Chippewa County, Michigan

Chippewa County, Michigan
Bobak Ha'Eri · CC BY 3.0 · source
County	Chippewa County
State	Michigan
Founded	1826
Seat	Sault Ste. Marie
Largest city	Sault Ste. Marie
Area total sq mi	2,698
Area land sq mi	1,558
Area water sq mi	1,140
Population as of	2020
Population total	38,520
Population density sq mi	24.7

Chippewa County, Michigan is a county located in the eastern part of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, bordering Lake Superior and Lake Huron. The county is home to the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge, which connects the United States to Canada and is a major transportation route for trade between the two countries, including the St. Marys River and the Soo Locks. The county is also near the Tahquamenon Falls State Park and the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, making it a popular destination for outdoor recreation and tourism, with attractions like the Sault Ste. Marie Canal and the Kewadin Casino.

Geography

Chippewa County is situated in the eastern part of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, with a total area of 2,698 square miles, of which 1,558 square miles is land and 1,140 square miles is water, including parts of Lake Superior and Lake Huron. The county is bordered by Mackinac County to the west, Luce County to the east, and the Canadian province of Ontario to the north, with the St. Marys River forming the international border. The county's terrain is characterized by a mix of forests, wetlands, and coastal areas, with notable features like the Soo Locks and the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge, which spans the St. Marys River and connects the county to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The county is also home to the Tahquamenon River and the Miners Castle, a popular spot for hiking and rock climbing.

History

Chippewa County was established in 1826 and was named after the Chippewa people, a Native American tribe that traditionally inhabited the region, along with the Ojibwe and the Ottawa. The county has a rich history, with evidence of human habitation dating back to the Paleoindian period, and was later home to French and British fur traders and missionaries, including Jacques Marquette and Étienne Brûlé. The county played a significant role in the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, with the British Army and the United States Army clashing in the area, including the Battle of Mackinac Island and the Battle of Lake Erie. The county is also home to the Sault Ste. Marie Museum and the Tower of History, which showcase the county's history and cultural heritage, including the Sault Ste. Marie Canal and the Kewadin Casino.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population of Chippewa County was 38,520, with a population density of 24.7 people per square mile, making it one of the most populous counties in the Upper Peninsula. The county has a diverse population, with a mix of European American, Native American, and African American residents, including the Chippewa people and the Ojibwe. The median household income in the county is around $43,000, and the median home value is around $120,000, with major employers like the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and the Kewadin Casino. The county is also home to Lake Superior State University and the Sault Area Public Schools, which provide education and job training opportunities for residents, including programs in forestry and natural resources.

Communities

Chippewa County is home to several communities, including the city of Sault Ste. Marie, which is the county seat and largest city, and the townships of Bay Mills Township and Rudyard Township. The county is also home to the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and the Bay Mills Indian Community, which are both federally recognized tribes and operate their own governments and economies, including the Kewadin Casino and the Bay Mills Casino. Other notable communities in the county include Dafter Township and Pickford Township, which are known for their agriculture and natural resources, including forestry and mining.

Government

Chippewa County is governed by a board of commissioners, which is responsible for overseeing the county's budget and policies, including the Sault Ste. Marie City Commission and the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners. The county is also home to the Sault Ste. Marie City Police Department and the Chippewa County Sheriff's Office, which provide law enforcement services to the county, including the Michigan State Police and the United States Border Patrol. The county is part of the Michigan's 1st congressional district and is represented in the United States Congress by Jack Bergman and the United States Senate by Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters.

Economy

The economy of Chippewa County is diverse, with major industries including tourism, healthcare, and education, including the Sault Ste. Marie Convention and Visitors Bureau and the War Memorial Hospital. The county is also home to a number of manufacturing facilities, including the Sault Ste. Marie Paper Mill and the Andersen Corporation, which produce a range of products, including paper and windows. The county's natural resources, including forests and waterways, also support a number of outdoor recreation and tourism activities, including hunting and fishing, with attractions like the Tahquamenon Falls State Park and the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The county is also home to the Sault Ste. Marie Airport and the Soo Locks, which provide transportation and shipping services to the region, including the Canadian National Railway and the CSX Transportation.