Population109,175 (2020 Census)
River Ledges, Orchard Days and Courthouse Stories
Eaton County, MichiganEaton County offers a mix of outdoor scenery and town discoveries just west of the Lansing area. Walk the paths at Fitzgerald Park, explore local history at Charlotte’s Courthouse Square Museum, or plan a seasonal orchard visit at Country Mill. Grand Ledge, Eaton Rapids and nearby communities add shops, dining and gathering places. Use this guide to connect those outings with practical information about schools, libraries, hospitals, public offices and local transportation.
Eaton County at a Glance
Population109,175 (2020 Census)
County SeatCharlotte
Largest MunicipalityDelta Charter Township (33,119; 2020 population within county)
Established1837 (organized)
ZIP Codes22 ZIP codes wholly or partly within the county
Total Area579.4 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesI-69, I-96, I-496, M-43, M-50, M-78, M-79, M-99 and M-100
Area Codes517 and 269
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 Eaton County
Eaton County
Organized in 1837, Eaton County preserves different parts of its past in civic buildings and public landscapes. Charlotte’s historic courthouse now houses the Courthouse Square Museum, while Lincoln Brick Park retains the story of an earlier brick-making operation. Grand Ledge’s river scenery has long drawn visitors, and Fitzgerald Park connects that setting with trails and public recreation. These places sit alongside working farms and growing communities, making local history something to encounter during an ordinary walk, museum visit or drive between towns.
Charlotte, Grand Ledge, Eaton Rapids, Potterville, Bellevue and Delta Township offer different settings for everyday life. Public schools and libraries serve defined areas, so check eligibility using your home address. EATRAN provides a county transportation connection with booking requirements and operating schedules to review before a trip. County parks, local shops and community programs offer ways to spend time nearby, while seasonal farms and popular dining rooms benefit from planning ahead.
What Shapes Us
River Landscapes
Fitzgerald Park and Lincoln Brick Park combine trails with Grand River scenery, offering places to explore natural surroundings and traces of earlier local activity.
History and Harvest
Charlotte’s Courthouse Square Museum introduces county history, while Country Mill offers seasonal orchard experiences, cider and bakery stops shaped by the farm’s current calendar.
Town Connections
Grand Ledge, Charlotte and Eaton Rapids bring together shops, dining and community services, making it easy to pair a planned appointment with a local stop.
Follow the river and find a new local story.
Around Eaton County
Around Eaton County
Places, landscapes and community stories
Eaton RESA Main
Free Early Childhood Playgroups Offered
Families in Eaton County are invited to FREE Community Playgroups designed for children and infants from birth through…
Read the Story Oct 7, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Eaton County
Stories from every corner of Eaton County.
Free Early Childhood Playgroups Offered
Families in Eaton County are invited to FREE Community Playgroups designed for children and infants from birth through…
Oct 7, 2026 • 2 min read
Jill Hoort Honored as Ray H. Lawson Award Recipient
The Michigan Council of Teachers of English (MCTE) has selected Eaton Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA) Literacy Consultant…
Sep 9, 2026 • 2 min read
Adult Education Instructor Named Top 10 in Nation
Eaton RESA Adult Education Instructional Coordinator Jay Marietti was recently named one of the Top 10 Adult Education…
Sep 9, 2026 • 2 min read
Students Complete "Picture the Possibilities" Manufacturing Camp
Eaton Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA) celebrated the completion of its 2026 Inclusion in Manufacturing Camp, "Picture the…
Jul 31, 2026 • 2 min read
Eaton RESA Welcomes New Staff Members
Eaton RESA is excited to welcome two new members to its leadership team: Eileen Prihoda, who joined the…
Jul 22, 2026 • 2 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 Eaton County. Visit the linked provider for current details before making a trip.
County Government
County Clerk's Office — Official county office information, contacts and services.
Treasurer — Official county office information, contacts and services.
Register of Deeds — Official county office information, contacts and services.
Agendas & Minutes — Official county office information, contacts and services.
Election Information — Official county office information, contacts and services.
Schools and Education
Confirm school assignment with the district serving your street address.
Eaton RESA — District information, enrollment and family resources.
Charlotte Public Schools — District information, enrollment and family resources.
Eaton Rapids Public Schools — District information, enrollment and family resources.
Grand Ledge Public Schools — District information, enrollment and family resources.
Potterville Public Schools — District information, enrollment and family resources.
Hospitals and Regional Care
Call 911 for an emergency. Regional facilities are labeled separately.
UM Health-Sparrow Eaton — Hospital in Charlotte.
Eaton Rapids Medical Center — Community hospital in Eaton Rapids.
UM Health-Sparrow Lansing — Regional hospital in Lansing, outside Eaton County.
Public Safety
Eaton County Sheriff — County law enforcement and public safety contacts.
Eaton County Emergency Management — County preparedness and emergency coordination.
Michigan State Police — State law enforcement contacts and resources.
DNR Law Enforcement — Conservation enforcement and outdoor regulations.
Michigan local emergency management directory — Official county emergency management contacts.
Emergency Services
Call 911 for immediate police, fire or ambulance response.
Eaton County Emergency Management — County preparedness and emergency coordination.
Barry-Eaton District Health Department — Local public health and environmental health resources.
Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton, Eaton and Ingham — Behavioral health and crisis-service information.
National Weather Service Grand Rapids — Official forecasts and warnings.
Michigan energy emergency preparedness — Official utility outage preparation and energy emergency resources.
State Parks and Recreation Areas
Sleepy Hollow State Park — Regional option in Clinton County, outside Eaton County; check entry requirements and current notices.
Trails and Outdoor Recreation
Fitzgerald Park — Grand Ledge trails, playground and river scenery; climbing is prohibited on county park ledges.
Lincoln Brick Park — Woodland paths and brick-making history near Grand Ledge.
Fox Memorial Park — Potterville area trails and playground; pets are not permitted.
Woldumar Nature Center — Trails and nature programs in the Lansing area; a donation is suggested for nonmember trail use.
Paul Henry Thornapple Trail — County trail access and route information.
Utilities
Providers and public water or sewer service vary by address; confirm your service territory.
Consumers Energy — Accounts and utility service within its territory.
Lansing Board of Water & Light — Municipal utility services within its territory; verify service by address.
Barry-Eaton District Health Department — Local public health and environmental health resources.
MPSC electric service area map — Identify the electric utility serving an address.
Michigan energy emergency preparedness — Official utility outage preparation and energy emergency resources.
Libraries
Charlotte Community Library — Collections, programs and borrowing information; confirm current hours and card eligibility.
Grand Ledge Area District Library — Main branch in Grand Ledge; the Wacousta branch is outside Eaton County.
Delta Township District Library — Collections, programs and borrowing information; confirm current hours and card eligibility.
Eaton Rapids Area District Library — Collections, programs and borrowing information; confirm current hours and card eligibility.
Potterville-Benton Township District Library — Collections, programs and borrowing information; confirm current hours and card eligibility.
Courts
56th Circuit Court — Court information, procedures and office contacts.
56A District Court — Court information, procedures and office contacts.
Probate Court — Court information, procedures and office contacts.
Friend of the Court — Court information, procedures and office contacts.
Juvenile Court — Court information, procedures and office contacts.
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
EATRAN — Eaton County public transportation; confirm advance booking, coverage and fare.
Eaton County Road Commission — County road maintenance and construction information.
MDOT Mi Drive — Road conditions and construction information.
Michigan public transit providers — Official transit agency contacts across Michigan.
Michigan transportation guide — Airports, bus connections and other travel resources.
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 Eaton County.
Fitzgerald Park prohibits climbing on ledges operated by Eaton County Parks. Use the park’s designated paths and follow posted rules.
Fitzgerald Park, Lincoln Brick Park and Fox Memorial Park list no vehicle entry fees. Rentals and special activities are separate.
Fox Memorial Park does not permit pets. Check the rules at other parks before choosing a place to walk with your dog.
Courthouse Square Museum is in Charlotte’s historic courthouse. Confirm opening hours and special visiting arrangements before your trip.
Country Mill publishes seasonal activities and visiting information. Crops, picking opportunities and paid attractions vary through the season.
Woldumar Nature Center requests a suggested donation for nonmember trail use. Programs and special events have separate arrangements.
Rebel Mimi offers clothing and accessories, while Sports Stop — Grand Ledge focuses on team apparel and related services.
The English Inn recommends reservations. Check the dining room or pub schedule and make arrangements directly with the restaurant.
EATRAN provides county transportation information. Confirm service coverage, booking notice and fare before scheduling your trip.
UM Health-Sparrow Eaton serves Charlotte and Eaton Rapids Medical Center is in Eaton Rapids. Call 911 for an emergency.
Grand Ledge Area District Library lists its main library on East Jefferson Street. The separate Wacousta branch is outside Eaton County.
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
- Country Mill — Seasonal orchard activities, cider and bakery near Charlotte; check the current calendar and activity fees.
- Courthouse Square Museum — Eaton County history in Charlotte’s historic courthouse; confirm visiting hours.
- Fitzgerald Park — Grand Ledge trails, playground and river scenery; climbing is prohibited on county park ledges.
Restaurants
- The English Inn — Restaurant and pub near Eaton Rapids; reservations are recommended.
- Joe’s Gizzard City — Potterville café and restaurant; separate café and bar hours apply.
- Flour Child Bakery & Café — Bakery, bagels and coffee in downtown Grand Ledge.
Shopping & Retail
- Michigan’s Mercantile — Michigan-made gifts and goods in Charlotte.
- Studio Marketplace — Charlotte marketplace featuring independent vendors, gifts and clothing.
- Rebel Mimi — Clothing and accessories in downtown Grand Ledge.
Clothing & Boutiques
- Rebel Mimi — Clothing and accessories in downtown Grand Ledge.
- Sports Stop — Grand Ledge — Team apparel, accessories and custom printing in Grand Ledge.
- bealls — Charlotte — Clothing, accessories and home goods in Charlotte.
Outdoor Fun
- Fitzgerald Park — Grand Ledge trails, playground and river scenery; climbing is prohibited on county park ledges.
- Lincoln Brick Park — Woodland paths and brick-making history near Grand Ledge.
- Woldumar Nature Center — Trails and nature programs in the Lansing area; a donation is suggested for nonmember trail use.
Free Things To Do
- Fitzgerald Park — No vehicle entry fee for an ordinary park visit; rentals and special activities are separate.
- Lincoln Brick Park — No vehicle entry fee for an ordinary park visit; rentals and special activities are separate.
- Fox Memorial Park — No vehicle entry fee for an ordinary park visit; rentals and special activities are separate. No pets allowed.
Your next local discovery starts here.Explore the listings