Oceana County (/ˌoʊʃiˈænə/ OH-shee-AN-ə) is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 26,659.^[2] The county seat is Hart.^[3] Long known as part of the large Ojibwe territory, the county was founded by European Americans in 1840 and organized in 1855.^[1]

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Oceana County
County
Oceana County Courthouse
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Michigan's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 43°40′N 86°32′W
Country	United States
State	Michigan
Founded	1840 (created) 1855 (organized)[1]
Seat	Hart
Largest city	Hart
Area
• Total	1,306 sq mi (3,380 km2)
• Land	512 sq mi (1,330 km2)
• Water	794 sq mi (2,060 km2)  61%
Population  (2020)
• Total	26,659
• Density	52/sq mi (20/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	2nd
Website	oceana.mi.us

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Settlers were attracted by access along the White River, which reaches its mouth on Lake Michigan in Muskegon County to the south. Two possibilities have been put forward to explain the county's name: Oceana County may have been named for Lake Michigan, a freshwater "ocean," which forms its western border;^[4] or it was named for the book Oceana, written by English author James Harrington in 1656.^[1]

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.

The State of Michigan created the county of Oceana on April 1, 1840.^[5]

In the 1850s about 1400 Odawa were relocated here from Ionia County, Michigan by the federal government.^[6]

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.^[7] The county is considered to be part of West Michigan. The county's western border is formed by Lake Michigan.

This rural county reached a peak of population in 2000. It has attracted Hispanic or Latino immigrants who mostly work as farm laborers; in 2010 nearly 14% of the population was Hispanic.

The 2010 United States Census^[13] indicates Oceana County had a 2010 population of 26,570. This decrease of 303 people from the 2000 United States Census represents a 1.1% population decrease in the decade. In 2010 there were 10,174 households and 7,239 families in the county. The population density was 51.9 per square mile (20.0 square kilometers). There were 15,944 housing units at an average density of 31.1 per square mile (12.0 square kilometers). The racial and ethnic makeup of the county was 83.7% White, 0.4% Black or African American, 0.8% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 13.7% Hispanic or Latino, 0.1% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races.

There were 10,174 households, out of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.6% were husband and wife families, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 28.8% were non-families, and 24.6% were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.04.

The county population contained 24.9% under age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 21.5% from 25 to 44, 29.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 100.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.3 males.

The 2010 American Community Survey 3-year estimate^[13] indicates the median income for a household in the county was $39,043 and the median income for a family was $46,816. Males had a median income of $21,774 versus $14,186 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,065. About 1.9% of families and 19.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.4% of those under the age 18 and 11.3% of those age 65 or over.

The Electric Forest Festival (formerly the Rothbury Music Festival) has been held annually in Rothbury, Michigan since 2008, except 2020 and 2021, due to COVID.^[16]

Camping is a popular summer activity in Oceana County. Areas on the lakeshore such as Silver Lake, Pentwater, and Stony Lake are popular tourist sites.

Oceana County has largely voted Republican through the years. Since 1884 its voters have selected the Republican Party nominee in 82% (28 of 34) of the national elections through 2020.

Oceana County operates the County jail, maintains rural roads, operates the major local courts, records deeds, mortgages, and vital records, administers public health regulations, and participates with the state in the provision of social services. The county board of commissioners controls the budget and has limited authority to make laws or ordinances. In Michigan, most local government functions – police and fire, building and zoning, tax assessment, street maintenance etc. – are the responsibility of individual cities and townships.

The West Shore Educational Service District, based in Ludington, services the districts in the county along with those of Mason and Lake counties. The intermediate school district offers regional special education and general education services, as well as technical career programs for its students.^[19]

Oceana County is served by the following regular public school districts:^[20]

• Hart Public School District
• Pentwater Public School District
• Shelby Public Schools
• Walkerville Public Schools

Oceana County has the following private schools:^[21]

• New Era Christian School
• Oceana Christian School (Baptist) ^[22]

• List of Michigan State Historic Sites in Oceana County, Michigan
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Oceana County