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.Michigan History, Arts and Libraries on sources of County names. 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 (1.9%) 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
Racial and ethnic composition +Clare County, Michigan – Racial and ethnic compositionRace / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)Pop 1980Pop 1990Pop 2000Pop 2010 Pop 2020% 1980% 1990% 2000% 2010% 2020White alone (NH)23,54324,56930,21029,61228,62898.83%98.47%96.67%95.75%92.78%Black or African American alone (NH)8391001451400.03%0.16%0.32%0.47%0.45%Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)1391562141881810.58%0.63%0.68%0.61%0.59%Asian alone (NH)20537890720.08%0.21%0.25%0.29%0.23%Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)x included in the Asian category in the 1980 Censusx included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census280xx0.01%0.03%0.00%Other race alone (NH)1632013880.07%0.01%0.06%0.04%0.29%Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)x not an option in the 1980 Censusx not an option in the 1990 Census2884061,126xx0.92%1.31%3.65%Hispanic or Latino (any race)961323404646210.40%0.53%1.09%1.50%2.01%Total23,82224,95231,25230,92630,856 100.00%100.00%100.00%100.00%100.00%
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 The Roman Catholic Diocese of Saginaw is the controlling regional body for the Catholic Church. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has one meetinghouse in the county, in Harrison.Meetinghouse Locator LDS.org (accessed 6 September 2018)
Government Clare County voters tend to vote Republican; they have selected the Republican Party nominee in 72% of national elections (26 of 36).
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 (99th District); Tom Kunse (100th District) State Senator: Roger Hauck (34th District)
(information as of June 2025)
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 The 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.Michigan Shore to Shore Riding and Hiking Trail
Activities include: Birding Boating Fishing Hiking Hunting Nordic skiing ORV and groomed snowmobile trails. Paddling (canoe and kayak)
Communities
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 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 Public Schools Farwell Area Schools Harrison Community Schools
Clare County has these private schools:
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
References
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