Clare County is a County (United States), county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 United States Census, 2020 Census, the population was 30,856. The county seat is Harrison, Michigan, Harrison.

History

The county was created by the Michigan Legislature from part of Mackinac County, Michigan, Michilimackinac County in 1840, named Kaykakee County after a Sauk Indian Chief. It was renamed Clare County in 1843 after County Clare in Ireland. The county was administered by a succession of other Michigan counties prior to the organization of county government in 1871. Farwell was the first county seat; in 1877 the county seat was moved to Harrison.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (1.9%) is water. It is considered to be part of both Northern Michigan and Central Michigan.

Features

* Au Sable State Forest

Major highways

* runs east–west through bottom of county. Enters west county line at 3.7 miles (6 km) north of SW corner of county. Runs easterly to intersection with US127 at 2.8 miles (4.5 km) north of Clare. * runs through Clare with Bus. US 127 until they meet M-115, where Bus. US 10 runs eastward to US 10. * runs north–south through eastern middle of county, Passing Harrison and Clare. * runs through Clare with Bus. US 10 until the two meet M-115, where Bus. US 10 turns eastward while Bus. US 127 continues southward to US 127. * runs from US 127 to go through Harrison. Bus. US 127 intersects M-61, and the two have a concurrency with each other until they both intersect US 127, where Bus. US 127 ends with M-61 continues eastward to Gladwin. * runs along east line of county, from the northeast corner for , then turns east into Gladwin County. * runs east–west through middle of county, entering the west line from Osceola County and running east to intersection with US 127 at Harrison. * runs southeast and east across bottom of county. It enters the west line from Osceola County at above the southwest corner of county and runs to an intersection with Bus. US 127/Bus. US 10 at Clare.

Adjacent counties

* Missaukee County, Michigan, Missaukee County – northwest * Roscommon County, Michigan, Roscommon County – northeast * Gladwin County, Michigan, Gladwin County – east * Midland County, Michigan, Midland County – southeast * Isabella County, Michigan, Isabella County – south * Mecosta County, Michigan, Mecosta County – southwest * Osceola County, Michigan, Osceola County – west

Demographics

The 2010 United States Census indicates Clare County had a 2010 population of 30,926. This decrease of 326 people from the 2000 United States Census represents a loss of 1.0% population. In 2010 there were 12,966 households and 8,584 families in the county. The population density was 54.8 per square mile (21.2 per km²). There were 23,233 housing units at an average density of 41.2 per square mile (15.9 per km²). The Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, racial and ethnic makeup of the county was 95.8% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 1.5% Hispanic or Latino, 0.1% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. There were 12,966 households, out of which 25.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.0% were Family, husband and wife families, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.8% were non-families, and 28.0% were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.83. The county population contained 20.9% under age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 20.8% from 25 to 44, 30.4% from 45 to 64, and 19.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 99.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.9 males. The American Community Survey, 2010 American Community Survey 3-year estimate indicates the median income for a household in the county was $33,338 and the median income for a family was $40,983. Males had a median income of $24,220 versus $13,587 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,516. About 2.3% of families and 23.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.8% of those under the age 18 and 8.5% of those age 65 or over.

Religion

* The Roman Catholic Diocese of Saginaw is the controlling regional body for the Catholic Church. * The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has one meetinghouse in the county, in Harrison.

Government

Clare County voters tend to vote Republican; they have selected the Republican Party nominee in 71% of national elections (24 of 34). The county government operates the County jail, 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 commission, 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

* County Commission: Dale Majewski; Samantha Pitchford; Leonard Strouse; Jack Kleinhardt; Mark Fitzpatrick; David Hoefling; Jeff Haskell * Prosecutor, Prosecuting Attorney: Michelle Ambrozaitis * Sheriff: John Wilson * County Clerk/Register of Deeds: Lori Martin * Treasurer, County Treasurer: Jenny Beemer-Fritzinger * Drain Commissioner: Carl Parks * County Surveyor: Paul A. Lapham * Road Commission: Dave Coker; Tim Haskin; Karen Hulliberger; Bill Simpson; Max Schunk * State Representative: Speaker of the House Jason Wentworth (information as of January 2019)

Attractions

Clare County is in the middle of large state forests. Wildlife, including bear, deer, eagles, Kirtland's warblers, and turkeys, are located nearby. Local attractions include: * Kirtland's Warbler Habitat and Festival * Michigan Shore-to-Shore Trail passes through the area, running from Empire, Michigan, Empire to Oscoda, Michigan, Oscoda and points beyond. It is a 500-mile interconnected system of trails.Michigan Shore to Shore Riding and Hiking Trail
/ref> Activities include: * Birding * Boating * Fishing * Hiking * Hunting * Nordic skiing * ORV and groomed snowmobile trails. * Paddling (canoe and kayak)

Communities

Cities

* Clare, Michigan, Clare (partial) * Harrison, Clare County, Michigan, Harrison (county seat)

Village

* Farwell, Michigan, Farwell

Civil townships

* Arthur Township, Michigan, Arthur Township * Franklin Township, Clare County, Michigan, Franklin Township * Freeman Township, Michigan, Freeman Township * Frost Township, Michigan, Frost Township * Garfield Township, Clare County, Michigan, Garfield Township * Grant Township, Clare County, Michigan, Grant Township * Greenwood Township, Clare County, Michigan, Greenwood Township * Hamilton Township, Clare County, Michigan, Hamilton Township * Hatton Township, Michigan, Hatton Township * Hayes Township, Clare County, Michigan, Hayes Township * Lincoln Township, Clare County, Michigan, Lincoln Township * Redding Township, Michigan, Redding Township * Sheridan Township, Clare County, Michigan, Sheridan Township * Summerfield Township, Clare County, Michigan, Summerfield Township * Surrey Township, Michigan, Surrey Township * Winterfield Township, Michigan, Winterfield Township

Unincorporated communities

* Airport Forest, Michigan, Airport Forest * Allendale, Clare County, Michigan, Allendale * Ash Acres, Michigan, Ash Acres * Buck Trails, Michigan, Buck Trails * Colonville, Michigan, Colonville * Cooperton, Michigan, Cooperton * Dover, Clare County, Michigan, Dover * Hatton, Michigan, Hatton * Lake, Clare County, Michigan, Lake * Lake George, Michigan, Lake George * Leota, Michigan, Leota * Long Lake Heights * Meredith, Michigan, Meredith (partial) * Phelps, Clare County, Michigan, Phelps * Piney Woods, Michigan, Piney Woods * Rainbow Bend, Michigan, Rainbow Bend * Temple, Michigan, Temple

Ghost town

* Clarence, Michigan, Clarence

Notes

References

External links

Official Visitor Information Site
Clare County Convention & Visitors Bureau

The Clare County Chamber of Commerce

The Clare County Business Association Website
News from Clare County
The Clare County Cleaver-Local newspaper

Clare County government

Clare Sentinel Newspaper Online via Clarke Historical Library and Central Michigan University
{{Coord, 43.99, -84.84, display=title, type:adm2nd_region:US-MI_source:UScensus1990 Clare County, Michigan, Michigan counties 1871 establishments in Michigan