Benzie County
Benzie County, Michigan
Beulah, MI 49617
Phone: (231) 882-9671
Fax: (231) 882-5941
On the northwestern coast of MI, bordered on west by Lake Michigan; established Feb 27, 1863 from Manistee and Grand Traverse counties. Name Origin: Origin uncertain; perhaps a variant of the French name for the Betsie river, Aux Bec Scies 'sawbill' a species of duck. Americans corrupted it to Betsie, then to Benzie for the county.
Area (sq mi):: 859.64 (land 321.31; water 538.32) Population per square mile: 54.90
Population 2005: 17,644 State rank: 65 Population change: 2000-20005 10.30%; 1990-2000 31.10% Population 2000: 15,998 (White 95.40%; Black or African American 0.30%; Hispanic or Latino 1.50%; Asian 0.20%; Other 3.20%). Foreign born: 1.70%. Median age: 40.80
Income 2000: per capita $18,524; median household $37,350; Population below poverty level: 7.00% Personal per capita income (2000-2003): $23,648-$24,747
Unemployment (2004): 7.50% Unemployment change (from 2000): 0.80% Median travel time to work: 25.40 minutes Working outside county of residence: 48.20%
See other counties in Michigan.