Counties of Michigan
Michigan is divided into 83 counties, each serving as an important unit of local government and regional identity. Counties administer courts, public records, elections, law enforcement, public health services, and numerous other governmental functions.
This section of Michipedia documents the history, geography, government, demographics, and notable features of Michigan's counties.
List of Counties
Regional Groupings
Upper Peninsula
Northern Lower Peninsula
Central Michigan
Southern Michigan
See Also
counties michigan local_government geography
Featured County
Grand Traverse County
Located in Northern Michigan, Grand Traverse County is known for its scenic shoreline, agricultural heritage, tourism industry, and the city of Traverse City. The county is among Michigan's most visited destinations and serves as a regional center for commerce, healthcare, and education.
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Browse Counties by Region
Upper Peninsula Counties
* Alger County * Baraga County * Chippewa County * Delta County * Gogebic County * Houghton County * Iron County * Keweenaw County * Luce County * Mackinac County * Marquette County * Menominee County * Ontonagon County * Schoolcraft County
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Northern Lower Michigan Counties
* Antrim County * Benzie County * Charlevoix County * Cheboygan County * Crawford County * Emmet County * Grand Traverse County * Kalkaska County * Leelanau County * Missaukee County * Otsego County * Roscommon County * Wexford County
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Major Population Counties
* Wayne County * Oakland County * Macomb County * Kent County * Genesee County * Washtenaw County * Ingham County
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County Government
Michigan counties commonly administer:
* Courts and judicial services * Property records * Elections administration * Public health services * Sheriff's offices * Emergency management * Tax administration * Public infrastructure
County governments serve as an important link between local communities and the State of Michigan.
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County Seats
Every Michigan county has a designated county seat which serves as the administrative center of county government.
Examples include:
* Traverse City — Grand Traverse County * Lansing — Ingham County * Ann Arbor — Washtenaw County * Bay City — Bay County * Marquette — Marquette County
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Historic Counties
Many Michigan counties were established during periods of:
* Territorial expansion * Logging development * Agricultural settlement * Mining activity * Railroad construction
Several counties retain historic courthouses and significant cultural landmarks.
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Recently Added Articles
Related Topics
* Places * Cities * Villages * Townships * Regions * Government * History
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Michigan's 83 counties form the foundation of regional governance, public administration, and local identity throughout the Great Lakes State. Michipedia seeks to document the history, communities, government, geography, and significance of every county in Michigan.