Livingston County, Michigan
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Livingston County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the population was 156,951. In 2003, the population was estimated to be 177,538. It is part of Metro Detroit. The county seat is Howell6. The county is named for Edward Livingston, U.S. Secretary of State under President Andrew Jackson. It is one of Michigan's "Cabinet counties", named for members of Jackson's Cabinet.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,516 km² (585 mi²). 1,472 km² (568 mi²) of it is land and 44 km² (17 mi²) of it (2.91%) is water.Adjacent counties
- Washtenaw County (south)
- Oakland County (east)
- Ingham County (west)
- Jackson County (southwest)
- Genesee County (northeast)
- Shiawassee County (northwest)
Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 156,951 people, 55,384 households, and 43,531 families residing in the county. The population density was 107/km² (276/mi²). There were 58,919 housing units at an average density of 40/km² (104/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.13% White, 0.46% Black or African American, 0.43% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races. 1.24% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.There were 55,384 households out of which 39.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.50% were married couples living together, 6.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.40% were non-families. 17.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.18.
In the county the population was spread out with 28.80% under the age of 18, 6.60% from 18 to 24, 31.70% from 25 to 44, 24.60% from 45 to 64, and 8.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 102.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $67,400, and the median income for a family was $75,284. Males had a median income of $54,358 versus $32,073 for females. The per capita income for the county was $28,069. About 2.40% of families and 3.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.60% of those under age 18 and 4.50% of those age 65 or over.
Livingston County has been the fastest growing county in the state for the past decade and also through the 1970s. More than 50% of all the population of Livingston County is located in the southeastern communities of Brighton Township, Genoa Township, Green Oak Township, the Village of Pinckney, Putnam Township and the City of Brighton.
The US Census Bureau in 2000 identified Brighton, Howell, and the nearby city of South Lyon to be a contiguous, urbanized area, one of the newest such areas in the United States.
Location
Livingston County is in an interesting position in Michigan. The major highways running through it are I-96, US-23, and M-59. Because of this, there is conveniently access to the cities of Detroit, Lansing, Ann Arbor, and to a lesser extent, Flint. People from Livingston County commute to all four of these cities.Although predominantly still a bedroom community, there has also been significant recent growth inside the county of both service and industrial firms. Major current employers include Pepsico, Citizens Insurance, and Ogihara Industries.
Media
There are two local newspapers, one being relative newcomer, The Livingston Community News, a free weekly that is part of the Booth newspaper chain (which also owns The Ann Arbor News), and the other being The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus.The Daily Press & Argus has been around longer. Published Sunday through Friday, the "Daily Press & Argus" was launched in 2000 through the combination of two weekly newspapers -- The Livingston County Press and The Brighton Argus -- which served the communities for many decades. It launched a Web site in 2005 at www.livingstondaily.com.
Other media in the county includes WHMI-FM, which plays a Classic Hits format and have local news on the hour.
Government
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.Livingston County elected officials
- Prosecuting Attorney: David L. Morse
- Sheriff: Robert J. Bezotte
- County Clerk: Margaret M. Dunleavy
- County Treasurer: Dianne H. Hardy
- Register of Deeds: Sally Reynolds
- Drain Commissioner: Brian Jonckheere
Cities, villages, and townships
- Brighton Township
- Brighton, city
- Cohoctah Township
- Conway Township
- Deerfield Township
- Fowlerville, village
- Genoa Township
- Green Oak Township
- Hamburg Township
- Handy Township
- Hartland Township
- Hell, unincorporated community
- Howell Township
- Howell, city
- Iosco Township
- Marion Township
- Oceola Township
- Pinckney, village
- Putnam Township
- Tyrone Township
- Unadilla Township
- Whitmore Lake, CDP
External links
- [Livingston County official website]
- [Livingston County Daily Press & Argus website]
- [WHMI-FM Radio Station website]
- [Livingston Community News website]
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