Clare County, Michigan

"Clare County" redirects here. For the county in Ireland, see County Clare.

Clare County, Michigan
Seal
Location in the state of Michigan
Michigan's location in the U.S.
Founded	1840
Seat	Harrison
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	575.22 sq mi (1,490 km²) 566.80 sq mi (1,468 km²) 8.42 sq mi (22 km²), 1.46%
Population  - (2000)  - Density	31,252 54/sq mi (21/km²)
Website	www.clareco.net

Clare County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the population was 31,252. The county seat is Harrison. Farwell was the first county seat; in 1877 the county seat was moved to Harrison.

History

The county was set off in 1840 as Kaykekee County from Mackinac County. It was renamed Clare in 1843 after County Clare in Ireland. It was officially organized in 1871.

Geography

• According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 575.22 square miles (1,489.8 km²), of which 566.80 square miles (1,468.0 km²) (or 98.54%) is land and 8.42 square miles (21.8 km²) (or 1.46%) is water.
• The Roman Catholic Diocese of Saginaw is the controlling regional body for the Catholic Church.
• It is considered to be part of Northern Michigan.

Geographic features

• Au Sable State Forest
  • Gladwin FMU (Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, southern Iosco, Isabella, and Midland counties).

Highways

• US 10
• US 127
• 
  BUS US 10 is a loop route through downtown Clare.
• 
  BUS US 127 is another loop route through downtown Clare.
• 
  BUS US 127 is a loop route through downtown Harrison.
• M-18
• M-61
• M-115

Adjacent counties

• Roscommon County (northeast)
• Gladwin County (east)
• Isabella County (south)
• Osceola County (west)
• Missaukee County (northwest)

Demographics

The 2010 United States Census indicates Clare County had a 2010 population of 30,926. This is a decrease of -326 people from the 2000 United States Census. Overall, the county had a -1.0% growth rate during this ten year period. In 2010 there were 12,966 households and 8,584 families in the county. The population density was 54.8 per square mile (21.2 square kilometers). There were 23,233 housing units at an average density of 41.2 per square mile (15.9 square kilometers). The racial and ethnic makeup of the county was 95.8% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 1.5% Hispanic or Latino, 0.1% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races.

There were 12,966 households out of which 25.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.0% were husband and wife families, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.8% were non-families, and 28.0% were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the county the population was spread out with 20.9% under age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 20.8% from 25 to 44, 30.4% from 45 to 64, and 19.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 99.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.9 males.

The 2010 American Community Survey 3-year estimate indicates the median income for a household in the county was $33,338 and the median income for a family was $40,983. Males had a median income of $24,220 versus $13,587 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,516. About 2.3% of families and 23.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.8% of those under the age 18 and 8.5% 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.

Clare County elected officials

• Prosecuting Attorney: Michelle Ambrozaitis
• Sheriff: John Wilson
• County Clerk/Register of Deeds: Pamela Mayfield
• County Treasurer: Jenny Beemer-Fritzinger
• Drain Commissioner: Carl Parks
• County Surveyor: Paul A. Lapham
• Road Commissioners: Donald Armentrout; Richard Haynak; Tim Haskin

Local attractions and activities

It is in the middle of large state forests. Wildlife are nearby, including bear, deer, eagles, Kirtland's Warblers, and turkeys. Local attractions and activities include:

• Birding
• Boating
• Fishing.
• Hiking
• Hunting
• Kirtland'a Warbler Habitat and Festival
• Michigan Shore-to-Shore Trail passes through the area. It runs from Empire to Oscoda, but also to points north and south. It is a 500-mile interconnected system of trails.
• Nordic skiing
• ORV and groomed snowmobile trails.
• Paddling (canoe and kayak)

(information as of September 2005)

Cities, villages, and townships

Cities

• Clare, partially
• Harrison

Villages

• Farwell

Townships

Arthur Township Franklin Township Freeman Township Frost Township

Garfield Township Grant Township Greenwood Township Hamilton Township

Hatton Township Hayes Township Lincoln Township Redding Township

Sheridan Township Summerfield Township Surrey Township Winterfield Township

See also

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

External links

Official Visitor Information Site

• Clare County Convention & Visitors Bureau

News from Clare County

• The Clare County Review - Local newspaper
• Clare County government

• Clare Sentinel Newspaper Online via Clarke Historical Library and Central Michigan University