Iosco County (/aɪ ˈɒs k oʊ/ eye- OSS -koh) is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. Lake Huron forms its eastern border. According to the 2020 census, the population of Iosco County was 25,237. The county seat is Tawas City.

Etymology

The name Iosco was once believed to be a Native American word meaning "water of light." However, it was actually created by Henry Rowe Schoolcraft, an American geographer and expert in studying cultures. He worked as the U.S. Indian agent in Michigan during the late 1800s. Schoolcraft gave names to several counties and towns during Michigan's early development.

History

Iosco County was established by the Michigan Legislature in 1840 and was originally named Kanotin County. It was renamed Iosco County in 1843. Before the county government was organized in 1857, it was managed by other Michigan counties. Most of the people living in the area were Ojibwe. The region provided shelter from tall white pine trees and food from rivers and lakes. Iosco County was formed from land that the Ojibwe gave to the U.S. government. When the lumber industry grew rapidly, more people moved to the area.

The 400-acre Alabaster Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is connected to an active gypsum open-pit mine located south of Tawas City. The company town that developed around the mine had rail lines for transportation and a tramway that stretched over Lake Huron using long piers to load gypsum onto ships. The mine, which began operations in 1862, supplied gypsum for temporary buildings built in Chicago during the World Columbian Exposition of 1893. Two companies currently operate gypsum mines in Iosco County.

In 2009, Alabaster Township created a nonprofit organization called the Alabaster Wind Power Development Corp. to conduct two years of studies to analyze wind patterns at the site for possible wind turbine development. The group proposed using 10 large platforms that extend more than 6,000 feet into the lake to measure wind conditions. Wind turbines could be built on these platforms. At the time, the federal government was offering financial support for studies and the development of alternative energy projects.

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. It is considered part of Northern Michigan. In total, it covers about 6,361,837 acres.

• Lumberman's Monument
• Canoer's memorial
• 60 Lakes Area – Located near Hale
• Iargo Springs
• Tawas Point Lighthouse – 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.
• 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 consists of Alcona, Crawford, and Oscoda Counties, and northern Iosco County.

• 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.
• 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. It passes the Lumberman's Monument.

• Alcona County – north
• Arenac County – southwest
• Ogemaw County – west
• Oscoda County – northwest

• Huron County – southeast

• Huron National Forest (part)

Communities

• East Tawas
• Tawas City (county seat)
• Whittemore

• Au Sable Charter Township
• Oscoda Charter Township

• Au Sable
• Oscoda
• Sand Lake

• Alabaster
• Foote Site Village
• Hale
• Long Lake
• National City
• South Branch

Demographics

Most of the population lives near the shoreline along US-23, East Tawas, Tawas City, and Oscoda.

According to the 2020 census, the county had 25,237 people. The average age was 53.4 years. Seventeen point two percent of people were younger than 18 years old, and 29.9% were 65 years or older. For every 100 females, there were 99.3 males. For every 100 females aged 18 or older, there were 98.5 males aged 18 or older.

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, less than 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.8% from other races, and 4.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race made up 2.4% of the population.

Fifty point two percent of people lived in urban areas, and 49.8% lived in rural areas.

There were 11,662 households in the county. Nineteen point nine percent of households had children under 18 living with them. Forty-four point eight percent of households were married couples, 22.3% had a male householder without a spouse or partner, and 25.2% had a female householder without a spouse or partner. About 34.3% of households had only one person living in them, and 17.9% had someone living alone who was 65 or older.

There were 19,856 housing units. Forty-one point three percent of these units were empty. Of the occupied units, 79.8% were owned by the residents, and 20.2% were rented. The vacancy rate for owner-occupied homes was 2.5%, and for rental homes, it was 8.8%.

According to the 2000 census, the county had 27,339 people, 11,727 households, and 7,857 families. The population density was 50 people per square mile. There were 20,432 housing units, with an average density of 37 per square mile.

In 2000, the 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. Hispanic or Latino people made up 0.98% of the population. Twenty-three point two percent had German ancestry, 12.3% had English ancestry, 10.6% had Irish ancestry, 9.9% had American ancestry, 8.3% had Polish ancestry, and 7.1% had French ancestry. Ninety-seven point four percent spoke English as their first language, and 1.0% spoke Spanish.

There were 11,727 households. Twenty-four point nine percent had children under 18 living with them. Fifty-five point two percent were married couples, 8.4% had a female householder without a husband, and 33% were non-families. Twenty-eight point six percent of households had only one person living in them, and 14% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.30 people, and the average family size was 2.79 people.

In 2000, 22.4% of people were under 18, 5.4% were between 18 and 24, 23.4% were between 25 and 44, 27.3% were between 45 and 64, and 21.6% were 65 or older. The average age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.3 males. For every 100 females aged 18 or older, there were 93.6 males.

In 2000, the median household income was $31,321, and the median family income was $37,452. Men had a median income of $30,338, and women had a median income of $21,149. The average income per person was $17,115. Nine point five percent of families and 12.7% of the population lived below the poverty line. This included 18.5% of people under 18 and 7.6% of people 65 or older.

Government

The county government manages the jail, keeps rural roads in good condition, runs local courts, keeps records of deeds, mortgages, and important life events, enforces public health rules, and works with the state to provide social services. The county board of commissioners is in charge of the budget and has limited power to create laws or rules. In Michigan, most local government tasks, like police and fire services, building rules, tax assessments, and street repairs, are handled by individual cities and townships.

Iosco County has consistently supported the Republican Party since the start. Since 1884, the Republican presidential candidate has won the county in 29 out of 36 elections.

• 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

• 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:

• Hale Area Schools
• Oscoda Area Schools
• Tawas Area Schools
• Whittemore-Prescott Area Schools

There are also three private elementary schools:

• Emanuel Lutheran School (Tawas City)
• Holy Family School (East Tawas)
• Shady Grove School (Whittemore)

Alpena Community College provides college classes at its campus on the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda and at local public school buildings.

Media

• The Iosco County News-Herald is the official newspaper for Iosco County.
• The Oscoda Press is a weekly newspaper that serves northern Iosco County and southern Alcona County.