Elections
Missaukee County, MI, had 12,398 registered voters as of 2022. Local, state, and federal elections are held, including city, township, and school board races. In the 2020 presidential election, 74% voted Republican and 24% Democratic. Voting occurs at 14 polling locations across 10 townships and 2 cities. Key local issues include road maintenance and school funding. Elections are administered by the County Clerk with oversight from Michigan’s Secretary of State. The Republican Party dominates, with GOP holding most county offices. Voter turnout in major elections typically ranges from 55% to 70%.
County Crime & Safety
Missaukee County, MI, maintains a relatively low crime rate compared to state and national averages. In 2022, the county reported approximately 120 total crimes, including 10 violent crimes and 110 property crimes, resulting in a crime rate of about 8 per 1,000 residents. The area’s most common incident is theft. Law enforcement agencies, such as the Missaukee County Sheriff’s Office, emphasize community engagement and timely reporting, which helps maintain safety. Overall, Missaukee County offers a safe environment, with crime rates consistently below Michigan’s average of 21 crimes per 1,000 residents.
Education, Employment and Housing
Missaukee County, MI, has about 8 public schools, including Lake City High School and Missaukee ISD. Around 86% of residents hold a high school diploma, while approximately 14% have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Average public school test scores fall near the Michigan state average. School safety ratings are generally positive, with low reported incidents. Adult education opportunities are available through local community and online programs. The county offers various academic and vocational programs to support student success and career readiness.
Missaukee County, MI, had a 2023 employment rate of approximately 53.4%. Major industries include manufacturing (17%), health care and social assistance (16%), and retail trade (13%). Occupations are led by production (14%), office/administrative (13%), and sales (10%). About 81% of workers commute alone by car, with an average commute time of 25 minutes. Roughly 68% work within the county, while the remainder commute primarily to Wexford, Grand Traverse, and Roscommon counties.
Missaukee County, MI, features a homeownership rate of about 82%, much higher than the national average, with median home values around $180,000 as of 2023. Rental units comprise roughly 18% of the housing stock, with median rents near $850/month. The market has seen steady appreciation, with prices up over 35% in the past five years. Housing types mostly include single-family homes and some lakeside cottages. Neighborhoods like Lake City and McBain are popular. Property taxes average 1.2% of assessed value, making them relatively affordable compared to other Michigan counties.
Demographics
As of the 2020 Census, Missaukee County, Michigan, had a population of 15,052. The median age is approximately 43.7 years. About 49.8% are male and 50.2% female. The racial makeup is predominantly White (95.8%), followed by small percentages of two or more races (2.6%), Hispanic or Latino (2.2%), African American (0.5%), and Native American (0.5%). The county remains largely rural with limited racial and ethnic diversity.
Popular names
- Brien Schultz
- Dawn Wilson
- James Miller
- Thomas Anderson
- Amy Helsel
- Brian Richards
- David Clark
- David Taylor
- James Vanhaitsma
- Jay Bronkema
- Jeffery Miller
- Jennifer Hall
- Jessica Lauterwasser
- John Davis
- Justin Baird
- Karen Hunt
- Kyle Noel
- Lewis Snyder
- Marshall Park
- Marvin Quist
- Mary Bronkema
- Raymond Tatonetti
- Reuben Tacoma
- Rhonda Crandall
- Robert Power
- Sandra Pluger
- Scott Richards
- Sheryl Goodman
- Steven Vanostran
- Troy Hutchinson
- Adam Williams
- Adriana Rojas
- Alfred Davis
- Alice Elya
- Allen Travelbee
- Ally Richardson
- Alycia Peterson
- Amy Lyle
- Andrew Ebels
- Andrew Frey
- Antonio Youngs
- Billie Raden
- Brandi Kinyon
- Brenda Dezeeuw
- Brent Rozeveld
- Brett Sharp
- Brian Hoffman
- Brian Johnson
- Brittany Armstead
- Caleb Cnossen
- Caleb Sikkema
- Calvin Westdorp
- Carl Cook
- Carl Hutchinson
- Casey Miller
- Charles Elmquist
- Charles Hejnal
- Cheryl Richards
- Christine Askins
- Corey Hendry
Other Counties in Michigan
- Alcona
- Alger
- Allegan
- Alpena
- Antrim
- Arenac
- Baraga
- Barry
- Bay
- Benzie
- Berrien
- Branch
- Calhoun
- Cass
- Charlevoix
- Cheboygan
- Chippewa
- Clare
- Clinton
- Crawford
- Delta
- Dickinson
- Eaton
- Emmet
- Genesee
- Gladwin
- Gogebic
- Grand Traverse
- Gratiot
- Hillsdale
- Houghton
- Huron
- Ingham
- Ionia
- Iosco
- Iron
- Isabella
- Jackson
- Kalamazoo
- Kalkaska
- Kent
- Keweenaw
- Lake
- Lapeer
- Leelanau
- Lenawee
- Livingston
- Luce
- Mackinac
- Macomb
- Manistee