Luce County, Michigan
Luce County (/luːs/ LOOS) is a county located in the Upper Peninsula in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the population was 5,339,[1] making it the second-least populous county in Michigan (behind Keweenaw County). The county seat is Newberry, Luce County's only incorporated community.[2] The county was set off and organized in 1887 and named after former Michigan Governor Cyrus G. Luce.[3] In 2002, Newberry was designated as the moose capital of Michigan by the state legislature.[4] Luce County is served by The Newberry News, a weekly community newspaper that began in 1886.
Geography
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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of Template:Cvt, of which Template:Cvt is land and Template:Cvt (53%) is water.[5] Luce County is part of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It has a northern border with Canada across Lake Superior.
McMillan Township, the largest municipality in Michigan by land area (at 588.78 square miles (1,524.9 km2) of total land area), is part of Luce County.
Major highways
[edit | edit source]- Error: package.lua:80: module 'Module:Road data/strings/USA/MI' not found is Michigan's longest state trunkline highway. An east–west route, M-28 can be used to access Sault Ste. Marie to the east, and Munising and Marquette to the west.
- Error: package.lua:80: module 'Module:Road data/strings/USA/MI' not found is a north–south connector between M-28 west of Newberry to US 2 in Mackinac County.
- Error: package.lua:80: module 'Module:Road data/strings/USA/MI' not found is a u-shaped highway, beginning at M-28 south of Newberry. Motorists also use M-123 to access Tahquamenon Falls and Whitefish Point.
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Airport
[edit | edit source]Luce County Airport (KERY), provides service for the county and surrounding communities.
Adjacent counties
[edit | edit source]- Chippewa County (east)
- Mackinac County (south)
- Schoolcraft County (southwest)
- Alger County (west)
- Thunder Bay District, Ontario (north)
- Algoma District, Ontario (northeast)
Communities
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Village
[edit | edit source]- Newberry (county seat)
Civil townships
[edit | edit source]Unincorporated communities
[edit | edit source]Indian reservations
[edit | edit source]- Luce County contains one very small portion of the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians tribal community, which is headquartered in Sault Ste. Marie in Chippewa County. This small plot of land is located within Pentland Township but is administered autonomously.
Demographics
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Racial and ethnic composition
[edit | edit source]| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980[7] | Pop 1990[8] | Pop 2000[9] | Pop 2010[10] | Pop 2020[11] | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 6,379 | 5,401 | 5,787 | 5,275 | 4,514 | 95.80% | 93.72% | 82.39% | 79.55% | 84.55% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 1 | 2 | 505 | 735 | 12 | 0.02% | 0.03% | 7.19% | 11.08% | 0.22% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 254 | 327 | 377 | 325 | 365 | 3.81% | 5.67% | 5.37% | 4.90% | 6.84% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 9 | 6 | 24 | 17 | 2 | 0.14% | 0.10% | 0.34% | 0.26% | 0.04% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) | x [12] | x [13] | 2 | 1 | 0 | x | x | 0.03% | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.03% | 0.00% | 0.19% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x [14] | x [15] | 204 | 196 | 362 | x | x | 2.90% | 2.96% | 6.78% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 16 | 27 | 123 | 82 | 74 | 0.24% | 0.47% | 1.75% | 1.24% | 1.39% |
| Total | 6,659 | 5,763 | 7,024 | 6,631 | 5,339 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
2020 census
[edit | edit source]As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 5,339. The median age was 49.1 years. 20.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 25.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 102.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 99.3 males age 18 and over.[16]
The racial makeup of the county was 84.9% White, 0.2% Black or African American, 6.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, <0.1% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.3% from some other race, and 7.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.4% of the population.[17]
<0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[18]
There were 2,344 households in the county, of which 22.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 46.5% were married-couple households, 21.3% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 23.5% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[16]
There were 4,065 housing units, of which 42.3% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 79.0% were owner-occupied and 21.0% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 14.7%.[16]
2010 census
[edit | edit source]The 2010 census indicated Luce County had a population of 6,631.[19] This is a decrease of 393 people from the 2000 United States census. This is a -5.6% change in population. In 2010 there were 2,412 households and 1,542 families residing in the county. The population density was 7 people per square mile (2.7 people/km2). There were 4,343 housing units at an average density of 5 per square mile (1.9/km2).
There were 2,412 households, out of which 24.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.2% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.1% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.77. In the county, the population was spread out, with 17.9% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 29.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. The population was 57.7% male and 42.3% female.
At the 2010 census, the racial makeup of the county was 80.4% White, 11.1% Black or African American, 5.0% Native American, 0.3% Asian and 3.1% of two or more races; of them, 1.2% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). In 2010 among its population, 14.5% were of German, 7.6% French, French Canadian or Cajun, 7.4% Irish, 6.8% English, 6.3% American and 5.5% Finnish ancestry.[20]
In 2010, the median income for a household in the county was $42,083, and the median income for a family was $49,948. The per capita income for the county was $18,294. About 12.6% of families and 16.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.7% of those under age 18 and 12.5% of those age 65 or over.
2017–2021 American Community Survey
[edit | edit source]From 2017–2021, its median household income was $49,667.[1]
2022 American Community Survey
[edit | edit source]At the 2022 American Community Survey, its racial makeup was 87.6% non-Hispanic white, 1% Black or African American, 6.9% Native American, 0.2% Asian American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 4.2% multiracial, and 2% Hispanic or Latino of any race.[1]
Religion
[edit | edit source]Religiously, the Association of Religion Data Archives in 2020 determined Christianity was the dominant religion. Roman Catholicism and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America were the largest Christian groups in the county.[21]
Government
[edit | edit source]| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1888 | 212 | 53.54% | 172 | 43.43% | 12 | 3.03% |
| 1892 | 234 | 55.45% | 160 | 37.91% | 28 | 6.64% |
| 1896 | 358 | 57.01% | 236 | 37.58% | 34 | 5.41% |
| 1900 | 405 | 70.31% | 159 | 27.60% | 12 | 2.08% |
| 1904 | 364 | 80.89% | 63 | 14.00% | 23 | 5.11% |
| 1908 | 354 | 70.66% | 108 | 21.56% | 39 | 7.78% |
| 1912 | 234 | 37.38% | 102 | 16.29% | 290 | 46.33% |
| 1916 | 527 | 65.30% | 257 | 31.85% | 23 | 2.85% |
| 1920 | 708 | 76.54% | 187 | 20.22% | 30 | 3.24% |
| 1924 | 850 | 80.65% | 112 | 10.63% | 92 | 8.73% |
| 1928 | 1,466 | 80.24% | 350 | 19.16% | 11 | 0.60% |
| 1932 | 1,259 | 56.33% | 928 | 41.52% | 48 | 2.15% |
| 1936 | 1,199 | 47.67% | 1,297 | 51.57% | 19 | 0.76% |
| 1940 | 1,542 | 58.92% | 1,069 | 40.85% | 6 | 0.23% |
| 1944 | 1,195 | 59.96% | 790 | 39.64% | 8 | 0.40% |
| 1948 | 1,273 | 67.46% | 570 | 30.21% | 44 | 2.33% |
| 1952 | 1,603 | 74.25% | 553 | 25.61% | 3 | 0.14% |
| 1956 | 1,734 | 72.55% | 651 | 27.24% | 5 | 0.21% |
| 1960 | 1,534 | 64.94% | 828 | 35.06% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 871 | 37.37% | 1,459 | 62.59% | 1 | 0.04% |
| 1968 | 1,351 | 58.33% | 855 | 36.92% | 110 | 4.75% |
| 1972 | 1,579 | 63.49% | 862 | 34.66% | 46 | 1.85% |
| 1976 | 1,379 | 55.27% | 1,099 | 44.05% | 17 | 0.68% |
| 1980 | 1,659 | 57.56% | 992 | 34.42% | 231 | 8.02% |
| 1984 | 1,715 | 66.97% | 833 | 32.53% | 13 | 0.51% |
| 1988 | 1,528 | 63.22% | 864 | 35.75% | 25 | 1.03% |
| 1992 | 958 | 36.80% | 972 | 37.34% | 673 | 25.85% |
| 1996 | 964 | 39.20% | 1,107 | 45.02% | 388 | 15.78% |
| 2000 | 1,480 | 58.36% | 956 | 37.70% | 100 | 3.94% |
| 2004 | 1,749 | 61.82% | 1,045 | 36.94% | 35 | 1.24% |
| 2008 | 1,490 | 54.38% | 1,191 | 43.47% | 59 | 2.15% |
| 2012 | 1,580 | 60.86% | 991 | 38.17% | 25 | 0.96% |
| 2016 | 1,756 | 67.77% | 681 | 26.28% | 154 | 5.94% |
| 2020 | 2,109 | 70.14% | 842 | 28.00% | 56 | 1.86% |
| 2024 | 2,170 | 72.55% | 769 | 25.71% | 52 | 1.74% |
| 2016 | 1 | 33.33% | 1 | 33.33% | 1 | 33.33% |
Template:U.S. SenHead Template:U.S. SenRow Template:U.S. SenFoot Template:M.I. GovHead Template:M.I. GovRow Template:M.I GovFoot The county government operates the jail, maintains rural roads, operates the major local courts, keeps files of deeds and mortgages, maintains vital records, administers public health regulations, and participates with the state in the provision of welfare and other social services. The county board of commissioners controls the budget but has only 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.
Elected officials
[edit | edit source]- Prosecuting Attorney: Cameron Harwell
- Sheriff: Eric Gravelle
- County Clerk/Register of Deeds: Sharon J. Price
- County Treasurer: Belinda Bridges
(information as of March 2024)[23]
See also
[edit | edit source]- List of Michigan State Historic Sites in Luce County, Michigan
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Luce County, Michigan
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
- ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ↑ "Bibliography on Luce County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Retrieved July 17, 2013.
- ↑ "Newberry, Official Moose Capital of Michigan". Retrieved July 17, 2013.
- ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved September 26, 2014.
- ↑ "2025 TIGER/Line® Shapefiles". www.census.gov. Retrieved April 13, 2026.
- ↑ "1980 Census of Population - General Social and Economic Characteristics - Michigan - Tables 15 and 16 – Race by Sex: 1980 and Tables 16 and 17 – Persons by Spanish Origin, Race, and Sex: 1980" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 24-59. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 11, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
- ↑ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Michigan: Table 3-5 - Race and Hispanic Origin" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 37-179. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2026 – via Wayback Machine.
- ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Luce County, Michigan". United States Census Bureau.
- ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Luce County, Michigan". United States Census Bureau.
- ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Luce County, Michigan". United States Census Bureau.
- ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
- ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
- ↑ not an option in the 1980 Census
- ↑ not an option in the 1990 Census
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
- ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
- ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
- ↑ "U.S. Census website". Retrieved July 6, 2013.
- ↑ Data Access and Dissemination Systems (DADS). "U.S. Census website". census.gov.
- ↑ "Congregational Membership Reports | US Religion". www.thearda.com. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
- ↑ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
- ↑ "Luce County Official Website". Retrieved July 17, 2013.
Bibliography
[edit | edit source]- "Bibliography on Luce County". Retrieved January 20, 2013.
External links
[edit | edit source]Template:Luce County, Michigan Template:Upper Peninsula of Michigan Template:Michigan