Mio, Michigan
Encyclopedia
Mio is an unincorporated community in the U.S. state
of Michigan
. It is the county seat
of Oscoda County
and is situated along the boundary between Mentor Township
on the east and Big Creek Township
on the west.
Mio is also a census-designated place
(CDP) used for statistical purposes, but has no legal status as an incorporated municipality. As of the 2000 census, the CDP population was 2,016.
The town was founded in 1881, and was originally called “Mioe”, in honor of the wife of town founder, Henry Deyarmond. Other founders are Colige Comins, Reirlo Fosdick, and John Randall. A post office named Mioe opened May 3, 1882. The name changed to Mio on November 21, 1883. The Mio post office, with ZIP code
48647, also serves the northern portions of Mentor Township and the northeastern part of Big Creek Township, as well as a large area of eastern and southern Elmer Township
and smaller portions of western Clinton Township
and Comins Township
.
on February 9, 1934.
Along the AuSable River stands the biggest red cedar tree in Michigan. The tree can be found down a trail along the river between Comins Flatts and M-Dot in Mio.
, the CDP has a total area of 8.1 square miles (21 km²) of which, 7.5 square miles (19.4 km²) of it is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²) of it (8.01%) is water.
Mio is home to a public K-12 school, located on M-33. The school is a conjuncture of a Elementary
, Middle, and High School
.
of 2000, there were 2,016 people, 826 households, and 537 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 270.1 per square mile (104.3/km²). There were 1,191 housing units at an average density of 159.6 per square mile (61.6/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.83% White, 0.15% African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 0.25% from other races
, and 2.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.44% of the population.
There were 826 households out of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were married couples
living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.9% were non-families. 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.5 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $26,831, and the median income for a family was $31,379. Males had a median income of $29,542 versus $20,927 for females. The per capita income
for the community was $13,064. About 13.9% of families and 21.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.3% of those under age 18 and 13.4% of those age 65 or over.
. Wildlife are nearby, including bear, deer, eagles, Kirtland's Warblers, and turkeys. Local attractions and activities include:
hunters that went missing in the fall of 1985. The case was eventually cracked in 2003, when two brothers (one from Hale in nearby Iosco County and one from Monroe
, in the southeast
region of the state) were convicted of murdering the pair near Mio. A true account of the crimes was detailed in a 2006 book by Tom Henderson, titled Darker Than Night.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Oscoda County
Oscoda County, Michigan
See also: List of counties bordering eight counties-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 9,418 people, 3,921 households, and 2,717 families residing in the county. The population density was 17 people per square mile . There were 8,690 housing units at an average density of 15 per...
and is situated along the boundary between Mentor Township
Mentor Township, Oscoda County, Michigan
Mentor Township is a civil township of Oscoda County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,220 at the 2000 census.- Communities :...
on the east and Big Creek Township
Big Creek Township, Michigan
Big Creek Township is a civil township of Oscoda County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,380 at the 2000 census.- Communities :* Luzerne is an unincorporated community on M-72 at...
on the west.
Mio is also a census-designated place
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP) used for statistical purposes, but has no legal status as an incorporated municipality. As of the 2000 census, the CDP population was 2,016.
The town was founded in 1881, and was originally called “Mioe”, in honor of the wife of town founder, Henry Deyarmond. Other founders are Colige Comins, Reirlo Fosdick, and John Randall. A post office named Mioe opened May 3, 1882. The name changed to Mio on November 21, 1883. The Mio post office, with ZIP code
ZIP Code
ZIP codes are a system of postal codes used by the United States Postal Service since 1963. The term ZIP, an acronym for Zone Improvement Plan, is properly written in capital letters and was chosen to suggest that the mail travels more efficiently, and therefore more quickly, when senders use the...
48647, also serves the northern portions of Mentor Township and the northeastern part of Big Creek Township, as well as a large area of eastern and southern Elmer Township
Elmer Township, Oscoda County, Michigan
Elmer Township is a civil township of Oscoda County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,095 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-Michigan State Trunklines:* M-33*...
and smaller portions of western Clinton Township
Clinton Township, Oscoda County, Michigan
Clinton Township is a civil township of Oscoda County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 511 at the 2000 census.The unincorporated community of Comins is in the township on M-33 at...
and Comins Township
Comins Township, Michigan
Comins Township is a civil township of Oscoda County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,017 at the 2000 census.The unincorporated community of Comins is located on M-33 in adjacent Clinton Township on the north side of Comins Township....
.
State record
On July 13, 1936, the temperature in Mio climbed to 112°F (44°C), the highest temperature ever recorded in Michigan. The coldest recorded temperature is -51 F at VanderbiltVanderbilt, Michigan
Vanderbilt is a village in Otsego County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 587 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , all land.-Demographics:...
on February 9, 1934.
Along the AuSable River stands the biggest red cedar tree in Michigan. The tree can be found down a trail along the river between Comins Flatts and M-Dot in Mio.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the CDP has a total area of 8.1 square miles (21 km²) of which, 7.5 square miles (19.4 km²) of it is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km²) of it (8.01%) is water.
Geographic features
- Mio is situated in the Au Sable RiverAu Sable River (Michigan)The Au Sable River in Michigan runs approximately through the northern Lower Peninsula, through the towns of Grayling and Mio, and enters Lake Huron at Oscoda. It is considered one of the best brown trout fisheries east of the Rockies and has been designated a blue ribbon trout stream by the...
Valley. - It is surrounded by the Huron National Forest and near the Rifle River State Recreation Area.
- The area is part of the Au Sable State ForestAu Sable State ForestThe Au Sable State Forest is a state forest in the north-central Lower Peninsula of Michigan. It is operated by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources....
, specifically the- Grayling FMU (Alcona, Crawford, Oscoda, and northern Iosco counties).
- Much of the area sits on the Grayling outwash plain.
- The Oscoda County Park is minutes away.
- Mio is part of Northern MichiganNorthern MichiganNorthern Michigan, also known as Northern Lower Michigan , is a region of the U.S. state of Michigan...
.
Education
Main Article: Mio Ausable SchoolsMio is home to a public K-12 school, located on M-33. The school is a conjuncture of a Elementary
Elementary school
An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
, Middle, and High School
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
.
Michigan State Trunklines
M-33M-33 (Michigan highway)M-33 is a north–south state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan that runs from Interstate 75 at Alger in Arenac County north to M-27 near Cheboygan. In between, the trunkline runs through rural sections of the northeastern Lower Peninsula including state and national forest areas...
M-72M-72 (Michigan highway)M-72 is a state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan, running from Lake Huron to Lake Michigan across the northern part of the Lower Peninsula. The highway connects M-22 in Empire with US Highway 23 in Harrisville. It is one of only three Michigan state trunklines that cross the Lower...
Oscoda County Intercounty Highways
F-32
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 2,016 people, 826 households, and 537 families residing in the CDP. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 270.1 per square mile (104.3/km²). There were 1,191 housing units at an average density of 159.6 per square mile (61.6/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.83% White, 0.15% African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 0.25% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.44% of the population.
There were 826 households out of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.9% were non-families. 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.99.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.5 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $26,831, and the median income for a family was $31,379. Males had a median income of $29,542 versus $20,927 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the community was $13,064. About 13.9% of families and 21.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.3% of those under age 18 and 13.4% of those age 65 or over.
Local attractions and activities
The community is centered in the Huron National Forest along the Au Sable RiverAu Sable River (Michigan)
The Au Sable River in Michigan runs approximately through the northern Lower Peninsula, through the towns of Grayling and Mio, and enters Lake Huron at Oscoda. It is considered one of the best brown trout fisheries east of the Rockies and has been designated a blue ribbon trout stream by the...
. Wildlife are nearby, including bear, deer, eagles, Kirtland's Warblers, and turkeys. Local attractions and activities include:
- Amish Community with Stores and Bakeries
- Birding
- Boating, Paddling (canoe and kayak)
- Coptic Orthodox St. Mina Retreat Center
- Fishing, particularly trout fishing.
- Geocaching
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Kirtland Warbler Habitat and Festival The Kirtland's WarblerKirtland's WarblerKirtland's Warbler is a small songbird of the New World warbler family , named after Jared P. Kirtland, an Ohio doctor and amateur naturalist. Nearly extinct just 50 years ago, it is well on its way to recovery. It requires large areas of dense young jack pine for its breeding habitat...
has its habitat in the area. There is a Kirtland's Warbler Festival, which is sponsored in part by Kirtland Community College. - Mennonite Relief Expo & Fair
- Michigan Shore to Shore Riding & Hiking Trail passes through Mio. It runs from EmpireEmpire, MichiganEmpire is a village in Leelanau County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 378 at the 2000 census. The village is located within Empire Township.-Description:...
to OscodaOscoda, MichiganOscoda is an unincorporated community in the U.S. state of Michigan located on the northern side of the Au Sable River where it enters Lake Huron. The community of Au Sable is on the other side of the river. Oscoda is in Oscoda Township in Iosco County, and not in Oscoda County, which is to the...
, and points north and south. It is a 500-mile interconnected system of trails. - Nordic skiingNordic skiingNordic skiing is a winter sport that encompasses all types of skiing where the heel of the boot cannot be fixed to the ski, as opposed to Alpine skiing....
- ORV, motor cycle and groomed snowmobile trails.
- Steiner's Museum of pioneer artifacts is in nearby FairviewFairview, MichiganFairview is an unincorporated community in Comins Township, Oscoda County in the northeastern Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is at the intersection of routes M-33 and M-72 at...
- Our Lady of the Woods Catholic Shrine
Local recurring events
There are many recurring local events.- First Dam Canoe Race (MCRA - Canoe Race)
- Mennonite relief sale
- Michigan Magazine Craft Show
- Mio Mud Bogs & Drags
- Nor Easter Folk Music Festival
- Outdoor Sportsmens Expo
- Oscoda County Fair & Forestry Exposition
Historical markers
There are two historical markers in Mio.- Mio Hydroelectric Plant was built in 1916 on the lower Au Sable River. William W. Tefft, a Consumers PowerConsumers EnergyConsumers Energy is a public utility that provides natural gas and electricity to more than 6 million of Michigan's 10 million residents. It serves customers in all 68 of the state’s Lower Peninsula counties. It is a division of CMS Energy. Its headquarters is in Jackson.-History:The company was...
civil and hydraulic engineer invented and patented the so-called "conduit spillway", which channels excessive flow through channels built into the plant. This was the first plant to use it, and it is cheaper than other forms of spillways. - Oscoda County Courthouse was built in 1888
- Union Corners is an abandoned "town" situated on Valley Road in Mio, Michigan. It was abandoned in 1882 when it's county government moved to where downtown Mio is now located today. Originally, it was a small farming community. However, the farmers moved from the area because of the poor soil quality. Today, there are very few remnants of Union Corners besides a plaque where the town used to be located and various grave sites throughout the area. Some of these grave sites belong to members of the Union Corners community.
Newspapers
- The Oscoda County Herald is a weekly publication available on newsstands every Tuesday and by mail on Wednesday. The paper covers news and sports from all of Oscoda County, as well as other nearby communities. It also serves as the paper of record for all municipalities in Oscoda County, and is the only newspaper recognized by the Michigan Press Association that operates inside of Oscoda County. The Oscoda County Herald is owned by Sunrise Printing & Publishing, which also owns the Ogemaw County Herald and the Arenac County Independent.
FM
| Call Sign | Frequency | City Broadcast From |
|---|---|---|
| WJOJ | 89.7 | Harrisville Harrisville, Michigan Harrisville is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Alcona County. The population was 493 at the 2010 census. The city is surrounded by Harrisville Township, but is administratively autonomous... |
| WPHN | 90.5 | Gaylord Gaylord, Michigan Gaylord is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 3,681. It is the county seat of Otsego County. The city is also the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gaylord; it is by far the smallest settlement serving as the location of an active Roman... |
| WCML WCML WCML may refer to:* West Coast Main Line, a mainline railway in the United Kingdom* WCML , a television station licensed to Alpena, Michigan, United States... |
91.7 | Alpena Alpena, Michigan Alpena is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Alpena County. It is considered to be part of Northern Michigan. The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is located in the city. The population was 10,483 at the 2010 census... |
| WFXD WFXD WFXD is a radio station broadcasting a country music format in Marquette, Michigan.The station began broadcasting in the 1970s at 100.1 FM as WUUN, a live-assist Top 40/adult contemporary music station known as "Stereo 100." In 1985, the station moved to its current 103.3 frequency and became WRUP... |
92.5 | Atlanta Atlanta, Michigan Atlanta is an unincorporated community in the U.S. state of Michigan, along the 45th parallel. It is a census-designated place for statistical purposes and does not have any legal status as an incorporated municipality. The population was 757 at the 2000 census... |
| WAVC | 93.9 | Mio |
| WKJZ | 94.9 | Hillman Hillman, Michigan Hillman is a village in Alpena and Montmorency counties in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 685 at the 2000 census. Nearly all of the village is located within Hillman Township , with only a tiny portion extending into Green Township .-Geography:According to the United States Census... |
| WCMB-FM | 95.7 | Oscoda Oscoda, Michigan Oscoda is an unincorporated community in the U.S. state of Michigan located on the northern side of the Au Sable River where it enters Lake Huron. The community of Au Sable is on the other side of the river. Oscoda is in Oscoda Township in Iosco County, and not in Oscoda County, which is to the... |
| WUPS | 98.5 | Harrison Harrison, Michigan Harrison is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 2,108. It is the county seat of Clare County.The city is named after U.S. President William Henry Harrison.... |
| WATZ | 99.3 | Alpena |
| WGRY | 100.3 | Grayling Grayling, Michigan Grayling is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Crawford County. The population was 1,952 at the 2000 census. Grayling takes its name from the Grayling fish that was once prevalent in its lakes and streams.... |
| WMJZ | 101.5 | Gaylord |
| WKJC WKJC WKJC is a radio station broadcasting a country music format. Licensed to Tawas City, Michigan, United States, it first began broadcasting in 1980 at 103.9. WKJC is locally programmed.... |
104.7 | Tawas City Tawas City, Michigan Tawas City is a city along Lake Huron in the Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 2,005. It is the county seat of Iosco County... |
| WHSB WHSB WHSB is a 100,000 watt radio station licensed to Alpena, Michigan broadcasting a hot adult contemporary format... |
107.7 | Alpena |
Media spotlight
For nearly 18 years, Mio was thrust into the local and national media spotlight due to a case involving two Detroit-areaMetro Detroit
The Detroit metropolitan area, often referred to as Metro Detroit, is the metropolitan area located in Southeast Michigan centered on the city of Detroit which shares an international border with Windsor, Ontario. The Detroit metropolitan area is the second largest U.S. metropolitan area...
hunters that went missing in the fall of 1985. The case was eventually cracked in 2003, when two brothers (one from Hale in nearby Iosco County and one from Monroe
Monroe, Michigan
Monroe is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 20,733 at the 2010 census. It is the largest city and county seat of Monroe County. The city is bordered on the south by Monroe Charter Township, but both are politically independent. The city is located approximately 14 miles ...
, in the southeast
Southeast Michigan
Southeast Michigan, also called Southeastern Michigan, is a region in the Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan that is home to a majority of the state's businesses and industries as well as slightly over half of the state's population, most of whom are concentrated in Metro...
region of the state) were convicted of murdering the pair near Mio. A true account of the crimes was detailed in a 2006 book by Tom Henderson, titled Darker Than Night.
External links
- The Oscoda County Herald Online
- Au Sable Valley connection.
- Oscoda County Chamber of Commerce, including calendar of events, attractions.
- Oscoda County Web Site.
- Calendar of Events, Sunrise side.
- Enchanted forest, Northern Michigan source for information, calendars, etc.
- Sunrise side travel and information