Delta County is a county in the Upper Peninsula in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the population was 36,903. The county seat is Escanaba. The county was surveyed in 1843 and organized in 1861. Its name originates from the Greek letter delta (Δ), which refers to the triangular shape of the original county which included segments of Menominee, Dickinson, Iron, and Marquette counties. Recreation and forest products are major industries, and crops include hay, corn, small grains, potatoes, and strawberries. Delta County comprises the Escanaba, MI Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1991 sqmi, of which 1171 sqmi is land and 820 sqmi (41%) is water. It is the fifth-largest county in Michigan by land area.

Adjacent counties

By land By water

National protected area

Communities

Cities

Village

Civil townships

Unincorporated communities

Indian reservations

Demographics

The 2010 United States census indicated Delta County had population of 37,069. By 2020, its population was 36,903.

Education

School districts include:

Government

Delta County operates the County jail, maintains rural roads, operates the major local courts, records deeds, mortgages, and vital records, administers public health regulations, and participates with the state in the provision of social services. The county board of commissioners controls the budget and has 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.

Elected officials

(information as of September 2018)

Transportation

Major highways

Airport

The county is served by Delta County Airport (KESC), southwest of Escanaba. It provides scheduled airline service to Detroit and Minneapolis.