Sanilac County, Michigan Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Sanilac County

U.S. county

Sanilac County courthouse

Seal

Location within the U.S. state of Michigan

Michigan's location within the U.S.

Country

United States

State

Michigan

Founded

September 10, 1822 (created)
December 31, 1849 (organized)

Seat

Sandusky

Largest city

Sandusky

Area

• Total

1,590 sq mi (4,100 km²)

• Land

963 sq mi (2,490 km²)

• Water

627 sq mi (1,620 km²) 39%%

Population

(2020)

• Total

40,611

• Density

45/sq mi (17/km²)

Time zone

UTC−5 (Eastern)

• Summer (DST)

UTC−4 (EDT)

Congressional district

10th

Sanilac County is a county located in the Thumb region of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 40,611. The county seat is Sandusky. The county was created on September 10, 1822, and was fully organized on December 31, 1849 Sanilac County is considered to be part of the Thumb of Michigan, a subregion of the Flint/Tri-Cities. Sanilac County enjoys seasonal tourism in towns such as Lexington, Port Sanilac, and Carsonville. Sanilac County is economically attached to St. Clair County and Huron County and is largely composed of nearly flat areas of rich soil.

History
Geography
- Adjacent counties
- Major highways
Demographics
- Religion
Communities
Images for kids
See also

History

Map of the Surveyed Part of the Territory of Michigan by Orange Risdon, 1825, showing an earlier, larger incarnation of Sanilac County, most of which had not yet been surveyed.

Sanilac County was probably named for a Wyandot (Huron) chief named Sanilac. (See List of Michigan county name etymologies). The county was formed on September 10, 1822, by Michigan Territory from part of St. Clair County and unorganized territory administered by Oakland County. It lost land to the creation of Huron and Tuscola counties in 1840. The county government was fully organized on December 31, 1849.

In the middle of the 19th century, the area now called Port Sanilac was called Bark Shanty. It was named for a lone shanty made of bark, which was used to make shingles from pine. The Algonquin word "zngwak" means pine. The county seat of Sanilac is the city of Sandusky.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,590 square miles (4,100 km²), of which 963 square miles (2,490 km²) is land and 627 square miles (1,620 km²) (39%) is water.

Adjacent counties

Huron County (north)
Tuscola County (west)
St. Clair County (south)
Lapeer County (southwest)
Huron County, Ontario, Canada (east)

Major highways

M-19
M-25
M-46
M-53
M-81
M-90

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1850	2,112	—
1860	7,599	259.8%
1870	14,562	91.6%
1880	26,341	80.9%
1890	32,589	23.7%
1900	35,055	7.6%
1910	33,930	−3.2%
1920	31,237	−7.9%
1930	27,751	−11.2%
1940	30,114	8.5%
1950	30,837	2.4%
1960	32,314	4.8%
1970	34,889	8.0%
1980	40,789	16.9%
1990	39,928	−2.1%
2000	44,547	11.6%
2010	43,114	−3.2%
2020	40,611	−5.8%
US Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2018

The 2010 United States Census indicates Sanilac County had a 2010 population of 43,114. This decrease of -1,433 people from the 2000 United States Census represents a 3.2% population loss in the decade. In 2010 there were 17,132 households and 11,885 families in the county. The population density was 44.8 per square mile (17.3 per km²). There were 22,725 housing units at an average density of 23.6 per square mile (9.1 per km²). 96.6% of the population were White, 0.5% Native American, 0.3% Black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 1.1% of some other race and 1.2% of two or more races. 3.3% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). 26.1% were of German, 11.0% Polish, 10.4% English, 8.3% Irish, 7.2% American and 5.1% French, French Canadian or Cajun ancestry.

There were 17,132 households, out of which 29.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.3% were husband and wife families, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.6% were non-families, and 26.4% were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.6% under age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 21.8% from 25 to 44, 29.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 97.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.7 males.

The 2010 American Community Survey 3-year estimate indicates the median income for a household in the county was $39,138 and the median income for a family was $47,885. Males had a median income of $27,440 versus $16,509 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,671. About 1.5% of families and 16.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.3% of those under the age 18 and 11.4% of those age 65 or over.