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Charlevoix County Geographic Characteristics
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This section of the Community Center provides an overview of the geography of Charlevoix County including its distinctive physical and natural features. Political features are also highlighted to locate public services, identify existing population centers, and highlight natural resources contained within given political units.
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Physical Characteristics
Political Boundaries
Interesting Places to Visit
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Physical Characteristics
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![Foreground to Background: Charlevoix City Airport, Round Lake, & Lake Michigan [Click here to view full size picture]](media/govern/tn_7.gif)
Land & Water Resources
Clearly, the most distinctive natural feature associated with Charlevoix County is its extensive water resource. Here are some interesting facts to ponder:
- Charlevoix County features nearly 40 square miles of inland lakes - it's largest is Lake Charlevoix with 20.6 sq. miles or about 17,000 acres of surface area.
- The Lake Charlevoix shoreline is nearly 60 miles in total length.
- Approximately 15% of the County's land area is composed of a group of islands 35 miles northwest of the County's mainland. This group of islands are referred to as the Beaver Island Archipelago.
- The Beaver Island Archipelago contains about 77 sq. miles or 49,500 acres of land. A majority of this land is part of the Mackinac State Forest.
- The County's GIS Department has calculated the total Great Lakes shoreline in the County to be about 138 miles (a majority being part of the Beaver Island Archipelago).
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![South Arm of Lake Charlevoix at the Ironton Ferry Crossing - Facing Northwest [Click here to view full size picture]](media/govern/tn_70.jpg)
Additional Lake Charlevoix Information- Surface Area: 26.5 Miles
- Shoreline Length: 56 Miles
- Maximum Length-Main Basin: 13.2 Miles
- Maximum Width-Main Basin: 2.7 Miles
- Maximum Depth-Main Basin: 122 Feet
- Maximum Depth-South Arm: 58 Feet
- Watershed Area: 335 square miles
Source: Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council - Lake Charlevoix Watershed Project
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Political Boundaries
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![Charlevoix County's Political Subdivisions - Prepared by the County GIS Department [Click here to view full size picture]](media/govern/tn_political4.gif)
Charlevoix County, Michigan
Population: 26,090 (2000 Census)
The County's primary government offices, or County Seat, are located within the City of Charlevoix located on the northwestern part of the County's mainland on the shores of Lake Michigan and Lake Charlevoix.
Charlevoix County is the fourth smallest County in the State of Michigan containing about 417 square miles of land area. Benzie, Leelanau, and Arenac are 321, 348, and 367 square miles, respectively. Interestingly, its water area it is nearly three times its land area when you consider its combined inland lake and Lake Michigan boundary areas (974 square miles). Select this link to download the County's political boundary map in a higher quality PDF format.
The County's most populated areas or its weighted population center is found within the western 1/3 of the County's mainland. The northeastern portion of the County is the least populated and very rural in character with a majority of its land holdings within the Mackinac State Forest.
The City of Boyne City is the largest incorporated city with a population of 3,503 followed by Charlevoix City at 2,994 and East Jordan at 2,507 according to the 2000 Census.
Land Area of Townships & Cities
Rank Ordered by Size From Largest to Smallest in Land Area (in square miles)
Peaine Township (Beaver Island): 52.4
Chandler Township: 35.6
Boyne Valley Township: 35.1
Hudson Township: 34.4
Wilson Township: 34.1
Melrose Township: 32.9
South Arm Township: 31.1
Hayes Township: 28.3
Eveline Township: 26.0
Marion Township: 25.6
St. James Township (Beaver Island): 20.0
Norwood Township: 18.2
Bay Township: 17.4
Evangeline Township: 11.0
Charlevoix Township: 6.0
Cities
City of Boyne City: 3.9
City of East Jordan: 2.7
City of Charlevoix: 2.0
Source: Socioeconomic Data & Applications Center: Center for International Earth Science Information Network at Columbia University.
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Interesting Places to Visit
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This page last updated on 2/14/2005.
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![Foreground to Background: Charlevoix City Airport, Round Lake, & Lake Michigan [Click here to view full size picture]](javascript:showPic(new picObj('media/govern/7.gif', 'Foreground to Background: Charlevoix City Airport, Round Lake, & Lake Michigan',790,481));)
![South Arm of Lake Charlevoix at the Ironton Ferry Crossing - Facing Northwest [Click here to view full size picture]](javascript:showPic(new picObj('media/govern/70.jpg', 'South Arm of Lake Charlevoix at the Ironton Ferry Crossing - Facing Northwest',798,528));)
![Charlevoix County's Political Subdivisions - Prepared by the County GIS Department [Click here to view full size picture]](javascript:showPic(new picObj('media/govern/political4.gif', 'Charlevoix County\'s Political Subdivisions - Prepared by the County GIS Department',800,533));)