| County: | Montcalm County |
| State: | Michigan |
| Ex Image: | Giles Gilbert House.jpg |
| Ex Image Size: | 300px |
| Founded Year: | 1738 (created) 1850 (organized)[1] |
| Seat Wl: | Stanton |
| Largest City Wl: | Greenville |
| Area Total Sq Mi: | 721 |
| Area Land Sq Mi: | 705 |
| Area Water Sq Mi: | 15 |
| Area Percentage: | 2.1% |
| Census Yr: | 2020 |
| Pop: | 66,614 |
| Density Sq Mi: | 90 |
| Web: | montcalm.us |
| District: | 2nd |
| Time Zone: | Eastern |
| Named For: | Louis-Joseph de Montcalm |
Montcalm County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 66,614.[2] The county is geographically located in the West Michigan region of the Lower Peninsula. The county seat is Stanton, and the largest city is Greenville.[3] The county is named for General Marquis Louis-Joseph de Montcalm, military commander of French troops during the French and Indian War. The county was set off in 1831 and organized in 1850.[1]
Montcalm County is part of the Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and (2.1%) is water.[4]
As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 61,266 people, 22,079 households, and 16,183 families residing in the county. The population density was 86/mi2. There were 25,900 housing units at an average density of 37/mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 94.83% White, 2.17% Black or African American, 0.60% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.64% from other races, and 1.46% from two or more races. 2.28% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 25.5% were of English ancestry, 22.5% were of German ancestry, 9.5% were of Irish ancestry, 6.0% were of Dutch ancestry and 5.7% were of Danish ancestry according to the 2010 American Community Survey estimate.[6] 96.4% spoke only English at home, while 2.1% spoke Spanish.
There were 22,079 households, out of which 35.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.80% were married couples living together, 9.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.70% were non-families. 21.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.10% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 30.20% from 25 to 44, 22.30% from 45 to 64, and 12.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 105.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $37,218, and the median income for a family was $42,823. Males had a median income of $32,635 versus $23,645 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,183. About 7.40% of families and 10.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.00% of those under age 18 and 8.70% of those age 65 or over.
The county government operates the jail, maintains rural roads, operates themajor local courts, keeps files of deeds and mortgages, maintains vital records, administerspublic health regulations, and participates with the state in the provision of welfare andother social services. The county board of commissioners controls thebudget but has only limited authority to make laws or ordinances. In Michigan, most localgovernment functions - police and fire, building and zoning, tax assessment, streetmaintenance, etc. - are the responsibility of individual cities and townships.
(information as of August 2019)
The county has nine libraries, including the Montcalm Community College Library, Carson City Public Library, Crystal Community Library, Flat River Community Library, Home Township Library, Reynolds Township Library, Richland Township Library, Tamarack District Library, and White Pine Library.[7]
The county also has 8 public school districts, including Carson City Crystal Area School District, Central Montcalm Public Schools, Greenville Public Schools, Lakeview Public Schools, Montabella Community Schools, Montcalm Area ISD, Tri County Area Schools, and Vestaburg Community Schools.[8]
Finally, the county has one community college, Montcalm Community College.[9]