Roscommon County ( ) is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 23,459. The county seat is Roscommon. The county was founded in 1840 and organized in 1875.
History
The county was formed by the Michigan Legislature in 1840 as Mikenauk County, then renamed Roscommon County in 1843. It was administered by Michilimackinac (Mackinac), Cheboygan, and Midland counties, in succession, prior to the organization of county government in 1875. Roscommon County was named after County Roscommon, Ireland.
There are three official Michigan historical markers in the county: Gerrish Pioneer House Terney House
Geography
According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (10%) is water. Roscommon County is considered to be part of Northern Michigan. Part of Michigan's Au Sable State Forest falls within the county. The US Forest Service's Roscoe Fire Management Unit includes Ogemaw and Roscommon Counties.
Geographic features
During prehistoric times, glacial action helped shape the Michigan-area terrain. A large portion of the area is the Grayling outwash plain, which includes sandy ice-disintegration ridges; jack pine barrens, white pine-red pine forest, and northern hardwood forest. Large lakes were created by glacial action.
Prominent geographic features include: Au Sable River Backus Creek Cut River Dead Stream Flooding Higgins Lake Houghton Lake Houghton Lake Flats Lake St. Helen Marl Lake Roscommon Virgin Pine Stand – a parcel within the Au Sable State Forest, north of St. Helen, Michigan, and 8 miles east of Roscommon. An old-growth stand of red pine, which includes a former national champion red pine. Underground oil deposits
Major highways
(future) – runs south, SE, and east through the NE middle portion of county. – runs north–south through west portion of county. Passes on west side of Higgins and Houghton Lakes. – runs north–south through center of county. Passes Roscommon and Prudenville. Leaving Roscommon, runs east along north line of county for before turning to NE. – runs east–west through center of county to intersection with I75, west of east line of county. – short () north-south spur connecting M18 to M55, east of Houghton Lake. – runs south from Prudenville. Exits the county on the line between Clare and Gladwin counties.
Airports
Houghton Lake State Airport is located in Roscommon Township. Roscommon County–Blodgett Memorial Airport is located in Markey Township.
Adjacent counties
Crawford County – north
Oscoda County – northeast
Ogemaw County – east
Gladwin County – southeast
Clare County – southwest
Missaukee County – west
Kalkaska County – northwest
Demographics
As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 25,469 people, 11,250 households, and 7,616 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 23,109 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 97.99% White, 0.32% Black or African American, 0.64% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.10% from other races, and 0.72% from two or more races. 0.80% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 24.4% were of German, 12.7% English, 9.9% Irish, 9.2% Polish, 9.2% American and 6.7% French ancestry. 97.2% spoke English as their first language. Those citing "American" ancestry in Roscommon County are of overwhelmingly English extraction, however most English Americans identify simply as having American ancestry because their roots have been in North America for so long, in some cases since the 1600s.
There were 11,250 households, out of which 21.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.70% were married couples living together, 7.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.30% were non-families. 28.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.69.
The county population contained 20.00% under the age of 18, 5.50% from 18 to 24, 21.40% from 25 to 44, 29.30% from 45 to 64, and 23.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females there were 96.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.30 males.