Oceana County, Michigan
| Oceana County, Michigan | ||
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 Location in the U.S. state of Michigan |
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 Michigan's location in the U.S. |
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| Founded | 1840 (created) 1855 (organized) |
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| Seat | Hart | |
| Largest city | Hart | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 1,306 sq mi (3,383 km2) | |
| • Land | 512 sq mi (1,326 km2) | |
| • Water | 794 sq mi (2,056 km2), 61% | |
| Population | ||
| • (2010) | 26,570 | |
| • Density | 52/sq mi (20/km²) | |
| Congressional district | 2nd | |
| Time zone | Eastern: UTC-5/-4 | |
| Website | www |
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Oceana County is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the population was 26,570. The county seat is Hart. Long known as part of the large Ojibwe territory, the county was founded by European Americans in 1840 and organized in 1855.
Settlers were attracted by access along the White River, which reaches its mouth on Lake Michigan in Muskegon County to the south. Oceana County is thought to be named for Lake Michigan, a freshwater "ocean," which forms its western border. Clarke said it was named for the book Oceana, written by English author James Harrington in 1656.
Oceana County is famous as the "Asparagus Capital of the World" for its high production of asparagus. The annual Asparagus Festival includes a parade and crowning of the Asparagus Queen.
In the 1850s about 1400 Odawa were relocated here from Ionia County, Michigan by the federal government.
The county economy was first built on the lumber trade, with logs floated downriver. It later was developed for agriculture. In the 21st century, it is known for its commodity crop of asparagus.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,306 square miles (3,380 km2), of which 512 square miles (1,330 km2) is land and 794 square miles (2,060 km2) (61%) is water. The county is considered to be part of West Michigan. The county's western border is formed by Lake Michigan.
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