Clare County, Michigan


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

History

The county was created by the Michigan Legislature from part of Michilimackinac County in 1840, named Kaykakee County after a Sauk Indian Chief, and 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. 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, of which is land and is water. It is considered to be part of both Northern Michigan and Central Michigan.

Features

  • Au Sable State Forest

    Major highways

  • runs east–west through the bottom of the county. It enters west county line at north of SW corner of county. It runs easterly to intersection with US127 at north of Clare.
  • runs through Clare with Bus. US 127 until they meet M-115, where Bus. US 10 runs eastward to US 10.
  • runs north–south through eastern middle of county, passing Harrison and Clare.
  • 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.
  • runs from US 127 and goes 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.
  • runs along east line of county, from the northeast corner for, then turns east into Gladwin County.
  • runs east–west through middle of county, entering the west line from Osceola County and running east to intersection with US 127 at Harrison.
  • runs southeast and east across bottom of county. It enters the west line from Osceola County at above the southwest corner of county and goes to an intersection with Bus. US 127/Bus. US 10 at Clare.

    Adjacent counties

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

    Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 30,856. The median age was 48.0 years. 20.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 24.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 100.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 100.2 males age 18 and over.
The racial makeup of the county was 93.6% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 0.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.7% from some other race, and 4.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.0% of the population. 12.3% of residents lived in urban areas, while 87.7% lived in rural areas.
There were 13,279 households in the county, of which 23.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 45.3% were married-couple households, 21.7% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 24.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. There were 21,818 housing units, of which 39.1% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 79.4% were owner-occupied and 20.6% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.9%.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, Clare County had a population of 30,926, a decrease of 326 people from the 2000 census. In 2010 there were 12,966 households and 8,584 families in the county. The population density was. There were 23,233 housing units at an average density of. 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.

2010 American Community Survey

The 2010 American Community Survey 3-year estimate indicates that 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

Clare County voters tend to vote Republican; they have selected the Republican Party nominee in 72% of national elections.
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: Marlene Hausler; Dale Majewski; Jacob Gross; Jeff Haskell; David Hoefling; Jack Kleinhardt; Gabe Ambrozaitis; George Gilmore; Rickie Fancon
  • Prosecuting Attorney: Andrew Santini
  • Sheriff: John Wilson
  • County Clerk/Register of Deeds: Lori Mott
  • 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: Mike Hoadley ; Tom Kunse
  • State Senator: Roger Hauck

    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:
Activities include:
  • Birding
  • Boating
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Hunting
  • Nordic skiing
  • ORV and groomed snowmobile trails.
  • Paddling

    Communities

Cities

The Clare-Gladwin Regional Education Service District, based in Clare, services the students in the county in addition to 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 the district.
Clare County is served by the following public school districts:
Clare County has these private schools:
  • East Dover School
  • Great Lakes Mennonite School
  • Shady Lawn Amish Parochial School