the major local courts, records deeds, mortgages, and vital records, administers public health regulations, and participates with the state in the provision of social services. The controls the budget and has 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.

Adrian College and Siena Heights University are located within the county.

Lenawee County has supported candidates from both political parties in statewide elections, making it a swing county. Tecumseh and Adrian have tended to lean Democrat, while Dover, Madison, and Riga Townships have tended to lean Republican. The rural areas of the county are bastions of populism and libertarianism which helped the Tea Party Movement gain considerable support. During the 2010 midterm elections, the county favored Republican Gubernatorial candidate Rick Snyder, Congressional candidate Tim Walberg, State Senate candidate Bruce Caswell, and State Representative candidates Nancy Jenkins and Mike Shirkey.

Lenawee County is located in Michigan's 7th congressional district, which is represented by Tim Walberg, who is a resident of the county. Walberg previously served as Lenawee's state representative. Backed by the Tea Party, Walberg won the district, which includes all of Lenawee County, Jackson County, Hillsdale County, Branch County, and Eaton County, as well as parts of Calhoun County and Washtenaw County. He defeated incumbent Democrat Mark Schauer. Schauer had defeated Walberg in the 2008 congressional election, after Walberg's first stint in Congress.

Most of Lenawee County is represented by Republican Bronna Kahle in the Michigan House of Representatives. Kahle represents the 57th District, previously represented by Republican Nancy Jenkins. She was preceded successively by brothers Doug and Dudley Spade, both Democrats.

Cambridge Township, which includes Onsted, is part of the 65th District, which covers much of the Irish Hills and is represented by Republican Mike Shirkey. Adrian is part of the 17th Senate District, represented by Dale Zorn of Ida, Michigan. Until the 2014 state senate election, Lenawee County was part of the 16th State Senate District, represented by Republican Bruce Caswell. The district contained all of Lenawee, Hillsdale, and Branch Counties.

Elected officials

Current as of February 26, 2022

County Commission

Current as of February 26, 2022

Law Enforcement Agencies

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Charter townships

Civil townships

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Other unincorporated communities