Osceola County, Michigan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Osceola County, Michigan | |
| Map | |
 Location in the state of Michigan |
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 Michigan's location in the U.S. |
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| Statistics | |
| Founded | April 1, 1840 |
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| Seat | Reed City |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
573 sq mi (1,484 km²) 566 sq mi (1,466 km²) 7 sq mi (18 km²), 1.24% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
23,197 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 2000 census, the population was 23,197. The county seat is Reed City[1]. 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.
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[edit] Geography
- According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 573 square miles (1,484 km²), of which, 566 square miles (1,466 km²) of it is land and 7 square miles (18 km²) of it (1.24%) is water.
- It is considered to be part of Northern Michigan.
[edit] Major highways
[edit] US highways
[edit] Michigan highways
[edit] Adjacent counties
- Missaukee County (northeast)
- Wexford County (northwest)
- Clare County (east)
- Lake County (west)
- Mecosta County (south)
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[2] 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Osceola County elected officials
- Prosecuting Attorney: Sandra Marvin
- Sheriff: James A. Crawford
- County Clerk: Karen J . Bluhm
- County Treasurer: Carol Halladay
- Register of Deeds: Nancy Crawford
- Drain Commissioner: Fay Wilson
- County Surveyor: Bill Sikkema
(information as of September 2005)
[edit] Cities, villages, and townships
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[edit] Notes
- ^ Find a County. National Association of Counties. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
[edit] Bibliography and further reading
[edit] External links
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