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Ottawa County, Michigan

Coordinates: 42°55′N 86°14′W / 42.92°N 86.23°W / 42.92; -86.23
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Ottawa County
County
Ottawa County Courthouse in Grand Haven
Ottawa County Courthouse in Grand Haven
Official logo of Ottawa County
Logo
Map of Michigan highlighting Ottawa County
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Map of the United States highlighting Michigan
Michigan's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°55′N 86°14′W / 42.92°N 86.23°W / 42.92; -86.23
Country United States
State Michigan
Founded1831 (authorized)
1837 (organized)
Named forOttawa Nation
SeatGrand Haven
Largest cityHolland
Government
 • AdministratorBen Wetmore
Area
 • Total
1,631 sq mi (4,220 km2)
 • Land563 sq mi (1,460 km2)
 • Water1,068 sq mi (2,770 km2)  65%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2022)
300,873
 • Density526/sq mi (203/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Area code616
Congressional districts2nd, 3rd, 4th
Websitemiottawa.org

Ottawa County (/ˈɒtəwə/ OT-ə-wə) is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the United States 2020 Census, the population was 296,200.[1] The county seat is Grand Haven.[2] The county is named for the Ottawa Nation. It was set off in 1831 and organized in 1837. Ottawa County is included in the Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area and has a significant Dutch American population.[3]

History

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Before European settlers arrived, this area was home to the Potawatomi and Ottawa people for centuries. The Grand River was used as a trade route into the interior of Michigan. Much of what we know about the Native American presence in Ottawa County comes from the excavation of archeological artifacts at places like the Battle Point Site.[4]

The city dates its European-American founding to French colonial settlers. A fur trading outpost called Gabagouache was first established by Madeline La Framboise and her husband Joseph.[5]

The first permanent settler of the county was a Presbyterian minister, William Montague Ferry, who settled in Grand Haven in 1834.[6] Grand Haven quickly grew and became an important port for trade and travel. Ferry is often referred to as the "father" of Ottawa County.[7]

Dutch settlers started arriving in the area in 1847, led by Albertus van Raalte.[8] These Dutch Settlers moved into the Holland area. This area was already inhabited by many Odawa (Ottawa) people as well as the Old Wing Mission.[9] Within just a few years, the new Dutch settlers had forced out the Ottawa people and the Old Wing Mission.[10]

Geography

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According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,631 square miles (4,220 km2), of which 563 square miles (1,460 km2) is land and 1,068 square miles (2,770 km2) (65%) is water.[11]

Bodies of water

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Adjacent counties

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By land

By water

Major highways

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1840208—
18505,5872,586.1%
186013,215136.5%
187026,651101.7%
188033,12624.3%
189035,3586.7%
190039,66712.2%
191045,30114.2%
192047,6605.2%
193054,85815.1%
194059,6608.8%
195073,75123.6%
196098,71933.9%
1970128,18129.8%
1980157,17422.6%
1990187,76819.5%
2000238,31426.9%
2010263,80110.7%
2020296,20012.3%
2023 (est.)303,372[12]2.4%
sources 1840-2022 [13]

As of the 2020 United States Census,[14] there were 296,203 people living in the county. 82.9% were non-Hispanic White, 2.1% Black or African American, 2.9% Asian, 0.6% Native American, and 2.2% of two or more races. 10.5% were Hispanic or Latino.

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 263,801 people living in the county. 90.1% were White, 2.6% Asian, 1.5% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 3.4% of some other race and 2.0% of two or more races. 8.6% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). 31.0% were of Dutch, 14.2% German, 5.8% English and 5.7% Irish ancestry.[3]

As of the 2000 United States Census,[15] there were 238,314 people, 81,662 households, and 61,328 families in the county. The population density was 421 inhabitants per square mile (163/km2). There were 86,856 housing units at an average density of 154 per square mile (59/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 91.52% White, 1.05% Black or African American, 0.36% Native American, 2.09% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 3.48% from other races, and 1.48% from two or more races. 7.00% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 37.3% reported being of Dutch, 14.6% German, 6.2% English, 5.6% Irish and 5.4% American ancestry, 91.5% spoke only English at home; 5.4% spoke Spanish.

There were 81,662 households, out of which 39.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.60% were married couples living together, 7.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.90% were non-families. 19.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.25.

The county has numerous seasonal residents during the summer. Port Sheldon Township has many lakefront homes and other inland retreats that serve as summer getaways for residents of Grand Rapids, Detroit, and Chicago. No official statistics are compiled on seasonal residents.

In the county, 28.70% of the population was under the age of 18, 11.90% was from 18 to 24, 29.30% from 25 to 44, 20.00% from 45 to 64, and 10.10% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.20 males.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation ranks Ottawa County as Michigan's second-healthiest county,[16] preceded only by the leisure-oriented Traverse City area.

The median income for a household in the county was $52,347, and the median income for a family was $59,896. Males had a median income of $42,180 versus $27,706 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,676. About 3.10% of families and 5.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.70% of those under age 18 and 4.90% of those age 65 or over.

Religion

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Government

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Ottawa County operates the County jail, maintains rural roads, operates the major local courts, records deeds, mortgages, and vital records, administers public health regulations, and participates with the state in the provision of social services. The county board of commissioners controls the budget and has 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.

Most of the county's offices are located in either the city of Grand Haven or at the Fillmore complex in Olive Township.

Elected officials

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(information as of September 2022) Since the late 19th century, the county has been strongly supportive of the Republican Party.[19]

As of 2023, the county's board of commissioners, a majority of whom are members of the advocacy group Ottawa Impact, has been described as "far-right" by national and Michigan-based media organizations. After the 2022 elections in which they took power, the board appointed Trump administration official John Gibbs to serve as the county administrator.[20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] In February 2024, the Board of Commissioners voted 10–1 to fire Gibbs for cause.[28]

Board of Commissioners

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11 members, elected from districts (2 Democrats, 9 Republicans)

District Commissioner Party District's Area
1 Gretchen Cosby Republican Townships of Port Sheldon, Olive, and Park
2 Chris Kleinjans[29] Democratic Townships of Park and Holland Charter
3 Doug Zylstra Democratic City of Holland
4 Jacob Bonnema Republican City of Zeeland and Townships of Zeeland Charter and Holland Charter
5 Joe Moss (chairman) Republican City of Hudsonville and Townships of Blendon, Jamestown Charter, and Zeeland Charter
6 Kendra Wenzel Republican Township of Georgetown Charter
7 Rebekah Curran Republican Township of Georgetown Charter
8 Sylvia Rhodea (Vice-chairman) Republican Township of Allendale Charter
9 Roger Belknap Republican Townships of Grand Haven Charter, Robinson, and Spring Lake
10 Roger Bergman Republican Cities of Grand Haven and Ferrysburg, Township of Spring Lake
11 Allison Miedema Republican City of Coopersville and Townships of Chester, Crockery, Polkton Charter, Tallmadge Charter, and Wright

[30]

(information correct as of May 2024)

Local policies

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Beginning in 2012, County Administrator Alan Vanderberg and the Board of Commissioners adopted the "Four Cs" Initiative including "Cultural Intelligence." At that time, Vanderberg asserted that there was discrimination in the county, and that it could adversely affect the future prosperity of the county.[31] The county "rebranded" in 2017, adopting the slogan "Where you belong." Vanderberg said the slogan is intended to let everyone know they are welcome in Ottawa County, regardless of color, ethnic background, sexual identity, religion or other qualifier.[32]

The county board made numerous changes at their first meeting when sworn in on January 3, 2023; the county slogan was changed to "Where Freedom Rings", the Diversity, equity, and inclusion office was dissolved, the head health official was replaced and a conservative law organization their main legal representative.[33] The conservative group that promoted the new board members, according to Fox 17, was against the mandated COVID-19 safety measures and cultural diversity policies.[23] Instability surrounding the county board raised concerns about the county's bond credit rating being lowered from its AAA status according to MLive.[34] In May 2023 the county board passed a resolution declared that the county was a "constitutional county."[35]

Politics

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United States presidential election results for Ottawa County, Michigan[36]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 108,231 59.31% 71,573 39.22% 2,675 1.47%
2020 100,913 59.81% 64,705 38.35% 3,095 1.83%
2016 88,467 61.50% 44,973 31.26% 10,408 7.24%
2012 88,166 66.41% 42,737 32.19% 1,854 1.40%
2008 83,330 61.03% 50,828 37.23% 2,381 1.74%
2004 92,048 71.55% 35,552 27.64% 1,043 0.81%
2000 78,703 71.16% 29,600 26.76% 2,296 2.08%
1996 61,436 64.39% 27,024 28.32% 6,956 7.29%
1992 56,862 59.10% 22,180 23.05% 17,169 17.85%
1988 61,515 76.20% 18,769 23.25% 445 0.55%
1984 60,142 79.69% 15,000 19.88% 326 0.43%
1980 51,217 67.85% 18,435 24.42% 5,832 7.73%
1976 49,196 74.12% 16,381 24.68% 793 1.19%
1972 42,169 71.99% 15,119 25.81% 1,288 2.20%
1968 33,356 67.60% 12,431 25.19% 3,555 7.20%
1964 24,512 54.79% 20,151 45.05% 72 0.16%
1960 32,678 75.26% 10,617 24.45% 128 0.29%
1956 28,611 74.90% 9,459 24.76% 130 0.34%
1952 22,328 72.83% 7,835 25.56% 494 1.61%
1948 16,028 63.38% 8,789 34.76% 471 1.86%
1944 17,077 66.23% 8,511 33.01% 198 0.77%
1940 15,462 62.39% 9,152 36.93% 170 0.69%
1936 11,114 51.35% 9,579 44.26% 952 4.40%
1932 12,076 58.34% 7,981 38.56% 643 3.11%
1928 15,417 85.48% 2,524 14.00% 94 0.52%
1924 11,688 78.55% 1,871 12.57% 1,321 8.88%
1920 10,528 78.74% 2,391 17.88% 451 3.37%
1916 5,484 56.19% 3,941 40.38% 335 3.43%
1912 1,825 20.87% 2,036 23.28% 4,885 55.85%
1908 5,642 66.25% 2,429 28.52% 445 5.23%
1904 5,908 75.33% 1,553 19.80% 382 4.87%
1900 5,324 62.21% 3,050 35.64% 184 2.15%
1896 5,188 58.05% 3,550 39.72% 199 2.23%
1892 3,643 50.82% 2,996 41.79% 530 7.39%
1888 4,302 55.03% 3,191 40.82% 325 4.16%
1884 3,758 53.36% 3,049 43.29% 236 3.35%

Ottawa County has long been one of the most consistently Republican counties in Michigan and the country. The last Democratic presidential candidate to carry the county was George B. McClellan in 1864.[37][19] In 1912, incumbent Republican president William Howard Taft lost the county to "Bull Moose Party" candidate and former Republican President Theodore Roosevelt.

The county is very Republican even by the standards of traditionally Republican West Michigan. As a measure of how Republican the county has been since then, it has rejected Democratic presidential candidates even in national Democratic landslides. It was one of the few counties where Franklin Roosevelt was shut out in all four of his presidential bids, and was one of only three counties in the state to vote for Barry Goldwater over Lyndon Johnson in 1964; Johnson won 45% of the county's vote, the last time a Democrat won at least 40% of the county's vote. During the 1986 gubernatorial election, it was the only county not to back James Blanchard for a second term.

In 2008, it was one of the only two counties in Michigan where Barack Obama did not win 40 percent of the county's vote, and his weakest county, being the only one where John McCain received more than 60 percent of the vote, as he won it by 24 points while Obama carried the state by 16.5 points.[38] In 2020, Joe Biden had the best performance of any Democratic presidential candidate in Ottawa County since 1964, though he still lost the county by 21 points. During the COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan, county officials and their families faced death threats following the introduction of mask mandates at public schools, with conservative groups influencing the 2022 Michigan elections to "preserve local heritage".[19] A new county government that some described as holding Christian nationalist values was subsequently elected in the 2022 elections.[21][20][39]

Perhaps the most prominent politician in Ottawa County History was Grand Haven's Thomas W. Ferry. Thomas Ferry served as an Ottawa County Clerk at age 21.[40] He went on to become a member of the Michigan House of Representatives, the Michigan Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. While in the U.S. Senate, he served as President Pro Tempore (during the 44th and 45th congresses).[41] As Pro Tempore, he became, upon the death of Vice President Henry Wilson on November 22, 1875, next in the line of presidential succession, and remained so until March 4, 1877.[42]

Communities

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U.S. Census data map showing local municipal boundaries within Ottawa County. Shaded areas represent incorporated cities.

Cities

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Village

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Charter townships

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Civil townships

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Census-designated places

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Other unincorporated communities

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See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Ottawa County, Michigan; United States". census.gov. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ a b Data Access and Dissemination Systems (DADS). "U.S. Census website". census.gov.
  4. ^ "Look into the Michigan Tribes | Central Michigan University". www.cmich.edu. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  5. ^ "Madeline La Framboise". History of American Women. January 13, 2013. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  6. ^ Seibold, David H. (2007). Grand Haven in the Path of Destiny: A History of Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Ferrysburg and Adjoining Townships (1 ed.). Grand Haven, MI: Grand Haven Historical Museum. ISBN 9781424319008. OCLC 183327308.
  7. ^ Bartholomew, Henry (1908). Collections of the Pioneer Society of the State of Michigan together with reports of county pioneer societies. Library of Congress: Wynkoop Hallenbeck Crawford, Co. State Printers. p. 307.
  8. ^ Moore, Charles (1915). History of Michigan. Vol. I. The Lewis Publishing Company. pp. 529–31.
  9. ^ Thomson, S. Harrison (March 1952). "The Brethren of the Common Life. By Albert Hyma. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans Publishing Co. 1950. Pp. 222. $3.50". Church History. 21 (1): 80–81. doi:10.2307/3162077. ISSN 0009-6407. JSTOR 3162077. S2CID 161497248.
  10. ^ Swierenga, Robert P.; Van Appledorn, William (2007). Old Wing Mission: The Chronicles of the Reverend George N. and Arvilla Powers Smith, Missionary Teachers of Chief Wakazoo's Ottawa Indian Band in Western Michigan, 1838-1849. Holland, MI: A.C. Van Raalte Institute for Historical Studies.
  11. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  12. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  13. ^ "Census.gov". Census.gov.
  14. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  15. ^ "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  16. ^ "Michigan". County Health Rankings & Roadmaps.
  17. ^ "The Association of Religion Data Archives - Maps & Reports". thearda.com.
  18. ^ "miOttawa - Ottawa County Board of Commissioners". ottawa.mi.us.
  19. ^ a b c "In deep-red Ottawa County, religion, race spark civil war among Republicans | Bridge Michigan". Bridge Michigan. July 19, 2022. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  20. ^ a b Siders, David (February 21, 2023). "What It Looks Like When the Far Right Takes Control of Local Government". POLITICO. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  21. ^ a b  • Kransz, Michael (January 3, 2023). "New far-right board hires John Gibbs to lead Ottawa County government". MLive. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  22. ^ Gamble, Audra (November 15, 2022). "Far-right Republicans nearly swept Ottawa County's board. What's next for government takeover?". MLive. A far-right group that campaigned on individual freedom and parental rights, Ottawa Impact is set to take over control of the county
  23. ^ a b "Ottawa County community reacts to John Gibbs, new County Administrator". Fox 17. January 4, 2023. Retrieved January 7, 2023. the eleven-person board saw eight new members sworn in. Most of them are affiliated with the far-right conservative group "Ottawa Impact", which among other things, rallied against public Covid health mandates and diversity efforts.
  24. ^ Gamble, Audra (November 9, 2022). "Ottawa Impact secures huge majority on county board with election wins". MLive. Retrieved January 4, 2023. The 2023 Ottawa County Board of Commissioners will be comprisedof one Democrat and 10 Republicans, nine of whom were endorsed by the far-right Republican group
  25. ^ Carlson, Kate (January 3, 2023). "'Completely Blindsided': Ottawa Impact commissioners oust multiple top officials at first meeting". mibiz.com. Retrieved January 4, 2023. eight commissioners, backed by a far-right political action committee who now control a large majority of the county board
  26. ^ Leatzow, Jared (June 1, 2022). "Ottawa County Republican Party becoming more far right". The Holland Sentinel. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  27. ^ Boothe, Daniel (January 3, 2023). "Ottawa County Board ofCommissioners hires John Gibbs as new Administrator". WGVU. In 2023, the new board is one Democrat and 10 Republicans, nine of whom were endorsed by the far-right
  28. ^ Morris, Taylor; Skog, Anna (February 29, 2024). "Ottawa County commissioners fire Administrator John Gibbs". Retrieved August 17, 2024.
  29. ^ Plummer, Kate (May 8, 2024). "Michigan Republican Unseated After Losing to Democrat by 20 Points". Newsweek. Retrieved May 8, 2024. Chris Kleinjans won an Ottawa County election on Tuesday with 60 percent of the vote share, while the Republican incumbent Lucy Ebel lost, having gained 40 percent.
  30. ^ "Board of Commissioners; Meet Your Commissioners". Ottawa County.
  31. ^ "Cultural Intelligence Committee - Ottawa County MI". miottawa.org. Archived from the original on February 19, 2015.
  32. ^ "Administrator touts Ottawa County's attributes in annual address". mlive.com. January 26, 2018.
  33. ^ Kransz, Michael (January 4, 2023). "New Ottawa County board changes motto to 'Where Freedom Rings,' closes DEI office and more". MLive. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  34. ^ Kransz, Michael (February 17, 2023). "'Stable counties don't fire their corporation counsel and administrator,' Ottawa County warned". MLive. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  35. ^ Kransz, Michael (May 24, 2023). "Ottawa County becomes 'constitutional county'". mlive. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  36. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
  37. ^ "Presidential election of 1864 - Map by counties". free.fr.
  38. ^ "2008 Presidential General Election Results - Michigan".
  39. ^ "Christian nationalism is gripping the nation — has it arrived in Ottawa County?". The Holland Sentinel. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  40. ^ Biographical directory of the American Congress, 1774-1949, the Continental Congress, September 5, 1774, to October 21, 1788, and the Congress of the United States from the First to the Eightieth Congress, March 4, 1789 to January 3, 1949, inclusive. U.S. Govt. Print. Off. 1950. OCLC 312070.
  41. ^ Biographical directory of the United States Congress. OCLC 40411130.
  42. ^ Bayh, Birch; Feerick, John D. (March 1967). "From Failing Hands: The Story of Presidential Succession". Political Science Quarterly. 82 (1): 118. doi:10.2307/2147319. ISSN 0032-3195. JSTOR 2147319.
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42°55′N 86°14′W / 42.92°N 86.23°W / 42.92; -86.23

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