Osceola County, Michigan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Osceola County
U.S. county
Osceola County Courthouse
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Michigan's location within the U.S.
Country	United States
State	Michigan
Founded	1 April 1840 (created) 1869 (organized)
Named for	Osceola
Seat	Reed City
Largest city	Reed City
Area
• Total	573 sq mi (1,480 km2)
• Land	566.39 sq mi (1,466.9 km2)
• Water	6.7 sq mi (17 km2)  1.2%%
Population  (2020)
• Total	22,891
• Density	41.4/sq mi (16.0/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	4th

Osceola County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 22,891. The county seat is Reed City.

History

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. Several nearby counties are also shown with names that would later be changed.

Osceola County was created by the Michigan Legislature 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.

Geography

According to the U.S. 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. The county is drained by Muskegon River and branches of the Manistee River. The surface is level. Osceola County is part of Northern Michigan.

Major highways

• US 10
• US 131
• 
  Bus. US 10
• M-61
• M-66
• M-115

Adjacent counties

• Missaukee County (northeast)
• Wexford County (northwest)
• Clare County (east)
• Lake County (west)
• Mecosta County (south)

Demographics

At the 2000 census, there were 23,197 people, 8,861 households and 6,415 families residing 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 (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 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.

Communities

Cities

• Evart
• Reed City (county seat)

Villages

• Hersey
• Le Roy
• Marion
• Tustin

Unincorporated community

• Sears

Townships

Images for kids

• 

  Swedish Evangical Lutheran Church in Tustin

See also

In Spanish: Condado de Osceola (Míchigan) para niños