Population64,394 (2020 Census)
River Outings, Cultural Discovery and Campus Life
Isabella County, MichiganIsabella County brings together river recreation, cultural learning and the energy of a university community. Visit the Ziibiwing Center, explore a county park or see an exhibition at Central Michigan University before finding a meal in Mount Pleasant. Nearby villages and townships provide their own libraries and gathering places. This guide combines those ideas with schools, health services, county offices and transportation contacts, giving residents and visitors useful starting points for both outings and everyday needs.
Isabella County at a Glance
Population64,394 (2020 Census)
County SeatMount Pleasant
Largest MunicipalityMount Pleasant (21,688; 2020 population within county)
Established1831; organized in 1859
ZIP Codes17 ZIP codes wholly or partly within the county
Total Area577.7 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesUS-127, M-20 and M-115
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 Isabella County
Isabella County
Isabella County was created in 1831 and organized in 1859, but the area’s stories extend beyond county government. The Ziibiwing Center shares the history and culture of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan through exhibits and educational resources. Mount Pleasant’s university community adds another layer of institutions and public experiences, including the CMU art gallery. River parks, town libraries and local shops connect these larger destinations with daily life, inviting visitors to explore both cultural perspectives and the surrounding landscape.
Mount Pleasant, Shepherd, Rosebush, Blanchard, Winn and surrounding townships offer different combinations of schools, libraries and services. Confirm enrollment, borrowing eligibility and utility coverage using your address. I-Ride provides public transportation across the county, with scheduling differences for outlying trips. Campus events, cultural exhibits and outdoor recreation create many ways to spend free time, though admission, parking and reservations vary. Check the current details for the particular place or activity you plan to visit.
What Shapes Us
Cultural Learning
The Ziibiwing Center shares Saginaw Chippewa history and culture, while the CMU University Art Gallery offers changing exhibitions with free public admission during its opening hours.
River Recreation
Deerfield Nature Park and Meridian Park connect visitors with the Chippewa River and local trails, with different facilities and access arrangements to review before an outing.
Town and Campus
Mount Pleasant combines downtown restaurants, artwork and grocery shopping with campus destinations, offering choices for a short stop or a day of varied activities.
Make room for river time, art and local stories.
Around Isabella County
Around Isabella 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 Isabella County
Stories from every corner of Isabella 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 Isabella County. Visit the linked provider for current details before making a trip.
County Government
Board of Commissioners — Official county office information, contacts and services.
County Clerk — 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.
Equalization — Official county office information, contacts and services.
Schools and Education
Confirm school assignment with the district serving your street address.
Gratiot-Isabella RESD — District information, enrollment and family resources.
Mount Pleasant Public Schools — District information, enrollment and family resources.
Beal City Public Schools — District information, enrollment and family resources.
Shepherd Public Schools — District information, enrollment and family resources.
Central Michigan University — University admissions, academic programs and campus resources; not a K–12 district.
Hospitals and Regional Care
Call 911 for an emergency. Regional facilities are labeled separately.
McLaren Central Michigan — Hospital at 1221 South Drive in Mount Pleasant.
Public Safety
Isabella County Sheriff — County law enforcement and public safety contacts.
Isabella County Emergency Management — County emergency coordination and preparedness information.
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.
Isabella County Emergency Management — County emergency coordination and preparedness information.
Central Michigan District Health Department — Local public health and environmental health services.
Community Mental Health for Central Michigan — Community mental health access and crisis-service information.
National Weather Service Grand Rapids — Official forecasts, watches and warnings.
Michigan energy emergency preparedness — Official utility outage preparation and energy emergency resources.
State Parks and Recreation Areas
Wilson State Park — Regional state park in Harrison, Clare County, outside Isabella County; check entry requirements and notices.
Trails and Outdoor Recreation
Deerfield Nature Park — County nature park with trails and river recreation; check entry charges and current facilities.
Coldwater Lake Family Park — County lake recreation and camping; check seasonal facilities, fees and reservations.
Herrick Recreation Area — County recreation area near Clare; check access, current facilities and fees.
Meridian Park — Chippewa River access and nonmotorized trails; consult the county map and current rules.
Pere Marquette Rail Trail — County information for a regional nonmotorized trail; choose the intended section from current maps.
Utilities
Providers and public water or sewer service vary by address; confirm your service territory.
Consumers Energy — Utility account and service information within its territory.
HomeWorks Tri-County Electric Cooperative — Cooperative utility services within its coverage areas; confirm service at your address.
Central Michigan District Health Department — Local public health and environmental health services.
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
Veterans Memorial Library — Collections, programs and borrowing information; confirm current hours and card eligibility.
Faith Johnston Memorial Library — Collections, programs and borrowing information; confirm current hours and card eligibility.
Tate Memorial Library — Collections, programs and borrowing information; confirm current hours and card eligibility.
Shepherd Community Library — Collections, programs and borrowing information; confirm current hours and card eligibility.
Fremont Township Community Library — Collections, programs and borrowing information; confirm current hours and card eligibility.
Courts
Isabella Trial Court — Court information, procedures and office contacts.
Civil / Small Claims — Court information, procedures and office contacts.
Criminal Division — Court information, procedures and office contacts.
Family Division — Court information, procedures and office contacts.
Probate Division — Court information, procedures and office contacts.
Friend of the 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
I-Ride — Isabella County shared-ride and routed transportation; outlying trips have specific scheduling arrangements.
Isabella County Transportation Commission — County transportation governance and commission contacts; use I-Ride for trip bookings.
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 Isabella County.
Ziibiwing Center shares the tribe’s history and culture through exhibits and educational resources. Check current visiting information and arrange group visits directly.
Soaring Eagle Waterpark offers an indoor waterpark. Confirm passes, reservations, supervision rules and any restrictions for your group.
CMU University Art Gallery has free public admission. Check exhibition dates and opening hours; group arrangements and campus parking should be reviewed separately.
Deerfield Nature Park and Meridian Park provide different park settings. Consult maps, access rules, fees and current river conditions before your trip.
Isabella County Parks publishes park-specific access and fee information. Check the park and activity you intend to use; camping and rentals have separate arrangements.
The Brass Cafe and Mountain Town Station offer restaurant dining, while GreenTree Co-op Deli provides a prepared-food option inside the market.
GreenTree Co-op Market welcomes everyone to shop. Co-op ownership is a separate choice from buying groceries or prepared food.
Art Reach on Broadway carries work from participating artists in downtown Mount Pleasant. Check current shop hours and available pieces.
CMU Bookstore carries campus clothing and gifts in the Bovee University Center. Check hours around university holidays and special events.
I-Ride serves Isabella County, with particular schedules for trips outside Union Township and arrangements for transfers. Confirm both ends of your trip and the booking requirements.
McLaren Central Michigan is on South Drive in Mount Pleasant. Use its current service contacts for routine questions; call 911 for an emergency.
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
- Soaring Eagle Waterpark — Indoor family water recreation; check pass availability, reservations and age or supervision rules.
- Ziibiwing Center — Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe museum and cultural center; check current exhibit hours and admission.
- Deerfield Nature Park — County nature park with trails and river recreation; check entry charges and current facilities.
Restaurants
- The Brass Cafe — Downtown Mount Pleasant dining on South Main Street; consult current menus and hours.
- Mountain Town Station — Restaurant and brewery on West Broadway in Mount Pleasant; menus and service vary by day.
- GreenTree Co-op Deli — Prepared meals, sandwiches and salads inside the Mount Pleasant co-op market.
Shopping & Retail
- GreenTree Co-op Market — Community-owned grocery on West Broadway; everyone can shop without becoming an owner.
- Art Reach on Broadway — Downtown shop featuring artwork and gifts from participating artists.
- CMU Bookstore — College apparel, books and gifts in the Bovee University Center.
Clothing & Boutiques
- CMU Bookstore — College apparel, books and gifts in the Bovee University Center.
- Maurices Mount Pleasant — Women’s clothing and accessories on South Mission Street.
- TJ Maxx Mount Pleasant — Clothing, accessories and home goods on East Blue Grass Road.
Outdoor Fun
- Deerfield Nature Park — County nature park with trails and river recreation; check entry charges and current facilities.
- Coldwater Lake Family Park — County lake recreation and camping; check seasonal facilities, fees and reservations.
- Meridian Park — Chippewa River access and nonmotorized trails; consult the county map and current rules.
Free Things To Do
- CMU University Art Gallery — Free public art gallery; check exhibition dates, hours and group arrangements.
- Veterans Memorial Library — Public reading spaces and programs in Mount Pleasant; card eligibility and special services have separate requirements.
- Shepherd Community Library — Public library browsing and community activities; check hours and any program registration.
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