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 northwest. The 1990 census population was 1061, although 3,000 personnel were stationed at nearby Wurtsmith Air Force Base. Oscoda is a census-designated place (CDP) for statistical purposes. As of the 2000 census (several years after the closure of the air force base), the population was 992.

Nearby is the Lumberman's Monument, in honor of the lumberjacks that first populated the area. The State of Michigan has designated Oscoda as the official home of Paul Bunyan due to the earliest documented publications in the Oscoda Press, August 10, 1906, by James MacGillivray (later revised and published in the Detroit News in 1910).

Wurtsmith Air Force Base (originally Camp Skeel) was located just outside the community from 1923 to 1993. Wurtsmith was the site of a Strategic Air Command nuclear-armed B-52 bomber squadron and an air refueling wing, consisting of a fleet of KC-135s. The Charter Township of Oscoda created a Redevelopment Authority with the cooperation of the Michigan Legislature. The Wurtsmith Renaissance Zone was created in 1997, which exempted businesses and residents of the 5,000 acre (20 km²) zone from all state and most local taxes.

The Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport is now a public airport. It occupies a portion of the base and is primarily used for cargo and light general aviation activities. Other tenants include the Aune Medical Center, Alcona Health Center Dental Clinic, Alpena Community College, Yankee Air Force Museum - Wurtsmith Division, and numerous private businesses. The former military housing units have been refurbished and now serve as a major population base in the Oscoda area.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 0.9 square miles (2.5 km²), of which, 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km²) of it (7.37%) is water.

Oscoda is considered to be part of Northern Michigan and is near the Huron National Forest, which offers outdoor recreational opportunities such as hunting, swimming, cross-country skiing and fishing. The forest contains 330 miles of hiking trails.

Major highways and a notable scenic byway

• US 23
• River Road, running parallel with the Au Sable River, is a designated National Scenic Byway for the 23 miles that go into Oscoda.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 992 people, 460 households, and 260 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,135.7 per square mile (440.2/km²). There were 599 housing units at an average density of 685.8/sq mi (265.8/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 94.15% White, 0.40% Black or African American, 1.21% Native American, 1.71% Asian, 0.71% from other races, and 1.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.71% of the population.

There were 460 households out of which 24.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.9% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.3% were non-families. 38.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.80.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 22.4% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 26.0% from 45 to 64, and 21.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 88.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.4 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $30,000, and the median income for a family was $42,250. Males had a median income of $24,667 versus $22,772 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $16,191. About 4.4% of families and 8.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.4% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

Local events, performing arts and museums

There are many recurring events in Oscoda.

• Special events and fly-ins at the museum of the Wurtsmith Division of the Yankee Air Force at Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport.
• Gagaguwon (“ever running water”) PowWow is an Oscoda tradition. It celebrates the area's first inhabitants and is dedicated to preserving Native American arts, culture, and traditions. Authentic arts & crafts, food and traditional Native American dancing. It is held at Old Orchard Park, eight miles west of Oscoda.
• Shoreline Players Theater Group performs regularly.
• Northeast Dance and Movement Dance Studios have events.put on several visual arts performances each year.
• Canoe and kayak races, fishing tournaments and golf tournaments are regular occurrences.
• Annual Snowbox Derby, usually held in February.
• The Oscoda Annual Home & Garden Show.
• Family Fun Fair – a free event in late April at Oscoda High School with games, magic shows, face painting and more.
• Wood Carvers Rally, held in May.
• Art on the Beach held in June, more than 200 artisans display their talents and art on the shore of Lake Huron.
• 4th of July Parade and Fireworks – free concerts, a parade through downtown and a spectacular fireworks display.
• Weyerhauser Au Sable River Canoe Marathon, starts in Grayling, Michigan and 120 miles (193 kilometers) down the river ends in Oscoda. It is one of three marathon races that constitute canoe racing's Triple Crown. The race is always held the last full weekend in July.
• Iosco County Fair.
• Paul Bunyan Festival held in September – which has Concerts on the Beach, a Classic Car Show, Las Vegas Nights, Crafts Show, Children's Games, food, and a Chainsaw Carving Contest.
• Christmas Parade and the Santa Clause's Arrival in early December.

Local attractions

• An historical museum is in Oscoda.
• Michigan Shore to Shore Riding & Hiking Trail runs from Empire to Oscoda, and points north and south. It is a 500 mile interconnected system of trails.

Elected officials

• Robert Huebel, Township Supervisor, 110 State Street, Twp. Hall Oscoda, MI 48750 (989) 739-4971.

Media

Newspapers

• The Iosco County News-Herald is the newspaper of record for Iosco County.
• The Oscoda Press is a weekly newspaper serving northern Iosco County and southern Alcona County
• The Alpena News is the daily newspaper of record for much of northeastern lower peninsula of Michigan.
• Daily editions of the Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News are also available throughout the area.

Radio

• WCMB 95.7 FM is owned by Central Michigan and offers a public radio format.

References

External links

• Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University, Bibliography on Iosco County
• List of events and calendar for Oscoda
• Oscoda Area Chamber of Commerce calendar of events