Osceola County, Michigan

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Not to be confused with Oscoda County, Michigan.

Template:Infobox U.S. county

Osceola County (/ˌɒsiˈoʊlə/ OSS-ee-OH-lə) is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 22,891.[1] The county seat is Reed City.[2]

History

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File:1842 Manistee Kawtawwabet Missaukee Mickenauk Ogemaw Kanotin Notipeskago Aishcum Unwattin Kaykakee Gladwin Arenac counties Michigan.jpg
A detail from A New Map of Michigan with its Canals, Roads & Distances (1842) by Henry Schenck Tanner, showing Osceola County as Unwattin, the county's name from 1840 to 1843.[3]

When established by the Michigan Legislature on April 1, 1840, it was named Unwattin County,[3][4] after Chief Unwattin of the local Ottawa people.[5] As a representative of the Ottawa nation, he participated in negotiations for the Treaty of Washington (1836) that granted a vast expanse of Michigan to the US Federal Government.[3] The name was changed March 8, 1843, to Osceola, after the Seminole chief who achieved renown in Florida.[6]

The county 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.[3]

As the population increased, separate county government was organized in 1869, with Hersey designated as the county seat. Reed City became the official county seat in 1927.[6] The county was developed initially for harvesting and processing lumber, and many European Americans came to work in lumbering and the mills.

Geography

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The low rolling hills[7] of Osceola County were completely wooded prior to settlement; at present about half of the area has been cleared and converted to agricultural or urban use. There are numerous small lakes and ponds scattered across the county; the largest is Rose Lake, northeast of LeRoy.[8] The highest point on the terrain (1,722 feet/525 meters ASL) is Grove Hill, in Sherman Township.[9] According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 573 square miles (1,480 km2), of which 566 square miles (1,470 km2) is land and 6.7 square miles (17 km2) (6.7%) is water.[10] The county is drained by the Muskegon River and branches of the Manistee River. Osceola County is part of Northern Michigan.

Adjacent counties

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Major highways

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Demographics

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Template:US Census population

File:Osceola MI Density.png
2020 population density of Osceola County MI by census block[11]

Racial and etnic composition

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Osceola County, Michigan – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 1980[12] Pop 1990[13] Pop 2000[14] Pop 2010[15] Pop 2020[16] % 1980 % 1990 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 18,682 19,785 22,461 22,531 21,188 98.70% 98.21% 96.83% 95.76% 92.56%
Black or African American alone (NH) 17 54 79 125 155 0.09% 0.27% 0.34% 0.53% 0.68%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 77 116 111 119 142 0.41% 0.58% 0.48% 0.51% 0.62%
Asian alone (NH) 35 43 48 48 34 0.18% 0.21% 0.21% 0.20% 0.15%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) x [17] x [18] 4 5 6 x x 0.02% 0.02% 0.03%
Other race alone (NH) 11 5 5 5 61 0.06% 0.02% 0.02% 0.02% 0.27%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) x [19] x [20] 259 351 905 x x 1.12% 1.49% 3.95%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 106 143 230 344 400 0.56% 0.71% 0.99% 1.46% 1.75%
Total 18,928 20,146 23,197 23,528 22,891 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2020 census

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As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 22,891. The median age was 43.6 years, 23.4% of residents were under the age of 18, and 21.2% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 100.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 98.0 males age 18 and over.[21]

The racial makeup of the county was 93.5% White, 0.7% Black or African American, 0.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.5% from some other race, and 4.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.7% of the population.[22]

Less than 0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[23]

There were 9,152 households in the county, of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 50.3% were married-couple households, 18.7% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 23.4% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 28.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[21]

There were 12,534 housing units, of which 27.0% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 80.1% were owner-occupied and 19.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.4%.[21]

2000 census

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At the 2000 United States census,[24] there were 23,197 people, 8,861 households and 6,415 families in the county. The population density was 41 per square mile (16/km2). There were 12,853 housing units at an average density of 23 per square mile (8.9/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. 96.8% spoke English, 1.1% German and 1.0% Spanish as their first language.

There were 8,861 households, 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.

27.10% of the population were 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 household income was $34,102 and the median family income was $39,205. Males had a median income of $29,837 compared with $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

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United States presidential election results for Osceola County, Michigan[25]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1884 1,497 58.43% 792 30.91% 273 10.66%
1888 1,882 57.01% 1,090 33.02% 329 9.97%
1892 1,601 51.13% 1,092 34.88% 438 13.99%
1896 2,268 62.90% 1,177 32.64% 161 4.46%
1900 2,635 71.08% 880 23.74% 192 5.18%
1904 2,936 80.24% 562 15.36% 161 4.40%
1908 2,718 74.38% 767 20.99% 169 4.63%
1912 1,306 37.03% 609 17.27% 1,612 45.70%
1916 2,193 61.90% 1,285 36.27% 65 1.83%
1920 3,603 80.84% 769 17.25% 85 1.91%
1924 3,050 77.79% 566 14.44% 305 7.78%
1928 3,923 86.66% 582 12.86% 22 0.49%
1932 2,969 55.18% 2,321 43.13% 91 1.69%
1936 3,107 56.29% 1,992 36.09% 421 7.63%
1940 4,217 72.85% 1,555 26.86% 17 0.29%
1944 3,787 73.14% 1,338 25.84% 53 1.02%
1948 3,122 68.54% 1,276 28.01% 157 3.45%
1952 4,607 78.86% 1,160 19.86% 75 1.28%
1956 4,549 78.28% 1,236 21.27% 26 0.45%
1960 4,477 76.33% 1,378 23.50% 10 0.17%
1964 2,779 48.84% 2,891 50.81% 20 0.35%
1968 3,705 63.77% 1,509 25.97% 596 10.26%
1972 4,441 69.95% 1,706 26.87% 202 3.18%
1976 4,467 62.23% 2,603 36.26% 108 1.50%
1980 4,902 60.04% 2,650 32.46% 612 7.50%
1984 5,923 73.21% 2,127 26.29% 40 0.49%
1988 5,218 64.25% 2,860 35.22% 43 0.53%
1992 3,606 38.46% 3,529 37.64% 2,241 23.90%
1996 3,855 42.41% 4,085 44.94% 1,150 12.65%
2000 5,680 57.20% 4,006 40.34% 244 2.46%
2004 6,599 58.98% 4,467 39.93% 122 1.09%
2008 5,973 54.17% 4,855 44.03% 198 1.80%
2012 6,141 59.75% 3,981 38.73% 156 1.52%
2016 7,336 69.15% 2,705 25.50% 568 5.35%
2020 8,928 72.35% 3,214 26.05% 198 1.60%
2024 9,639 73.01% 3,326 25.19% 237 1.80%
2016 1 33.33% 1 33.33% 1 33.33%


Template:U.S. SenHead Template:U.S. SenRow Template:U.S. SenFoot Template:M.I. GovHead Template:M.I. GovRow Template:M.I. GovFoot 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.

Communities

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File:Osceola County, MI census map.png
U.S. Census data map showing local municipal boundaries within Osceola County. Shaded areas represent incorporated cities.

Cities

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Villages

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Civil townships

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Unincorporated communities

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Education

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Intermediate School District

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The Mecosta–Osceola Intermediate School District, based in Big Rapids, services the majority of the students in the county (Evart and Reed City), while Wexford-Missaukee Intermediate School District covering services for the others (Marion and Pine River). The ISD offers regional special education services, a residential at-risk youth center, and technical career programs for students of its districts.[26][27]

Public School Districts

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Osceola County is served by the following regular public school districts:[28]

Private Schools

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Osceola County has the following private schools:[29]

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Newberry Library. "Michigan: Individual County Chronologies". Atlas of County Historical Boundaries. Archived from the original on January 7, 2012. Retrieved November 4, 2016.
  4. ↑ George Dawson (1840). Acts of the Legislature of the State of Michigan Passed at the Annual Session of 1840. Detroit. pp. 196–200.
  5. ↑ "Michigan Historical Collections". The Commission. October 6, 2018 – via Google Books.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Clarke
  7. ↑ Template:Cite AmCyc
  8. ↑ Osceola County MI (Google Maps, accessed 7 October 2020)
  9. ↑ "Grove Hill, Highest Point in Osceola County MI". Waymarking.com. July 20, 2010. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
  10. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  11. ↑ "2025 TIGER/Line® Shapefiles". www.census.gov. Retrieved April 13, 2026.
  12. ↑ "1980 Census of Population - General Social and Economic Characteristics - Michigan - Tables 15 and 16 – Race by Sex: 1980 and Tables 16 and 17 – Persons by Spanish Origin, Race, and Sex: 1980" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 24-59. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 11, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
  13. ↑ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Michigan: Table 3-5 - Race and Hispanic Origin" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 37-179. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2026 – via Wayback Machine.
  14. ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Osceola County, Michigan". United States Census Bureau.
  15. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Osceola County, Michigan". United States Census Bureau.
  16. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Osceola County, Michigan". United States Census Bureau.
  17. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
  18. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
  19. ↑ not an option in the 1980 Census
  20. ↑ not an option in the 1990 Census
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  22. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  23. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  24. ↑ "US Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  25. ↑ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
  26. ↑ "Welcome to MOISD". Mecosta-Osceola Intermediate School District. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  27. ↑ "Welcome". Wexford-Missaukee Intermediate School District. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  28. ↑ "Search for Public School Data - Osceola County, MI". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Educational Sciences. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  29. ↑ "Search for Private Schools - Osceola County, MI". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Educational Sciences. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
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Template:Geographic Location

Template:Osceola County, Michigan Template:Northern Michigan Template:West Michigan Template:Michigan

Coordinates: 43°59′N 85°20′W / 43.98°N 85.33°W / 43.98; -85.33

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