Iosco County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. Located on the eastern shore of the Lower Peninsula, it includes Lake Huron shoreline, bays and river valleys. As reported in the 2010 census, 25,887 people lived in the county. The county seat is Tawas City, one of several small coastal towns and villages that serve as local centers for services and tourism.

Geography and natural features

Iosco County stretches along Lake Huron and contains a mix of sandy beaches, wetlands, forested areas and river corridors. The Au Sable River is a prominent feature, celebrated for trout fishing and canoeing. Tawas Bay and Tawas Point are notable coastal landmarks, and significant tracts of public forest and state parkland provide habitat for wildlife and space for outdoor recreation.

History and name

The county developed in the 19th century with an economy initially driven by lumbering and river transport. The name "Iosco" reflects the 19th-century practice of adopting Native American–style names; it was coined by Henry Schoolcraft and is commonly interpreted as relating to water or light, though the precise linguistic origin is a constructed form rather than a direct indigenous word.

Economy, recreation and environment

Today the local economy mixes tourism, recreation, small-scale manufacturing and services. Visitors come for fishing, hunting, birding—Tawas Point is known among birdwatchers—and shoreline recreation along Lake Huron. The Au Sable River and nearby forests support outdoor industries and seasonal visitors, which are important to many communities.

Communities and government

  • Tawas City (county seat) and neighboring East Tawas — small cities on Tawas Bay
  • Oscoda — a village on the Au Sable River and near coastal public lands
  • Several townships and rural settlements that provide local governance and services

County government oversees roads, public records, courts and local programs; local townships manage more rural services. For general information about the county's administration and resources, see the county's official pages and regional guides linked below.

For further reading and official sources: Iosco County information, state resources, and regional planning or tourism pages often list parks, boat launches and seasonal events that characterize life along Michigan's Lake Huron coast.