Clare County, Michigan

"Clare County" redirects here. For the county in Ireland, see County Clare.

County in Michigan, United States

U.S. county in Michigan

Clare County

U.S. county

Clare County District Court in Harrison

Clare County District Court in Harrison

Official seal of Clare County

Seal

Map of Michigan highlighting Clare County

Location within the U.S. state of Michigan

Michigan's location within the U.S.

Country|  United States
State|  Michigan
Founded| 1840 (established)
1871 (organized)[1]
Named for| County Clare, Ireland
Seat| Harrison
Largest city| Clare
Area

• Total| 575 sq mi (1,490 km2)
• Land| 564 sq mi (1,460 km2)
• Water| 11 sq mi (30 km2)  1.9%%
Population

(2020)

• Total| 30,856
• Density| 55/sq mi (21/km2)
Time zone| UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district| 4th

Clare County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 30,856.[2] The county seat is Harrison.[3]

## Contents

* 1 History
* 2 Geography
* 2.1 Features
* 2.2 Major highways
* 2.3 Adjacent counties
* 3 Demographics
* 3.1 Religion
* 4 Government
* 4.1 Elected officials
* 5 Attractions
* 6 Communities
* 6.1 Cities
* 6.2 Village
* 6.3 Civil townships
* 6.4 Unincorporated communities
* 6.5 Ghost town
* 7 See also
* 8 Notes
* 9 References
* 10 External links

## History

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File:1842 Manistee Kawtawwabet Missaukee Mickenauk Ogemaw Kanotin Notipeskago Aishcum Unwattin Kaykakee Gladwin Arenac counties Michigan.jpgA detail from A New Map of Michigan with its Canals, Roads & Distances (1842) by Henry Schenck Tanner, showing Clare County as Kaykakee, the county's name from 1840 to 1843.[4] Several nearby counties are also shown with names that would later be changed.

See also: History of Northern Michigan

The county was created by the Michigan Legislature from part of 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.[4][1][5][a] Farwell was the first county seat; in 1877 the county seat was moved to Harrison.

## Geography

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According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 575 square miles (1,490 km2), of which 564 square miles (1,460 km2) is land and 11 square miles (28 km2) (1.9%) is water.[6] It is considered to be part of both Northern Michigan and Central Michigan.

### Features

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* Au Sable State Forest

### Major highways

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* US 10 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.

Bus. US 10 runs through Clare with Bus. US 127 until they meet M-115, where Bus. US 10 runs eastward to US 10.
* File:US 127.svg US 127 runs north–south through eastern middle of county, Passing Harrison and Clare.

File:US 127.svg Bus. US 127 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.

File:US 127.svg Bus. 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.
* File:M-18.svg M-18 runs along east line of county, from the northeast corner for 3.5 miles (5.6 km), then turns east into Gladwin County.
* M-61 runs east–west through middle of county, entering the west line from Osceola County and running east to intersection with US 127 at Harrison.
* M-115 runs southeast and east across bottom of county. It enters the west line from Osceola County at nine miles (14 km) above the southwest corner of county and runs to an intersection with Bus. US 127/Bus. US 10 at Clare.[7]

### Adjacent counties

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

## Demographics

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Historical population

Census | Pop. |  | %±
1870| 366| | —
1880| 4,187| | 1,044.0%
1890| 7,558| | 80.5%
1900| 8,360| | 10.6%
1910| 9,240| | 10.5%
1920| 8,250| | −10.7%
1930| 7,032| | −14.8%
1940| 9,163| | 30.3%
1950| 10,253| | 11.9%
1960| 11,647| | 13.6%
1970| 16,695| | 43.3%
1980| 23,822| | 42.7%
1990| 24,952| | 4.7%
2000| 31,252| | 25.2%
2010| 30,926| | −1.0%
2020| 30,856| | −0.2%
US Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2018[2]

The 2010 United States Census[12] 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 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 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 2010 American Community Survey 3-year estimate[12] 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

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* The Roman Catholic Diocese of Saginaw is the controlling regional body for the Catholic Church.[13]
* The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has one meetinghouse in the county, in Harrison.[14]

## Government

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Clare County voters tend to vote Republican; they have selected the Republican Party nominee in 71% of national elections (24 of 34).

United States presidential election results for Clare County, Michigan[15] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party

|
|
|

No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2020 | 10,861  | 66.65% | 5,199  | 31.91%  | 235  | 1.44%
2016 | 8,505  | 63.24% | 4,249  | 31.59%  | 695  | 5.17%
2012 | 6,988  | 51.63% | 6,338  | 46.83%  | 209  | 1.54%
2008 | 6,793  | 46.51%  | 7,496  | 51.32% | 316  | 2.16%
2004 | 7,088  | 49.82% | 6,984  | 49.09%  | 154  | 1.08%
2000 | 5,937  | 47.09%  | 6,287  | 49.87% | 383  | 3.04%
1996 | 3,742  | 32.03%  | 6,311  | 54.02% | 1,630  | 13.95%
1992 | 3,916  | 32.20%  | 5,346  | 43.95% | 2,901  | 23.85%
1988 | 5,661  | 54.18% | 4,710  | 45.08%  | 77  | 0.74%
1984 | 6,587  | 63.26% | 3,764  | 36.15%  | 61  | 0.59%
1980 | 5,719  | 53.36% | 4,164  | 38.85%  | 835  | 7.79%
1976 | 4,879  | 53.46% | 4,153  | 45.51%  | 94  | 1.03%
1972 | 4,402  | 62.99% | 2,434  | 34.83%  | 152  | 2.18%
1968 | 3,315  | 56.85% | 1,909  | 32.74%  | 607  | 10.41%
1964 | 2,258  | 43.45%  | 2,927  | 56.32% | 12  | 0.23%
1960 | 3,616  | 70.49% | 1,507  | 29.38%  | 7  | 0.14%
1956 | 3,721  | 75.51% | 1,194  | 24.23%  | 13  | 0.26%
1952 | 3,529  | 76.22% | 1,059  | 22.87%  | 42  | 0.91%
1948 | 2,512  | 66.02% | 1,197  | 31.46%  | 96  | 2.52%
1944 | 2,636  | 70.58% | 1,078  | 28.86%  | 21  | 0.56%
1940 | 3,004  | 69.86% | 1,277  | 29.70%  | 19  | 0.44%
1936 | 1,979  | 53.37% | 1,494  | 40.29%  | 235  | 6.34%
1932 | 1,474  | 44.34%  | 1,741  | 52.38% | 109  | 3.28%
1928 | 1,920  | 82.62% | 381  | 16.39%  | 23  | 0.99%
1924 | 1,920  | 77.67% | 358  | 14.48%  | 194  | 7.85%
1920 | 1,762  | 73.48% | 511  | 21.31%  | 125  | 5.21%
1916 | 1,049  | 54.38% | 769  | 39.87%  | 111  | 5.75%
1912 | 563  | 30.99%  | 435  | 23.94%  | 819  | 45.07%
1908 | 1,345  | 68.14% | 567  | 28.72%  | 62  | 3.14%
1904 | 1,453  | 70.91% | 519  | 25.33%  | 77  | 3.76%
1900 | 1,182  | 63.62% | 640  | 34.45%  | 36  | 1.94%
1896 | 886  | 53.09% | 723  | 43.32%  | 60  | 3.59%
1892 | 719  | 41.90%  | 811  | 47.26% | 186  | 10.84%
1888 | 905  | 47.99%  | 912  | 48.36% | 69  | 3.66%
1884 | 622  | 46.21%  | 685  | 50.89% | 39  | 2.90%

The county government operates the 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

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* County Commission: Dale Majewski; Samantha Pitchford; Leonard Strouse; Jack Kleinhardt; Mark Fitzpatrick; David Hoefling; Jeff Haskell
* Prosecuting Attorney: Michelle Ambrozaitis
* Sheriff: John Wilson
* County Clerk/Register of Deeds: Lori Martin
* 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

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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[16]
* Michigan Shore-to-Shore Trail passes through the area, running from Empire to Oscoda and points beyond. It is a 500-mile interconnected system of trails.[17]

Activities include:

* Birding
* Boating
* Fishing
* Hiking
* Hunting
* Nordic skiing
* ORV and groomed snowmobile trails.
* Paddling (canoe and kayak)

## Communities

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File:Clare County, MI census map.pngU.S. Census data map showing local municipal boundaries within Clare County. Shaded areas represent incorporated cities.

### Cities

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* Clare (partial)
* Harrison (county seat)

### Village

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* Farwell

### Civil townships

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

### Unincorporated communities

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

### Ghost town

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* Clarence

## See also

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* List of Michigan State Historic Sites in Clare County, Michigan
* National Register of Historic Places listings in Clare County, Michigan

## Notes

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1. ^ For more details on Michigan county names and etymologies, see List of counties in Michigan.

## References

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1. ^ a b "Bibliography on Clare County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Retrieved November 4, 2016.
2. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
4. ^ a b Newberry Library. "Michigan: Individual County Chronologies". Atlas of County Historical Boundaries. Retrieved November 4, 2016.
5. ^ Michigan History, Arts and Libraries on sources of County names. Archived July 28, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
6. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
7. ^ Google (September 6, 2018). "Clare County MI" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
8. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
10. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
11. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
12. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
13. ^ "Diocese of Saginaw".
14. ^ Meetinghouse Locator LDS.org (accessed 6 September 2018)
15. ^ US Election Atlas
16. ^ "Kirtland". kirtland.edu. May 13, 2014. Archived from the original on January 2, 2008.
17. ^ Michigan Shore to Shore Riding and Hiking Trail

## External links

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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

* The Clare County Review - Local newspaper
* Clare County government
* Clare Sentinel Newspaper Online via Clarke Historical Library and Central Michigan University

Places adjacent to Clare County, Michigan

| Missaukee County |
| Roscommon County

|
|

|  |
Osceola County |

Clare County, Michigan

| Gladwin County
|  |
Mecosta County | Isabella County | Midland County

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Clare County, Michigan, United States

County seat: Harrison

Cities|

* Clare‡
* Harrison

File:Map of Michigan highlighting Clare County.svgMap of Michigan highlighting Clare County.svg

Village|

* Farwell

Civil townships|

* Arthur
* Franklin
* Freeman
* Frost
* Garfield
* Grant
* Greenwood
* Hamilton
* Hatton
* Hayes
* Lincoln
* Redding
* Sheridan
* Summerfield
* Surrey
* Winterfield

Unincorporated
communities|

* Airport Forest
* Allendale
* Ash Acres
* Buck Trails
* Colonville
* Cooperton
* Dover
* Hatton
* Lake
* Lake George
* Leota
* Long Lake Heights
* Meredith‡
* Phelps
* Piney Woods
* Rainbow Bend
* Temple

Ghost town|

* Clarence

Footnotes|

‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

Northern Michigan

Central cities|

* Alpena
* Cadillac
* Charlevoix
* Gaylord
* Petoskey
* Traverse City

Counties|

* Alcona
* Alpena
* Antrim
* Arenac
* Benzie
* Charlevoix
* Cheboygan
* Clare
* Crawford
* Emmet
* Gladwin
* Grand Traverse
* Iosco
* Kalkaska
* Lake
* Leelanau
* Manistee
* Missaukee
* Montmorency
* Ogemaw
* Osceola
* Oscoda
* Otsego
* Presque Isle
* Roscommon
* Wexford

Geography|

* Au Sable River
* Cheboygan River
* Elk River watershed
* Grand Traverse Bay
* Houghton Lake
* Inland Waterway
* Leelanau Peninsula
* Lake Charlevoix
* Lake Huron
* Lake Michigan
* Little Traverse Bay
* Manistee River
* Straits of Mackinac
* Thunder Bay
* Walloon Lake

Transportation|

* Charlevoix Municipal Airport
* Cherry Capital Airport
* Great Lakes Central Railroad
* Lake State Railway
* Mackinac Bridge
* Pellston Regional Airport
* SS Badger

Economy|

* East Jordan Iron Works
* Georgia-Pacific
* Holcim
* Lafarge Cement
* Michigan Limestone and Chemical Company
* Michigan wine
* USG Corporation
* Weyerhaeuser

* Michigan
* Central Michigan
* Southeast Michigan
* Upper Peninsula
* West Michigan

* v
* t
* e

Central/Mid-Michigan including the Tri-Cities and Thumb

Central cities|

* Lansing
* Flint
* Saginaw
* Bay City
* Midland
* Mount Pleasant

Counties|

| Greater Lansing area|

* Clinton
* Eaton
* Ingham

|

Flint and Tri-Cities area|

* Arenac
* Bay
* Clare
* Genesee
* Gladwin
* Gratiot
* Isabella
* Midland
* Saginaw
* Shiawassee

The Thumb area|

* Huron
* Lapeer
* Tuscola
* Sanilac
* St. Clair

Geography|

* Bad River
* Black River
* Cass River
* Chippewa River
* Flint River
* Grand River
* Lake Huron
* Michigan Basin
* Pine River
* Red Cedar River
* Saginaw Bay
* Saginaw River
* St. Clair River
* Tittabawassee River

Transportation|

* Amtrak Blue Water
* Bishop International Airport
* Blue Water Bridge
* Capital Region International Airport
* CSX Saginaw Subdivision
* Grand Trunk Western Railroad
* MBS International Airport
* Zilwaukee Bridge

Economy|

* Ascension Genesys Hospital
* Auto-Owners Insurance
* Biggby Coffee
* CMS Energy
* Dow Chemical
* DTE Energy
* General Motors
* Hurley Medical Center
* Koegel Meat Company
* Michigan Sugar
* MidMichigan Health
* McLaren Health Care Corporation
* Nexteer Automotive
* Quality Dairy Company
* Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort
* Spartan Motors
* TCF Financial Corporation

* Michigan
* Northern Michigan
* Southeast Michigan
* Upper Peninsula
* West Michigan

* v
* t
* e

State of Michigan

Lansing (capital)

Topics|

* Congressional delegation
* Cuisine
* Fauna
* Geography
* Government
* Highways
* History
* Index
* Islands
* Law
* Lighthouses
* Municipalities
* Museums
* National Historic Landmarks
* National Register of Historic Places listings
* People
* State Historic Sites
* State parks
* Symbols
* Tallest buildings
* Timeline
* Tourist attractions

Society|

* Culture
* Crime
* Demographics
* Economy
* Education
* Elections
* Politics

Regions|

| Upper Peninsula|

* Copper Country
* Gogebic Range
* Keweenaw Peninsula

|

Lower Peninsula|

* Central Michigan
* Metro Detroit
* Michiana
* Northern Michigan
* Southeast Michigan
* The Thumb
* West Michigan

Largest
municipalities|

* Ann Arbor
* Battle Creek
* Bay City
* Bloomfield Township
* Canton
* Chesterfield Township
* Clinton Township
* Commerce Township
* Dearborn
* Dearborn Heights
* Detroit
* East Lansing
* Farmington Hills
* Flint
* Georgetown Township
* Grand Blanc Township
* Grand Rapids
* Holland Charter Township
* Independence Township
* Kalamazoo
* Kentwood
* Lansing
* Lincoln Park
* Livonia
* Macomb Township
* Meridian Charter Township
* Midland
* Muskegon
* Novi
* Orion Township
* Pontiac
* Portage
* Redford
* Rochester Hills
* Roseville
* Royal Oak
* Saginaw
* Saginaw Township
* St. Clair Shores
* Shelby Charter Township
* Southfield
* Sterling Heights
* Taylor
* Troy
* Warren
* Waterford Township
* West Bloomfield
* Westland
* Wyoming
* Ypsilanti Charter Township

Counties|

* Alcona
* Alger
* Allegan
* Alpena
* Antrim
* Arenac
* Baraga
* Barry
* Bay
* Benzie
* Berrien
* Branch
* Calhoun
* Cass
* Charlevoix
* Cheboygan
* Chippewa
* Clare
* Clinton
* Crawford
* Delta
* Dickinson
* Eaton
* Emmet
* Genesee
* Gladwin
* Gogebic
* Grand Traverse
* Gratiot
* Hillsdale
* Houghton
* Huron
* Ingham
* Ionia
* Iosco
* Iron
* Isabella
* Jackson
* Kalamazoo
* Kalkaska
* Kent
* Keweenaw
* Lake
* Lapeer
* Leelanau
* Lenawee
* Livingston
* Luce
* Mackinac
* Macomb
* Manistee
* Marquette
* Mason
* Mecosta
* Menominee
* Midland
* Missaukee
* Monroe
* Montcalm
* Montmorency
* Muskegon
* Newaygo
* Oakland
* Oceana
* Ogemaw
* Ontonagon
* Osceola
* Oscoda
* Otsego
* Ottawa
* Presque Isle
* Roscommon
* Saginaw
* Sanilac
* Schoolcraft
* Shiawassee
* St. Clair
* St. Joseph
* Tuscola
* Van Buren
* Washtenaw
* Wayne
* Wexford

Coordinates: 43°59′N 84°50′W﻿ / ﻿43.99°N 84.84°W﻿ / 43.99; -84.84
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