Washtenaw County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the population was 322,895. Its county seat is Ann Arbor. The United States Office of Management and Budget defines the county as part of the Detroit–Warren–Flint Combined Statistical Area.
Geography[]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 723 square miles (1,871 km²), of which, 710 square miles (1,839 km²) of it is land and 13 square miles (33 km²) or 1.74% of it is water.
Adjacent counties[]
- Livingston County (north)
- Oakland County (northeast)
- Ingham County (northwest)
- Wayne County (east)
- Jackson County (west)
- Monroe County (southeast)
- Lenawee County (southwest)
Cities, villages, and townships[]
| Cities | Villages | Charter Townships | Townships | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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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[]
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.
Washtenaw County elected officials[]
- Prosecuting Attorney: Brian L. Mackie (Democrat)
- Sheriff: Dan Minzey (Democrat)
- County Clerk/Register of Deeds: Lawrence Kestenbaum (Democrat)
- County Treasurer: Catherine McClary (Democrat)
- Drain 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 2007
| District | Commissioner | Party | Positions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mark Ouimet | Republican | Working Session Vice-Chair |
| 2 | Ken Schwartz | Democrat | |
| 3 | Jessica Ping | Republican | |
| 4 | Karen Lovejoy Roe | Democrat | |
| 5 | Rolland Sizemore Jr. | Democrat | Working Session Chair |
| 6 | Ronnie Peterson | Democrat | |
| 7 | Mandy Grewal | Democrat | Board Vice-Chair |
| 8 | Barbara Levin Bergman | Democrat | Ways & Means Chair |
| 9 | Leah Gunn | Democrat | |
| 10 | Conan Smith | Democrat | Ways & Means Vice-Chair |
| 11 | Jeff Irwin | Democrat | Board Chair |
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.
See also[]
- USS Washtenaw County (LST-1166)
Notes and references[]
External links[]
- 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.