ENSIKLOPEDIA
Iosco County
Iosco County, Michigan | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Iosco County Building in Tawas City | |
 Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state of Michigan | |
| Coordinates: 44°17′N 83°20′W / 44.28°N 83.34°W / 44.28; -83.34 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Michigan |
| Founded | 1840 (as "Kanotin") 1857 organized[1] |
| Seat | Tawas City |
| Largest city | East Tawas |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,890 sq mi (4,900 km2) |
| • Land | 549 sq mi (1,420 km2) |
| • Water | 1,341 sq mi (3,470 km2) 71% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 25,237 |
• Estimate (2025) | 25,266  |
| • Density | 46.0/sq mi (17.7/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 1st |
| Website | iosco |
Iosco County (/aɪˈɒskoʊ/ eye-OSS-koh) is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan; its eastern border is formed by Lake Huron. As of the 2020 census, its population was 25,237.[2] Its county seat is Tawas City.[3]
Etymology
Iosco has traditionally been said to be a Native American word meaning "water of light",[4] but was actually coined as a pseudo-Native American name by Henry Rowe Schoolcraft, an American geographer and ethnologist who served as the U.S. Indian agent in Michigan in the late 19th century. He named several counties and towns during the state's formative years.[5]
History
The county was created by the Michigan Legislature in 1840 as Kanotin County,[7] and renamed Iosco County in 1843. It was administered by a succession of other Michigan counties before the organization of county government in 1857. A majority of the population was Ojibwe. The area offered shelter from tall white pines and food from the river and lake. Iosco County was cut from a piece of land ceded by the Ojibwe to the U.S. government. When the lumber boom hit, many more people moved to the area.[6][1]
The 400-acre Alabaster Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is associated with an operating gypsum open-pit mine south of Tawas City. The large company town included internal rail lines for transportation and a tramway extending over Lake Huron on long piers for loading gypsum onto ships. Started in 1862, the mine supplied gypsum for temporary buildings constructed in Chicago at the World Columbian Exposition of 1893.[8] Two companies continue to mine gypsum in Iosco County.
In 2009, Alabaster Township formed the nonprofit Alabaster Wind Power Development Corp. to conduct the necessary two-year studies of wind data at this site as a potential location for development of wind turbines. It proposed using 10 large tramway platforms that extend more than 6,000 feet into the lake to gauge winds. The turbines could be built on the tramways. At the time, the federal government was offering subsidies for such studies and development of alternative energy projects.[9]
Geography
According to the US Census Bureau, the county has an area of 1,890 square miles (4,900 km2), of which 549 square miles (1,420 km2) is land and 1,341 square miles (3,470 km2) (71%) is water.[10] It is considered part of Northern Michigan. In total, it covers about 6,361,837 acres.
Geographic features
- Lumberman's Monument
- Canoer's memorial
- 60 Lakes Area - Located near Hale
- Iargo Springs
- Tawas Point Light House - First lit in 1853
- Tawas Bay
- Pine River – rises in Alcona County and flows into Iosco County, where it empties into Van Etten Lake at 44°29′38″N 83°23′16″W / 44.49389°N 83.38778°W / 44.49389; -83.38778 northwest of Oscoda.[11]
- Au Sable River
- Tuttle Marsh Wildlife Area
- Van Etten Lake
- Tawas Lake
- Foote Dam Pond
- Au Sable State Forest (partial) – the Grayling Fire Management Unit[12] consists of Alcona, Crawford, and Oscoda Counties, and northern Iosco county.
Major highways
US 23 – known as the Sunrise Side Coastal Highway.
M-55 – one of three cross-peninsular state highways. It begins in Tawas City at the junction with US 23.[13]
M-65
F-41- River Road National Scenic Byway – starts at M-65 and runs parallel with the Au Sable River for 23 miles (37 km) eastward to US 23 in Oscoda, Michigan. It is a designated National Scenic Byway.[14] It passes the Lumberman's Monument.
Adjacent counties
By land
- Alcona County - north
- Arenac County - southwest
- Ogemaw County - west
- Oscoda County - northwest
By water
- Huron County - southeast
National protected area
- Huron National Forest (part)
Communities
Cities
- East Tawas
- Tawas City (county seat)
- Whittemore
Charter townships
Civil townships
Census-designated places
Other unincorporated communities
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1860 | 175 | — | |
| 1870 | 3,163 | 1,707.4% | |
| 1880 | 6,873 | 117.3% | |
| 1890 | 15,224 | 121.5% | |
| 1900 | 10,246 | −32.7% | |
| 1910 | 9,753 | −4.8% | |
| 1920 | 8,199 | −15.9% | |
| 1930 | 7,517 | −8.3% | |
| 1940 | 8,560 | 13.9% | |
| 1950 | 10,906 | 27.4% | |
| 1960 | 16,505 | 51.3% | |
| 1970 | 24,905 | 50.9% | |
| 1980 | 28,349 | 13.8% | |
| 1990 | 30,209 | 6.6% | |
| 2000 | 27,339 | −9.5% | |
| 2010 | 25,887 | −5.3% | |
| 2020 | 25,237 | −2.5% | |
| 2025 (est.) | 25,266 | [15] | 0.1% |
| US Decennial Census[16] 1790-1960[17] 1900-1990[18] 1990-2000[19] 2010-2018[2] | |||
Most of the population is located on the shoreline along US-23, East Tawas, Tawas City, and Oscoda.
Racial and ethnic composition
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980[20] | Pop 1990[21] | Pop 2000[22] | Pop 2010[23] | Pop 2020[24] | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 27,065 | 28,739 | 26,327 | 24,710 | 23,244 | 95.47% | 95.13% | 96.30% | 95.45% | 92.10% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 649 | 622 | 106 | 121 | 164 | 2.29% | 2.06% | 0.39% | 0.47% | 0.65% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 158 | 224 | 171 | 161 | 124 | 0.56% | 0.74% | 0.63% | 0.62% | 0.49% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 140 | 258 | 123 | 125 | 153 | 0.49% | 0.85% | 0.45% | 0.48% | 0.61% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) | x [25] | x [26] | 14 | 12 | 3 | x | x | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.01% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 78 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 56 | 0.28% | 0.03% | 0.03% | 0.04% | 0.22% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x [27] | x [28] | 321 | 344 | 883 | x | x | 1.17% | 1.33% | 3.50% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 259 | 357 | 269 | 403 | 610 | 0.91% | 1.18% | 0.98% | 1.56% | 2.42% |
| Total | 28,349 | 30,209 | 27,339 | 25,887 | 25,237 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 25,237. The median age was 53.4 years. 17.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 29.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 99.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 98.5 males age 18 and over.[29]
The racial makeup of the county was 93.0% White, 0.7% Black or African American, 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.8% from some other race, and 4.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.4% of the population.[30]
50.2% of residents lived in urban areas, while 49.8% lived in rural areas.[31]
There were 11,662 households in the county, of which 19.9% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 44.8% were married-couple households, 22.3% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 25.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 34.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[29]
There were 19,856 housing units, of which 41.3% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 79.8% were owner-occupied and 20.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.8%.[29]
2000 census
As of the 2000 United States census,[32] there were 27,339 people, 11,727 households, and 7,857 families in the county. The population density was 50 people per square mile (19 people/km2). There were 20,432 housing units at an average density of 37 per square mile (14/km2).
In 2000, the county's racial makeup was 96.92% White, 0.41% Black or African American, 0.66% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 1.27% from two or more races. 0.98% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 23.2% were of German, 12.3% English, 10.6% Irish, 9.9% American, 8.3% Polish and 7.1% French ancestry. 97.4% spoke English and 1.0% Spanish as their first language.[32]
There were 11,727 households, out of which 24.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.20% were married couples living together, 8.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.00% were non-families. 28.60% 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 2.30 and the average family size was 2.79.[32]
The county population included 22.40% under the age of 18, 5.40% from 18 to 24, 23.40% from 25 to 44, 27.30% from 45 to 64, and 21.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 96.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.60 males.[32]
In 2000, the median income for a household in the county was $31,321, and the median income for a family was $37,452. Males had a median income of $30,338 versus $21,149 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,115. About 9.50% of families and 12.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.50% of those under age 18 and 7.60% of those age 65 or over.[32]
Government
The county government operates the jail, maintains rural roads, operates the major local courts, records deeds, mortgages, and vital records, administers public health regulations, and participates with the state in the provision of social services. The county board of commissioners controls the budget, with 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
Iosco County has been reliably Republican from the beginning. Since 1884, the Republican presidential nominee has carried the county in 29 of 36 elections.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1884 | 1,016 | 52.83% | 864 | 44.93% | 43 | 2.24% |
| 1888 | 1,505 | 45.45% | 1,639 | 49.50% | 167 | 5.04% |
| 1892 | 1,393 | 49.57% | 1,336 | 47.54% | 81 | 2.88% |
| 1896 | 1,470 | 60.25% | 912 | 37.38% | 58 | 2.38% |
| 1900 | 1,402 | 66.41% | 679 | 32.16% | 30 | 1.42% |
| 1904 | 1,482 | 75.30% | 426 | 21.65% | 60 | 3.05% |
| 1908 | 1,224 | 63.03% | 668 | 34.40% | 50 | 2.57% |
| 1912 | 521 | 28.90% | 418 | 23.18% | 864 | 47.92% |
| 1916 | 984 | 56.00% | 729 | 41.49% | 44 | 2.50% |
| 1920 | 2,013 | 76.71% | 548 | 20.88% | 63 | 2.40% |
| 1924 | 1,713 | 71.43% | 304 | 12.68% | 381 | 15.89% |
| 1928 | 1,873 | 76.79% | 552 | 22.63% | 14 | 0.57% |
| 1932 | 1,581 | 49.62% | 1,500 | 47.08% | 105 | 3.30% |
| 1936 | 1,768 | 50.88% | 1,547 | 44.52% | 160 | 4.60% |
| 1940 | 2,504 | 65.46% | 1,303 | 34.07% | 18 | 0.47% |
| 1944 | 2,340 | 67.26% | 1,127 | 32.39% | 12 | 0.34% |
| 1948 | 2,599 | 68.90% | 1,115 | 29.56% | 58 | 1.54% |
| 1952 | 3,772 | 74.56% | 1,274 | 25.18% | 13 | 0.26% |
| 1956 | 4,385 | 72.50% | 1,660 | 27.45% | 3 | 0.05% |
| 1960 | 4,308 | 62.74% | 2,549 | 37.12% | 9 | 0.13% |
| 1964 | 2,704 | 38.39% | 4,336 | 61.56% | 4 | 0.06% |
| 1968 | 4,068 | 55.42% | 2,533 | 34.51% | 739 | 10.07% |
| 1972 | 5,750 | 64.10% | 3,065 | 34.17% | 156 | 1.74% |
| 1976 | 5,500 | 52.39% | 4,875 | 46.44% | 123 | 1.17% |
| 1980 | 6,680 | 56.54% | 4,255 | 36.01% | 880 | 7.45% |
| 1984 | 7,907 | 66.99% | 3,850 | 32.62% | 47 | 0.40% |
| 1988 | 7,234 | 59.17% | 4,929 | 40.32% | 62 | 0.51% |
| 1992 | 4,912 | 36.41% | 5,369 | 39.79% | 3,211 | 23.80% |
| 1996 | 4,410 | 35.50% | 6,240 | 50.23% | 1,774 | 14.28% |
| 2000 | 6,345 | 47.99% | 6,505 | 49.20% | 372 | 2.81% |
| 2004 | 7,301 | 52.13% | 6,557 | 46.82% | 148 | 1.06% |
| 2008 | 6,583 | 46.28% | 7,309 | 51.38% | 333 | 2.34% |
| 2012 | 6,909 | 51.62% | 6,242 | 46.63% | 234 | 1.75% |
| 2016 | 8,345 | 62.14% | 4,345 | 32.36% | 739 | 5.50% |
| 2020 | 9,759 | 63.42% | 5,373 | 34.92% | 255 | 1.66% |
| 2024 | 10,155 | 64.46% | 5,344 | 33.92% | 255 | 1.62% |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 9,546 | 61.89% | 5,402 | 35.03% | 475 | 3.08% |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2022 | 15,786 | 68.19% | 7,111 | 30.72% | 254 | 1.10% |
County elected officials
- Prosecuting Attorney: James Bacarella
- Sheriff: Scott D. Frank
- County Clerk: Nancy J. Huebel
- County Treasurer: Cathy Anderson
- Register of Deeds: Ericka Earl
- Drain Commissioner: Fred Strauer
County commissioners
- District 1: Robert Huebel III
- District 2: Terry Dutcher
- District 3: Charles Finley
- District 4: John Moehring
- District 5: Donald "Jay" O'Farrell
Education
Iosco County has four public school districts:
There are also three private elementary schools:
- Emanuel Lutheran School (Tawas City)
- Holy Family School (East Tawas)
- Shady Grove School (Whittemore)
Alpena Community College offers college-level courses at its campus on the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda and local public school facilities.
Media
- The Iosco County News-Herald is the newspaper of record for Iosco County.[35]
- The Oscoda Press is a weekly newspaper serving northern Iosco County and southern Alcona County.[36]
See also
References
- 1 2 "Bibliography on Iosco County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
- ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ↑ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 165.
- ↑ "Michigan Counties". Michigan.gov. Archived from the original on March 13, 2009. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
- 1 2 Newberry Library. "Michigan: Individual County Chronologies". Atlas of County Historical Boundaries. Archived from the original on November 6, 2016. Retrieved November 4, 2016.
- ↑ George Dawson (1840). Acts of the Legislature of the State of Michigan Passed at the Annual Session of 1840. Detroit. pp. 196–200.
- ↑ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- ↑ Amy L. Payne, "Planners propose retrofitting old gypsum tramway for wind turbines on Lake Huron", MLive, Booth Mid-Michigan, February 26, 2009
- ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved September 25, 2014.
- ↑ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Pine River (Iosco/Alcona Counties
- ↑ FMU definition
- ↑ "Picture of M-55 end point". state-ends.com. Archived from the original on December 11, 2007.
- ↑ "River Road Scenic Byway at America's Byways". Archived from the original on February 3, 2007. Retrieved December 17, 2007.
- ↑ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 6, 2026.
- ↑ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 26, 2014.
- ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 26, 2014.
- ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 26, 2014.
- ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved September 26, 2014.
- ↑ "1980 Census of Population - General Social and Economic Characteristics - Indiana - Tables 15 and 16 – Race by Sex: 1980 and Tables 16 and 17 – Persons by Spanish Origin, Race, and Sex: 1980" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 24-59. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 11, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
- ↑ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Michigan: Table 3-5 - Race and Hispanic Origin" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 37-179. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2026 – via Wayback Machine.
- ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Iosco County, Michigan". United States Census Bureau.
- ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Iosco County, Michigan". United States Census Bureau.
- ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Iosco County, Michigan". United States Census Bureau.
- ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
- ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
- ↑ not an option in the 1980 Census
- ↑ not an option in the 1990 Census
- 1 2 3 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
- ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
- ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ↑ US Election Atlas
- ↑ "2024 Senate Election (Official Returns)". Commonwealth of Michigan by county. November 5, 2024. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
- ↑ Iosco County News Herald home page
- ↑ "Iosco County News Herald".
Further reading
- Romig, Walter (1986) [1973]. Michigan Place Names: The History of the Founding and the Naming of More than Five Thousand Past and Present Michigan Communities. Great Lakes Books. Detroit: Wayne State University Press. ISBN 978-0814318386.
External links
- "Bibliography on Iosco County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University.
- County of Iosco, links, media, history, parks, and services Archived May 9, 2004, at the Wayback Machine
- Enchanted forest, Northern Michigan source for information, calendars, etc.
- Iosco County website
Places adjacent to Iosco County, Michigan | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities of Iosco County, Michigan, United States | ||
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| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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