Oceana County
countyOceana County is located in West Michigan on the shores of Lake Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 26,659. The county seat and largest incorporated community is Hart. Known for its agriculture and tourism, Oceana County offers a blend of rural charm and natural beauty. Agriculture is a cornerstone of Oceana County's economy, with the area recognized as the "Asparagus Capital of the World". The county also has a thriving tourism sector, drawing visitors to the Silver Lake Sand Dunes, the beach town of Pentwater, and the Electric Forest Music Festival. Key institutions include food processing companies and various recreational venues. Oceana County is distinctive for its rich agricultural heritage, stunning Lake Michigan shoreline, and the Silver Lake Sand Dunes. The annual National Asparagus Festival in Hart is a source of local pride. The county's history is intertwined with the lumber trade and the traditions of the Ojibwe people.
Oceana County, Michigan
- Classification
- County
- FIPS Code
- 26127
- Country
- United States
- County
- Oceana County
- Region
- West Michigan
- Total Area
- 1,306 sq mi
- Land Area
- 512 sq mi
- Water Area
- 794 sq mi
- Latitude
- 43.66
- Longitude
- -86.53
- Climate
- The county experiences a typical Midwestern climate with four distinct seasons.
- Notable Features
- Lake Michigan shoreline · Silver Lake Sand Dunes · Manistee National Forest
- Neighboring Areas
- Lake County, MI · Mason County, MI · Muskegon County, MI · Newaygo County, MI
- Population (2020)
- 26,659
- Est. Population (2026)
- 27,022
- Median Age
- 43.9
- Median Income
- $63,624
- Owner-Occupied
- 85.1%
- Racial & Ethnic Composition
- The racial makeup of the county was 83.5% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 1.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 6.3% from some other race, and 8.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 15.4% of the population.
- Government Type
- County Commission
- Governing Body
- Board of Commissioners
- Municipal Services
- Road maintenance · Parks and Recreation · Law enforcement · Emergency services · Public health services
- Unemployment Rate
- 7.3%
- Economic Profile
- Agriculture · Tourism · Manufacturing
- Employment Sectors
- Manufacturing · Health Care & Social Assistance · Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting
- Major Employers
- Arbre Farms · Gray and Company · Peterson Farms
- Schools
- 11
- Students
- 3,097
- School Districts
- Hart Public Schools · Hesperia Community Schools · Pentwater Public Schools · Shelby Public Schools · Walkerville Public School
- Transportation
- US 31 · M-20 · William Field Memorial Hart-Montague Trail State Park
- Utilities
- Consumers Energy · Municipal water systems · Broadband internet
- Major Facilities
- Oceana County Courthouse · Mercy Health Lakes Village Campus
- Outdoor Access
- Yes
- Major Recreation Areas
- Silver Lake Sand Dunes State Park · William Field Memorial Hart-Montague Trail State Park · Manistee National Forest
- Parks & Trails
- Black Lake County Park · Cedar Point County Park · Pentwater Pathways
- Founded
- 1840
- Incorporated
- 1855
- Named After
- Possibly Lake Michigan or the book 'Oceana' by James Harrington
- Historical Significance
- Oceana County has transitioned from a lumbering and small farming community into a land of vast orchards, large fertile farms and wealthy resort areas.
- Key Events
- Establishment of lumber trade · Development of agriculture, especially asparagus farming · Growth of tourism with the Silver Lake Sand Dunes