Oscoda County (/ɒˈskoʊdə/ ah-SKOH-də) 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.
| Name: | Oscoda County |
|---|---|
| FIPS code: | 26-135 |
| State: | Michigan |
| Founded: | 1840 |
| Seat: | Mio |
| Total Area: | 572 sq mi (1,480 km²) |
| Land Area: | 566 sq mi (1,470 km²) |
| Total Population: | 8,219 |
| Population Density: | 15/sq mi (6/km²) |
| Time zone: | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| Summer Time Zone (DST): | UTC−4 (EDT) |
Oscoda County location map. Where is Oscoda 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.
Oscoda County Road Map
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 572 square miles (1,480 km), of which 566 square miles (1,470 km) is land and 5.9 square miles (15 km) (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
- M-33 – runs north–south through the central part of the county. Passes Fairview and Mio.
- M-72 – 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.
- F-32 – 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)
Oscoda County Topographic Map
Oscoda County Satellite Map
Oscoda County Outline Map
