Delta County, Michigan (original) (raw)

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County in Michigan, United States

County in Michigan

Delta County
County
Delta County Courthouse in EscanabaDelta County Courthouse in Escanaba
Map of Michigan highlighting Delta CountyLocation within the U.S. state of Michigan
Map of the United States highlighting MichiganMichigan's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 45°47′N 86°52′W / 45.78°N 86.87°W / 45.78; -86.87
Country United States
State Michigan
Founded March 9, 1843 (authorized)1861 (organized)[1]
Named after Greek letter Delta
Seat Escanaba
Largest city Escanaba
Area
• Total 1,991 sq mi (5,160 km2)
• Land 1,171 sq mi (3,030 km2)
• Water 820 sq mi (2,100 km2) 41%
Population (2020)
• Total 36,903
• Estimate (2024) 36,687 Decrease
• Density 31.51/sq mi (12.17/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 1st
Website deltacountymi.gov

Delta County is a county in the Upper Peninsula in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the population was 36,903.[2] The county seat is Escanaba.[3] The county was surveyed in 1843 and organized in 1861. Its name originates from the Greek letter delta (Δ), which refers to the triangular shape of the original county[1][4] which included segments of Menominee, Dickinson, Iron, and Marquette counties.[5] Recreation and forest products are major industries, and crops include hay, corn, small grains, potatoes, and strawberries.[6]

Delta County comprises the Escanaba, MI Micropolitan Statistical Area.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,991 square miles (5,160 km2), of which 1,171 square miles (3,030 km2) is land and 820 square miles (2,100 km2) (41%) is water.[7] It is the fifth-largest county in Michigan by land area.

By land

By water

National protected area

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

Census-designated places

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Unincorporated communities

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Indian reservations

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Historical population

Census Pop. Note %±
1860 1,172 —
1870 2,542 116.9%
1880 6,812 168.0%
1890 15,330 125.0%
1900 23,881 55.8%
1910 30,108 26.1%
1920 30,909 2.7%
1930 32,280 4.4%
1940 34,037 5.4%
1950 32,913 −3.3%
1960 34,298 4.2%
1970 35,924 4.7%
1980 38,947 8.4%
1990 37,780 −3.0%
2000 38,520 2.0%
2010 37,069 −3.8%
2020 36,903 −0.4%
2024 (est.) 36,687 [9] −0.6%
US Decennial Census[10]1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]1990-2000[13] 2010-2018[2]

The 2010 United States census[14] indicated Delta County had population of 37,069. By 2020, its population was 36,903.

School districts include:[15]

Delta 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.

(information as of September 2018)[17]

The county is served by Delta County Airport (KESC), southwest of Escanaba. It provides scheduled airline service to Detroit and Minneapolis.

  1. ^ a b "Bibliography on Delta County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  2. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 103.
  5. ^ Names of Michigan Counties (accessed July 28, 2009)
  6. ^ Loren W. Berndt (1977). "Soil Survey of Delta County and Hiawatha National Forest of Alger and Schoolcraft Counties, Michigan" (PDF). United States Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service and Forest Service. p. 1). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 26, 2015. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  7. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Delta County, MI" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
  9. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates Tables". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
  10. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  11. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  12. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  13. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  14. ^ "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  15. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Delta County, MI" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 2, 2021. Retrieved July 21, 2022. - Text list
  16. ^ US Election Atlas
  17. ^ "Delta County Directory". Retrieved September 16, 2018.

45°47′N 86°52′W / 45.78°N 86.87°W / 45.78; -86.87