Bay County is located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 103,856.^[3] The county seat is Bay City.^[4]

Quick Facts Country, State ...

Bay County
County
Bay City Masonic Temple.
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Michigan's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 43°43′N 83°56′W
Country	United States
State	Michigan
Founded	February 17, 1857[1][2]
Named for	Saginaw Bay
Seat	Bay City
Largest city	Bay City
Area
• Total	631 sq mi (1,630 km2)
• Land	442 sq mi (1,140 km2)
• Water	188 sq mi (490 km2)  30%
Population  (2020)
• Total	103,856
• Density	236/sq mi (91/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	8th
Website	www.baycounty-mi.gov

Close

Bay County comprises the Bay City, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area and is included in the Saginaw-Midland-Bay City Combined Statistical Area in the Mid/Central Michigan region.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 631 square miles (1,630 km²), of which 442 square miles (1,140 km²) is land and 188 square miles (490 km²) (30%) is water.^[7] It is the fifth-smallest county in Michigan by land area.

The Saginaw River flows through Bay City while the Kawkawlin River drains much of the central portion of the county. The Pinconning River and Saganing Creek drain the northern portion. The Saginaw Bay of Lake Huron lies to the east, giving the county its name.

The 2010 United States Census^[14] indicates Bay County had a 2010 population of 107,771. This is a decrease of -2,386 people from the 2000 United States Census. Overall, the county had a -2.2% growth rate during this ten-year period. In 2010 there were 44,603 households and 29,116 families in the county. The population density was 243.7 per square mile (94.1 square kilometers). There were 48,220 housing units at an average density of 109.0 per square mile (42.1 square kilometers). The racial and ethnic makeup of the county was 91.2% White, 1.5% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 0.1% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races.

There were 44,603 households, out of which 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were husband and wife families, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.7% were non-families, and 29.3% were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.2% under age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 29.5% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93 males.

The 2010 American Community Survey 1-year estimate^[14] indicates the median income for a household in the county was $45,451 and the median income for a family was $52,784. Males had a median income of $31,035 versus $18,294 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,378. About 11.2% of families and 16.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.7% of those under the age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over.

According to Bay Future, Inc.^[16] the top employers in the county are:

From 1932 to 2012, Bay County voted for the Democratic Party candidate in every Presidential election except for five national Republican landslides: 1952, 1956, 1972, 1980 and 1984. However, the county has turned increasingly Republican in recent elections. The November 2022 election resulted in the first majority Republican Board of Commissioners ever sitting in Bay County since the adoption of the Optional Unified Form of County Government (Act 139). Despite this, Bay County had voted Democratic in all 3 statewide races in 2022, and Democrat James Barcia remains as County Executive.

Bay County government is set up under Public Act 139 of 1973. This format provides for an elected County Executive who, as chief administrator, has influence over all departments, except those headed by other elected officials. In that manner, the County Executive appoints and supervises all department heads. It is the duty of the County Executive to coordinate all county activities and unify the management of county affairs, enforce all orders, rules and ordinances passed by the Board of Commissioners and all laws enacted by the state. In addition, the County Executive must submit to the Board of Commissioners a recommended budget each year. 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. Bay County has a Board of Road Commissioners, which consists of three commissioners who are elected and serve six-year staggered terms (one road commissioner elected every two years). The Board is the policy-making body of the Bay County Road Commission and is responsible for establishing budget priorities and managing the annual budget.^[18] 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.

• Bay County Library System
• List of Michigan State Historic Sites in Bay County, Michigan
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Bay County, Michigan