Links

Select Another County

Roscommon County

Between 1880 and 1884, the population of Roscommon County increased rapidly due to the lumbering boom. Between 1884 and 1894, as the pine forests were being exhausted, there was a corresponding decrease in population. The first resort development took place along the northeastern shore of Higgins Lake in 1884. With the advent of improved roads and motorized transportation, the area surrounding the various lakes has grown into what is currently a popular resort and vacation area. Roscommon County is primarily a rural area. Approximately 86% of the county is forest, water and wetland. The Houghton Lake Forest accounts for one-half of the land area. Tourism is a major economic activity located in the northern recreation portion of east central Michigan. St. Helen, Higgins, and Houghton Lakes, along with the AuSable and Muskegon Rivers, provide water-based recreation and tourism opportunities. Federal, state, and local government are the largest employers in the county. Retail trade, services, tourism, manufacturing, and petroleum production dominate the private sector.
Zoom In
Local Area - Click to Enlarge		 Michigan


General Data

DISTANCEMILESKM
Chicago300482
Cleveland360579
Detroit190305
Indianapolis460740
Lansing140225

 YEARS
POPULATION  
 2002 25,847
 2003 26,180
 2004 26,123
 2005 26,079
Source:Population Division, U.S. Census Bureau, March 16, 2006


WORKFORCE  
 LABOR2006
 Total Workforce11,642 
 Number Employed10,675 
 Number Unemployed967 
 Unemployment Rate8.3 
Source:Michigan Employment Service Agency, 2006


CHARACTERISTICS OF LABOR FORCE  
 LABOR2000
 Workers 16 years and over8,719 
 Percentage who work outside of county29.6% 
 Percentage who work at home3.5% 
Source:U.S. Bureau of the Census, Census of Population and Housing, 2000


EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENTS  
 CLASSIFICATION2000
 Persons 25 years of age or older18,930 
 Percentage with high school diploma79.5% 
 Percentage with bachelor's degree10.89% 
Source:U.S. Bureau of the Census, Census of Population and Housing, 2000

TRANSPORTATION
ACCESS TO MARKETS
Main HighwaysI-75, US-27, M-55, M-18
Bus LinesGreyhound
Truck Lines4
Rail LinesDetroit & Mackinac
PortsAlabaster/Port Gypsum (50 mi-Lake Huron)
AirportsRoscommon County Airport, Roscommon Conservation Airport
AirlinesAmerican Eagle, United Express, Northwest Airlink, Midwest Express (Skyway)
Source: MI State Transportation Commission, 1995


Economy



PERSONAL INCOME (In Thousands of Dollars)  
Components by Type 2002 2003 2004 2005
Personal income 544,405 558,440 588,820 603,561
Population (persons) 25,840 26,158 26,067 26,082
Per capita personal income (dollars) 21,068 21,349 22,589 23,141
Farm proprietors' income -128 0 0 0
Nonfarm proprietors' income 23,086 23,222 26,751 28,538
Components by Industry 2002 2003 2004 2005
Farm earnings -115 0 0 0
Nonfarm earnings 236,690 247,379 256,364 256,150
Private earnings 166,773 175,975 183,438 183,958
Forestry, fishing, related activities, and other 0 300 250 0
Mining 0 0 0 0
Utilities 0 0 0 0
Construction 21,410 22,107 24,130 24,979
Manufacturing 0 0 25,833 22,776
   Durable goods manufacturing 0 0 0 0
Wholesale trade 7,607 7,010 7,235 7,021
Retail Trade 39,870 38,260 38,603 38,842
Transportation and warehousing 0 0 0 0
Information 2,066 2,070 1,922 1,854
Finance and insurance 6,522 7,681 8,239 8,601
Real estate and rental and leasing 7,492 6,391 7,708 8,322
Professional and technical services 4,429 4,427 4,887 5,184
Government and government enterprises 69,917 71,404 72,926 72,192
   Federal, civilian 1,889 1,918 1,920 1,776
   Military 1,094 1,573 1,694 1,920
   State and local 66,934 67,913 69,312 68,496
Source:Bureau of Economic Analysis, US Department of Commerce, Issued May 2007


EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY (Number of Jobs)  
Components by Type 2002 2003 2004 2005
Total employment 9,214 9,278 9,408 9,245
Wage and salary employment 7,352 7,288 7,325 7,049
Proprietors employment 1,862 1,990 2,083 2,196
Farm employment 44 43 43 43
Nonfarm employment 9,170 9,235 9,365 9,202
Components by Industry 2002 2003 2004 2005
Private employment 7,480 7,527 7,670 7,638
   Forestry, fishing, related activities, and other 0 24 26 0
   Mining 0 0 0 0
   Utilities 0 0 0 0
   Construction 812 814 855 892
   Manufacturing 0 0 701 564
   Wholesale trade 287 252 233 225
   Retail Trade 1,779 1,735 1,698 1,679
   Transportation and warehousing 0 0 0 0
   Finance and insurance 257 255 257 259
   Real estate and rental and leasing 394 422 483 524
   Professional and technical services 208 219 226 233
Government and government enterprises 1,690 1,708 1,695 1,564
   Federal, civilian 34 33 30 29
   Military 52 51 50 47
   State and local 1,604 1,624 1,615 1,488
Source:Bureau of Economic Analysis, US Department of Commerce, Issued May 2007

PRINCIPLE EMPLOYERS
NAICSFIRMLOCATIONEMPLOYEESPRODUCT
611210Kirtland Community CollegeRoscommon300Junior College College/University
336322Lear CorpRoscommon200Manufactures motor vehicle electrical equipment; wholesales automotive supplies & parts; manufactures stamped automotive products
624310ROOC IncRoscommon150Job Training/Related Services
722110Randy's Restaurant IncPrudenville150Eating Place
452112Wal-Mart Stores IncHoughton Lake150Department Store Ret Drugs/Sundries
444110Home Depot USA IncHoughton Lake108Lumberother Bdg Mats
921130Roscommon County Board ofRoscommon99Public Finance/Taxation/Monetary Policy
611110Lake Houghton CommunityHoughton Lake80Elementary/Secondary School
445110Catt's Realty CoHoughton Lake80Ret Groceries
722110Coyles IncHoughton Lake70Eating Place Ret Gifts/Novelties Drinking Place
921110Denton TownshipPrudenville70Executive Office
445110Spartan Stores IncRoscommon65Ret Groceries
445110Hub Super Market IncPrudenville65Supermarket
624190St Vincent Depaul Society IncPrudenville60Individual/Family Services
611110Gerrish-Higgins School DistRoscommon55Elementary/Secondary School
621111Midmichigan Health ServicesHoughton Lake55Medical Doctor's Office
611110Gerrish-Higgins School DistRoscommon50Elementary/Secondary School
441222Spicer's Boat City Of HoughtonHoughton Lake50Retails motor boats; builds & repairs boats; snowmobile dealer; boat yard providing storage & incidental repair services
531210C A Hanes RealtySaint Helen50Real Estate Agent/Manager
623110King Nursing Centre IncHoughton Lake50Skilled Nursing Care Facility
722110Whitehead's RestaurantHoughton Lake50Eating Place
921110Township of GerrishRoscommon44Township Government
923130Department of Human ServicesPrudenville43Administrative Social/Manpower Programs
722211Tedle Enterprises IncHoughton Lake42Fast-Food Rest Chain
561920Michigan Department of NaturalRoscommon40Business Services
525120Department of Human ServicesRoscommon40Pension/Health/Welfare Fund
212321Halliday Sand & Gravel IncHoughton Lake40Construction sand mining
452112Kmart CorpHoughton Lake40Dept Stores Discount
713940Quest Golf Club LtdHoughton Lake40Public Golf Course & Residential Real Estate Developers & Golf Course Consulting
621111Mercy Family CarePrudenville35Medical Doctor's Office
924120Michigan Department of NaturalRoscommon35Land/Mineral/Wildlife Conservation
924120Michigan Department of NaturalRoscommon32Land/Mineral/Wildlife Conservation
441110Don Nester Chevrolet OldsRoscommon32New & Used Cars
722211Buccilli IncHoughton Lake30Eating Place
327320Steckling Brothers IncSaint Helen30Manufactures ready-mixed concrete; retails building products & materials
722211Joseph NicklynRoscommon30Fast-Food Rest Chain
443112State Electronics IncHoughton Lake30Ret Radio/Tv/Electronics
531210ERA Houghton HigginscomRoscommon30Real Estate Agent/Manager
623990Aloha Center IncHoughton Lake30Residential Care
922160Township of GerrishRoscommon29Fire Protection
441120Scott McNamara Ford LincolnRoscommon28Ret Used Automobiles Passenger Car Rental Ret New/Used Automobiles
813410Senior Citizens Center IncHoughton Lake28Civic/Social Association
611110Gerrish-Higgins School DistSaint Helen26Elementary/Secondary School
722211K F C of Houghton Lake IncMount Pleasant25Fast-Food Rest Chain
623312Brook Retirement Community IncRoscommon25Residential Care Services
722110Maple Valley RestaurantPrudenville25Eating Place
236118State & County Associates IncHoughton Lake25General Contractor
531210E R A Johnson Realty IncPrudenville25Real Estate Agent/Manager
441110Oberon Properties LLCHoughton Lake25Ret New/Used Automobiles Ret Auto Supplies
922160Richfield Township Fire DeptSaint Helen23Fire Protection
441210Burnside Rv Center IncHoughton Lake23Ret Recreational Vhcls Ret Boats
922160Markey Township Fire DeptHoughton Lake22V Fire Dept
922160Lake Township, Roscommon CntyHoughton Lake22Fire Protection
722110Silver Harold's Dollar IncRoscommon21Eating Place Drinking Place
813990St Helen Duck Club CorpSaint Helen21Membership Organization
922120Michigan Department of StateHoughton Lake21Police Protection
Source: Harris Publishing Company, 2008 InfoSource

OTHER MAJOR EMPLOYERS
SICFIRMLOCATIONEMPLOYEESPRODUCT
5311Wal-Mart Stores Inc.Houghton Lake200Department stores
8222Kirtland Community CollegeRoscommon162Education
8051International Health CareRoscommon100Health care
5411Catts Realty CompanyHoughton Lake100Grocery stores
5411Glens Market No 5 Inc.Roscommon65Grocery stores
7011Larken Inc.Houghton Lake65Hotels and motels
8211Roscommon SchoolsRoscommon63School/education
8211Gerrish-Higgins School Dist.Roscommon60School/education
5411Northern Supermarkets Inc.Houghton Lake55Grocery stores
8082Amicare Home Health ServicesHoughton Lake50Home health care
Source: Local County Economic Development Contact


NUMBER OF ESTABLISHMENTS  
Type of Service 2004
Total 689
    Forestry, fishing, hunting, and agriculture support 1
    Mining 3
    Utilities 1
    Construction 130
    Manufacturing 21
      Food mfg 2
      Apparel manufacturing 1
      Wood product mfg 3
      Printing & related support activities 1
      Nonmetallic mineral product mfg 2
      Fabricated metal product mfg 4
      Machinery mfg 2
      Transportation equipment mfg 3
      Miscellaneous mfg 3
    Wholesale trade 12
    Retail trade 143
    Transportation & warehousing 8
    Information 9
      Publishing industries 2
      Motion picture & sound recording industries 1
    Finance & insurance 35
    Real estate & rental & leasing 27
    Professional, scientific & technical services 34
    Management of companies & enterprises 1
    Admin, support, waste mgt, remediation services 18
    Educational services 5
    Health care and social assistance 52
    Arts, entertainment & recreation 14
    Accommodation & food services 83
    Other services (except public administration) 89
    Unclassified establishments 3
Source:Source:U.S. Department of Commerce and Bureau of the Census, County Business Patterns, Issued July 2006


Quality of Life

EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES
PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT INFORMATION
COMMUNITYSCHOOL DISTRICTSTUDENTSINSTRUCTORSHIGH SCHOOLS
Houghton LakeHoughton Lake Community Schools2,0051201
RoscommonGerrish-Higgins Schools1,842731
Source: MI Department of Education, 1997

TWO YEAR COLLEGES AND TECHNICAL SCHOOLS
NAMELOCATIONENROLLMENT
Kirtland Community CollegeRoscommon1,314

FOUR YEAR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
NAMELOCATIONENROLLMENT
none in county
Source: MI Department of Education, 1996

MEDICAL FACILITIES
TYPE OF FACILITY# IN COUNTY# OF BEDS
Hospitalsnone in county 
Source: MI Department of Consumer and Industry Services, 1998

HOUSING (2000)  
OWNER OCCUPIED MEDIAN VALUE RENTER OCCUPIED MEDIAN RENT
7,724  $78,900  1,580  $420 
Source:U.S. Bureau of the Census, Census of Population and Housing, 2000

CLIMATE
MONTHAVG. MIN TEMPAVG. MAX TEMP.
January9F./-13C.26F./-3C.
July55F./13C.81F./27C.
PRECIPITATIONRAINFALLSNOWFALL
Average Annual29in./74cm.57in./145cm.
GROWING SEASONDAYS ABOVE 90F/32CDAYS BELOW 0F/-18C
126621
Source: NOAA Climate Summary, 1995

RECREATION
COUNTY HIGHLIGHTS
Tip-Up Town Festival, Houghton Lake (January); guided color tour, Houghton Lake (early October); Arts & Crafts Fair, Houghton Lake (mid-July); Bluegill Festival, Lake St. Helen (July); Michigan Fireman's Association Memorial, Roscommon (mid-September); Historical Round-Up; windsurfing on Higgins Lake; Roscommon County Fair (early August); AuSable Forest; North Higgins Lake State Park; Backus Creek State Game Area; ORV trail network; South Higgins Lake State Park; Tisdale Triangle X-country ski trails (11 groomed trails); Kirtland Community College (with athletic and cultural facilities); many lakes including Houghton Lake, Higgins Lake and Lake St. Helen; Houghton Lake Wildlife Research Area; AuSable State Park; Bear Creek Waterfowl Flooding; Tittabawassee, the Cut, Muskegon and AuSable Rivers; 5 public golf courses; 7 additional cross-country trails; boating resources (204 public access sites).
Source: Local County Economic Development Contact


Municipal Services

UTILITIES
COMMUNITYELECTRICGAS
Roscommon, Richfield, Nester, Markey, Lyon, Lake, Higgins,Consumers PowerMichCon
Backus, AuSable
Source: Local County Economic Development Contact

TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Local Phone CompaniesAmeritech, GTE
Long Distance CompaniesAT&T, MCI, Sprint, and others
Source: Local County Economic Development Contact

LICENSED LANDFILLS
COMMUNITYOWNER/MANAGER
none in county
Source: MDEQ Waste Management Division, 1998

PROPERTY TAX (2004)  
Agriculture Commercial Industrial Residential Other
0.70%  12.70%  0.60%  83.80%  2.20% 
Source:MI Department of Treasury State Tax Commission, 2006

GOVERNMENT
COMMUNITY PHONE NUMBER COMMUNITY PHONE NUMBER
AuSable Twp 989.275.4683 Backus Twp 989.389.7708
Denton Twp 989.366.5913 Gerrish Twp 989.821.9313
Higgins Twp 989.275.8112 Lake Twp 989.366.9141
Lyon Twp 989.821.9694 Markey Twp 989.366.9614
Nester Twp 989.426.5459 Richfield Twp 989.389.4994
Roscommon (City of) 989.275.5743 Roscommon Twp 989.422.4116
Source: Local County Economic Development Contact

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONTACT
Contact: Mr. Roy Spangler
Business: Roscommon County Economic Development Corp.
Address: P. O. Box 776
Roscommon, MI 48653
Phone: 989.275.5043
Fax: 989.275.5675
*LDO's=Local Development Organizations
Source: Local County Economic Development Contact

Copyright © 2009 Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
300 N. Washington Sq., Lansing, MI 48913