Arenac County

Arenac County is a county located in the United States, specifically in the state of Michigan, bordered by Au Sable State Forest to the north, Saginaw Bay to the south, and Iosco County to the east. The county is named after the Arenac River, which flows through the area and is a tributary of the Saginaw River. Arenac County is part of the Saginaw Metropolitan Area and is situated near the cities of Bay City, Michigan, Saginaw, Michigan, and Midland, Michigan. The county is also close to the Tittabawassee River and the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge.

Geography

Arenac County is located in the central part of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, covering an area of approximately 363 square miles. The county is bordered by Ogemaw County to the north, Iosco County to the east, Bay County to the south, and Gladwin County to the west. The county's terrain is characterized by rolling hills, forests, and numerous lakes, including Au Sable Lake and Tawas Lake. The Arenac River flows through the county and empties into Saginaw Bay, which is connected to Lake Huron. The county is also home to the Standish Maximum Correctional Facility and the Arenac County Airport.

History

Arenac County was established in 1883 from parts of Bay County and Gladwin County. The county was named after the Arenac River, which was named by French explorers, including Étienne Brûlé and Jacques Marquette. The area was originally inhabited by the Ojibwe and Ottawa tribes, who were later displaced by European-American settlers. The county's early economy was based on logging and agriculture, with the Michigan Central Railroad and the Detroit and Mackinac Railway playing important roles in the county's development. The county is also close to the Saginaw Valley State University and the Central Michigan University.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population of Arenac County was approximately 15,000 people, with a density of 41 people per square mile. The county's population is predominantly White American, with smaller percentages of African American, Asian American, and Native American residents. The median household income in the county is around $40,000, with a per capita income of approximately $20,000. The county is also home to the Arenac County Fair and the Standish Historical Depot Museum. The county is served by the Arenac County Schools and the Bay-Arenac Intermediate School District.

Communities

Arenac County has several communities, including the city of Standish, which is the county seat, and the villages of Au Gres and Sterling. The county also has several townships, including Adams Township, Arenac Township, and Moffatt Township. The county is close to the cities of Lincoln, Michigan, Pinconning, Michigan, and Tawas City, Michigan. The county is also home to the Arenac County Park and the Saginaw Bay Birding Trail.

Government

Arenac County is governed by a board of commissioners, which is composed of seven members elected by the county's residents. The county is also served by the Arenac County Sheriff's Office and the Arenac County Circuit Court. The county is part of the Michigan 97th House of Representatives district and the Michigan 32nd Senate district. The county is also close to the Saginaw County Courthouse and the Bay County Courthouse. The county is served by the Arenac County Road Commission and the Michigan Department of Transportation. Category:Michigan counties