Oceana County, Michigan

Oceana County, Michigan
Seal
Location in the state of Michigan
Michigan's location in the U.S.
Founded	1831
Seat	Hart
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	1,306.73 sq mi (3,384 km²) 540.46 sq mi (1,400 km²) 766.27 sq mi (1,985 km²), 58.64%
Population  - (2000)  - Density	26,873 49/sq mi (19/km²)
Website	www.co.oceana.mi.us

Oceana County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the population was 26,873. The county seat is Hart. Oceana County is thought to be named for Lake Michigan, a freshwater "ocean." However, there is an opposing viewpoint which holds that it was named for the book Oceana, written by James Harrington in 1656. See List of Michigan county name etymologies.

Geography

According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 1,306.73 square miles (3,384.4 km²), of which 540.46 square miles (1,399.8 km²) (or 41.36%) is land and 766.27 square miles (1,984.6 km²) (or 58.64%) is water. Oceana County is famous as the "Asparagus Capital of the World" for its high production of asparagus. The annual Asparagus festival includes a parade and crowning of the Asparagus Queen. This is a source of great pride for those who are so crowned.

• The county is considered to be part of West Michigan.
• Oceana County is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids.

Adjacent counties

• Mason County (north)
• Muskegon County (south)
• Newaygo County (east)
• Ozaukee County, Wisconsin (southwest) across Lake Michigan
• Sheboygan County, Wisconsin (west) across Lake Michigan

National protected area

• Manistee National Forest (part)

Highways

• US 31
• 
  BUS US 31 is a spur serving downtown Hart.
• 
  BUS US 31 loops through downtown Pentwater, returning to mainline US 31 at both ends.
• M-20
• M-120
• B-15

Demographics

The 2010 United States Census indicates Oceana County had a 2010 population of 26,570. This is a decrease of -303 people from the 2000 United States Census. Overall, the county had a -1.1% growth rate during this ten year period. In 2010 there were 10,174 households and 7,239 families in the county. The population density was 51.9 per square mile (20.0 square kilometers). There were 15,944 housing units at an average density of 31.1 per square mile (12.0 square kilometers). The racial and ethnic makeup of the county was 83.7% White, 0.4% Black or African American, 0.8% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 13.7% Hispanic or Latino, 0.1% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races.

There were 10,174 households out of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.6% were husband and wife families, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 28.8% were non-families, and 24.6% were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the county the population was spread out with 24.9% under age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 21.5% from 25 to 44, 29.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 100.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.3 males.

The 2010 American Community Survey 3-year estimate indicates the median income for a household in the county was $39,043 and the median income for a family was $46,816. Males had a median income of $21,774 versus $14,186 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,065. About 1.9% of families and 19.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.4% of those under the age 18 and 11.3% 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.

Oceana County elected officials

• Prosecuting Attorney: Terry Shaw
• Sheriff: Kenneth Price
• County Clerk: Rebecca J. Griffin
• County Treasurer: Sheila M. Gowell
• Drain Commissioner: Jesse Beckmen
• Register of Deeds: Richard A. Hodges

(information as of July 2010)

Cities, villages, and townships

Cities Hart

Villages Hesperia (partially) New Era Pentwater Rothbury Shelby Walkerville

Unincorporated Crystal Valley Mears Stony Lake

Townships

Benona Township Claybanks Township Colfax Township Crystal Township

Elbridge Township Ferry Township Golden Township Grant Township

Greenwood Township Hart Township Leavitt Township Newfield Township

Otto Township Pentwater Township Shelby Township Weare Township

See also

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

External links

• Oceana County government