Lake County, Michigan

The county was created by the Michigan Legislature in 1840 as Aischum County (possibly from eshkam meaning "diminishing" in Ojibwe), before being renamed Lake County in 1843 for its many lakes. It was administered by a succession of other Michigan counties prior to the organization of county government in 1871. ==Geography==

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (1.2%) is water. State trunkline highways • enters from Mason County; goes through Baldwin; continues east into Osceola County • enters Lake County from Newaygo County; passes through Baldwin; continues north to Wexford County National Protected Area • Manistee National Forest (part) Adjacent counties • Osceola County (east) • Oceana County (southwest) • Wexford County (northeast) • Mason County (west) • Manistee County (northwest) • Newaygo County (south) • Mecosta County (southeast) ==Demographics==

2020 census As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 12,096. The median age was 51.5 years, 15.7% of residents were under the age of 18, and 26.6% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 127.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 131.2 males. The racial makeup of the county was 85.1% White, 7.4% Black or African American, 0.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.5% from some other race, and 5.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 9.9% of the population. <0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas. There were 5,079 households in the county, of which 19.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 44.3% were married-couple households, 25.6% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 22.7% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 35.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The racial makeup of the county was 84.66% White, 11.17% Black or African American, 1.01% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.57% from other races, and 2.40% from two or more races. 1.69% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 20.2% were of English ancestry, 20.0% were of German ancestry, 8.4% Irish, and 6.1% Dutch ancestry. 97.5% spoke only English, while 1.3% spoke Spanish at home. ==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. Board of Commissioners • District 1 commissioner: Robert Sanders, vice chair • District 2 commissioner: Howard Lodholtz, chairman • District 3 commissioner: Kristine Raymond, vice chair pro tem • District 4 commissioner: Dawn Fuller • District 5 commissioner: Mike Seroczynski • District 6 commissioner: Jamie Russell • District 7 commissioner: Clyde Welford Elected officials • Chief Trial Court Judge: David M. Glancy • Prosecuting Attorney: Tom Evans • Sheriff: Richard L. Martin • County Clerk/Register of Deeds: Patti Pacola • County Treasurer: Kellie Allen • County Surveyor: Patrick Johnson County departments • County Administrator: Tobi Lake • Code Official: David Wright • Equalization Director: Anthony Meyaard • 911 Director: Brian Virden • Emergency Management Director: Jake Carter • Veterans Affairs Rep: Nicole Barton • Information Technology (IT): Mike Flees (information as of March 2026) ==Communities==

data map showing local municipal boundaries within Lake County '' (1842) by Henry Schenck Tanner, showing Lake County as Aishcum, the county's name from 1840 to 1843. Several nearby counties are also shown with names that would later be changed. Villages • Baldwin (county seat) • Luther Civil townships • Chase Township • Cherry Valley Township • Dover Township • Eden Township • Elk Township • Ellsworth Township • Lake Township • Newkirk Township • Peacock Township • Pinora Township • Pleasant Plains Township • Sauble Township • Sweetwater Township • Webber Township • Yates Township Other unincorporated communities • Branch (partially) • Chase • Idlewild • Irons • Peacock • Sauble • Wolf Lake ==Education==

The West Shore Educational Service District, based in Ludington, services the districts in the county along with those of Mason and Oceana counties. The intermediate school district offers regional special education and general education services, as well as technical career programs for its students. Lake County is served by the one regular public school district, Baldwin Community Schools. ==See also==