Roscommon County ( ') is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the population was 23,459. The county seat is Roscommon. The county was founded in 1840 and organized in 1875. (from Ojibwe mikinaak meaning turtle) then renamed Roscommon County in 1843. It was administered by Michilimackinac (Mackinac), Cheboygan, and Midland counties, in succession, prior to the organization of county government in 1875. Roscommon County was named after County Roscommon, Ireland.
There are three official Michigan historical markers in the county:
- Gerrish
- Pioneer House
- Terney House
Geography
According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (10%) is water.
Roscommon County is considered to be part of Northern Michigan. Part of Michigan's Au Sable State Forest falls within the county. The US Forest Service's Roscoe Fire Management Unit includes Ogemaw and Roscommon Counties.
Geographic features
During prehistoric times, glacial action helped shape the Michigan-area terrain. A large portion of the area is the Grayling outwash plain, which includes sandy ice-disintegration ridges; jack pine barrens, white pine-red pine forest, and northern hardwood forest. Large lakes were created by glacial action.
Prominent geographic features include:
- Au Sable River
- Backus Creek
- Cut River
- Dead Stream Flooding
- Higgins Lake
- Houghton Lake, the largest inland lake in Michigan
- Houghton Lake Flats
- Lake St. Helen
- Marl Lake
- Roscommon Virgin Pine Stand – a parcel within the Au Sable State Forest, north of St. Helen, Michigan, and 8 miles east of Roscommon. An old-growth stand of red pine, which includes a former national champion red pine.
- Underground oil deposits
Major highways
- – runs south, SE, and east through the NE middle portion of county.
- – runs north–south through west portion of county. Passes on west side of Higgins and Houghton Lakes.
- – runs north–south through center of county. Passes Roscommon and Prudenville. Leaving Roscommon, runs east along north line of county for before turning to NE.
- – runs east–west through center of county to intersection with I75, west of east line of county.
- – short () north-south spur connecting M18 to M55, east of Houghton Lake.
- – runs south from Prudenville. Exits the county on the line between Clare and Gladwin counties.
Airports
- Houghton Lake State Airport is located in Roscommon Township.
- Roscommon County–Blodgett Memorial Airport is located in Markey Township.
Adjacent counties
- Crawford County – north
- Oscoda County – northeast
- Ogemaw County – east
- Gladwin County – southeast
- Clare County – southwest
- Missaukee County – west
- Kalkaska County – northwest
Communities
thumb|right|300px|[[United States Census|U.S. Census data map showing local municipal boundaries within Roscommon County]]
Village
- Roscommon (county seat)
Civil townships
- Au Sable Township
- Backus Township
- Denton Township
- Gerrish Township
- Higgins Township
- Lake Township
- Lyon Township
- Markey Township
- Nester Township
- Richfield Township
- Roscommon Township
Census-designated places
- Houghton Lake
- Prudenville
- St. Helen
Other unincorporated communities
- Artesia Beach
- Au Sable River Park
- Geels
- Higgins Lake
- Hillcrest
- Houghton Lake Heights
- Houghton Point
- Keno
- Loxley
- Lyon Manor
- Maple Valley
- Meads Landing
- Michelson
- Nellsville
- Sharps Corner
- Tent City