Overview

Luce County is a sparsely populated county in the eastern part of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The county seat and primary community is Newberry. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 6,631 people lived in the county at the 2010 census, making it one of the least densely settled counties in the state.

Geography and environment

The county is dominated by forest, wetlands and a scattering of lakes and rivers that support wildlife and outdoor activities. Much of the land is public or managed for conservation and recreation. Visitors and residents value the area's quiet, natural character, which provides seasonal opportunities for hunting, fishing, boating and snowmobiling.

History and name

Luce County was created during the late 19th century and was organized in the 1880s. It was named for Cyrus G. Luce, who served as governor of Michigan. Settlement and development followed patterns common to the Upper Peninsula, with logging and resource extraction shaping early communities and later transitions toward tourism and conservation.

Economy and recreation

The local economy combines small-scale services, public administration centered on Newberry, natural-resource activities and tourism. State and local parks, trails and rivers draw visitors for camping, paddling and fall colors. A well-known attraction in the county is Tahquamenon Falls State Park, which preserves notable waterfalls and forested river corridors.

Notable facts and governance

  • Newberry functions as the county seat and focal point for services and events.
  • The county's low population density and large tracts of public land shape planning, infrastructure and seasonal economies.
  • Like much of the Upper Peninsula, Luce County lies within lands long associated with Indigenous peoples and continues to share cultural and historical ties with regional tribes.

For official information, government services and visitor resources, consult county and state pages linked through local and state portals such as the Michigan statewide resources or the county's own web presence.