Washtenaw County ( /wtn/) is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census the population was 344791. Its county seat is Ann Arbor.1 The United States Office of Management and Budget defines the county as part of the DetroitWarrenFlint Combined Statistical Area. The county is home to the University of Michigan Eastern Michigan University and Washtenaw Community College. Contents 1 History 2 Geography 3 Transportation 3.1 Interstates 3.2 US highways 3.3 Michigan state trunklines 4 Demographics 5 Cities villages and townships 6 Government 6.1 Washtenaw County elected officials 6.2 Government services 6.2.1 Parks and recreation 6.2.2 Wireless communication 6.2.3 Miscellaneous 7 See also 8 References 9 External links History This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (December 2010)

The earliest histories mention trade conducted in the area at the Potawatomi Trail and Pontiac Trail crossings of the Huron River by French traders and later English then American settlers. The first successful settlement was established at the present site of Ypsilanti about 1809 by French traders.2

In 1822 the Legislative Council of the Michigan Territory government defined the boundaries of the county; however it was deemed to be a part of Wayne County. Washtenaw was established as a separate county by an act of the Michigan Territorial Legislature in 1826.2 It was attached for administrative purposes to Wayne County until before 1829 when county government was seated. Ingham and other counties were formed from portions of territorial Washtenaw County.

Swamps were drained and farms were tiled to lower the water table. The swamp northwest of the I-94 and US-23 intersection and areas within Waterloo Recreation Area still appear as they did to early settlers. As productive farms became established the local deer herds grew. In the 1820s and 1830s the events surrounding the independence of Greece from Turkey inspired construction of Greek Revival buildings and the names of townships towns and children.

The "frostbitten constitutional convention" was held at Ann Arbor the county seat in 1835. Following resolution of the Toledo War (1835-1836) in which Michigan Territory gave up its claim to the Toledo strip in exchange for most of the Upper Peninsula Michigan became a state on January 26 1837. The University of Michigan founded at Detroit in 1817 was then moved by the state to Ann Arbor in 1839 as a consolation for the city not being named the new state capital as it had hoped. The University subsequently became and remains the largest employer in the county.

In 1849 the Michigan State Normal School (now Eastern Michigan University) was established in Washtenaw's oldest settlement the city of Ypsilanti. Geography

According to the 2000 census the county has a total area of 722.53 square miles (1871.3 km2) of which 709.94 square miles (1838.7 km2) (or 98.26%) is land and 12.59 square miles (32.6 km2) (or 1.74%) is water.3 Transportation Interstate 94 Business Route Ann Arbor Washtenaw Avenue Interstates I-94 I-94 Business Loop is a route traveling through downtown Ann Arbor. US highways US-12 Michigan Avenue a/k/a Chicago Road BUS US 12 is a loop traveling through downtown Ypsilanti US-23 BUS US 23 is a loop route traveling through downtown Ann Arbor. Michigan state trunklines M-14 M-17 M-52 M-153 Demographics Historical populations Census Pop. % 1830 4042 1840 23571 483.2% 1850 28567 21.2% 1860 35686 24.9% 1870 41434 16.1% 1880 41848 1.0% 1890 42210 0.9% 1900 47761 13.2% 1910 44714 6.4% 1920 49520 10.7% 1930 65530 32.3% 1940 80810 23.3% 1950 134606 66.6% 1960 172440 28.1% 1970 234103 35.8% 1980 264748 13.1% 1990 282937 6.9% 2000 322895 14.1% 2010 344791 6.8%

As of the census4 of 2000 there were 322895 people 125327 households and 73692 families residing in the county. The population density was 455 people per square mile (176/km). There were 131069 housing units at an average density of 185 per square mile (71/km). The racial makeup of the county was 77.40% White 12.29% Black or African American 0.36% Native American 6.30% Asian 0.04% Pacific Islander 1.04% from other races and 2.57% from two or more races. 2.74% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 17.4% were of German 9.0% English 8.4% Irish 5.3% Polish and 5.0% American ancestry according to Census 2000. 87.1% spoke only English at home; 2.7% spoke Spanish and 1.7% Chinese or Mandarin.

By 2005 non-Hispanic whites were 74.5% of the county population; African-Americans 12.2%; Native Americans 0.4%; Asians 7.8%; and Hispanic or Latinos 3.1% of the population.5 There were 125327 households out of which 29.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them 46.40% were married couples living together 9.30% had a female householder with no husband present and 41.20% were non-families. 29.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 3.02. In the county the population was spread out with 22.10% under the age of 18 17.10% from 18 to 24 32.10% from 25 to 44 20.60% from 45 to 64 and 8.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 98.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.10 males. The median income for a household in the county was $51990 and the median income for a family was $70393 (these figures had risen to $59887 and $80779 respectively as of a 2007 estimate6). Males had a median income of $49304 versus $33598 for females. The per capita income for the county was $27173. About 5.10% of families and 11.10% of the population were below the poverty line including 8.60% of those under age 18 and 5.80% of those age 65 or over. Cities villages and townships Washtenaw County was formed from a portion of Wayne County. It is one of many Michigan counties which has a name not borne by any other county in the United States. As the population increased townships were formed. Amongst the townships communities have grown from hamlets into villages and cities. Some of the townships have elected to incorporate as charter townships. Cities Villages Charter Townships Townships Ann Arbor Chelsea Milan Saline Ypsilanti Barton Hills Dexter Manchester Ann Arbor Charter Township Augusta Charter Township Pittsfield Charter Township Superior Charter Township York Charter Township Ypsilanti Charter Township Bridgewater Township Dexter Township Freedom Township Lima Township Lodi Township Lyndon Township Manchester Township Northfield Township Salem Township Saline Township Scio Township Sharon Township Sylvan Township Webster Township There are also a number of unincorporated communities such as Bridgewater Dixboro Delhi Mills Geddes Mooreville Salem Stoney Creek Whittaker Whitmore Lake and Willis. Also see: Official Washtenaw County website page listing localities Government Washtenaw County Court House sculpture by Carlton W. Angell Washtenaw County Downtown Ann Arbor Campus Washtenaw County elected officials Prosecuting Attorney: Brian L. Mackie (Democrat) Sheriff: Jerry Clayton (Democrat) County Clerk/Register of Deeds: Lawrence Kestenbaum (Democrat) County Treasurer: Catherine McClary (Democrat) Water Resources Commissioner: Janis A. Bobrin (Democrat) The Board of Commissioners has eleven members elected from single member districts on a partisan ballot in November of even-numbered years. The term is two years. Information as of January 2011 District Commissioner Party Positions 1 Rob Turner Republican Working Session Vice-Chair 2 Dan Smith Republican Ways & Means Vice-Chair 3 Alicia Ping Republican Board Vice-Chair 4 Wesley Prater Democrat 5 Rolland Sizemore Jr. Democrat Ways & Means Chair 6 Ronnie Peterson Democrat 7 Kristin Judge Democrat 8 Barbara Levin Bergman Democrat 9 Leah Gunn Democrat 10 Conan Smith Democrat Board Chair 11 Yousef Rabhi Democrat Working Session Chair Government services Parks and recreation Washtenaw county operates 10 parks and 1 recreation center (gymnasium). These parks include one with a water sprinkler area for children to splash through one park with a substantial water park component and one golf course. The recreation center has a swimming pool indoor track basketball courts complete set of resistance machines a weight room and several multipurpose rooms. Washtenaw county is in the process of acquiring land for natural preservation. The program started in 2001 and will end in 2011. Eight parcels of land had been purchased as of July 2007. These parcels are of special ecological recreational and educational benefits. They are preserved in a natural unimproved state and are open to the public during daylight hours. Wireless communication In partnership with private enterprise the county maintains a wireless network which is currently available to approximately 50% of county residents. The is the Wireless Washtenaw Project. The stated aim of this project is to one day provide wireless access to 100% of all county residents. Miscellaneous The county government operates the jail maintains rural roads operates the major local courts keeps files of deeds and mortgages maintains vital records administers public health regulations and participates with the state in the provision of welfare and other social services. The county board of commissioners controls the budget but has only limited authority to make laws or ordinances. In Michigan most local government functions police and fire building and zoning tax assessment street maintenance etc. are the responsibility of individual cities and townships. See also Metro Detroit portal USS Washtenaw County (LST-1166) National Register of Historic Places listings in Washtenaw County Michigan References "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. Retrieved 2011-06-07.  a b Chas. C. Chapman & Co. (1881). History of Washtenaw County Michigan Vol. 1 pp. 116-24. Chicago: Chas. C. Chapman & Co. "Census 2000 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Counties". United States Census. http://www.census.gov/tiger/tms/gazetteer/county2k.txt. Retrieved 2011-02-13.  "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.  Washtenaw County QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau Washtenaw County Michigan - Fact Sheet - American FactFinder Livingston County Oakland County Jackson County Wayne County    Washtenaw County Michigan     Lenawee County Monroe County External links Dexter District Library Washtenaw County Government Past and present of Washtenaw County Michigan by Samuel W. Beakes Chicago: The S.J. Clarke publishing co. 1906. Washtenaw Community Cafe An online discussion group for the county of Washtenaw. Ypsilanti Historical Society v d eMunicipalities and communities of Washtenaw County Michigan County seat: Ann Arbor Cities Ann Arbor  Chelsea  Milan  Saline  Ypsilanti Villages Barton Hills  Dexter  Manchester Charter townships Ann Arbor  Augusta  Pittsfield  Superior  York  Ypsilanti General law townships Bridgewater  Dexter  Freedom  Lima  Lodi  Lyndon  Manchester  Northfield  Salem  Saline  Scio  Sharon  Sylvan  Webster Unincorporated communities Delhi Mills  Dixboro  Whittaker  Whitmore Lake  Willis Footnotes This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties v d e State of Michigan Lansing (capital) Topics Congressional delegation  Geography  Governors  History  Islands  Legislature  Lieutenant Governors  Lighthouses  Museums  National Historic Landmarks  National Register of Historic Places listings  People  State Historic Sites  State parks  Supreme Court  Tallest buildings  Timeline  Topics  Visitor attractions Regions Upper Peninsula Copper Country  Keweenaw Peninsula  Gogebic Range Lower Peninsula Central Michigan  Southern Michigan  Flint/Tri-Cities  The Thumb  The Greater Tri Cities  Michiana  Northern Michigan  Southeast Michigan  Metro Detroit  West Michigan Largest Municipalities Alpena  Ann Arbor  Battle Creek  Bay City  Bloomfield Township  Canton Township  Chesterfield Township  Clinton Township  Commerce Township  Dearborn  Dearborn Heights  Detroit  East Lansing  Eastpointe  Farmington Hills  Flint  Flint Township  Georgetown Township  Grand Rapids  Holland  Jackson  Kalamazoo  Kentwood  Lansing  Lincoln Park  Livonia  Macomb Township  Meridian Township  Midland  Muskegon  Novi  Pontiac  Portage  Redford  Rochester Hills  Roseville  Royal Oak  Saginaw  Saginaw Township  St. Clair Shores  Shelby Township  Southfield  Sterling Heights  Taylor  Troy  Warren  Waterford Township  West Bloomfield  Westland  Wyoming  Ypsilanti Township Counties Alcona  Alger  Allegan  Alpena  Antrim  Arenac  Baraga  Barry  Bay  Benzie  Berrien  Branch  Calhoun  Cass  Charlevoix  Cheboygan  Chippewa  Clare  Clinton  Crawford  Delta  Dickinson  Eaton  Emmet  Genesee  Gladwin  Gogebic  Grand Traverse  Gratiot  Hillsdale  Houghton  Huron  Ingham  Ionia  Iosco  Iron  Isabella  Jackson  Kalamazoo  Kalkaska  Kent  Keweenaw  Lake  Lapeer  Leelanau  Lenawee  Livingston  Luce  Mackinac  Macomb  Manistee  Marquette  Mason  Mecosta  Menominee  Midland  Missaukee  Monroe  Montcalm  Montmorency  Muskegon  Newaygo  Oakland  Oceana  Ogemaw  Ontonagon  Osceola  Oscoda  Otsego  Ottawa  Presque Isle  Roscommon  Saginaw  Sanilac  Schoolcraft  Shiawassee  St. Clair  St. Joseph  Tuscola  Van Buren  Washtenaw  Wayne  Wexford v d eMetro Detroit Topics Architecture  Culture  Detroit River  Economy  Freeways  History  Historic places  International Riverfront  Lake St. Clair  Media  Music  Parks and beaches  People  Skyscrapers  Sports  Theatre  Tourism Transportation Major city Detroit Municipalities over 80000 Canton Township  Clinton Township  Dearborn  Livonia  Sterling Heights  Troy  Warren  Westland Municipalities 50000 to 80000 Dearborn Heights  Farmington Hills  Grosse Pointe  Macomb Township  Novi  Pontiac  Redford Township  Rochester Hills  Royal Oak  Saint Clair Shores  Shelby Township  Southfield  Taylor  Waterford Township  West Bloomfield Township Satellite cities Ann Arbor  Brighton  Flint  Howell  Lapeer  Monroe  Port Huron  Toledo  Windsor  Ypsilanti Counties in MSA Lapeer  Livingston  Macomb  Oakland  St. Clair  Wayne Counties in CSA Genesee  Monroe   Washtenaw Regions Southeast Michigan  Great Lakes Outlying regions Central Michigan  Flint/Tri-Cities  Northwest Ohio  Southwestern Ontario  Michigan  United States Coordinates: 4215N 8350W / 42.25N 83.84W / 42.25; -83.84