Osceola County, Michigan

There are also two places named Osceola Township, Michigan, and Oceola Township, Michigan.

Osceola County, Michigan
Seal
Location in the state of Michigan
Michigan's location in the U.S.
Founded	April 1, 1840
Seat	Reed City
Largest city	Reed City
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	573.10 sq mi (1,484 km²) 565.98 sq mi (1,466 km²) 7.12 sq mi (18 km²), 1.24%
Population  - (2010)  - Density	23,528 41/sq mi (16/km²)
Website	www.osceola-county.org

Osceola County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the population was 23,528. The county seat is Reed City. Osceola County was set off on April 1, 1840, named "Unwattin County", after an Ottawa leader. The name was changed March 8, 1843, to Osceola, after the Seminole leader. It was initially attached for administrative purposes to Ottawa County. In 1855, it was attached to Mason County; in 1857, to Newaygo County; and in 1859, to Mecosta County. Separate county government was organized in 1869 with Hersey as the county seat. Reed City became the county seat in 1927.

Geography

• According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 573.10 square miles (1,484.3 km²), of which 565.98 square miles (1,465.9 km²) (or 98.76%) is land and 7.12 square miles (18.4 km²) (or 1.24%) is water.
• Osceola County is part of Northern Michigan.

Transportation

• US 10
• US 131
• 
  BUS US 131 is a loop route traveling through downtown Reed City.
• M-61
• M-66
• M-115

Adjacent counties

• Missaukee County (northeast)
• Wexford County (northwest)
• Clare County (east)
• Lake County (west)
• Mecosta County (south)

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 23,197 people, 8,861 households, and 6,415 families residing in the county. The population density was 41 people per square mile (16/km²). There were 12,853 housing units at an average density of 23 per square mile (9/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.51% White, 0.35% Black or African American, 0.50% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.20% from other races, and 1.21% from two or more races. 0.99% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 26.0% were of German, 11.9% English, 11.0% American, 8.8% Irish, 6.5% Dutch and 5.2% Polish ancestry according to Census 2000. 96.8% spoke English, 1.1% German and 1.0% Spanish as their first language.

There were 8,861 households out of which 32.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.10% were married couples living together, 9.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.60% were non-families. 22.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the county the population was spread out with 27.10% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 26.50% from 25 to 44, 24.20% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 97.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,102, and the median income for a family was $39,205. Males had a median income of $29,837 versus $22,278 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,632. About 9.50% of families and 12.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.90% of those under age 18 and 10.30% of those age 65 or over.

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.

Osceola County elected officials

• Prosecuting Attorney: James Sims
• Sheriff: James A. Crawford
• County Clerk: Karen J . Bluhm
• County Treasurer: Lori Leudeman
• Register of Deeds: Nancy Crawford
• Drain Commissioner: Jerry Powell
• County Surveyor: Bill Sikkema

(information as of January 2009)

Cities, villages, and townships

Cities Evart Reed City

Villages Hersey Le Roy Marion Tustin

Unincorporated Sears

Townships

Burdell Township Cedar Township Evart Township Hartwick Township

Hersey Township Highland Township Le Roy Township Lincoln Township

Marion Township Middle Branch Township Orient Township Osceola Township

Richmond Township Rose Lake Township Sherman Township Sylvan Township

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Osceola County, Michigan

External links

• Osceola County Web Site
• Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University, Bibliography on Osceola County