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Osceola County, Michigan facts for kids

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Not to be confused with Oscoda County, Michigan.
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Osceola County
U.S. county
Osceola County Courthouse
Osceola County Courthouse
Official seal of Osceola County
Seal
Map of Michigan highlighting Osceola County
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Map of the United States highlighting Michigan
Michigan's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Michigan
Founded April 1, 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 2nd

Osceola County is a county in the state of Michigan, USA. It is pronounced OSS-ee-OH-lə. In 2020, about 22,891 people lived here. The main town and county seat is Reed City.

History of Osceola County

1842 Manistee Kawtawwabet Missaukee Mickenauk Ogemaw Kanotin Notipeskago Aishcum Unwattin Kaykakee Gladwin Arenac counties Michigan
This old map from 1842 shows Osceola County when it was called Unwattin.

Osceola County was first created on April 1, 1840. It was named Unwattin County back then. This name honored Chief Unwattin, a leader of the local Ottawa people. Chief Unwattin helped with important talks for the Treaty of Washington (1836). This treaty gave a large part of Michigan to the U.S. government.

On March 8, 1843, the county's name was changed. It became Osceola County. This new name was chosen after a famous Seminole chief from Florida.

For many years, Osceola County was managed by other nearby counties. First, it was linked to Ottawa County. Later, it was connected to Mason County in 1855. Then, it moved to Newaygo County in 1857. Finally, it was managed by Mecosta County in 1859.

As more people moved to the area, Osceola County started its own government in 1869. The town of Hersey was chosen as the first county seat. Later, in 1927, Reed City became the official county seat. The county grew because of the lumber industry. Many people from Europe came to work in the forests and sawmills.

Geography of Osceola County

Osceola County has gentle rolling hills. Before people settled here, the whole area was covered in trees. Today, about half of the land is used for farms or towns.

There are many small lakes and ponds throughout the county. The biggest lake is Rose Lake, located northeast of LeRoy. The highest point in the county is Grove Hill. It is about 1,722 feet (525 meters) above sea level.

The county covers about 573 square miles (1,484 square kilometers). Most of this is land, with about 6.7 square miles (17 square kilometers) being water. Rivers like the Muskegon River and parts of the Manistee River flow through the county. Osceola County is part of a region called Northern Michigan.

Counties Nearby

Main Roads

  • US 10
  • US 131

  • Bus. US 10 in Reed City
  • M-61
  • M-66
  • M-115

Population Data

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1860 27 —
1870 2,093 7,651.9%
1880 10,777 414.9%
1890 14,630 35.8%
1900 17,859 22.1%
1910 17,889 0.2%
1920 15,221 −14.9%
1930 12,806 −15.9%
1940 13,309 3.9%
1950 13,797 3.7%
1960 13,595 −1.5%
1970 14,838 9.1%
1980 18,928 27.6%
1990 20,146 6.4%
2000 23,197 15.1%
2010 23,528 1.4%
2020 22,891 −2.7%
2023 (est.) 23,330 −0.8%
US Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2018

Towns and Villages

Swedish Evangical Lutheran Church
The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tustin.

Osceola County has several communities, including cities, villages, and smaller unincorporated areas.

Cities

  • Evart
  • Reed City (This is the county seat, where the main county government offices are.)

Villages

Unincorporated Communities

These are smaller places that are not officially cities or villages.

Townships

A township is a type of local government area.

  • Burdell Township
  • Cedar Township
  • Evart Township
  • Hartwick Township
  • Hersey Township
  • Highland Township
  • Le Roy Township
  • Lincoln Township
  • Marion Township
  • Middle Branch Township
  • Orient Township
  • Osceola Township
  • Richmond Township
  • Rose Lake Township
  • Sherman Township
  • Sylvan Township

Education in Osceola County

Students in Osceola County attend different school districts.

Intermediate School District

The Mecosta–Osceola Intermediate School District helps most students in the county. It is based in Big Rapids. This district offers special education services. It also has a center for young people who need extra support. Plus, it provides technical career programs for students.

Some students in the county are served by the Wexford–Missaukee Intermediate School District. This includes students from Marion and Pine River.

Public School Districts

These are the public school districts in Osceola County:

  • Evart Public Schools
  • Marion Public Schools
  • Pine River Area Schools
  • Reed City Area Public Schools

Private Schools

Osceola County also has one private school:

  • Trinity Lutheran School (a Lutheran school)
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