Marquette County Planning Division

05/29/2026

We just wrapped up our Map the Future community engagement series for the Marquette County Master Plan Update!

During 4 events held throughout the County, residents shared their priorities, hopes, concerns, and dreams for the future of our community. A big thank you to the 80+ residents who showed up and participated, and a special shoutout to Partridge Creek Compost for composting food waste from these events!

So, what happens now?

Every comment we heard and received has been recorded and will help shape the Master Plan’s six main themes: Housing, Economy, Environment, Recreation, Transportation, and Health & Human Services (along with materials management and hazard mitigation). Community input will also be incorporated into an appendix for reference in the Plan.

Stay tuned for the next steps in the process, and be sure to take our Master Plan survey if you haven’t already!

Didn’t make it to one of the events? No worries—you can still check out the presentation for your region here: https://www.mqtcoplan.org/presentations

And a HUGE thank you to the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community for sponsoring these events!

05/22/2026

Marquette County hit a population of 68,064 people in 2025! This marks the County’s highest population estimate since 1994.

05/20/2026

Tomorrow night!! Join the Marquette County Planning team at The Mather to discuss the future of Marquette County as we update our Master Plan! The event begins at 6 and is open to all! Drop in for however long you can, there will be snacks!

05/15/2026

We are proud to support this upcoming community workshop hosted by Let’s Grow KI at Little Trout Lake Park. 🌱

LTL Park serves as the pilot site for the future KI Sawyer Sustainable Food Forest, also known as the “KISS Forest,” planned alongside the new ADA accessible nonmotorized pathway in KI Sawyer from LTL to the KI school.

This initiative is helping transform public space into a place for learning, recreation, sustainability, and long term community food resilience. We’re excited to see partners and residents come together to help shape this vision from the ground up.

Check out the original Let’s Grow KI post below for workshop details and registration information!

Join us May 23rd from 12-2pm to learn about how to cultivate a mini ecosystem to grow successful Fruit Trees through the Tree Guild System- while we establish the Little Trout Lake food forest as a community!

Who should attend? Anyone from anywhere interested in learning about how to grow fruit trees with the guild system. Residents who want to meet other cool neighbors while building infrastructure for food sustainability within our community!

KI Sawyer residents who attend from 12-2PM can receive a $20 gift card stipend from MCCD, mailed after the event. Fill out this survey to state interest and get on the list! https://forms.gle/zpVXc8QaZpNw9eEj9

05/15/2026

In May 2003, the Dead River Flood affected communities across Marquette County, damaging homes, roads, bridges, and critical infrastructure.

Today, experts say the UP is seeing more frequent extreme rainfall and flooding events, along with increased risk from ice storms and other hazardous weather.

As Marquette County updates its Hazard Mitigation Plan, we’re looking at past events and how to best prepare for the future.

Help identify local hazards, community priorities, and ways to strengthen resilience across the county.
Take the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZQB6W37!

05/15/2026

Thank you to The Mining Journal for helping share the story of the Marquette County Master Plan update with our community.

We’ve truly enjoyed every minute of our “Map the Future” events- meeting inspiring neighbors, hearing thoughtful ideas, and having meaningful conversations about the future of Marquette County. Thank you to everyone who has participated and helped shape the discussion about our common future.

We have one more regional event to go- next Thursday’s Iron Core region conversation. There’s still time to take our survey and help map the future of Marquette County.

Map the Future event held in Marquette

05/08/2026

Throughout Michigan there are now more deaths than births.

Marquette County is one of 71 counties in the state where deaths currently outnumber births, part of a broader trend happening across the state. The chart also shows how Marquette County’s natural change (births minus deaths) has shifted over time, from strong population growth in the 80’s to near or below zero in recent years.

Why does this matter? Population trends influence everything from schools and housing to workforce needs, healthcare, infrastructure, and long-term community planning.

05/07/2026

Tonight!! Join the Marquette County Planning team at Barrel + Beam to discuss the future of Marquette County as we update our Master Plan! The event begins at 6 and is open to all! Drop in for however long you can, there will be snacks!