# Roscommon County, Michigan

Roscommon County (/rɒsˈkɒmən/ ross-KOM-ən) 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 580 square miles (1,500 km$^2$), of which 520 square miles (1,300 km$^2$) is land and 60 square miles (160 km$^2$) (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 160-acre (650,000 m$^2$) parcel within the Au Sable State Forest, 8 miles (13 km) 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

* I-73 (future)
* I-75 – runs south, SE, and east through the NE middle portion of county.
* US 127 – runs north–south through west portion of county. Passes on west side of Higgins and Houghton Lakes.
* M-18 – runs north–south through center of county. Passes Roscommon and Prudenville. Leaving Roscommon, runs east along north line of county for 5.6 miles (9.0 km) before turning to NE.
* M-55 – runs east–west through center of county to intersection with I75, 7 miles (11 km) west of east line of county.
* M-157 – short (1.1 mi; 1.8 km) north-south spur connecting M18 to M55, east of Houghton Lake.
* F-18 – 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

## Communities
### Village

* Roscommon (county seat)

### Civil townships

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

### Census-designated places

* Houghton Lake
* Prudenville
* St. Helen

### Other unincorporated communities

* Artesia Beach
* Au Sable River Park
* Geels
* Higgins Lake
* Hillcrest
* Houghton Lake Heights
* Houghton Point
* Keno
* Loxley
* Lyon Manor
* Maple Valley
* Meads Landing
* Michelson
* Nellsville
* Sharps Corner
* Tent City

## Demographics

At 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 49 people per square mile (19 people/km$^2$). There were 23,109 housing units at an average density of 44 per square mile (17/km$^2$). By the 2020 census, the county's population was 23,459.
In 2000, 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.

## Attractions and events

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)
* Firemen's Memorial Festival, an annual event (September) since 1979.
* Fishing
* Golf
* Hiking
* Historical Village Days, an annual event (August) held on the grounds of the Houghton Lake Historical Village & Playhouse, since in 1972.
* Hunting
* Kirtland Warbler Habitat and Festival is an annual (held in May) event hosted by Kirtland Community College.
* Michigan Shore-to-Shore Trail, a 500-mile (800 km) system of interconnected trails, passes through the area. It runs from Empire to Oscoda, and points beyond.
* Nordic skiing
* ORV and groomed snowmobile trails
* Sailing
* Tip-up-town winter festival, Houghton Lake, an annual event (held in January).

## Government

Roscommon County voters tend to vote Republican; they have selected the Republican Party nominee in 75% of national elections (27 of 36).
United States presidential election results for Roscommon County, Michigan :
| Year | Republican | Republican | Democratic | Democratic | Third party(ies) | Third party(ies) |
| Year | No. | % | No. | % | No. | % |
| 2024 | 10,582 | 65.79% | 5,290 | 32.89% | 212 | 1.32% |
| 2020 | 9,670 | 64.32% | 5,166 | 34.36% | 198 | 1.32% |
| 2016 | 8,141 | 62.16% | 4,287 | 32.74% | 668 | 5.10% |
| 2012 | 6,701 | 51.24% | 6,198 | 47.40% | 178 | 1.36% |
| 2008 | 6,727 | 47.72% | 7,082 | 50.24% | 287 | 2.04% |
| 2004 | 7,364 | 51.28% | 6,810 | 47.43% | 185 | 1.29% |
| 2000 | 6,190 | 47.88% | 6,433 | 49.76% | 305 | 2.36% |
| 1996 | 4,135 | 34.94% | 6,092 | 51.48% | 1,607 | 13.58% |
| 1992 | 4,170 | 34.73% | 5,243 | 43.67% | 2,594 | 21.60% |
| 1988 | 5,866 | 56.93% | 4,394 | 42.65% | 43 | 0.42% |
| 1984 | 6,419 | 65.35% | 3,359 | 34.20% | 45 | 0.46% |
| 1980 | 5,280 | 54.66% | 3,763 | 38.96% | 616 | 6.38% |
| 1976 | 4,608 | 54.85% | 3,691 | 43.94% | 102 | 1.21% |
| 1972 | 4,136 | 64.17% | 2,187 | 33.93% | 122 | 1.89% |
| 1968 | 2,635 | 55.91% | 1,639 | 34.78% | 439 | 9.31% |
| 1964 | 1,722 | 42.27% | 2,345 | 57.56% | 7 | 0.17% |
| 1960 | 2,731 | 68.93% | 1,226 | 30.94% | 5 | 0.13% |
| 1956 | 2,674 | 76.20% | 827 | 23.57% | 8 | 0.23% |
| 1952 | 2,547 | 78.64% | 676 | 20.87% | 16 | 0.49% |
| 1948 | 2,055 | 73.89% | 687 | 24.70% | 39 | 1.40% |
| 1944 | 1,292 | 72.22% | 484 | 27.05% | 13 | 0.73% |
| 1940 | 1,360 | 64.21% | 739 | 34.89% | 19 | 0.90% |
| 1936 | 836 | 49.64% | 782 | 46.44% | 66 | 3.92% |
| 1932 | 601 | 42.62% | 757 | 53.69% | 52 | 3.69% |
| 1928 | 780 | 76.25% | 236 | 23.07% | 7 | 0.68% |
| 1924 | 484 | 69.64% | 99 | 14.24% | 112 | 16.12% |
| 1920 | 652 | 75.29% | 182 | 21.02% | 32 | 3.70% |
| 1916 | 311 | 53.44% | 239 | 41.07% | 32 | 5.50% |
| 1912 | 134 | 22.60% | 150 | 25.30% | 309 | 52.11% |
| 1908 | 427 | 69.43% | 147 | 23.90% | 41 | 6.67% |
| 1904 | 373 | 71.46% | 116 | 22.22% | 33 | 6.32% |
| 1900 | 327 | 64.50% | 175 | 34.52% | 5 | 0.99% |
| 1896 | 282 | 65.43% | 141 | 32.71% | 8 | 1.86% |
| 1892 | 239 | 44.26% | 286 | 52.96% | 15 | 2.78% |
| 1888 | 360 | 50.00% | 358 | 49.72% | 2 | 0.28% |
| 1884 | 427 | 48.80% | 435 | 49.71% | 13 | 1.49% |
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 and has 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

* Prosecuting Attorney: Michael Edwards
* Sheriff: Ed Stern
* County Clerk/Register of Deeds: Michelle Stevenson
* County Treasurer: Rebecca A. Ragan
* Drain Commissioner: Pamela Bale
(information as of January 2021)