Gratiot County, Michigan

Gratiot County sits in the heart of Michigan, right in the middle of the Lower Peninsula, about an hour north of Lansing. St. Louis and Ithaca, the county seat, are small towns in the area.

Farms dominate the landscape, with corn and soybeans stretching toward the horizon. But there’s more than agriculture here. Alma College adds a dash of academia to the mix.

Locals rave about the Gratiot County Fair, a summer highlight packed with rides, livestock shows, and plenty of fried everything. Don’t forget the Pine River, which meanders through the county.

CategoryDetails
County NameGratiot County
County SeatIthaca
Cities, Towns, and CommunitiesAlma, St. Louis, Ithaca, Ashley, Breckenridge, Perrinton, Middleton
Interstates and HighwaysUS 127, M-46, M-57
FIPS Code26-057
Total Area (Land and Water)572 square miles (Land: 568 sq mi, Water: 4 sq mi)
Adjacent Counties (and Direction)Midland County (Northeast), Isabella County (Northwest), Saginaw County (East), Montcalm County (West), Shiawassee County (Southeast), Clinton County (South), Ionia County (Southwest)
Time ZoneEastern Time Zone (ET)
StateMichigan
Coordinates43.2927° N, 84.6060° W
EtymologyNamed after Charles Gratiot, a military officer and engineer
Major LandmarksPine River, Alma College, Anderson & Girls Orchards, Riverside Park
PopulationApproximately 40,000
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