Oceana County, Michigan Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Oceana County

U.S. county

Oceana County Courthouse

Seal

Location within the U.S. state of Michigan

Michigan's location within the U.S.

Country

United States

State

Michigan

Founded

1840 (created)
1855 (organized)

Seat

Hart

Largest city

Pentwater (village)
Hart (city)

Area

• Total

1,306 sq mi (3,380 km²)

• Land

512 sq mi (1,330 km²)

• Water

794 sq mi (2,060 km²) 61%%

Population

(2020)

• Total

26,659

• Density

52/sq mi (20/km²)

Time zone

UTC−5 (Eastern)

• Summer (DST)

UTC−4 (EDT)

Congressional district

2nd

Oceana County is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 26,659. The county seat is Hart. Long known as part of the large Ojibwe territory, the county was founded by European Americans in 1840 and organized in 1855.

Settlers were attracted by access along the White River, which reaches its mouth on Lake Michigan in Muskegon County to the south. Two possibilities have been put forward to explain the county's name: Oceana County may have been named for Lake Michigan, a freshwater "ocean," which forms its western border; or it was named for the book Oceana, written by English author James Harrington in 1656.

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.

History
Geography
Demographics
- Religion
Tourism
Communities
Education
See also

History

In the 1850s about 1400 Odawa were relocated here from Ionia County, Michigan by the federal government.

The county economy was first built on the lumber trade, with logs floated downriver. It later was developed for agriculture. In the 21st century, it is known for its commodity crop of asparagus.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,306 square miles (3,380 km²), of which 512 square miles (1,330 km²) is land and 794 square miles (2,060 km²) (61%) is water. The county is considered to be part of West Michigan. The county's western border is formed by Lake Michigan.

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Manistee National Forest (part)

Major highways

US 31
Bus. US 31
Bus. US 31
M-20
M-120
B-15

Demographics

Graphic showing Oceana County, Michigan, Population by Decades

This rural county reached a peak of population in 2000. It has attracted Hispanic or Latino immigrants who mostly work as farm laborers; in 2010 nearly 14% of the population was Hispanic.

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1840	496	—
1850	300	−39.5%
1860	1,816	505.3%
1870	7,222	297.7%
1880	11,699	62.0%
1890	15,698	34.2%
1900	16,644	6.0%
1910	18,379	10.4%
1920	15,601	−15.1%
1930	13,805	−11.5%
1940	14,812	7.3%
1950	16,105	8.7%
1960	16,547	2.7%
1970	17,984	8.7%
1980	22,002	22.3%
1990	22,454	2.1%
2000	26,873	19.7%
2010	26,570	−1.1%
2020	26,659	0.3%
US Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2018

The 2010 United States Census indicates Oceana County had a 2010 population of 26,570. This decrease of 303 people from the 2000 United States Census represents a 1.1% population decrease in the decade. 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.

The county population contained 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.

Religion

Oceana County is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids.
Oceana County is part of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan.
Several Christian denominations are represented in the county population.
There is one meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Oceana County as of 2018.

Tourism

Since 2008, Oceana County has been welcoming thousands of tourists from throughout the world that attend the Electric Forest Festival (formerly the Rothbury Music Festival) in Rothbury, Michigan.

Camping is a very popular summer activity in Oceana County, and is also a big draw for tourists. Areas on the lakeshore such as Silver Lake, Pentwater, and Stony Lake are popular areas for tourists to camp, swim, fish, hike, boat, and picnic.