OSCEOLA COUNTY, MICHIGAN

'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 City⁶.

Contents

Geography

Adjacent Counties

Demographics

Government

Osceola County elected officials

Cities, villages, and townships

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,484 km² (573 mi²). 1,466 km² (566 mi²) of it is land and 18 km² (7 mi²) of it (1.24%) is water.

Adjacent Counties

★ Missaukee County (northeast)

★ Wexford County (northwest)

★ Clare County (east)

★ Lake County (west)

★ Mecosta County (south)

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 23,197 people, 8,861 households, and 6,415 families residing in the county. The population density was 16/km² (41/mi²). There were 12,853 housing units at an average density of 9/km² (23/mi²). 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. 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: 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)

Cities, villages, and townships

★ Burdell Township

★ Cedar Township

★ Evart Township

★ Evart, village

★ Hartwick Township

★ Hersey Township

★ Hersey, village

★ Highland Township

★ Le Roy Township

★ Le Roy, village

★ Lincoln Township

★ Marion Township

★ Marion, village

★ Middle Branch Township

★ Orient Township

★ Osceola Township

★ Reed City, city

★ Richmond Township

★ Rose Lake Township

★ Sears, Michigan

★ Sherman Township

★ Sylvan Township

★ Tustin, village