A.   Community Description

1.

Social Characteristics

1.1

Population

The 2000 census revealed Antrim County’s population to comprise 23,110 residents, distributed among 15 townships and 5 incorporated villages.  This represents a 27% increase over the 1990 census population of 18,185 residents.

Table 1.1 shows the growth in population in the county and in each of the fifteen townships and five villages within the county.  Note that the village of Bellaire lies partly in Kearney Township and partly in Forest Home Township.

Table 1.1 – Population of Antrim County, Michigan
Antrim County 2003 population estimate:   24,094
County/	1970	1980	1970-1980	1990	1980-1990	2000	1990-2000	2003
Minor Civil Division	Census	Census	Percent Change	Census	Percent Change	Census	Percent Change	Estimate
ANTRIM COUNTY	12,612	16,194	28.40%	18,185	12.29%	23,110	27.08%	24,094
Banks	1,231	1,515	23.07%	1,513	-0.13%	1,813	19.83%	1,835
---Ellsworth	362	436	20.44%	418	-4.13%	483	15.55%	471
Central Lake	1,482	1,766	19.16%	1,919	8.66%	2,254	17.46%	2,290
---Central Lake	741	895	20.78%	954	6.59%	990	3.77%	998
Chestonia	368	433	17.66%	401	-7.39%	546	36.16%	586
Custer	381	490	28.61%	630	28.57%	988	56.83%	1,055
Echo	542	723	33.39%	766	5.95%	928	21.15%	961
Elk Rapids	1,631	2,086	27.90%	2,374	13.81%	2,741	15.46%	2,784
---Elk Rapids	1,249	1,504	20.42%	1,626	8.11%	1,700	4.55%	1,728
Forest Home	1,080	1,333	23.43%	1,410	5.78%	1,858	31.77%	1,883
---Bellaire (part)	392	499	27.30%	483	-3.21%	492	1.86%	490
Helena	515	781	51.65%	837	7.17%	878	4.90%	899
Jordan	303	410	35.31%	583	42.20%	875	50.09%	937
Kearney	997	1,241	24.47%	1,487	19.82%	1,764	18.63%	1,849
---Bellaire (part)	505	564	11.68%	621	10.11%	672	8.21%	667
Mancelona	2,258	2,720	20.46%	3,173	16.65%	4,100	29.22%	4,414
---Mancelona	1,255	1,432	14.10%	1,370	-4.33%	1,408	2.77%	1,401
Milton	853	1,271	49.00%	1,468	15.50%	2,072	41.14%	2,138
Star	331	453	36.86%	575	26.93%	745	29.57%	851
Torch Lake	391	711	81.84%	762	7.17%	1,159	52.10%	1,187
Warner	249	261	4.82%	287	9.96%	389	35.54%	435
Source:United States Bureau of the Census				Prepared for Antrim Co. by NWMCOG
Note: Village counts are included in the township total.

Since 1960 Antrim County has experienced a demographic transition from a declining population to a population undergoing rapid, sustained growth. This phenomenon, started in the 1960's, accelerated during the 1970's and 1980's, has continued through the 1990's, and is projected to continue into the next century. This development represents a reversal of established migration patterns for both the United States and Michigan of rural population moving to urban centers.

This return migration process has greatly altered the socioeconomic patterns of Antrim County over the last 25 years.  The socioeconomic structure of the County has depended upon recreation/tourism activities for the majority of this century, and this dependence continues to grow.  This reverse migration process of individuals seeking a rural setting to escape the pressures and strains of urban life, along with the large seasonal population within the county, have increased the demands for local public services, especially recreational services, and strained existing facilities within the County. This process will continue to present a number of challenging planning and service provision obstacles for the County well into the next century.

Based on current trends, Antrim County’s population may reach 26,000 by 2010.

1.2

Population Distribution within the County

Table 1.1 tabulates the distribution of the 23,110 residents by township.  Figure 1.1 below gives a graphical representation of the actual location of the residents as recorded by the census database.

Figure 1.1

1.3

Households in Antrim County

The 2000 census counted 9,222 households in Antrim County, a 32% increase over 1990.  63% of those households were one- or two-person households.  During this period the majority of residential growth within the County has been in those townships that contain, or border, Lake Michigan and/or major inland lakes.  Another growth area has been in and around Mancelona Township in the eastern part of the county.  Census data also shows that there was an average of 2.47 persons per household in 2000, and an average family size of 2.89 persons. 64% of the respondents claimed to be, or have been, married.  Tables 1.2 and 1.3 present additional household statistics for Antrim County.

Table 1.2 – Antrim County Households
			‘70-‘80		‘80-‘90		‘90-‘00
			Percent		Percent		Percent
	1970	1980	Change	1990	Change	2000	Change
Number of households	3,928	5,723	45.70%	6,980	21.96%	9,222	32.12%
Persons per household	3.2	2.8	-12.50%	2.58	-7.86%	2.47	-4.07%
Married couple families	2,920	4,045	38.53%	4,419	9.25%	5,627	27.34%
--as a percent of total households	74.3%	70.7%	-4.92%	63.3%	-10.4%	61.0%	-3.62%
Source:   United States Bureau of the Census, 100% Data

Table 1.3 - Persons In Antrim County Household
	1980	1990	1980-1990	2000	1990-2000
	Percent of Total	Percent of Total	Absolute	Percent of Total	Absolute
	Households	Households	Change	Households	Change
One person	18.30%	21.30%	3.00%	23.48%	2.18%
Two persons	35.90%	38.80%	2.90%	41.06%	2.26%
Three persons	15.80%	15.30%	-0.50%	13.81%	-1.49%
Four persons	15.30%	14.20%	-1.10%	12.88%	-1.32%
Five persons	8.70%	6.90%	-1.80%	5.64%	-1.26%
Six or more persons	5.90%	3.60%	-2.30%	3.12%	-0.48%
Source:    United States Bureau of the Census        Prepared for Antrim County by NW Michigan Council of Governments

1.4

Age Distribution of Residents in Antrim County

According to 2000 Census data the population of Antrim County aged by 4.3 years between 1990 and 2000. In 1990 the median age for the county was 36.8 years and was 41.1 years in 2000. Census data also shows that all age groups, except those between the ages of 25-34, experienced population increases between 1990 and 2000.

Table 1.4 shows the relative changes in the various age groups over the past four decennial censuses. Increases in middle age individuals, coupled with strong increases in retirement age people, presents interesting planning problems for recreational use.

Table 1.4 – Antrim County Population By Age Group
			1970-1980		1980-1990		1990-2000
Age Group	1970	1980	% Change	1990	% Change	2000	% Change
Under 5 years	1,085	1,185	9.22%	1,281	8.10%	1,325	3.43%
5 - 9	1,307	1,232	-5.74%	1,316	6.82%	1,558	18.39%
10 - 14	1,403	1,372	-2.21%	1,301	-5.17%	1,746	34.20%
15 - 19	1,163	1,437	23.56%	1,219	-15.17%	1,497	22.81%
20 - 24	669	1,144	71.00%	913	-20.19%	969	6.13%
25 - 29	644	1,237	92.08%	1,208	-2.34%	1,087	-10.02%
30 - 34	651	1,039	59.60%	1,400	34.74%	1,292	-7.71%
35 - 39	602	918	52.49%	1,339	45.86%	1,668	24.57%
40 - 44	622	847	36.17%	1,123	32.59%	1,796	59.93%
45 - 49	624	731	17.15%	963	31.74%	1681	74.56%
50 - 54	661	812	22.84%	940	15.76%	1496	59.15%
55 - 59	656	879	33.99%	913	3.87%	1536	68.24%
60 - 64	772	917	18.78%	1,115	21.59%	1,426	27.89%
65 - 69	599	880	46.91%	1,054	19.77%	1,234	17.08%
70 - 74	475	633	33.26%	835	31.91%	1119	34.01%
75 years and up	679	931	37.11%	1,265	35.88%	1,680	32.81%
TOTAL	12,612	16,194	28.40%	18,185	12.29%	23,110	27.08%
Median age	29.1	32.4		36.8		41.1
Source:    United States Bureau of the Census				Prepared for Antrim County by NW Michigan Council of Governments

The ageing population of Antrim County is further emphasized by Figure 1.2, which shows the relative proportions of each age group as a percent of the total population of Antrim County.  The relative increase of the middle-aged and older population is offset by relative decreases in the younger age groups.

Table 1.5 shows the breakdown of the township populations by age group.  Some lakeshore townships, like Torch Lake, have a relatively high percentage of residents in the older age groups.  This reflects the continuing preference of retirees and other in-migrants for the lakeside communities.

1.5

Senior Citizens

Table 1.5 also lists the population of senior citizens (aged 65 and over) by township and for the county as a whole.  While 17% of the county residents overall are aged 65 or over, the lakeshore townships tend to have higher proportions of senior citizens.  Overall, the rate of increase of residents aged 65 or over from the 1990 census was similar to the overall population increase (27%), the distribution of the increase was uneven within the county.

The ageing population of the county presents numerous challenges to Antrim County in the provision of public facilities and services.  For recreational facilities, the question of access to handicapped patrons becomes a major design, construction, and cost issue.  The relative distribution of types of recreation facilities may also become a factor as the demographics of the local population continue to evolve.

Table 1.5 - Antrim County 2000 Census Population Figures - by Township and Age Group
		Central	Ches-			Elk	Forest				Mance-			Torch		Antrim
Age Group	Banks	Lake	tonia	Custer	Echo	Rapids	Home	Helena	Jordan	Kearney	lona	Milton	Star	Lake	Warner	County
< 5	121	113	37	46	65	102	89	33	59	118	346	82	56	36	22	1,325
5 - 9	134	132	46	69	75	158	102	41	66	111	362	132	41	55	34	1,558
10 - 14	174	164	41	68	67	211	125	46	77	131	342	145	49	74	32	1,746
15 - 19	114	150	47	69	61	182	122	42	59	107	257	128	54	72	33	1,497
20 - 24	68	90	29	25	39	95	56	26	49	89	255	60	42	27	19	969
25 - 29	92	121	27	38	48	99	59	30	48	98	261	71	36	34	25	1,087
30 - 34	107	129	48	66	66	126	91	41	59	99	261	93	48	33	25	1,292
35 - 44	303	352	70	143	136	376	282	117	160	277	625	307	104	136	76	3,464
45 - 54	271	310	71	166	121	416	252	145	126	200	505	295	97	157	45	3,177
55 - 59	86	159	33	86	57	196	134	88	54	96	212	192	44	80	19	1,536
60 - 64	91	131	34	58	77	180	138	72	42	73	184	143	50	136	17	1,426
65 - 74	123	224	37	95	77	364	236	110	45	155	301	267	79	211	29	2,353
75 +	129	179	26	59	39	236	172	87	31	210	189	157	45	108	13	1,680
TOTAL	1,813	2,254	546	988	928	2,741	1,858	878	875	1,764	4,100	2,072	745	1,159	389	23,110
Median age	38.6	41.5	34.8	43.1	38.1	45.4	45.1	49.3	36.3	39.9	34.3	45.5	38.2	51.8	35.6	41.1
Population under 65	1,561	1,851	483	834	812	2,141	1,450	681	799	1,399	3,610	1,648	621	840	347	19,077
Population over 65	252	403	63	154	116	600	408	197	76	365	490	424	124	319	42	4,033
% under age 65	86%	82%	88%	84%	88%	78%	78%	78%	91%	79%	88%	80%	83%	72%	89%	83%
% 65 and over	14%	18%	12%	16%	13%	22%	22%	22%	9%	21%	12%	20%	17%	28%	11%	17%
% diff, under 65 ('90-'00)	22%	20%	42%	53%	28%	12%	29%	1%	55%	19%	31%	40%	22%	40%	32%	27%
% diff, over 65 ('90-'00)	6%	6%	5%	79%	-12%	28%	42%	21%	15%	17%	16%	45%	82%	98%	75%	28%

1.6

Gender

The distribution of Antrim County population by gender is shown in Table 1.6.  Overall, males and females are evenly distributed.  However, more senior citizens are female.

Table 1.6 – Antrim County Population By Sex
		Percent		Percent		Percent
	1980	of Total	1990	of Total	2000	of Total
Male	7,980	49.28%	8,903	48.96%	11,545	49.96%
Female	8,214	50.72%	9,282	51.04%	11,565	50.04%
Age 65 and over:
Male	1,114	45.58%	1,423	45.00%	1,867	46.29%
Female	1,330	54.42%	1,739	55.00%	2,166	53.71%
Source:United States Bureau of the Census

1.7

Race

Antrim County is predominantly a single-race community, with 97% of the community identifying itself as White in 2000s.  However, the proportion of members of other races, while small, has continued to grow over the years.  Tables 1.7a and 1.7b shows the ethnic composition of the county.

Table 1.7a – Antrim County Population by Race, 1970 - 1990
			Native	Asian/		Hispanic
	White	Black	American	Pacific Islander	Other	(of any race)
1970	12,502	3	101	0	6	n/a
Percent of Total	99.13%	0.02%	0.80%	---	0.05%	---
1980	16,019	15	119	20	21	65
Percent of Total	98.92%	0.09%	0.73%	0.12%	0.13%	0.40%
1990	17,895	23	211	24	32	96
Percent of Total	98.41%	0.13%	1.16%	0.13%	0.18%	0.53%

Table 1.7b reflects the new categories (mixed races) that were introduced in the 2000 census.

Table 1.7b -   – Antrim County Population by Race, 2000 Census
	White alone	Black alone	Native American alone	Asian Hawaiian Pacific Islander alone	Some other race alone	Two or more races	Hispanic  (of any race)
2000	22,419	45	247	57	70	272	284
Percent of Total	97.01%	0.19%	1.07%	0.25%	0.30%	1.18%	1.23%
Source:   United States Bureau of the Census
Note:   In table 1.7a, 1970 includes Asian and Pacific Islander in "Other".
Note:   Due to changes in data collection methods, race data from the 2000 Census cannot be compared to race data from prior censuses.                          Prepared by NW Michigan Council of Governments for Antrim County.

1.8

Persons with Disabilities

The 2000 census data released by the Census Bureau shows a rather high proportion of the sample polled as having some form of disability or other.  Table 1.8 lists the published statistic.

Overall, just over 21% of the respondents claimed some form of disability.  Just under 10% of youths aged between 5 and 20 claim disabilities, while one of out five of those sampled between the ages of 21 and 64 have disabilities. With such high percentages of the County's population suffering from some form of disability, accessibility issues must be an integral part of all future recreational planning projects.

Table 1.8 - Disability Statistics for Antrim County
Township	Ages 5 thru 20	Ages 21 thru 64	Ages 65 and above	Overall
Banks	15.9%	23.7%	44.1%	24.7%
Central Lake	10.4%	20.7%	42.6%	22.7%
Chestonia	11.3%	21.7%	52.1%	21.6%
Custer	5.9%	18.1%	40.6%	18.2%
Echo	18.6%	21.1%	38.9%	23.1%
Elk Rapids	7.4%	15.3%	35.2%	18.4%
Forest Home	7.5%	16.7%	29.4%	17.9%
Helena	11.4%	23.9%	36.8%	25.2%
Jordan	7.1%	24.1%	38.2%	21.3%
Kearney	11.4%	15.7%	36.8%	18.7%
Mancelona	7.5%	28.6%	47.1%	25.3%
Milton	7.7%	15.7%	25.4%	15.9%
Star	8.4%	21.0%	49.1%	22.3%
Torch Lake	17.6%	20.3%	26.5%	21.5%
Warner	3.7%	23.0%	48.8%	20.3%
Antrim Co.	9.7%	20.8%	37.1%	21.2%
Source: 2000 Census

1.9

Employment Trends

TABLE 1.9 - Employment by Labor Market Area (LMA) and Industry
	1998	2002
	Annual	Annual	1998-2002	1998-2002
	Average	Average	Change	% Change
Area: Antrim County LMA
Civilian Labor Force (Place of Res.)	10350	11075	725	7.0%
Employment	9700	10200	500	5.2%
Unemployment	650	850	200	30.8%
Rate	6.2	7.7	1.5	24.2%
Wage and Salary Emp. (Place of Work)	5850	6275	425	7.3%
Goods Producing Industries	1750	1800	50	2.9%
Construction and Mining	325	425	100	30.8%
Manufacturing	1425	1350	-75	-5.3%
Durable Goods	1275	1200	-75	-5.9%
Lumber and Wood Products	75	100	25	33.3%
Fabricated Metal Products	675	625	-50	-7.4%
Industrial Mach. & Computers	350	250	-100	-28.6%
All Other Durable Goods	175	225	50	28.6%
Nondurable Goods	150	150	0	0.0%
Food and Kindred Products	75	75	0	0.0%
All Other Nondurable Goods	75	100	25	33.3%
Service Producing Industries	4100	4475	375	9.1%
Private Sector Service Industries	2725	2950	225	8.3%
Transp., Commun. and Utilities	50	50	0	0.0%
Trade	1400	1550	150	10.7%
Wholesale Trade	200	150	-50	-25.0%
Wholesale Durable Goods	125	75	-50	-40.0%
Wholesale Nondurable Goods	75	50	-25	-33.3%
Retail Trade	1200	1400	200	16.7%
All Other Retail Trade	1200	1400	200	16.7%
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate	175	200	25	14.3%
Private Services	1125	1150	25	2.2%
Services: SIC 7000 - 7999	825	950	125	15.2%
Services: SIC 8000 - 8999	300	225	-75	-25.0%
Government	1350	1500	150	11.1%
Federal Government	50	75	25	50.0%
Post Offices	50	50	0	0.0%
All Other Federal Government	0	0	0
State Government	25	25	0	0.0%
Local Government	1275	1400	125	9.8%
Local Medical	225	300	75	33.3%
Local Education	575	625	50	8.7%
All Other Local Government	475	500	25	5.3%
Source: MDCD/Employment Service Agency, Labor Market Analysis Section		Compiled by NW MI Council of Governments

Table 1.9, compiled by the NW Michigan Council of Governments (NWMCOG) using data from the Michigan Department of Career Development (MDCD)/Employee Service Agency, provides a detailed picture of the employment situation in Antrim County between the years 1998 and 2002.  The overall labor force residing in Antrim County increased by 7%.  The number of unemployed increased by 30.8% in those four years, while the number of employed workers increased by 5.2 %.

There was a loss of jobs in the manufacturing sectors of the economy, while the increases in the jobs were predominantly in the retail and service sectors (including government).  The construction industry and wood product manufacturers showed an overall increase in the same period.

The change in total labor force in Antrim County is shown in Table 1.10 below.

TABLE 1.10 - LABOR FORCE
			1980 - 1990		1990 - 2000
			Percent		Percent
	1980	1990	Change	2000	Change
Total Labor Force	7,505	8,849	17.9%	10,955	23.8%
Employed	6,354	7,931	24.8%	10,370	30.8%
Unemployed	1,151	918	-20.2%	585	-36.3%
Unemployment Rate (% unemployed)	15.3	10.4	-32.0%	5.3	-49.0%
Source: Michigan Department of Career Development/Employment Service Agency, Labor Market Analysis Section

While short-term (4-year) statistics in Table 1.9 indicate an increase in unemployment recently, Table 1.10 shows that over 20- and 30- year periods, unemployment figures continue to decline, while employment figures continue to increase over the decades.

2.

Physical Characteristics

2.1

Geographic and Historic Perspective

Antrim County is located in the northwestern corner of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, along Grand Traverse Bay (Lake Michigan). The County is an area of spectacular natural beauty, typified by rolling and hilly forest uplands, low wetlands, and numerous inland lakes and connecting rivers. The topography shows the effect of glaciers, which laid down the soil and carved out numerous lakes and streams.

Figure 2.1

The County is organized into fifteen organized townships and five incorporated villages. The Village of Bellaire is the official county seat. The remaining four villages are Central Lake, Elk Rapids, Ellsworth, and Mancelona. The townships are: Banks, Central Lake, Chestonia, Custer, Echo, Elk Rapids, Forest Home, Helena, Jordan, Kearney, Mancelona, Milton, Star, Torch Lake, and Warner.  See Figure 2.1.

Regionally, Antrim County is located between a number of rapidly growing counties. Grand Traverse County, the most populous and most developed county in the region, lies to the southwest. Traverse City, the Grand Traverse County Seat, is the regional metropolitan center for the Northwest Michigan region. Charlevoix County comprises the County's entire northern border and is one of the better-known resort areas in Michigan. The cities of Charlevoix, East Jordan, and Boyne City are important regional service providers within the immediate area. Otsego County comprises the eastern border of Antrim County and is one of the fastest growing counties in the State of Michigan. The City of Gaylord, the Otsego county seat, is also becoming a major regional service provider. Kalkaska County provides the major portion of the County's southern border. Kalkaska County is less populated than Antrim County and is one of the more rural counties in Northwest Michigan. The Village of Kalkaska, the county seat, is a hub for several state and federal highways.

Antrim County is approximately 250 miles northwest of the Detroit metropolitan area and 340 miles northeast of the Chicago metropolitan area. Several major metropolitan areas within the State are within 200 miles of Antrim County. The City of Lansing is approximately 180 miles south of Antrim County. The Saginaw-Midland-Bay City metropolitan area is about 150 miles to the southeast. The City of Flint is about 200 miles to the southeast. The Grand Rapids metropolitan area is 140 miles to the south; the Kalamazoo metropolitan area, the City of Battle Creek, and the City of Jackson are all about 200 miles to the south.

Historically Antrim County was originally known as Meguzee County. As an unorganized county, Meguzee was laid out in 1840. In 1843 the name was changed from Meguzee to Antrim. In 1847 the first known pioneers settled within the county. The State Legislature organized the county in 1863 and established the county seat in the Village of Elk Rapids. See Figure 2.2.  In 1879 the county seat moved to the centralized community of Keno, which later was renamed the Village of Bellaire.

Antrim County began to become a serious recreational and tourism destination in the 1920's after the decline of the then dominant lumber industry. The County was also home to several of the earliest summer camps in northern, Lower Michigan, the first being founded on Clam Lake in 1895. In 1998 Michigan State University Extension estimated that Antrim County had 44,445 acres devoted to public recreational use (Antrim County Tourism Profile, MSU Extension, October 1998.).

2.2

Topography

Located along Grand Traverse Bay (Lake Michigan) in the northwestern corner of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, Antrim County is typified by rolling and hilly forest uplands, low wetlands, numerous inland lakes and connecting rivers. The County is 476.9 square miles (335,808 acres) in size. The County is somewhat rectangular in shape, being 27 miles from north to south and 30 miles from east to west.

The topography within the County shows the effect of glaciers, which laid down the soil and carved out its numerous lakes, streams, and rivers. Much of the eastern portion of the County is dominated by the flat features a glacial outwash plain while the western portions of the County show the remnants of hilly, glacial moraines.  (See Figure 2.3)

2.3	Climate
	Antrim County is located within a Type D, cool and humid, "Microthermal" environment. However, the presence of Lake Michigan tends to moderate temperature extremes in the western portion of the County, creating a warmer, microclimatic condition favorable for fruit production. The length of the growing season varies from the eastern and western sides of the County, but tends to average approximately 113 days.
	The following climate data is taken from the State historical records (1951-1980) of the State Climatologist, as complied by the Michigan State University Department of Geography Climatology Program and the Michigan Department of Agriculture. All data was recorded at the East Jordan Station (#2381) in Charlevoix County.
	Table 2.1 displays the precipitation amounts recorded in East Jordan. A narrative of the climatic conditions recorded at the East Jordan station is shown in Table 2.2. Mean monthly temperature statistics are shown in Table 2.3.
	TABLE 2.1                      PRECIPITATION SUMMARY FOR EAST JORDAN                         FOR THE 30 YEAR PERIOD 1951-1980  DIVISION: NORTHWEST LOWER        LAT.:  45d 09m   TOWN:  32N   SEC.:    23  COUNTY:   CHARLEVOIX             LONG.: 85d 08m   RANGE: 07W   ELEV.: 0590 ft -------------------------------------------------------------------------------     |     LIQUID EQUIVALENT (IN)     |              SNOWFALL (IN)               M  |--------------------------------+-----------------------------------------  O  |      |  MAXIMUM  |  MEAN # OF  |      |  MAXIMUM  |  MAXIMUM  | MAXIMUM   N  |      |   DAILY   |  DAYS WITH  |      |  MONTHLY  |   DAILY   |  TOTAL    T  | MEAN |   AMOUNT  |   AT LEAST  | MEAN |   AMOUNT  |   AMOUNT  |  DEPTH    H  |      |  AND YEAR | .10 .25 .50 |      |  AND YEAR |  AND YEAR | AND YEAR ----+------+-----------+-------------+------+-----------+-----------+---------- JAN | 2.01 | 0.84 1974 |  8   2   *  | 28.5 | 55.5 1969 | 16.0 1969 |  37 1969 FEB | 1.27 | 0.90 1977 |  5   1   *  | 15.2 | 35.5 1962 |  9.0 1962 |  33 1962 MAR | 1.55 | 1.00 1959 |  5   2   1  | 10.1 | 27.5 1959 | 10.0 1963+|  33 1962 APR | 2.57 | 1.56 1960 |  7   4   2  |  2.7 |  9.0 1966 |  6.2 1980 |  10 1975 MAY | 2.67 | 3.44 1963 |  7   4   1  |  0.3 |  5.0 1954 |  2.5 1954 |   2 1979 JUN | 2.95 | 2.73 1960 |  6   4   2  |  0.0 |  0.0      |  0.0      |   0          |      |           |             |      |           |           |          JUL | 3.19 | 3.01 1975 |  5   4   2  |  0.0 |  0.0      |  0.0      |   0      AUG | 3.16 | 3.62 1977 |  6   4   2  |  0.0 |  0.0      |  0.0      |   0       SEP | 4.20 | 2.88 1961 |  9   6   3  |  0.0 |   T  1956+|   T  1956+|   0      OCT | 2.91 | 2.01 1979 |  8   4   2  |  0.6 |  9.0 1962 |  4.0 1962 |   3 1962 NOV | 3.01 | 1.78 1966 |  9   4   1  | 10.8 | 30.0 1951 | 10.0 1976+|  16 1976 DEC | 2.29 | 1.22 1971 |  8   3   *  | 25.1 | 43.3 1963 | 12.0 1975 |  24 1958 ----+------+-----------+-------------+------+-----------+-----------+---------- ANN |31.78 | 3.62 1977 | 83  42  16  | 93.3 | 55.5 1969 | 16.0 1969 |  37 1969 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------   T=Trace, an unmeasurable amount   +=On earlier dates   *=Less than one half  Source: Michigan State Climatologist’s Office, Historical Summary Tables
	The climate of East Jordan is taken to be sufficiently close to that of most of Antrim County that the description can be taken to be representative of the conditions found here.

TABLE 2.2 - CLIMATE OF EAST JORDAN

East Jordan, located in southwestern Charlevoix County, of the Northwest Lower Climatic Division, is about 12 miles east of the Grand Traverse Bay entrance and about 49 miles south southwest of the Straits of Mackinac. The surrounding terrain varies from quite rough to rolling hills. Scattered cherry orchards are found on the more favorable sites. Most of the land is forested with some limited part-time general farming activity. Soils are predominantly well drained sandy loams. For additional county soil information, please contact the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA)/Environmental Division/Soil Conservation Program, the USDA/Soil Conservation Service, the local Soil Conservation District, or the county Cooperative Extension Service (CES). For detailed county agricultural statistics please refer to the publication: "1988 County Food and Agricultural Development Statistics" produced by the MDA in cooperation with the USDA/Michigan Agricultural Statistics Service (MASS), or contact the MDA/Press and Public Affairs Division, the MASS, or the county CES.

The lake effect on East Jordan's climate is significant throughout most of the year. The prevailing westerly winds, in combination with Lake Michigan to the west, produce this lake influence. The lake effect increases cloudiness and snowfall during the fall and winter and also modifies temperatures, keeping them cooler during the late spring and early summer, and warmer during the late fall and early winter. In the late winter as ice builds up on the lakes, East Jordan is subjected to temperature variations which are more closely associated with interior locations. Diminished wind speeds or winds which do not traverse large unfrozen lakes often produce clearing skies and the colder temperatures expected at continental locations.

Because the day-to-day weather is controlled by the movement of pressure systems across the nation, this area seldom experiences prolonged periods of hot, humid weather in the summer or extreme cold during the winter. Long-term wind, humidity, and sunshine records are not available for this location, but these data should be similar to the following values which were observed at the National Weather Service Office in Alpena. The prevailing wind is south- westerly, averaging 8 mph. The strongest one-minute wind speed, 43 mph, was recorded in April 1963. The average 1 P.M. relative humidity varies from 51% for May to 74% for December, and averages 61% annually. The average percent possible sunshine varies from 27% for December to 67% for July, and averages 49% annually.

Summers are dominated by moderately warm temperatures with a 1951-80 average of 5 days exceeding the 90 F mark. During the same period no day was 100 F or higher. The lake influence was reflected in the minimum temperatures; an average of 169 days was 32 F or lower, an average of 18 days was 0 F or lower, and no year stayed above 0 F. The highest average monthly maximum temperature of 88.7 F was recorded July 1955, and the lowest average monthly minimum temperature of -3.7 F was recorded February 1963. The following temperature extremes, based on the time period of this station's published record, are: maximum, 103 F, recorded July 13, 1936; minimum, -41 F, recorded February 17, 1979; warmest monthly mean, 75.6 F, recorded July 1955; and coldest monthly mean, 8.8 F, recorded February 1963.

Heating and cooling degree-day data are used as an index of the heating and cooling requirements for buildings which are proportional to the number of degree-days. Heating degree-days for a single day are obtained by subtracting the mean temperature from 65 F when the mean temperature is below 65 F. Cooling degree-days for a single day are obtained by subtracting 65 F from the mean temperature when the mean temperature is above 65 F. Each are then summed to yield monthly totals. The average heating degree-days for January was 1384 while October was 482. The average cooling degree-days for July was 125 while May was 19.

Based on the 1951-80 period, the average date of the last freezing temperature in the spring was May 31, while the average date of the first freezing temperature in the fall was September 21. The freeze-free period, or growing season, averaged 113 days annually.

Precipitation was well distributed throughout the year with the crop season, April-September, receiving an average of 18.74 inches or 59% of the average annual total for the 1951-80 period. During this same period the average wettest month was September with 4.20 inches, while the average driest month was February with 1.27 inches. The following precipitation extremes, based on the time period of this station's published record, are: greatest observation-day total, 3.62 inches, recorded August 29, 1977; greatest monthly total, 10.13 inches, recorded August 1959; and least monthly total, .22 inches, recorded February 1929.

Summer precipitation comes mainly in the form of afternoon showers and thundershowers. Annually, thunderstorms will occur on an average of 27 days. Michigan is located on the northeast fringe of the Midwest tornado belt. The lower frequency of tornadoes occurring in Michigan may be, in part, the result of the colder water of Lake Michigan during the spring and early summer months, a prime period of tornado activity. During 1950-87, Michigan has averaged 15 tornadoes each year. During this same period, 2 tornadoes occurred within the county.

The 1950-51 through 1979-80 average seasonal snowfall was 93.7 inches. During this period, 117 days per season averaged 1 inch or more of snow on the ground, but varied greatly from season to season. The following snowfall extremes, based on the time period of this station's published record, are: greatest observation-day total, 16.0 inches, recorded January 10, 1969; greatest monthly total, 67.3 inches, recorded January 1985; greatest seasonal total, 154.6 inches, recorded during 1984-85; least seasonal total, 44.8 inches, recorded during 1982-83; and greatest snowdepth, 37 inches, recorded January 12, 1969.

Evaporation data from the Class "A" pan were not available for this station, but these data should be similar to those observed at Lake City. During 1960-80, the pan evaporation for May through October exceeded the average precipitation by 55%. Therefore, soil moisture replenishment during the fall and winter months plays an important role in the success of agriculture for this area. While drought occurs periodically, the Palmer Drought Index indicated drought conditions reached extreme severity only 2% of the time.   --- Source: Michigan State Climatologist’s Office, Historical Climatological Summary Tables, East Jordan station

TABLE 2.3         TEMPERATURE (F) SUMMARY FOR EAST JORDAN            FOR THE 30 YEAR PERIOD 1951-1980   DIVISION:  NORTHWEST LOWER         TOWN:   32N   COUNTY:    CHARLEVOIX              RANGE:  07W   LATITUDE:  45d 09m                 SECTION:     23   LONGITUDE: 85d 08m                 ELEVATION: 0590ft  ------------------------------------------------------  |  M  |   DAILY AVERAGES   |      DAILY EXTREMES     |                  O  |--------------------+-------------------------|  |  N  |                    |                         |  |  T  | MAX    MIN    MEAN |  HI  YEAR    LOW  YEAR  |  |  H  |                    |                         |  |-----+--------------------+-------------------------|  | JAN | 27.6   12.6   20.1 |  51  1973    -28  1970  |  | FEB | 29.7    9.4   19.5 |  55  1976    -41  1979  |  | MAR | 39.2   18.3   28.7 |  72  1966    -29  1962  |  | APR | 54.1   31.1   42.6 |  88  1980+     0  1972  |  | MAY | 67.4   40.5   53.9 |  91  1977     16  1966  |  | JUN | 76.3   49.8   63.0 |  97  1954     26  1966  |  |     |                    |                         |  | JUL | 80.2   54.6   67.4 |  99  1955+    33  1965  |  | AUG | 78.2   53.6   65.9 |  99  1955     30  1976+ |  | SEP | 70.2   47.4   58.8 |  97  1953     23  1965  |  | OCT | 59.7   39.0   49.3 |  86  1971+    17  1965  |  | NOV | 44.5   29.8   37.1 |  74  1961     -5  1951  |  | DEC | 32.4   19.0   25.7 |  64  1970    -31  1976  |  |-----+--------------------+-------------------------|  | ANN | 55.0   33.8   44.4 |  99  1955+   -41  1979  |  ------------------------------------------------------     + = On earlier dates                                Source: Michigan State Climatologist’s Office, Historical Summary Tables
2.4	Soils and Vegetation
	In general soil conditions within Antrim County range from well drained soils in steep areas to very poorly drained soils in lowland areas. However, the varied soil conditions within the County do provide some basis for diversified agricultural activities.
	Soil conditions within the County are based upon the qualities of the "Parent Material." Parent Material is the material from which soils form. The soils within Antrim County were formed from four basic types of Parent Material. 1) Material deposited by the movement of glaciers across the landscape. 2) Material deposited by flowing, glacial melt water. 3) Material deposited by still or ponded glacial melt water. 4) Material formed from the deposits o