Lake County (formerly known as Aischum County) is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 12,096.^[2] The county seat is Baldwin.^[3]

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Lake County
County
Lake County Courthouse
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Michigan's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 43°59′N 85°49′W
Country	United States
State	Michigan
Founded	1840, organized 1871.[1]
Seat	Baldwin
Largest village	Baldwin
Area
• Total	574 sq mi (1,490 km2)
• Land	567 sq mi (1,470 km2)
• Water	6.9 sq mi (18 km2)  1.2%
Population  (2020)
• Total	12,096
• Density	20/sq mi (8/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	2nd
Website	www.lakecounty-michigan.com

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The county was created by the Michigan Legislature in 1840 as Aishcum County,^[4] then renamed Lake County in 1843, for its many lakes. It was administered by a succession of other Michigan counties prior to the organization of county government in 1871.^[1][5]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 574 square miles (1,490 km²), of which 567 square miles (1,470 km²) is land and 6.9 square miles (18 km²) (1.2%) is water.^[6]

As of the census^[12] of 2000, there were 11,333 people, 4,704 households, and 3,052 families residing in the county. The population density was 20 people per square mile (7.7 people/km²). There were 13,498 housing units at an average density of 24 per square mile (9.3/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 84.66% White, 11.17% Black or African American, 1.01% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.57% from other races, and 2.40% from two or more races. 1.69% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 20.2% were of English ancestry, 20.0% were of German ancestry, 8.4% were of Irish ancestry, and 6.1% were of Dutch ancestry. 97.5% spoke English and 1.3% Spanish as their first language.

There were 4,704 households, out of which 23.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.40% were married couples living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.10% were non-families. 29.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.79.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.90% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 22.70% from 25 to 44, 27.60% from 45 to 64, and 19.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 109.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $26,622, and the median income for a family was $32,086. Males had a median income of $30,124 versus $21,886 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,457. About 14.70% of families and 19.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.30% of those under age 18 and 12.00% of those age 65 or over. 24/7 Wall St. reported that Lake County is the poorest county in Michigan.^[13]

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.

The West Shore Educational Service District, based in Ludington, services the districts in the county along with those of Mason and Oceana counties. The intermediate school district offers regional special education and general education services, as well as technical career programs for its students.^[15]

Lake County is served by the one regular public school district, Baldwin Community Schools.^[16]

• List of Michigan State Historic Sites in Lake County, Michigan
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Lake County, Michigan