Crawford County, Michigan

Crawford County, Michigan is a county located in the United States in the state of Michigan, bordered by Kalkaska County, Michigan to the west, Otsego County, Michigan to the north, Montmorency County, Michigan to the northeast, Oscoda County, Michigan to the east, Roscommon County, Michigan to the southeast, and Missaukee County, Michigan to the southwest. The county is part of the Traverse City, Michigan Micropolitan Statistical Area and is home to the Manistee National Forest and the Au Sable State Forest. The county seat is Grayling, Michigan, which is also the largest city in the county and is situated near the Au Sable River and the Huron-Manistee National Forests. The county is named after William Crawford, a Pennsylvania soldier who was burned at the stake by Native Americans during the American Revolutionary War.

Geography

Crawford County is located in the northern part of Michigan's Lower Peninsula and covers an area of 563 square miles, with 556 square miles of land and 7 square miles of water. The county is bordered by several other counties, including Kalkaska County, Michigan to the west, Otsego County, Michigan to the north, Montmorency County, Michigan to the northeast, Oscoda County, Michigan to the east, Roscommon County, Michigan to the southeast, and Missaukee County, Michigan to the southwest. The county is home to several lakes, including Higgins Lake and Houghton Lake, and is situated near the Au Sable River and the Huron-Manistee National Forests. The county is also part of the Traverse City, Michigan Micropolitan Statistical Area and is near the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The county's geography is also influenced by the Michigan Basin and the Great Lakes.

History

Crawford County was established in 1840 and was named after William Crawford, a Pennsylvania soldier who was burned at the stake by Native Americans during the American Revolutionary War. The county was originally part of Mackinac County, Michigan and was later organized from parts of Cheboygan County, Michigan and Iosco County, Michigan. The county seat is Grayling, Michigan, which was founded in 1874 and is named after the grayling fish that is found in the Au Sable River. The county has a rich history, with evidence of Native American presence dating back to the Paleoindian period, and was also home to several fur trading posts, including those established by the French and the British. The county was also influenced by the Underground Railroad and the American Civil War, with several Union Army regiments being raised in the county. The county is also near the Soo Locks and the Mackinac Bridge.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population of Crawford County was 12,988, with a population density of 23 people per square mile. The county has a total area of 563 square miles, with 556 square miles of land and 7 square miles of water. The county is part of the Traverse City, Michigan Micropolitan Statistical Area and is near the Detroit, Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county has a diverse population, with a mix of European American, African American, and Native American residents, and is home to several Lutheran and Catholic churches, including the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gaylord. The county is also near the University of Michigan and the Michigan State University.

Communities

Crawford County has several communities, including the city of Grayling, Michigan, which is the county seat and largest city, and the villages of Frederic, Michigan and Lovelells, Michigan. The county is also home to several townships, including Beaver Creek Township, Michigan, Frederic Township, Michigan, and Grayling Township, Michigan. The county is near the cities of Traverse City, Michigan and Gaylord, Michigan, and is part of the Traverse City, Michigan Micropolitan Statistical Area. The county is also near the Huron-Manistee National Forests and the Manistee National Forest, and is home to several lakes, including Higgins Lake and Houghton Lake. The county is also near the I-75 and the US-127 highways.

Government

The government of Crawford County is led by a Board of Commissioners, which is composed of seven members elected by the people. The county is also home to several other government agencies, including the Crawford County Sheriff's Office and the Crawford County Circuit Court. The county is part of the Michigan 1st congressional district and is represented in the Michigan Senate by the 36th district. The county is also near the Michigan State Capitol and the Supreme Court of Michigan. The county has a strong sense of community, with several non-profit organizations and community groups, including the American Red Cross and the United Way.

Economy

The economy of Crawford County is diverse, with a mix of manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism. The county is home to several major employers, including the Dow Inc. and the General Motors plants in nearby Midland, Michigan and Lansing, Michigan. The county is also near the Cherry Capital Airport and the Pellston Regional Airport, and is part of the Traverse City, Michigan Micropolitan Statistical Area. The county has a strong sense of entrepreneurship, with several small businesses and startups, including those in the technology and healthcare sectors. The county is also home to several festivals and events, including the Grayling Festival and the Au Sable River Festival, which attract visitors from across the state and the country, including from Chicago, Illinois and Toronto, Ontario.