Population1,274,395 (2020 Census)
Downtown Dining, Science Discoveries and Woodland Escapes
Oakland County, MichiganOakland County connects lively downtowns with wooded recreation areas and family destinations. Explore a Royal Oak bookshop, plan a Rochester meal or spend an afternoon discovering science in Bloomfield Hills. State parks offer another pace, with trails and lakes beyond the shopping districts. This guide brings those outings together with county services, schools, libraries, hospitals and transit information, helping residents and visitors choose useful local stops and plan ahead for admission, access and changing schedules.
Oakland County at a Glance
Population1,274,395 (2020 Census)
County SeatPontiac
Largest MunicipalityTroy (87,294; 2020 population within county)
Established1819
ZIP Codes90 ZIP codes wholly or partly within the county
Total Area907.2 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesI-75, I-96, I-696, I-275, US-24, M-1, M-5, M-10, M-15, M-24 and M-59
Area Codes248, 810 and 947
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 Oakland County
Oakland County
Oakland County was established in 1819, with Pontiac serving as its county seat. Its communities range from busy suburban centers to smaller towns and areas of woodland and lakes. Troy is the largest municipality by the 2020 Census, while Royal Oak, Rochester and other downtowns offer their own shopping and dining destinations. Cultural institutions, public libraries and state recreation areas make it possible to combine a city outing with time outdoors. The county’s variety rewards planning around a particular community rather than one central destination.
Oakland County residents have many service choices, but availability depends on where they live. Confirm school district boundaries, utility service and transportation options using your address. Hospitals operate in several communities, and local libraries provide reading spaces, programs and practical learning resources. Travel between downtowns can involve different parking rules and transit connections. For family outings, check admission requirements and current closures, especially at museums, recreation areas and library locations undergoing renovation work.
What Shapes Us
Science and Wildlife
Visit the Detroit Zoo or Cranbrook Institute of Science for family discovery, checking admission, parking, special exhibit arrangements and any scheduled closures before traveling.
Distinctive Downtowns
Royal Oak offers independent books and vintage clothing, while Rochester adds dining destinations that can turn a shopping trip into a relaxed local outing.
Woodland Recreation
Proud Lake, Highland and other state recreation areas provide outdoor alternatives to the downtowns, with park-specific entry rules and changing trail conditions to check.
Find your downtown, follow a trail and discover more.
Around Oakland County
Around Oakland County
Places, landscapes and community stories
Rochester Hills Public Library
AI and the World Around You
You don't need to worry about picking the "right" AI tool or understanding exactly how it works. The…
Read the Story Oct 10, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Oakland County
Stories from every corner of Oakland County.
AI and the World Around You
You don't need to worry about picking the "right" AI tool or understanding exactly how it works. The…
Oct 10, 2026 • 2 min read
5th Grade Battle of the Books
The highly popular Rochester Hills Public Library’s annual Battle of the Books kicks off in November!
Oct 3, 2026 • 2 min read
October Spice Club: Juniper Berries
The berries from the Juniperus Communis are most commonly used for cooking, especially in Europe, where they are…
Oct 2, 2026 • 2 min read
Effortless, Quick-Cooking Recipe Collections at RHPL
Our shelves are stocked with effortless, quick-cooking recipe collections to help you create delicious, satisfying dishes without the…
Sep 19, 2026 • 2 min read
Your Youth Renovation Guide
Learn more about the upcoming Youth Services renovation.
Sep 18, 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 Oakland County. Visit the linked provider for current details before making a trip.
County Government
Board of Commissioners — Official county office information, contacts and services.
Clerk/Register of Deeds — Official county office information, contacts and services.
Oakland County Treasurer's Office — Official county office information, contacts and services.
County Executive — Official county office information, contacts and services.
Water Resources Commissioner — Official county office information, contacts and services.
Schools and Education
Confirm school assignment with the district serving your street address.
Oakland Schools — District information, enrollment and family resources.
Pontiac School District — District information, enrollment and family resources.
Rochester Community Schools — District information, enrollment and family resources.
Royal Oak Schools — District information, enrollment and family resources.
Troy School District — District information, enrollment and family resources.
Hospitals and Regional Care
Call 911 for an emergency. Regional facilities are labeled separately.
Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital — Hospital services in Royal Oak.
Corewell Health Farmington Hills Hospital — Hospital services in Farmington Hills.
Trinity Health Oakland Hospital — Hospital services in Pontiac.
Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital — Hospital services in West Bloomfield.
Henry Ford Rochester Hospital — Hospital services on West University Drive in Rochester.
Public Safety
Oakland County Sheriff — County law enforcement services and contacts.
Oakland County Emergency Management — Local 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.
Oakland County Emergency Management — Local preparedness and emergency coordination.
Oakland County Health — Public and environmental health information.
Oakland Community Health Network — Behavioral health access and crisis resources.
National Weather Service Detroit/Pontiac — Official forecasts, watches and warnings.
Michigan energy emergency preparedness — Official utility outage preparation and energy emergency resources.
State Parks and Recreation Areas
Proud Lake Recreation Area — State recreation with trails and outdoor activities; check park access, entry requirements and current conditions.
Bald Mountain Recreation Area — State recreation with trails and outdoor activities; check park access, entry requirements and current conditions.
Highland Recreation Area — State recreation with trails and outdoor activities; check park access, entry requirements and current conditions.
Pontiac Lake Recreation Area — State recreation with trails and outdoor activities; check park access, entry requirements and current conditions.
Seven Lakes State Park — State recreation with trails and outdoor activities; check park access, entry requirements and current conditions.
Trails and Outdoor Recreation
Proud Lake Recreation Area — State recreation with trails and outdoor activities; check park access, entry requirements and current conditions.
Bald Mountain Recreation Area — State recreation with trails and outdoor activities; check park access, entry requirements and current conditions.
Highland Recreation Area — State recreation with trails and outdoor activities; check park access, entry requirements and current conditions.
Pontiac Lake Recreation Area — State recreation with trails and outdoor activities; check park access, entry requirements and current conditions.
Seven Lakes State Park — State recreation with trails and outdoor activities; check park access, entry requirements and current conditions.
Utilities
Providers and public water or sewer service vary by address; confirm your service territory.
DTE Energy — Utility accounts and outages within its service territory.
Consumers Energy — Utility accounts and outages within its service territory.
Oakland County Health — Public and environmental health information.
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
Royal Oak Public Library — Public reading and community programs; check hours and registration.
Rochester Hills Public Library — Public reading, learning and activities; confirm current access.
Troy Public Library — Collections and community programs; confirm hours and card eligibility.
Novi Public Library — Public reading and programs; check the current calendar.
Farmington Community Library — Two community locations; check renovation notices and temporary closures before visiting.
Courts
Courts — Court information, procedures and office contacts.
Circuit Court — Court information, procedures and office contacts.
District Courts — Court information, procedures and office contacts.
Probate Court — 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
SMART — Regional transit; check routes, fares and specialized-service eligibility.
Oakland Connects — County transportation information and connections to local providers.
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 Oakland County.
Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak and Cranbrook Institute of Science in Bloomfield Hills offer different learning experiences. Check tickets and schedules.
Proud Lake Recreation Area, Highland Recreation Area and Pontiac Lake Recreation Area provide outdoor options. Check park rules and conditions.
O’Connor’s Public House, Kruse & Muer on Main, Rochester Mills Beer Co. provide local dining options. Confirm current menus and reservations.
Sidetrack Bookshop offers books in Royal Oak. Consult current opening hours and event information.
Leah’s Closet and Lost and Found Vintage are Royal Oak options for clothing and accessories.
Cranbrook Institute of Science normally charges admission and separate planetarium fees. Special admission programs have their own dates and eligibility; confirm before visiting.
Royal Oak Public Library, Rochester Hills Public Library and Troy Public Library offer public reading spaces. Check programs and any special charges.
Farmington Community Library publishes renovation and closure updates. Confirm the specific location is open before traveling.
SMART and Oakland Connects provide trip-planning resources. Confirm the service area and any reservation rules.
Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital in Royal Oak and Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital are among local options. Use provider information for planned care and call 911 in an emergency.
Oakland Schools lists local districts. Confirm the district and assigned school using your home address.
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
- Detroit Zoo — Animal exhibits in Royal Oak; tickets, parking and attraction schedules apply.
- Cranbrook Institute of Science — Science exhibits in Bloomfield Hills; check admission, separate planetarium tickets and scheduled closures.
- Royal Oak Public Library — Public reading and community programs; check hours and registration.
Restaurants
- O’Connor’s Public House — Irish pub dining in downtown Rochester; check current menus and hours.
- Kruse & Muer on Main — Rochester dining; check reservations and current service hours.
- Rochester Mills Beer Co. — Downtown Rochester brewpub dining; consult current menus and hours.
Shopping & Retail
- Sidetrack Bookshop — Independent books and reading discoveries in Royal Oak.
- Leah’s Closet — Vintage, new and previously owned clothing and accessories in Royal Oak.
- Lost and Found Vintage — Vintage clothing and accessories in Royal Oak; check current shop information.
Clothing & Boutiques
- Leah’s Closet — Vintage, new and previously owned clothing and accessories in Royal Oak.
- Lost and Found Vintage — Vintage clothing and accessories in Royal Oak; check current shop information.
- Incognito Women’s Apparel — Bloomfield Hills apparel business with online shopping information; confirm current inventory and visiting arrangements.
Outdoor Fun
- Proud Lake Recreation Area — State recreation with trails and outdoor activities; check park access, entry requirements and current conditions.
- Bald Mountain Recreation Area — State recreation with trails and outdoor activities; check park access, entry requirements and current conditions.
- Highland Recreation Area — State recreation with trails and outdoor activities; check park access, entry requirements and current conditions.
Free Things To Do
- Royal Oak Public Library — Public reading and community programs; check hours and registration.
- Rochester Hills Public Library — Public reading, learning and activities; confirm current access.
- Troy Public Library — Collections and community programs; confirm hours and card eligibility.
Your next local discovery starts here.Explore the listings