Puneet Varma (Editor)

Ogemaw County, Michigan

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Largest city
  
Time zone
  
Eastern: UTC-5/-4

Area
  
1,489 km²

Population
  
21,234 (2013)

Congressional district
  
Website
  
www.ocmi.us

Founded
  
1840

County seat
  

Cities
  
West Branch, Rose City, West Branch Township, Prescott

University
  
Baker College of West Branch

Rivers
  
Johnson Creek, Whitney Creek

Ogemaw County is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the population was 21,699. The county seat is West Branch.

Contents

Map of Ogemaw County, MI, USA

The county newspaper of record is the Ogemaw Herald.

History

The county was originally created in 1840, but was absorbed into Iosco County in 1867. It was later recreated in 1873 and finally organized in 1875. The county's name is an Anglicization of the Anishinaabemowin word ogimaa, meaning "chief".

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 575 square miles (1,490 km2), of which 563 square miles (1,460 km2) is land and 11 square miles (28 km2) (2.0%) is water. Ogemaw County is considered to be part of Northern Michigan

Highways

  • I-75
  • BL I-75
  • M-30
  • M-33
  • M-55
  • F-18
  • F-28
  • Adjacent counties

  • Oscoda County - north
  • Alcona County - northeast
  • Iosco County - east
  • Arenac County - southeast
  • Gladwin County - southwest
  • Roscommon County - west
  • Crawford County - northwest
  • National protected area

  • Huron National Forest (part)
  • State protected area

  • Au Sable State Forest (part)
  • Rifle River State Recreation Area
  • Demographics

    As of the census of 2000, there were 21,645 people, 8,842 households, and 6,189 families residing in the county. The population density was 38 people per square mile (15/km²). There were 15,404 housing units at an average density of 27 per square mile (11/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.48% White, 0.13% Black or African American, 0.60% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.13% from other races, and 1.25% from two or more races. 1.16% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 28.7% were of German, 12.3% American, 10.2% English, 9.2% Irish, 7.0% French and 6.7% Polish ancestry according to Census 2000. 97.9% spoke only English at home.

    There were 8,842 households out of which 27.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.40% were married couples living together, 8.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.00% were non-families. 25.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.87.

    In the county, the population was spread out with 23.50% under the age of 18, 6.40% from 18 to 24, 24.40% from 25 to 44, 27.00% from 45 to 64, and 18.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 98.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.50 males.

    The median income for a household in the county was $30,474, and the median income for a family was $34,988. Males had a median income of $31,003 versus $20,544 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,768. About 11.00% of families and 14.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.50% of those under age 18 and 9.90% 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.

    Elected officials

  • Prosecuting Attorney: LaDonna Schultz
  • Sheriff: Howie Hanft
  • County Clerk: Gary R. Klacking
  • County Treasurer: Dwight McIntyre
  • Register of Deeds: Denise Simmons
  • Drain Commissioner: Michael DeMatio
  • (information as of Feb. 2017)

    Cities

  • Rose City
  • West Branch (county seat)
  • Village

  • Prescott
  • Census-designated places

  • Lupton
  • Skidway Lake
  • References

    Ogemaw County, Michigan Wikipedia