Oscoda County ( ) is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the population was 8,219, making it the least populous county in the Lower Peninsula, and the sixth-least populous county in the entire state. The county seat is Mio, an unincorporated community near the center of the county.
History
The county was established on April 1, 1840, by act of the Michigan State legislature. However, its governing structure was not completed until 1881. The name is a Henry Rowe Schoolcraft neologism, thought to be a combination of two Ojibwa words, "ossin" (stone) and "muskoda" (prairie) – hence 'pebbly prairie.' He served as the US Indian agent and was also a geographer, surveying and naming newly established counties and towns.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of , of which is land and (1.0%) is water. Oscoda County is part of Northern Michigan.
Geographic features
Mio is situated in the Au Sable River Valley. The county is surrounded by the Huron National Forest and the Rifle River State Recreation Area. The county is part of the Au Sable State Forest, specifically the Grayling Fire Management Unit, which consists of Alcona, Crawford, Oscoda, and northern Iosco counties. Much of the area sits on the "Grayling outwash plain", a unique habitat. The Oscoda County Park offers a good vantage point. Glaciers shaped the area, creating a unique regional ecosystem. Much of the area is the Grayling outwash plain, a broad outwash plain including sandy ice-disintegration ridges, jack pine barrens, white pine-red pine forest, and northern hardwood forest. Large lakes were created by glacial action.
Major highways
– runs north–south through the central part of the county. Passes Fairview and Mio. – enters west end of county near its central part. Runs east to intersection with M-33 at Mio. Passes Luzerne. It is one of three true cross peninsular highways. – runs east from Mio into Alcona County. Passes McKinley.
Adjacent counties
Montmorency County - north
Alpena County - northeast
Alcona County - east
Iosco County - southeast
Ogemaw County - south
Roscommon County - southwest
Crawford County - west
Otsego County - northwest
National protected area
Huron National Forest (part)
Demographics
As of the 2000 United States Census, 9,418 people, 3,921 households, and 2,717 families resided in the county. The population density was . There were 8,690 housing units at an average density of . The county's racial makeup was 97.82% White, 0.08% Black or African American, 0.71% Native American, 0.07% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.14% from other races, and 1.16% from two or more races. 0.94% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 30.2% were of German, 12.8% American, 9.6% English, 8.1% Polish, 6.8% French and 6.7% Irish ancestry. 94.1% spoke English, 2.8% German and 1.5% Pennsylvania Dutch as their first language.
There were 3,921 households, out of which 25.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.10% were married couples living together, 7.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.70% were non-families. 26.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.85.
The county population contained 23.30% under the age of 18, 5.60% from 18 to 24, 22.80% from 25 to 44, 28.00% from 45 to 64, and 20.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 96.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $28,228, and the median income for a family was $32,225. Males had a median income of $30,013 versus $20,202 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,697. About 10.30% of families and 14.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.40% of those under age 18 and 8.80% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Oscoda County has been reliably Republican since its organization. Since 1884, the Republican Party nominee has carried the county vote in 85% (29 of 35) of the national elections through 2020.