Gogebic County

Gogebic County is a county located in the western part of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, bordering Wisconsin to the south, and is part of the Ironwood, Michigan Micropolitan Statistical Area. The county is situated near the St. Croix River (Wisconsin-Minnesota), Lake Superior, and the Porcupine Mountains. Gogebic County is also close to the Ottawa National Forest and the Black River (Michigan), making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, including those visiting the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park and the Lake of the Clouds. The county is named after the Ojibwe language, with "gogebic" meaning "where trout rise to the surface" in the language of the Ojibwe people, who have a significant presence in the region, including the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians and the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community.

Geography

Gogebic County is bordered by Iron County, Michigan to the east, Ontonagon County, Michigan to the north, and Ashland County, Wisconsin and Iron County, Wisconsin to the south. The county is situated near the Bad River and the Black River (Michigan), and is home to several lakes, including Lake Gogebic and Sunday Lake (Michigan). The county's geography is characterized by its location in the Western Upper Peninsula of Michigan, near the Porcupine Mountains and the Ottawa National Forest, which is managed by the United States Forest Service. The county is also close to the St. Croix River (Wisconsin-Minnesota), which forms part of the border between Wisconsin and Minnesota, and is near the Apostle Islands, a group of islands in Lake Superior that are part of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

History

Gogebic County was established in 1887, and was named after the Ojibwe language, with "gogebic" meaning "where trout rise to the surface" in the language of the Ojibwe people. The county has a rich history, with evidence of human presence dating back to the Paleoindian period, and was later inhabited by the Ojibwe people and the Odawa people. The county was also home to several Fur trade posts, including those established by the North West Company and the American Fur Company, and was an important location for the Copper mining industry, with mines such as the Quincy Mine and the Calumet and Hecla Mining Company operating in the area. The county is also near the Soo Locks, a set of locks that allow ships to pass between Lake Superior and the other Great Lakes, and is close to the Mackinac Bridge, which connects the Upper Peninsula to the Lower Peninsula of Michigan.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population of Gogebic County was approximately 14,380 people, with a population density of 12 people per square mile. The county has a diverse population, with a mix of European Americans, African Americans, and Native Americans, including the Ojibwe people and the Odawa people. The county is also home to several Hispanic and Latino Americans, and has a significant population of people of Finnish American and Italian American descent. The county is part of the Ironwood, Michigan Micropolitan Statistical Area, which also includes Iron County, Michigan and Ashland County, Wisconsin, and is near the Duluth, Minnesota-Wisconsin Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Duluth, Minnesota and Superior, Wisconsin.

Communities

Gogebic County is home to several communities, including the city of Ironwood, Michigan, which is the largest city in the county, and the village of Bessemer, Michigan, which is the county seat. The county is also home to several townships, including Bessemer Township, Michigan, Ironwood Township, Michigan, and Wakefield Township, Michigan, and is near the city of Ashland, Wisconsin and the town of Hurley, Wisconsin. The county is also close to the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, which is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, and is near the Black River (Michigan), which is known for its scenic beauty and recreational opportunities.

Government

Gogebic County is governed by a board of commissioners, which is responsible for overseeing the county's government and providing services to its residents. The county is also part of the 6th Congressional District of Michigan, which is represented by Jack Bergman, and is part of the 38th District of the Michigan Senate, which is represented by Ed McBroom. The county is also home to several law enforcement agencies, including the Gogebic County Sheriff's Office and the Ironwood Department of Public Safety, and is near the United States Border Patrol and the United States Customs and Border Protection.

Economy

The economy of Gogebic County is diverse, with a mix of industries including mining, forestry, and tourism. The county is home to several mines, including the Lundin Mining and the Eagle Mine, and is near the Empire Mine, which is one of the largest iron ore mines in the United States. The county is also home to several paper mills, including the Verso Corporation and the UP Paper, and is near the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, which operates several businesses, including the Keweenaw Bay Casino. The county is also a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, with several parks and recreational areas, including the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park and the Ottawa National Forest, which are managed by the United States Forest Service and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.