Allegan County (/ˈæləɡən/ AL-ə-gən) is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 120,502. The county seat is Allegan. The name was coined by Henry Rowe Schoolcraft to sound like a Native American word.
Allegan County comprises the Holland, MI Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Grand Rapids–Kentwood–Muskegon, MI Combined Statistical Area. It is primarily an agricultural area that is rapidly becoming urbanized as the population centers of Grand Rapids on the northeast and Kalamazoo to the southeast expand into Allegan County.
The county has long been a regional tourist draw, particularly the Tulip Time Festival in Holland and the area along Lake Michigan. The Lake Michigan shoreline has long been a popular place for vacation homes, and that development continues, especially around Saugatuck and Douglas. Another draw is Allegan State Game Area, a 45,000 acres (180 km) forest attracting campers, snowmobilers, cross-country skiers and hunters. Allegan County contains Saugatuck Dunes State Park with trails through scenic dunes and a swimming beach on Lake Michigan. The county also contains Pier Cove Park, a public beach with Lake Michigan access. Lake Allegan is a popular destination.
| Name: | Allegan County |
|---|---|
| FIPS code: | 26-005 |
| State: | Michigan |
| Founded: | established 1831 organized 1835 |
| Seat: | Allegan |
| Largest city: | Holland |
| Total Area: | 1,833 sq mi (4,750 km²) |
| Land Area: | 825 sq mi (2,140 km²) |
| Total Population: | 120,502 |
| Population Density: | 135/sq mi (52/km²) |
| Time zone: | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| Summer Time Zone (DST): | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Website: | www.allegancounty.org |
Allegan County location map. Where is Allegan County?
History
The Michigan peninsula was long occupied by bands of the Potowatomi and Ojibwe of the Lake Superior Band of Chippewa Indians. The United States government forced the tribes to cede their extensive territories to the federal government, in exchange for annuities and small reservations. The federally recognized Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottowatomi has a reservation here.
The boundaries of Allegan County were laid out by the Territorial legislature in 1831. The county was organized in 1835. At that time there were only about four European-American families in the area. Among the first settlers of Allegan County were Giles Scott and Turner Aldrich.
Allegan County Road Map
Geography
According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,833 sq mi (4,750 km), of which 825 sq mi (2,140 km) is land and 1,008 sq mi (2,610 km) (55%) is water.
Adjacent counties
By land
- Ottawa County – north
- Kent County – northeast
- Barry County – east
- Kalamazoo County – southeast
- Van Buren County – south
By water
- Lake County, Illinois – southwest
- Kenosha County, Wisconsin – west
- Racine County, Wisconsin – northwest
Allegan County Topographic Map
Allegan County Satellite Map
Allegan County Outline Map
