Population103,856 (2020 Census)
Riverfront Walks and Wide Open Water Views
Bay County, MichiganBay County offers a mix of riverfront city outings and quieter time along Saginaw Bay. In Bay City, combine a planetarium show with a museum visit, shopping or a meal near the water. Beyond downtown, Bay City State Park and Pinconning Park provide different ways to explore the shoreline. This guide also connects residents with schools, libraries, county offices and transportation, making it useful for everyday errands as well as a day of discovery.
Bay County at a Glance
Population103,856 (2020 Census)
County SeatBay City
Largest MunicipalityBay City (32,661; 2020 population within county)
Established1857
ZIP Codes16 ZIP codes wholly or partly within the county
Total Area630.7 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesI-75, US-10, US-23, M-13, M-15 and M-25
Area Codes989
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
Discover Bay County
Bay County
Established in 1857, Bay County takes its name from the broad Saginaw Bay shoreline that helps define its geography. Bay City serves as the county seat, with public institutions, neighborhoods and commercial areas arranged around the Saginaw River. The county historical museum and the local history collection at the Wirt library offer places to investigate earlier communities and their development. Today, riverfront parks, coastal wetlands and nearby towns provide distinct settings for exploring a county whose identity remains closely connected to water.
Bay City provides many county services, but daily life also extends through Essexville, Auburn, Pinconning and surrounding townships. School districts and utility providers follow their own service boundaries, so a mailing address alone may not identify the right office. The county library system includes four branches and a bookmobile, while Bay Metro Transit provides local travel options. Parks, neighborhood restaurants and independent shops offer ways to turn a practical trip into a longer visit.
What Shapes Us
Riverfront Connections
Bay City’s riverwalk and waterfront parks create places to stroll, pause and enjoy the Saginaw River, with restaurants and downtown attractions nearby for a longer outing.
Coastal Nature
Bay City State Park protects a Saginaw Bay wetland setting, while Pinconning Park offers another shoreline destination with trails, wildlife viewing and recreation facilities.
Downtown Discoveries
A planetarium, history museum and independent stores give downtown Bay City varied stopping points, allowing families to combine learning, browsing and a meal in one visit.
Follow the river, then make time for the bay.
Around Bay County
Around Bay County
Places, landscapes and community stories
Lead Story
Summer Nights Bring Greenfield Together
Music, food, and neighbors fill the courthouse square as the county summer season gets underway.
Read the Story June 12, 2026 • 5 min read
Around Bay County
Stories from every corner of Bay County.
Summer Nights Bring Greenfield Together
Music, food, and neighbors fill the courthouse square as the county summer season gets underway.
June 12, 2026 • 5 min read
A New Season at the Lake
Boating, trails, and sunny days return to the water.
June 10, 2026 • 4 min read
Festival Weekend Returns
A favorite local celebration returns this weekend.
June 9, 2026 • 3 min read
Main Street After Dark
Shops, dining, and music bring downtown to life.
June 8, 2026 • 4 min read
Five Hidden Stops Worth The Drive
Scenic places and local favorites worth discovering.
June 7, 2026 • 5 min read
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the right local resource
Use these resources to connect with public offices, essential services and community organizations in Bay County. Visit the linked provider for current details before making a trip.
County Government
Board of Commissioners — County board meetings and public business.
Clerk — Vital records and election information.
Treasurer — County taxes and payment information.
Register of Deeds — Property recording and deed information.
Equalization — County assessment and property information.
Schools and Education
Confirm school assignment with the district serving your street address.
Bay-Arenac Intermediate School District (BAISD) — District schools, enrollment and family information.
Bay City Public Schools — District schools, enrollment and family information.
Bangor Township Schools — District schools, enrollment and family information.
Essexville-Hampton Public Schools — District schools, enrollment and family information.
Pinconning School District — District schools, enrollment and family information.
Delta College — Community college programs, enrollment and local learning locations.
Hospitals and Regional Care
Call 911 for an emergency. Regional and veteran services are labeled separately.
McLaren Bay Region — Bay City; local hospital and patient information.
Covenant HealthCare — Regional hospital campuses in Saginaw, outside Bay County.
Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center — Saginaw, outside Bay County; services for eligible veterans.
Public Safety
Call 911 for an emergency; online tip forms are not emergency dispatch.
Bay County Sheriff — County law enforcement contacts.
Animal Services & Adoption Center — Local animal services and adoption information.
Crime Tips — County instructions for reporting non-emergency crime information.
Michigan State Police — State police services and contacts.
DNR Law Enforcement — Outdoor regulations and conservation enforcement.
Emergency Services
Bay County Central Dispatch — Local dispatch information; call 911 for emergency response.
Bay County Emergency Services — County preparedness and emergency coordination.
Bay Alerts — Official local emergency notification information.
Bay County Health Department — Public health notices and preparedness resources.
National Weather Service Detroit/Pontiac — Official forecasts, watches and warnings for the region.
State Parks
Bay City State Park — Saginaw Bay shoreline and Tobico Marsh; check vehicle entry requirements and current notices.
Trails and Park Walks
Bay City State Park — Saginaw Bay shoreline and Tobico Marsh; check vehicle entry requirements and current notices.
Bay City Riverwalk — County trail guide for planning a riverfront walk.
Pinconning Park — Shoreline park with trails and wildlife viewing; check access fees and seasonal facilities.
Carroll Park — City park with picnic areas, a pond and space for a family outing.
Veterans Memorial Park — Riverfront park with paths and recreation areas.
Utilities
Confirm utility availability by address before arranging service.
Bay County Water and Sewer — County water and sewer information and service contacts.
Bay City electric service — Municipal electric department contact information.
Consumers Energy — Customer accounts and service requests in its territory.
MPSC electric service area map — Identify the electric provider for a specific address.
Bay County Safe Drinking Water — Local drinking-water information and health department resources.
Libraries
Alice & Jack Wirt Public Library — Bay City; collections, research and programs.
Auburn Area Branch Library — Auburn; library services and activities.
Pinconning Branch Library — Pinconning; borrowing and community programs.
Sage Branch Library — Bay City; library collections and programs.
Bookmobile & Outreach — Mobile service, stops and outreach information.
Courts
18th Judicial Circuit Court — Circuit court contacts and procedures.
74th District Court — District court information and services.
Probate & Family Court — Probate and family court contacts.
Friend of the Court — Support and parenting-time administration information.
District Court Probation — Probation office contacts and requirements.
Driver and Vehicle Services
Official statewide services available to county residents.
Michigan Secretary of State — license and ID renewal — Review renewal options and documents.
Michigan Secretary of State — vehicle tabs — Renew vehicle registration.
Michigan Secretary of State — titles and registration — Prepare for a vehicle transfer.
Michigan Secretary of State — address changes — Update your address with the department.
Michigan Secretary of State — disability parking — Find placard application and renewal information.
Michigan self-service stations — Find a nearby kiosk and check supported transactions.
Transportation
Bay Metro Transit — Local public transportation; check routes, schedules and eligibility for specialized services.
Bay County Road Commission — County roads, maintenance and project information.
MDOT Mi Drive — State road construction and traffic conditions.
MBS International Airport — Regional airport in Saginaw County, outside Bay County.
Michigan public transit providers — Official neighboring transit contacts for regional connections.
Postal Services
Official USPS tools for local mailing and delivery needs.
USPS Post Office locator — Search your town or ZIP for nearby offices and services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Confirm the mailing ZIP for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold.
USPS Change of Address — Use the official postal address-change service.
USPS PO Boxes — Find and manage a post office box.
USPS package pickup — Check and schedule an eligible pickup.
Veterans Resources
Official statewide services available to county residents.
Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency — Connect with state benefits assistance and local support.
Michigan Veterans Trust Fund — Review emergency-assistance options and eligibility.
VA health care enrollment — Find enrollment guidance.
Veterans education benefits — Explore federal and state education programs.
Veteran Readiness and Employment — Learn about employment and rehabilitation support.
Veterans burial benefits — Find benefit and memorial planning resources.
Employment and Training
Official statewide services available to county residents.
Michigan Works! — Find the workforce agency serving your area.
Michigan Rehabilitation Services — Employment support for eligible people with disabilities.
Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency — Claims, account help and program information.
Michigan Reconnect — Check eligibility for community college tuition support.
Veterans Employment Services — Career assistance for eligible veterans.
Workforce education and training — Explore state training programs and pathways.
Make yourself at home
Practical answers for residents and visitors
County Questions
Know Before You Go
Find answers to common questions about exploring and living in Bay County.
Delta College Planetarium offers astronomy and other dome programs. Check its current schedule and ticket details to choose a show suited to your group.
Bay County Historical Museum provides free admission to Bay County residents and society members. Other visitors pay admission; check the museum’s current details before arriving.
Bay City State Park includes Tobico Marsh, a freshwater coastal wetland on Saginaw Bay. Use the park’s official visitor information to plan trail access and wildlife viewing.
The county trail guide provides trail information for planning a riverfront route. Check current local conditions before setting out.
Regular in-store shopping is by appointment at Ferne — Bay City. The business also advertises selected events and shopping days; check its current calendar before visiting.
My Secret Garden offers gifts and home items alongside apparel, while Herman Hiss & Company offers jewelry and gifts. Confirm their current hours before a dedicated shopping trip.
Real Seafood Company — Bay City, Old City Hall and Latitude 43 provide different dining choices. Review current menus and reservation information with the restaurant.
Pinconning Park lists shoreline recreation, trails, wildlife viewing and camping information. Check the current facility details, fees and seasonal availability before traveling.
Bay County Library System includes branches in Auburn and Pinconning as well as Bay City. Its bookmobile adds mobile service; check the current stop schedule.
Bay Metro Transit publishes local transit information. Review the relevant route and schedule, and contact the provider about accessibility or specialized service eligibility.
The Wirt library’s local history and genealogy collection includes county history and research materials. Contact library staff about a specific record or visit.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Make a day of itExplore places to eat, shop and spend time together.
Kids’ Fun
- Delta College Planetarium — Bay City astronomy shows and educational visits; check tickets and showtimes.
- Bay County Historical Museum — Local history exhibits; county residents receive free admission, with fees for other visitors.
- Carroll Park — City park with picnic areas, a pond and space for a family outing.
Restaurants
- Real Seafood Company — Bay City — Seafood dining at the Bay City location.
- Old City Hall — Downtown Bay City dining in a historic setting.
- Latitude 43 — Bay City bar and grill with a varied food menu.
Shopping & Retail
- My Secret Garden — Bay City apparel, accessories, gifts and home decor.
- Herman Hiss & Company — Downtown jewelry and gift shopping.
- Believe Inspire Beauty — Bay City clothing boutique; check current shopping and event information.
Clothing & Boutiques
- My Secret Garden — Bay City apparel, accessories, gifts and home decor.
- Believe Inspire Beauty — Bay City clothing boutique; check current shopping and event information.
- Ferne — Bay City — Clothing and accessories by private appointment and selected events; no regular walk-in retail hours.
Outdoor Fun
- Bay City State Park — Saginaw Bay shoreline and Tobico Marsh; check vehicle entry requirements and current notices.
- Bay City Riverwalk — County trail guide for planning a riverfront walk.
- Pinconning Park — Shoreline park with trails and wildlife viewing; check access fees and seasonal facilities.
Free Things To Do
- Carroll Park — Ordinary park use is free; pavilion reservations and special activities are separate.
- Veterans Memorial Park — Enjoy an ordinary riverfront park walk; reservations, launches and events may have separate charges.
- Bay County Historical Museum — Free admission specifically for Bay County residents; nonresident admission has a fee.
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