Chippewa County is located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It is bordered by Mackinac, Luce, and Delta Counties. The county seat is Sault Ste Marie, which is also the largest city in the county. The population of Chippewa County was estimated at 38,849 in 2019. The total area of Chippewa County is 1,519 square miles and it has a population density of 25 people per square mile. See top counties in Michigan.
The economy of Chippewa County relies heavily on tourism and manufacturing industries. Tourism plays a large role in the local economy as it attracts visitors from all over the world to enjoy its natural beauty. The major tourist attractions include Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Soo Locks Boat Tours, and Whitefish Point Bird Observatory. In addition to tourism, manufacturing also plays an important role in the local economy with companies such as Essar Steel Algoma Inc., Greystone Forge LLC., and Superior Fibers Inc. providing jobs for many residents.
Chippewa County also boasts a rich cultural history with several museums located throughout the county such as Mackinaw City Historical Museum and Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point Lighthouse Station. There are also numerous outdoor activities available for those looking to explore more of what Chippewa County has to offer including hiking trails, fishing charters, snowmobiling trails, golf courses, and more.
History of Chippewa County, Michigan
Chippewa County, Michigan has a long and rich history that dates back to the mid-1800s. The county was originally part of Mackinac County until 1826 when it was officially organized as Chippewa County. The county was named after the Ojibwa Indian tribe, which occupied the area for many years.
The first settlers of Chippewa County arrived in the late 1830s and early 1840s, primarily from Canada, New York, and Vermont. These settlers were mostly of French Canadian and English descent and they quickly established small farming communities throughout the area. In addition to farming, logging became an important industry during this time as the area was abundant with timber resources.
During World War II, Chippewa County played an important role in supporting the war effort. Many of its residents enlisted in the military or found employment in factories producing war materials such as guns, ammunition, and tanks. After World War II ended, many of these same individuals returned home to help rebuild their communities with a renewed sense of pride and patriotism.
Today, Chippewa County is a thriving community with a population of 38,849 people according to 2019 estimates. It is home to several museums including Mackinaw City Historical Museum and Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point Lighthouse Station that preserve its rich history for all to enjoy. In addition to its historical attractions, Chippewa County also boasts numerous outdoor activities such as hiking trails, fishing charters, snowmobiling trails, golf courses, and more.
Major cities and towns in Chippewa County, Michigan
Chippewa County, Michigan is home to many small cities and towns that have become integral parts of the region. The county seat is Sault Ste. Marie, which is the largest city in the county with a population of 14,144 according to 2019 estimates. This city is located on the St. Marys River and serves as an important transportation hub for both passenger and freight ships that travel between Lake Superior and Lake Huron.
The second largest city in Chippewa County is Brimley, with a population of 1,305 in 2019. This city was founded in 1887 as a logging camp but has since shifted its focus to tourism due to its proximity to nearby Bay Mills Indian Community and Tahquamenon Falls State Park.
The other major cities and towns in Chippewa County include Pickford, Rudyard, Kinross, Dafter, De Tour Village, Paradise, Goetzville, Eckermann, Hulbert Township and Drummond Township. Pickford is known for its annual Pickford Hog Jog Festival which celebrates the area’s rich heritage of hunting wild boar. Rudyard is home to several historical buildings including the Old Mission Church built in 1912 by Jesuit missionaries who served the local Native American community. Kinross was founded around 1895 as a lumber town but has since become a popular destination for outdoor recreation such as fishing charters on Lake Superior or snowmobiling trails through Hulbert Township State Forest.
In addition to these cities and towns there are also many unincorporated communities such as Kincheloe Air Force Base which was established during World War II for training airmen before they were sent overseas; Cedarville which serves as an important port on Lake Huron; Detour Village which offers scenic views of Detour Passage; Goetzville where visitors can explore abandoned limestone quarries; Eckermann where visitors can explore abandoned copper mines; Paradise where visitors can explore abandoned iron ore mines; Drummond Township which features one of the oldest lighthouses on Lake Superior; and Hulbert Township which offers access to miles of hiking trails through Hulbert Township State Forest.
No matter what type of experience you’re looking for there’s something special waiting for you in Chippewa County.
Population in Chippewa County, Michigan
According to Iamaccepted, Chippewa County is located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and has a population of 38,731 according to the 2019 census. The county is home to several townships and cities, including Sault Ste. Marie which serves as the county seat. The majority of the population lives in these cities and towns, but there are also many unincorporated communities spread throughout the county.
The racial makeup of Chippewa County is 88.7% White, 6.6% Native American, 1.3% Black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.5% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.9% of the population in 2019 according to the census data collected that year.
The median age in Chippewa County is 44 years old with 24 percent under 18 years old and 13 percent over 65 years old according to 2019 census estimates. The gender makeup for Chippewa County is 48 percent male and 52 percent female with a median household income of $48,856 in 2019 according to census estimates from that year as well.
In terms of education attainment levels for Chippewa County residents aged 25 years and older in 2019: 18 percent had not completed high school; 17 percent had some college; 22 percent had an associate’s degree; 18 percent had a bachelor’s degree; 11 percent had a master’s degree; 5 percent had a professional degree; and 17 percent reported having earned a doctorate degree or higher level of education attainment (according to census data from that year).
The unemployment rate in Chippewa County was 5%, below the national average of 6%. Additionally, 94 % of residents have access to high-speed internet service as well as cable television services (according to census data from 2019).
Chippewa County offers an array of opportunities for both work and leisure activities with its diverse set of businesses ranging from tech startups to outdoor recreation companies along with its abundance of natural resources such as rivers for fishing/boating trips or forests for hunting/hiking trips all within close proximity.