Roscommon County, Michigan

Infobox U.S. County
county = Roscommon County
state = Michigan




map size = 200
founded = 1840
seat = Roscommon | area_total_sq_mi =580
area_land_sq_mi =521
area_water_sq_mi =58
area percentage = 10.08%
census yr = 2000
pop = 25469
density_km2 =19
web = www.roscommoncounty.net
|

Roscommon County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the population was 25,469. The county seat is RoscommonGR|6.

History

*It was originally set off from Mackinac County and some undesignated territory in 1840 as Mikenauk County. In 1843, it was renamed Roscommon County after County Roscommon, Ireland. [ [http://www.michigan.gov/hal/0,1607,7-160-15481_20826_20829-54126--,00.html Michigan History, Arts and Libraries on sources of County names.] ] [ [http://www.clarke.cmich.edu/localhistory/Roscommon.htm Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University, Bibliography on Roscommon County.] details2|List of Michigan county name etymologies|Michigan county name etymologiesdetails2|List of counties in Michigan|Michigan county names.]
*There are three official Michigan historical markers in the county. [ [http://www.michmarkers.com/Frameset.htm Michigan Historical Markers.] ] They are:
** Gerrish
** Pioneer House
** Terney House

Geography

*According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 580 square miles (1,502 km²), of which, 521 square miles (1,350 km²) of it is land and 58 square miles (151 km²) of it (10.08%) is water.
*Roscommon County is considered to be part of Northern Michigan
*Recommon County is part of the Au Sable State Forest including
** Roscommon FMU (Ogemaw and Roscommon counties).

Geographic features

*Au Sable River (Michigan)
*Higgins Lake
*Houghton Lake
*Lake St. HelenGlaciers shaped the area. A large portion of the area is the so-called Grayling outwash plain, which consists of broad outwash plain including sandy ice-disintegration ridges; jack pine barrens, some white pine-red pine forest, and northern hardwood forest. Large lakes were created by glacial action. [ [http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/habitat/rlandscp/s7-2-2.htm Michigan regional geology.] ]

Major highways

Interstates

*
* is a loop route through downtown Roscommon.

US Highways

*

Michigan State Trunklines

*
*
*

Roscommon County Highways

*
*
*

Adjacent counties

Geographic Location
Centre = Roscommon County
North = Crawford County
Northeast = Oscoda County
East = Ogemaw County
Southeast = Gladwin County
Southwest = Clare County
West = Missaukee County
Northwest = Kalkaska County|

Local attractions and activities

The community is centered in the area of two very large lakes, in the middle of large state forests. Wildlife are nearby, including bear, deer, eagles, Kirtland's Warblers, and turkeys. Local attractions and activities include:
*Birding
*Bluegill Festival each summer in St. Helen.
*Boating, Paddling (canoe and kayak)
*Fishing, particularly trout fishing.
*Hiking
*Hunting
*Kirtland Warbler Habitat and Festival is to the north, a must for avid bird-watchers. [ [http://warbler.kirtland.edu/ Kirtland Warbler link/festival] ]
*Michigan Shore-to-Shore Trail passes through the area. It runs from Empire to Oscoda, but also to points north and south. It is a 500 mile interconnected system of trails. [ [http://www.kerchevalave.com/mtra/sh2sh.html Michigan Shore to Shore Riding and Hiking Trail] .]
*Nordic skiing
*ORV and groomed snowmobile trails.
*Sailing
*Tip-up-town winter festival, Houghton Lake last two weekends in January. [ [http://www.tip-up-townusa.com/cgi-bin/tutusa2006/index.html Tip-up-town.] ]

Cities, villages, and townships

Cities
* "None"
Villages
* RoscommonUnincorporated
* Higgins Lake
* Houghton Lake
* Houghton Lake Heights
* Prudenville
* St. Helen

Townships
* Au Sable Township
* Backus Township
* Denton Township
* Gerrish Township
* Higgins Township
* Lake Township
* Lyon Township
* Markey Township
* Nester Township
* Richfield Township
* Roscommon Township

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 25,469 people, 11,250 households, and 7,616 families residing in the county. The population density was 49 people per square mile (19/km²). There were 23,109 housing units at an average density of 44 per square mile (17/km²). 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 according to Census 2000. 97.2% spoke English as their first language.

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.

In the county the population was spread out with 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.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,029, and the median income for a family was $35,757. Males had a median income of $31,878 versus $20,549 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,837. About 8.60% of families and 12.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.90% of those under age 18 and 6.50% of those age 65 or over.

Government

The county government operates the jail, maintains rural roads, operates themajor 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 andother social services. The county board of commissioners controls thebudget but has only limited authority to make laws or ordinances. In Michigan, most localgovernment functions — police and fire, building and zoning, tax assessment, streetmaintenance, etc. — are the responsibility of individual cities and townships.

Roscommon County elected officials

* Prosecuting Attorney: Mark Jernigan
* Sheriff: Francis Staley
* County Clerk/Register of Deeds: Ann M. Bonk
* County Treasurer: Julie Dworzynski
* Drain Commissioner: Sheridan Cole

Other affiliations

*It is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gaylord. [ [http://www.dioceseofgaylord.org/ Diocese of Gaylord.] ]

(information as of September 2005)

Notes

External links

* [http://www.roscommoncounty.net/ Roscommon County]
* [http://www.hlrcc.com/events.asp Higgins Lake/Roscommon Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.visithoughtonlake.com/ Houghton Lake/Roscommon Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.hti.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=micounty;cc=micounty;sid=919206273df14f5ef463c3eada19472e;q1=St.%20Helen;rgn=full%20text;idno=BAC9250.0001.001;view=image;seq=00000592 "A history of northern Michigan and its people"] Powers, Perry Francis. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1912. pp. 554-555
* [http://www.hti.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=micounty;cc=micounty;sid=919206273df14f5ef463c3eada19472e;q1=St.%20Helen;rgn=full%20text;idno=BAC8762.0002.001;view=image;seq=00000083 "History of Michigan."] Moore, Charles. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1915. p. 709