Clare County, Michigan

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

Clare County
County
Clare County District Court in Harrison
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Michigan's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 43°59′N84°50′W / 43.99°N 84.84°W / 43.99; -84.84
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	2nd
Website	clareco.net

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]

History

A 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. 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 ^[5] 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] [6] [a]} Farwell was the first county seat; in 1877 the county seat was moved to Harrison.

Geography

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. ^[7] It is considered to be part of both Northern Michigan and Central Michigan.

Features

• Au Sable State Forest

Major highways

• US 10 runs east–west through bottom of county. Enters west county line at 3.7 miles (6.0 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.
• US 127 runs north–south through eastern middle of county, Passing Harrison and Clare.
• 
  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.
• 
  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.
• 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. ^[8]

Adjacent counties

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

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
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%
2023 (est.)	31,316	[9]	1.5%
US Decennial Census [10] 1790-1960 [11] 1900-1990 [12] 1990-2000 [13] 2010-2018 [2]

The 2010 United States Census ^[14] 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/km²). There were 23,233 housing units at an average density of 41.2 per square mile (15.9/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 ^[14] 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

• The Roman Catholic Diocese of Saginaw is the controlling regional body for the Catholic Church. ^[15]
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has one meetinghouse in the county, in Harrison. ^[16]

Government

Clare County voters tend to vote Republican; they have selected the Republican Party nominee in 72% of national elections (26 of 36).

United States presidential election results for Clare County, Michigan ^[17]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	11,772	68.01%	5,273	30.46%	265	1.53%
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

• 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: Bill Faber
• 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

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 ^[18]
• 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. ^[19]

Activities include:

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

Communities

U.S. Census data map showing local municipal boundaries within Clare County. Shaded areas represent incorporated cities.

Cities

• Clare (partial)
• Harrison (county seat)

Village

• Farwell

Civil townships

• 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

• 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

• Clarence

Education

The Clare-Gladwin Regional Education Service District, based in Clare, services the students in the county along with those of Gladwin County. The intermediate school district offers regional special education services, early education and after-school programs, and technical career pathways for students of its districts. ^[20]

Clare County is served by the following regular public school districts: ^[21]

• Clare Public Schools
• Farwell Area Schools
• Harrison Community Schools

Clare County has the following private schools: ^[22]

• East Dover School (Amish)
• Great Lakes Mennonite School (Mennonite)
• Shady Lawn Amish Parochial School (Amish)

See also

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

Notes

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

References

1. "Bibliography on Clare County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Retrieved November 4, 2016.
2. "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. Newberry Library. "Michigan: Individual County Chronologies". Atlas of County Historical Boundaries. Archived from the original on November 6, 2016. Retrieved November 4, 2016.
5. George Dawson (1840). Acts of the Legislature of the State of Michigan Passed at the Annual Session of 1840. Detroit. pp. 196–200.
6. Michigan History, Arts and Libraries on sources of County names. Archived July 28, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
7. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
8. "Clare County MI" (Map). Google Maps . Retrieved September 6, 2018.
9. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
10. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
11. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
12. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
13. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
14. "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
15. "Diocese of Saginaw".
16. Meetinghouse Locator LDS.org (accessed 6 September 2018)
17. US Election Atlas
18. "Kirtland". kirtland.edu. May 13, 2014. Archived from the original on January 2, 2008.
19. Michigan Shore to Shore Riding and Hiking Trail
20. "CGRESD: What do we do?". Clare-Gladwin Regional Education Service District . Retrieved July 14, 2023.
21. National Center for Education Statistics. "Search for Public School Data - Clare County, MI". Institute of Education Sciences . Retrieved July 14, 2023.
22. National Center for Education Statistics. "Search for Private Schools - Clare County, MI". Institute of Education Sciences . Retrieved July 14, 2023.

External links

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

43°59′N84°50′W / 43.99°N 84.84°W / 43.99; -84.84