Oceana County, Michigan

Oceana County ( ) is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 26,659. The county seat is Hart. Long known as part of the large Ojibwe territory, the county was founded by European Americans in 1840 and organized in 1855.

Settlers were attracted by access along the White River, which reaches its mouth on Lake Michigan in Muskegon County to the south. Two possibilities have been put forward to explain the county's name: Oceana County may have been named for Lake Michigan, a freshwater "ocean," which forms its western border; or it was named for the book ''Oceana'', written by English author James Harrington in 1656.

Oceana County is famous as the "Asparagus Capital of the World" for its high production of asparagus. The annual Asparagus Festival includes a parade and crowning of the Asparagus Queen.

History

In the 1850s about 1400 Odawa were relocated here from Ionia County, Michigan by the federal government.

The county economy was first built on the lumber trade, with logs floated downriver. It later was developed for agriculture. In the 21st century, it is known for its commodity crop of asparagus.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (61%) is water. The county is considered to be part of West Michigan. The county's western border is formed by Lake Michigan.

Adjacent counties

* Mason County – north
* Lake County – northeast
* Newaygo County – east
* Muskegon County – south
* Ozaukee County, Wisconsin – southwest (across Lake Michigan)
* Sheboygan County, Wisconsin – west (across Lake Michigan)

National protected area

* Manistee National Forest (part)

Major highways

* is the main route for Oceana County. The freeway runs north–south through the western part of county. It passes Pentwater, Hart, Shelby, Rothbury.
* are two business routes in Oceana County; one of the versions is a business loop that runs west of US 31 through Pentwater, while the other version is a business spur running through Hart.
* is a highway that runs east–west through the southern part of Oceana County. It enters east line at Hesperia, runs west to terminate at US 31 west of New Era.
* is a highway that runs along the eastern Oceana County line, from the county tri-point with Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana counties to an intersection with M-20 at Hesperia.

County designated highways

*

Demographics

This rural county reached a peak of population in 2000. It has attracted Hispanic or Latino immigrants who mostly work as farm laborers; in 2010 nearly 14% of the population was Hispanic.

The 2010 United States Census indicates Oceana County had a 2010 population of 26,570. This decrease of 303 people from the 2000 United States Census represents a 1.1% population decrease in the decade. In 2010 there were 10,174 households and 7,239 families in the county. The population density was 51.9 per square mile (20.0 square kilometers). There were 15,944 housing units at an average density of 31.1 per square mile (12.0 square kilometers). The racial and ethnic makeup of the county was 83.7% White, 0.4% Black or African American, 0.8% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 13.7% Hispanic or Latino, 0.1% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races.

There were 10,174 households, out of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.6% were husband and wife families, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 28.8% were non-families, and 24.6% were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.04.

The county population contained 24.9% under age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 21.5% from 25 to 44, 29.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 100.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.3 males.

The 2010 American Community Survey 3-year estimate indicates the median income for a household in the county was $39,043 and the median income for a family was $46,816. Males had a median income of $21,774 versus $14,186 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,065. About 1.9% of families and 19.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.4% of those under the age 18 and 11.3% of those age 65 or over.

Religion

* Oceana County is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids.
* Oceana County is part of the Episcopal Diocese of Western Michigan.
* Several Christian denominations are represented in the county population.
* There is one meetinghouse of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Oceana County as of 2018.

Tourism

The Electric Forest Festival (formerly the Rothbury Music Festival) has been held annually in Rothbury, Michigan since 2008, except 2019 and 2020, due to COVID.

Camping is a popular summer activity in Oceana County. Areas on the lakeshore such as Silver Lake, Pentwater, and Stony Lake are popular tourist sites.

Government

Oceana County has largely voted Republican through the years. Since 1884 its voters have selected the Republican Party nominee in 82% (28 of 35) of the national elections through 2020.

Oceana County operates the County 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: Joseph J. Bizon
* Sheriff: Craig Mast
* County administrator: Robert J. Sobie, Ph.D.
* Animal Control: Michael Garcia
* Building Inspector: Randy Miller
* County Clerk: Amy L. Anderson
* Drain Commissioner: Michelle Martin
* Economic Alliance: Ms. Jodi Nichols
* Emergency Management: James C. Duram
* Equalization: Edward K. VanderVries, MMAO IV, PPE
* Medical Examiner: Dr. Rudy Ochs DO
* Register of Deeds: Richard A. Hodges
* County Treasurer: Mary Lou Phillips

(information as of May 2021)

Education

Public schools in Oceana County:
* Hart Public Schools
* Pentwater Public Schools
* Shelby Public Schools
* Walkerville Public Schools

Private schools in Oceana County:
* New Era Christian School
* Oceana Christian School

Communities

City

* Hart (county seat)

Villages

* Hesperia (partially)
* New Era
* Pentwater
* Rothbury
* Shelby
* Walkerville

Unincorporated communities

* Bird
* Collinsville
* Corbin's Mill (early seat of Oceana County, beginning 1865)
* Cranston
* Crystal Valley
* Elmwood
* Elwood
* Flower Creek
* Forest City
* Gale

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