Wexford County, Michigan

Wexford County, Michigan is a county located in the United States in the state of Michigan, bordering Lake County, Michigan to the west, Osceola County, Michigan to the south, Missaukee County, Michigan to the east, and Grand Traverse County, Michigan to the north. The county seat is Cadillac, which is also the largest city in the county, and is situated near the Pine River (Michigan), a tributary of the Manistee River. Wexford County is part of the Cadillac, Michigan Micropolitan Statistical Area and is close to the Manistee National Forest and the Pere Marquette River. The county is also home to the Caberfae Peaks Ski Resort and the Missaukee County Airport.

Geography

Wexford County is located in the northwestern part of Michigan, near the Leelanau Peninsula and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The county is bordered by Lake County, Michigan to the west, Osceola County, Michigan to the south, Missaukee County, Michigan to the east, and Grand Traverse County, Michigan to the north. The county is drained by several rivers, including the Pine River (Michigan), Manistee River, and Boardman River, which flow into Lake Michigan. The county is also home to several lakes, including Lake Cadillac, Lake Mitchell, and Houghton Lake, which are popular for fishing and boating. The county's terrain is varied, with forests, wetlands, and agricultural areas, and is close to the Manistee National Forest and the Pere Marquette River.

History

Wexford County was established in 1840 and was named after County Wexford in Ireland. The county was originally inhabited by the Odawa people and was later settled by European-Americans, who were attracted by the area's natural resources, including lumber and mining. The county was an important center for the lumber industry in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with companies such as the Michigan Lumber Company and the Cadillac Lumber Company operating in the area. The county was also home to several sawmills, including the Cadillac Sawmill and the Manton Sawmill. The county's history is also tied to the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad and the Ann Arbor Railroad.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population of Wexford County was 33,793, with a population density of 60 people per square mile. The county's population is predominantly White American, with smaller populations of African American, Asian American, and Native American residents. The county's median household income is around $40,000, and the median home value is around $120,000. The county is home to several school districts, including the Cadillac Area Public Schools and the Manton Consolidated Schools. The county is also served by the Cadillac News and the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

Communities

Wexford County is home to several communities, including the city of Cadillac, which is the county seat and largest city. Other communities in the county include the villages of Manton, Michigan and Mesick, Michigan, and the townships of Antioch Township, Wexford County, Michigan and Clam Lake Township, Wexford County, Michigan. The county is also home to several unincorporated communities, including Boon, Michigan and Harrietta, Michigan. The county is close to several other cities, including Traverse City, Michigan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Lansing, Michigan.

Government

Wexford County is governed by a board of commissioners, which is responsible for overseeing the county's government and services. The county is also served by several law enforcement agencies, including the Wexford County Sheriff's Office and the Michigan State Police. The county is part of the 10th Congressional District of Michigan and is represented in the United States House of Representatives by John Moolenaar. The county is also part of the 35th District of the Michigan Senate and is represented in the Michigan Senate by Curtis VanderWall.

Economy

The economy of Wexford County is diverse, with major industries including manufacturing, healthcare, and tourism. The county is home to several major employers, including the Cadillac Hospital and the Wexford County Courthouse. The county is also a popular destination for outdoor recreation, with several parks and trails in the area, including the Pine River Pathway and the Cadillac Pathway. The county is close to several other major employers, including the General Motors plant in Lansing, Michigan and the Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan. The county is also served by the Cadillac/Wexford County Airport and the Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City, Michigan.