Population372,258 (2020 Census)
Artful Discoveries, Garden Walks and Lively Downtowns
Washtenaw County, MichiganWashtenaw County brings together university museums, independent shops, garden paths and communities along the Huron River. Ann Arbor offers art, natural history and dining, while Ypsilanti, Chelsea, Dexter and Saline add libraries and everyday destinations of their own. Use this guide to connect a day of exploration with practical information about schools, hospitals, county offices and transportation. Check each destination’s current hours, parking arrangements and seasonal access before setting out.
Washtenaw County at a Glance
Population372,258 (2020 Census)
County SeatAnn Arbor
Largest MunicipalityAnn Arbor (123,851; 2020 population within county)
Established1826 (organized)
ZIP Codes30 ZIP codes wholly or partly within the county
Total Area722.4 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesI-94, US-23, US-12, M-14, M-52 and M-153
Area Codes734, 517 and 248/947 (service areas vary)
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 Washtenaw County
Washtenaw County
Washtenaw County organized in 1826, with Ann Arbor serving as its county seat. The county’s communities connect university life, agriculture, commerce and recreation along the Huron River. Ann Arbor is also its largest municipality by the 2020 Census. University museums now offer places to explore art and natural history, while gardens, libraries and local downtowns provide other windows into community life. Trails and recreation areas link those urban destinations with the lakes, woodlands and open spaces farther west.
Daily life in Washtenaw County draws on services across several communities. Residents should confirm school assignment, utility coverage and local government jurisdiction for their exact address. Hospitals in Ann Arbor, the Ypsilanti area and Chelsea provide care options, while libraries offer reading spaces and community programs. TheRide and WAVE serve different transportation needs and areas. Museums, gardens and trails add outing choices, with parking, seasonal access and special program costs to consider when planning.
What Shapes Us
Museum Discoveries
University museums offer art and natural history in Ann Arbor, including free general admission options for individuals and families, with separate arrangements for groups and special programs.
Gardens and Trails
Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Nichols Arboretum and county trails provide varied outdoor settings, with separate locations, parking arrangements and seasonal conditions to check before visiting.
Downtown Shopping
Independent booksellers, Kerrytown gifts and clothing stores offer different ways to explore Ann Arbor, with nearby dining choices that help turn errands into an outing.
Follow your curiosity through gardens, galleries and local streets.
Around Washtenaw County
Around Washtenaw County
Places, landscapes and community stories
WXYZ Homepage
Chelsea man describes finding pipe bomb while filling up his tank
A pipe bomb was found at a Chelsea Speedway gas station Friday. Michigan State Police Bomb Squad safely…
Read the Story Oct 10, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Washtenaw County
Stories from every corner of Washtenaw County.
Chelsea man describes finding pipe bomb while filling up his tank
A pipe bomb was found at a Chelsea Speedway gas station Friday. Michigan State Police Bomb Squad safely…
Oct 10, 2026 • 2 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 Washtenaw 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.
Treasurer — Official county office information, contacts and services.
Water Resources Commissioner — Official county office information, contacts and services.
County Departments — Official county office information, contacts and services.
Schools and Education
Confirm school assignment with the district serving your street address.
Washtenaw Intermediate School District — District information, enrollment and family resources.
Ann Arbor Public Schools — District information, enrollment and family resources.
Ypsilanti Community Schools — District information, enrollment and family resources.
Chelsea School District — District information, enrollment and family resources.
Dexter Community Schools — District information, enrollment and family resources.
Hospitals and Regional Care
Call 911 for an emergency. Regional facilities are labeled separately.
University Hospital — Adult hospital services in Ann Arbor at University of Michigan Health.
Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital — Hospital on McAuley Drive with a Ypsilanti mailing address.
Chelsea Hospital — Hospital services on South Main Street in Chelsea.
Public Safety
Washtenaw County Sheriff — County law enforcement information and services.
Washtenaw Emergency Services — Emergency preparedness and county coordination resources.
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.
Washtenaw Emergency Services — Emergency preparedness and county coordination resources.
Washtenaw Health Department — Public and environmental health information.
Washtenaw Community Mental Health — 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
Pinckney Recreation Area — Trails and lakes across Washtenaw and Livingston counties; check entry requirements, advisories and seasonal closures.
Waterloo Recreation Area — Outdoor recreation across Washtenaw and Jackson counties; choose a trailhead and check current access.
Trails and Outdoor Recreation
Pinckney Recreation Area — Trails and lakes across Washtenaw and Livingston counties; check entry requirements, advisories and seasonal closures.
Waterloo Recreation Area — Outdoor recreation across Washtenaw and Jackson counties; choose a trailhead and check current access.
Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum — Two distinct garden and trail destinations; general admission is free, with parking charges and separate program arrangements.
Border to Border Trail — County trail information and route planning; check open sections before traveling.
Washtenaw parks and preserves — County-managed outdoor destinations, access information and trail resources.
Utilities
Providers and public water or sewer service vary by address; confirm your service territory.
DTE Energy — Utility accounts and outage information within its service territory.
Consumers Energy — Utility accounts and outage information within its service territory.
Washtenaw Health Department — 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
Ann Arbor District Library — Collections, programs and borrowing information; confirm current hours and card eligibility.
Ypsilanti District Library — Collections, programs and borrowing information; confirm current hours and card eligibility.
Chelsea District Library — Collections, programs and borrowing information; confirm current hours and card eligibility.
Dexter District Library — Collections, programs and borrowing information; confirm current hours and card eligibility.
Saline District Library — Collections, programs and borrowing information; confirm current hours and card eligibility.
Courts
14A District Court — Court information, procedures and office contacts.
14B District Court — Court information, procedures and office contacts.
15th District Court — Court information, procedures and office contacts.
Washtenaw Trial 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.
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
TheRide — Ann Arbor-area transit; check routes, service areas, fares and schedules.
Western-Washtenaw Area Value Express — Western county transportation with route and reservation options; confirm coverage for your trip.
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 Washtenaw County.
U-M Museum of Natural History offers natural history exhibits, and Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum provides interactive science activities. Review admission arrangements for each destination.
University of Michigan Museum of Art welcomes visitors without a general admission charge. Check gallery hours and parking arrangements.
Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum provides free general admission. Parking charges and separate program fees may apply; Matthaei and Nichols are different destinations.
Pinckney Recreation Area and Waterloo Recreation Area offer trails and lakes across county lines. Check entry requirements, advisories and seasonal access.
Border to Border Trail provides a starting point for route planning. Confirm open segments and appropriate access points before traveling.
Zingerman’s Delicatessen, Frita Batidos — Ann Arbor, Miss Kim offer different dining options. Confirm current menus, hours and reservations.
Literati Bookstore offers books, while FOUND Gallery carries gifts and home goods in Kerrytown.
M Den Team Shop — Crisler Center lists the Crisler Center shop at 333 East Stadium Boulevard. Locations marked coming soon should not be treated as open.
Ann Arbor District Library and Ypsilanti District Library serve Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti communities. Chelsea, Dexter and Saline also have district libraries; check card eligibility.
University Hospital, Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital, Chelsea Hospital provide general hospital options. Consult the provider for services and call 911 for an emergency.
TheRide and Western-Washtenaw Area Value Express cover different routes and communities. Confirm your origin, destination and any advance reservation requirements.
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
- U-M Museum of Natural History — Natural history exhibits with free admission for individuals and families; groups and special programs have separate arrangements.
- Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum — Interactive science activities; check museum admission and select the correct facility when planning a visit.
- University of Michigan Museum of Art — Free general admission to art galleries in Ann Arbor; check current hours and parking arrangements.
Restaurants
- Zingerman’s Delicatessen — Sandwiches and specialty foods in Ann Arbor.
- Frita Batidos — Ann Arbor — Cuban-inspired street food; select the Ann Arbor location.
- Miss Kim — Korean dining in Kerrytown; reservations are recommended by the restaurant.
Shopping & Retail
- Literati Bookstore — Independent book shopping in downtown Ann Arbor; confirm event and store schedules.
- FOUND Gallery — Gifts, home goods and handmade pieces in Kerrytown Market & Shops.
- Bivouac — Clothing, footwear and outdoor gear on South State Street in Ann Arbor.
Clothing & Boutiques
- Bivouac — Clothing, footwear and outdoor gear on South State Street in Ann Arbor.
- M Den Team Shop — Crisler Center — Michigan apparel at 333 East Stadium Boulevard; check current shop hours.
- Sam’s Store — Clothing and everyday apparel on East Liberty Street; confirm current hours.
Outdoor Fun
- Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum — Two distinct garden and trail destinations; general admission is free, with parking charges and separate program arrangements.
- Pinckney Recreation Area — Trails and lakes across Washtenaw and Livingston counties; check entry requirements, advisories and seasonal closures.
- Waterloo Recreation Area — Outdoor recreation across Washtenaw and Jackson counties; choose a trailhead and check current access.
Free Things To Do
- University of Michigan Museum of Art — Free general admission to art galleries in Ann Arbor; check current hours and parking arrangements.
- U-M Museum of Natural History — Natural history exhibits with free admission for individuals and families; groups and special programs have separate arrangements.
- Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum — Two distinct garden and trail destinations; general admission is free, with parking charges and separate program arrangements.
Your next local discovery starts here.Explore the listings