Leelanau County, Michigan

"Leelanau" redirects here. For the Michigan wine region, see Leelanau Peninsula AVA.

Leelanau County
County
Leelanau County
From left to right: Leelanau countryside with Sleeping Bear Dunes and Woolsey airport, near the tip of the Leelanau peninsula
Flag Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Michigan's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 45°08′N 86°02′W
Country	United States
State	Michigan
Founded	1840 (created) 1863 (organized)
Named for	Leelanau Peninsula
Seat	Suttons Bay Township
Largest settlement	Greilickville Suttons Bay (incorporated)
Area
• Total	2,532 sq mi (6,560 km2)
• Land	347 sq mi (900 km2)
• Water	2,185 sq mi (5,660 km2)  86%
Population  (2020)
• Total	22,301
• Density	63/sq mi (24/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	1st
Website	https://www.leelanau.gov

Leelanau County (/ˈliːlənɔː/ LEE-lə-naw) is located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 22,301. The county seat was until recently the unincorporated community of Leland. On August 3, 2004, county voters approved a proposal to move the county seat to Suttons Bay, closer to the county's geographic center. In 2008, the county offices completed their move to a new government center built on 45 acres (180,000 m²) of county-owned land, one mile east of the unincorporated village of Lake Leelanau, where a new county law enforcement center was completed.

Leelanau County is included in the Traverse City Micropolitan Statistical Area of Northern Michigan.

In 2011, the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, located in the county, won the title of "Most Beautiful Place in America" in a poll by morning news show Good Morning America.

Etymology

Traditionally, the county's name was said to be a Native American word meaning "delight of life", but it is a neologism from Indian agent and ethnographer Henry Schoolcraft, who sometimes gave the name "Leelinau" to Native American women in his tales. He created many faux Indian place names in Michigan, using syllables of Ojibwe, Latin and Arabic, neglecting the fact that the Ojibwa language lacks any of the phonemes associated with the letter 'L' in English.

More recently, however, scholars have established that Leelinau was first used as a pen name by Henry's wife, Jane Johnston Schoolcraft, in writings for The Literary Voyager, a family magazine which they co-wrote in the 1820s. Jane Johnston was of Ojibwa and Scots-Irish descent, and wrote in Ojibwe and English. While her writing was not published formally in her lifetime (except as Schoolcraft appropriated it under his own name), Jane Johnston Schoolcraft has been recognized as "the first Native American literary writer, the first known Indian woman writer, the first known Indian poet, the first known poet to write poems in a Native American language, and the first known American Indian to write out traditional Indian stories. In 2008 Jane Johnston Schoolcraft was inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame.

History

See also: History of Northern Michigan

The county was set off in 1840 and organized in 1863.

Culture

Wineries

There are 26 wineries on the peninsula. The Leelanau Peninsula sits astride the 45th parallel, a latitude known for growing prestigious grapes. The two Grand Traverse Bays provide the ideal maritime climate and the rich soil does the rest. Northern Michigan specializes in growing white grapes and is known for its rieslings which grow well in the summer months and late fall. The local wineries host an annual harvest fest in October. Some riesling grapes are spared being picked in the fall to be picked when they freeze, from which Ice Wine is made. Wineries in the Leelanau Peninsula AVA include Leelanau Cellars, Silver Leaf Vineyard and Winery, Raftshol Vineyards, Circa Estate Winery, Forty-Five North Vineyard and Winery, Good Harbor Vineyards, Chateau Fontaine, Boskydel Vineyards, Black Star Farms, L. Mawby Vineyards, Ciccone Vineyard and Winery, Willow Vineyards, Chateau de Leelanau Winery and Cidery, Shady Lane Cellars, Cherry Republic Winery, Longview Winery, and Bel Lago Winery.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,532 square miles (6,560 km²), of which 347 square miles (900 km²) is land and 2,185 square miles (5,660 km²) (86%) is water. The county is coextensive with the Leelanau Peninsula.

The county has the second-highest proportion of water area of any county in the United States, behind only Keweenaw County, Michigan. Lake Leelanau is the county's largest body of inland water, empties into Lake Michigan through the Leland River. Glen Lake, located within the boundaries of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, is considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. A substantial portion of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore lies within the county's borders, including North Manitou and South Manitou Islands. Leelanau has been party to substantial efforts to protect itself from growth, and to foster a nature conservancy.

Extreme southeastern Leelanau County, specifically portions of Elmwood Township are urbanized due to their proximity to Traverse City, which itself extends partially into the county. Traverse City is the largest city in Northern Michigan by population.

Transportation

Major highways

• M-22 is the main highway that loops around most of Leelanau County, following the Lake Michigan shoreline.
• M-72 is a state highway that enters via the southeastern corner of the county and follows the south county line for six miles (9.7 km), then turns northwest into the southern portion of the county. M-72 runs west to its western terminus with M-22 in Empire.
• M-109 is a highway in the northwestern part of the county. M-109 loops around the western end of Glen Lake, connecting with M-22 at both ends.
• M-201 is a short highway from Northport, connecting to various different county roads.
• M-204 is an east–west highway that runs across the northeastern tip of the county, connecting with M-22 at both ends.
• M-209 is a former state trunkline that went from M-109 to the Coast Guard Life Saving Station in Glen Haven. Until it was decommissioned, it was Michigan's shortest highway.

Adjacent counties

• Schoolcraft County - north
• Charlevoix County - northeast
• Antrim County - east
• Grand Traverse County - southeast
• Benzie County - south
• Door County, Wisconsin - west
• Delta County - northwest

Government

Leelanau County has been reliably Republican since its organization, but appears to be becoming more Democratic. Since 1884, the Republican Party nominee has carried the county vote in 86% (30 of 35) of the national elections through 2020. In 2020, the county voted for Joe Biden, after it voted for Donald Trump in the 2016 election.

Leelanau County is one of only thirteen counties to have voted for Obama in 2008, Romney in 2012, Trump in 2016, and Biden in 2020.

United States presidential election results for Leelanau County, Michigan

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	7,916	46.84%	8,795	52.04%	189	1.12%
2016	7,239	48.61%	6,774	45.49%	879	5.90%
2012	7,483	52.63%	6,576	46.25%	160	1.13%
2008	6,938	47.97%	7,355	50.85%	171	1.18%
2004	7,733	55.57%	6,048	43.46%	136	0.98%
2000	6,840	56.96%	4,635	38.60%	534	4.45%
1996	5,155	50.36%	4,019	39.26%	1,063	10.38%
1992	3,993	39.20%	3,445	33.82%	2,749	26.99%
1988	5,215	60.51%	3,331	38.65%	73	0.85%
1984	5,356	67.62%	2,498	31.54%	67	0.85%
1980	4,585	57.78%	2,348	29.59%	1,002	12.63%
1976	4,240	62.33%	2,437	35.82%	126	1.85%
1972	3,809	65.82%	1,855	32.05%	123	2.13%
1968	2,798	60.06%	1,562	33.53%	299	6.42%
1964	2,074	46.60%	2,369	53.22%	8	0.18%
1960	2,730	60.05%	1,810	39.82%	6	0.13%
1956	2,987	69.82%	1,287	30.08%	4	0.09%
1952	2,926	74.38%	999	25.39%	9	0.23%
1948	1,928	69.01%	835	29.89%	31	1.11%
1944	2,063	68.24%	944	31.23%	16	0.53%
1940	2,405	66.09%	1,223	33.61%	11	0.30%
1936	1,692	49.69%	1,542	45.29%	171	5.02%
1932	1,527	46.09%	1,746	52.70%	40	1.21%
1928	1,521	62.41%	903	37.05%	13	0.53%
1924	1,792	75.36%	301	12.66%	285	11.98%
1920	2,156	82.26%	406	15.49%	59	2.25%
1916	984	53.89%	763	41.79%	79	4.33%
1912	621	35.42%	344	19.62%	788	44.95%
1908	1,258	66.35%	566	29.85%	72	3.80%
1904	1,464	75.27%	416	21.39%	65	3.34%
1900	1,468	68.41%	634	29.54%	44	2.05%
1896	1,402	64.25%	690	31.62%	90	4.12%
1892	769	53.63%	492	34.31%	173	12.06%
1888	899	55.49%	673	41.54%	48	2.96%
1884	811	57.80%	571	40.70%	21	1.50%

Leelanau 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.

Leelenau County recently completed construction of a new jail.

Elected officials

• Prosecuting Attorney – Joseph T. Hubbell
• Probate Judge – Larry Nelson
• Sheriff – Michael Borkovich
• County Clerk – Michelle L. Crocker
• County Treasurer – John A. Gallagher
• Register of Deeds – Dorothy M. Miller
• Drain Commissioner – Steven R. Christensen
• Commissioner Dist. 1 – Tony Ansorge
• Commissioner Dist. 2 – Debra L. Rushton
• Commissioner Dist. 3 – William J. Bunek
• Commissioner Dist. 4 – Ty Wessell
• Commissioner Dist. 5 – Patricia Soutas-Little
• Commissioner Dist. 6 – Casey Noonan
• Commissioner Dist. 7 – Melinda Loutner

(information as of September 2018)

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1860	2,158		—
1870	4,576		112.0%
1880	6,253		36.6%
1890	7,944		27.0%
1900	10,556		32.9%
1910	10,608		0.5%
1920	9,061		−14.6%
1930	8,206		−9.4%
1940	8,436		2.8%
1950	8,647		2.5%
1960	9,321		7.8%
1970	10,872		16.6%
1980	14,007		28.8%
1990	16,527		18.0%
2000	21,119		27.8%
2010	21,708		2.8%
2020	22,301		2.7%
U.S. Decennial Census 2010-2018

As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 21,119 people, 8,436 households, and 6,217 families residing in the county. The population density was 61 people per square mile (23/km²). There were 13,297 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile (15/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.52% White, 0.25% Black or African American, 3.66% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.34% from other races, and 0.97% from two or more races. 3.29% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 23.3% were of German, 11.5% English, 9.9% Polish, 9.0% Irish, 6.0% French and 5.2% American ancestry. 95.1% spoke English and 2.9% Spanish as their first language.

There were 8,436 households, out of which 29.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.60% were married couples living together, 7.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.30% were non-families. 22.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.89.

The county population contained 24.40% under the age of 18, 5.70% from 18 to 24, 24.20% from 25 to 44, 28.30% from 45 to 64, and 17.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $47,062, and the median income for a family was $53,228. Males had a median income of $35,719 versus $25,778 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,686. About 3.30% of families and 5.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.40% of those under age 18 and 4.50% of those age 65 or over.

Religion

• Leelanau County is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gaylord
• Leelanau County is part of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan.
• There are no meetinghouses of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Leelanau County. The nearest is in Traverse City, just over the south county line.

Communities

U.S. Census data map showing local municipal boundaries within Leelanau County. Shaded areas represent incorporated cities (only a small portion of Traverse City, which is mostly in Grand Traverse County).

Cities

• Traverse City (partially)

Villages

• Empire
• Northport
• Suttons Bay

Charter township

• Elmwood Charter Township

Civil townships

• Bingham Township
• Centerville Township
• Cleveland Township
• Empire Township
• Glen Arbor Township
• Kasson Township
• Leelanau Township
• Leland Township
• Solon Township
• Suttons Bay Township (county seat)

Census-designated places

• Cedar
• Glen Arbor
• Greilickville
• Lake Leelanau
• Leland (former county seat until 2004)
• Maple City
• Omena

Unincorporated communities

• Bingham
• Burdickville
• Cherry Bend
• Glen Haven
• Keswick
• Northport Point
• Peshawbestown

Indian reservation

• Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians occupies several scattered areas within Suttons Bay Township.

Notable people

• Jim Harrison – author, long-time resident of Leland Township
• Kathleen Sebelius – former Secretary of US Health and Human Services and former governor of Kansas, vacations at a summer home built by her grandfather in Leland.

• The northernmost village of Northport and surrounding Leelanau Township have achieved fame as an area where the rich and famous can live quietly and anonymously. According to the Leelanau Visitors Guide: "Chef Mario Batali lives north of town at Cathead point, and comedian and actor Tim Allen routinely spent summers in Northport until his divorce. Financier Mark Spitznagel summers in Northport Point, a posh community just outside the village."

See also

• List of Michigan State Historic Sites in Leelanau County, Michigan
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Leelanau County, Michigan

Further reading

• Bogue, Margaret. Around the Shores of Lake Michigan: A Guide to Historic Sites. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin Press, 1985.
• Reed, Earl H. The Dune Country. Berrien Springs, MI: Hardscrabble Books, 1979. [Reprint of 1916 Edition].
• Ruchhoft, Robert H. Exploring North Manitou, South Manitou, High and Garden Islands of the Lake Michigan Archipelago. Cincinnati, OH: Pucelle Press, 1991.
• Wood, Mable C. Scooterville, U.S.A. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1962.

External links

• [Official website|http://www.leelanau.cc Leelanau County - website]
• Leelanau Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
• Glen Arbor Chamber of Commerce
• Leland Chamber of Commerce
• Northport-Omena Chamber of Commerce
• Suttons Bay Chamber of Commerce
• The Leelanau Enterprise (local newspaper)
• Leelanau.com (news, photos & links)
• The Leelanau Post
• Fountain Point Resort website
• Leelanau Fruit Company website