Chapter 5: Demographics
 
Summary
 
The demographic portion of this master plan provides background data to support the planning of future land uses.  When planning for a community, it is important to know who will be affected by the plan and their characteristics.  This portion of the master plan is essentially data presentation.
 
Antrim County has had a steady population, until a noticeable increase, beginning in 1970, when it had a growth rate of 28% (refer to Figure 5-1).  The 2000 Census reported that a total of 23,110 persons resided in Antrim County.  The U.S. Census projects Antrim County’s population at 24,000 in 2004.  The population change from 2000 to 2004 is depicted on Map 5-1.
 
The southern portion of the County has the highest population.  It is expected that these areas will continue to have a majority of the population as it continues to grow.  This is important when planning for infrastructure improvements and community building locations, especially for residents older than 65 and younger than 14.  Both of these age groups are more dependent on community services. 
 

 
COMMUNITY POPULATION:  (This is where the people live...)
 
  • Most of the County’s population lives in the southern portion. 
  •  Approximately 25% of the population (5,745 residents) live in an incorporated village. 
  • The public owned land in Warner, Chestonia, and Jordan limits the amount of developable land, thereby minimizing the population growth. 
  • Although the Mackinaw State Forest incorporates much of Mancelona Township, it is equivalent in size to two townships and contains the highest population.
  • This information is depicted on the Map 5-2, Total Population and Percentage of County Population.
 

 
HOUSEHOLD POPULATION:  (These are the areas that have grown...)
 

Figure 5-3

Number of Households

 

1970

1980

1990

2000

Banks

388

507

525

675

Central Lake

526

633

733

921

Chestonia

101

131

147

199

Custer

126

162

232

397

Echo

174

241

301

355

Elk Rapids

505

782

1,009

1,206

Forest Home

371

494

574

790

Helena

149

312

340

408

Jordan

54

141

206

323

Kearney

234

420

542

661

Mancelona

774

939

1,181

1,511

Milton

271

465

584

850

Star

82

140

204

295

Torch Lake

121

276

307

498

Warner

52

80

95

133
  • A household consists of all the people who occupy a housing unit, including a family and non-family members (U.S. Census).
  • In 2000, there were 9,222 households in the County. 
  • This was a 43% increase from the 1970 population which had 3,928 households.
  • Household data is used to determine population growth projections. 
  • According to the US Census, the average household size was 2.47 in 2000. 

  • This information is depicted on Map 5-3, Total Number of Households.
 
 

 
 
POPULATION PROJECTION:  (This is how much we plan to grow...)
 
  • To properly plan for the future orderly physical development of Antrim County, it is important to estimate future population and its impact on land use.
  • The Michigan State Demographer is projecting Antrim County’s population in 2010 to be 24,600 and in 2020 to be 27,700. 
  • Using past growth trends, the US Census estimated 2005 population, available infrastructure, location of job centers, natural features, and the number of current and expected households, a realistic estimation is that the overall County population will grow 26% from the 2000 Census data.
  • Townships and Villages will have different growth rates depending on their current size, location, infrastructure, and amount of publicly owned land, Figure 5-5 shows their growth projection.

Figure 5-5

Population Projections

Community

US Census
2000

Estimated
2005

Projected
2010

Projected
2020

Banks

1,330

1,401

1,440

1,584

Bellaire Village

1,164

1,146

1,164

1,187

Central Lake

1,264

1,311

1,471

1,618

Central Lake Village

990

988

1,008

1,029

Chestonia

546

616

641

769

Custer

988

1,075

1,187

1,270

Echo

928

992

1,021

1,174

Elk Rapids

1,041

1,064

1,086

1,172

Elk Rapids Village

1,700

1,710

1,773

1,835

Ellsworth Village

483

466

476

500

Forest Home

1,276

1,323

1,442

1,658

Helena

878

909

1,079

1,241

Jordan

875

972

1,040

1,300

Kearney

1,182

1,297

1,343

1,611

Mancelona

2,692

3,072

3,255

3,743

Mancelona Village

1,408

1,386

1,403

1,431

Milton

2,072

2,160

2,346

2,698

Star

745

875

984

1,181

Torch Lake

1,159

1,198

1,374

1,512

Warner

389

461

465

511

Total

23,110

24,422

25,998

29,025

 
 
 
POPULATION PROJECTION:  (For the seasonal and year round residents....)
 
  • Like much of Northern Michigan, Antrim County is a tourist destination, therefore it is important to consider seasonal residents in the population projection.
  • US Census defines a seasonal home, “a housing unit held for occupancy only during limited portions of the year, such as, a beach cottage, ski cabin, or time-share condominium.
  • In 2000, there were a total of 15,090 housing units in the County.  Of these, 9,222 or 61% were occupied year round.  Representing 34% of housing units, 5,152 were occupied only for seasonal, recreational, or occasional use.  The remaining 5% of houses were classified as vacant. 

Quick Summary:

 

The 2020 projected population is 29,025 year round and it is projected to be 55,654 to 68,955 in the summer months.

 

It is projected that there will be 19,013 housing units in 2020 with 6,655 being seasonal.
  • In 1990 there were 13,145 housing units (either owner or renter), 6,980 were occupied year round, while 4,695 were occupied only for seasonal, recreational, or occasional use.  In 1990 this was 36% of the housing units.
     
  • From these facts, it is likely that the number of seasonal homes will continue to increase, but remain approximately 35% of the total number of homes for the planning period. 
     
  • Using the population projection described in Part 1, it can be assumed that the number of housing units will increase by 26%. Therefore in 2020 there will be 3,923 more homes or a total of 19,013 housing units.  Using 35% as a guide, it is expected that there will be 6,655 seasonal homes in 2020.
     
  • Typically seasonal homes have a higher household size (4 to 6 people).  Using the occupancy rate, the seasonal population would range from 26,620 to 39,930.
     
  • Adding the seasonal population to the year round population (29,025) produces a population of 55,654 to 68,955 in the summer months (typically when the seasonal homes are occupied).
     
  • In 2020, the year round population would inhabit the remaining 12,358 homes (19,013 total housing units minus 6,655 seasonal) for an average household size of 2.3.
 
HOUSING TYPES:  (This is what we live in...)
 

According to the 2000 US Census, there were 15,090 housing units of various types in Antrim County.

  • 12,297 (81.5%) were detached single family

  • 302 (2%) were single family attached (duplex units)

  • 182 (1.2%) contain 3 to 4 units

  • 286 (1.9%) contain 5 to 9  units

  • 176 (1.2%) contain 10 to 19 units

  • 56 (0.4%) contain 20 or more units

  • 1,655 (11%) are mobile homes

  • 136 (0.9%) were classified as boat, RV, or other

  • Map 5-4, shows relative housing densities in Antrim County.
 

 
DEMOGRAPHIC DATA:  (This is how old we are...)
 
  • The total population in 2000 was 23,110 and it was equally divided between male and female.  The median age was 41.
  • Map 5-5, shows the portion of the population that is over 65 years of age. This is important in deciding where community services should be located.
     
  •  Map 5-6, shows where school age children live.  Map 5-7 depicts the different school districts in Antrim County and enrollment.  Future school locations should be located in areas that have a high population in this age group.
     
  • 136 grandparents are raising their grandchildren.

 Figure 5-7

2000 Population: Age and Sex  

Age

Male

Female

Total

9 and younger

1,493

1,390

2,883

10 through 19

1,702

1,541

3,243

20 through 44

3,440

3,372

6,812

45 through 64

3,043

3,096

6,139

65 through 74

1,167

1,186

2,353

75 and older

700

980

1,680

Total

11,545

11,565

23,110
 
 
DEMOGRAPHIC DATA:  (This is how we described ourselves...)
 
  • Of the 23,110 residents of Antrim County in 2000:
    • 22,419 are white
    • 284 are Hispanic or Latino
    • 247 are Native American
    • 45 are black
    • 57 are Asian/Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
    • 70 are of some other race
    • 272 are 2 or more races
       
  •  Of the 18,479 residents of Antrim County who are 15 years and older:
    • 1,038 people are divorced
    • 11,836 people are married
    • 1,315 people are widowed
       

  • Of the 16,025 residents of Antrim County who are 25 years and older

    • 536 have an education less than 9th grade.

    • 1,931 have a 12th grade education, but no diploma.

    • 5,946 have a high school degree or equivalent.

    • 3,558 have some college education, but no degree

    • 952 have a bachelor’s degree

    • 1,087 have a graduate or higher degree.
       

  • 84.61% of the population over 25 has a high school diploma compared to the State of
    Michigan where 83.4% of the population over 25 has a high school diploma
     

  • 19.4% of the population over 25 has a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to State of Michigan where 21.8% of the population over 25 has a bachelor’s degree or higher.
 
HOUSEHOLD INCOME:  (This is our workforce...)
 

  • The total number of people in the civilian labor force in Antrim County is 10,955.  Map 5-8 indicates where they live.
     

  • According to the US Census, 5,671 residents (58.2%) who live in Antrim County, work in Antrim County.
     

  • The average commute time is 23 minutes.
     

  • For a more detailed description, refer to Chapter 6, Economic Development.

 

 

Figure 5-9

Number of Workers in Antrim County

 

Occupation

Number of Workers

Percent of Job Force

Management, professional, and related

2,495

24.9

Sales and Office

2,260

22.6

Production, Transportation, and Material Moving

2,166

21.6

Service Oriented

1,727

17.2

Construction, Extraction, and Maintenance

1,283

12.8

Farming, Fishing, and Forestry

87

0.9
 

 

Figure 5-10

Antrim County Household Income

 

Household Income

Number

Percent

Less than 10,000

687

7.4

10,000 to 14,999

616

6.7

15,000 to 24,999

1,442

15.6

25,000 to 34,000

1,399

15.1

35,000 to 49,999

1,897

20.5

50,000 to 74,999

1,857

20.1

75,000 to 99,999

727

7.9

100,000 to 149,999

389

4.2

150,000 to 199,999

116

1.3

200,000 or more

124

1.3

 

 

  • Median Household
    Income $ 38,107

 

  • Median Male
    Income year round) $32,248

 

  • Median Female
    Income     (year round) $21,699
 
NORTHWEST LOWER MICHIGAN:   (This is how we compare ...)
 
  • Northwest Lower Michigan gained 50,504 residents this past decade and grew an average of 22%. 
  • All of the counties gained in population, which is consistent with the statewide trend of people moving into this area from other parts of the State.   
  • Out of the 10 Counties, Antrim is in the middle with respect to population size.

Figure 5-11

Population Comparison by County

County

1990

2000

Antrim

18,185

23,110

Benzie

12,200

15,998

Charlevoix

21,468

26,090

Emmet

25,040

31,437

Grand Traverse

64,273

77,654

Kalkaska

13,497

16,571

Leelanau

16,527

21,119

Manistee

21,265

24,525

Missaukee

12,147

14,478

Wexford

26,360

30,484

Total

230,962

281,466