Population45,746 (2020 Census)
Garden Walks, Lake Views and Town Discoveries
Hillsdale County, MichiganHillsdale County brings together quiet garden paths, lakefront recreation and small town stops along southern Michigan’s roads. Spend time around Baw Beese Lake, explore the grounds of Slayton Arboretum or plan an evening at The Sauk in Jonesville. Local restaurants and shops round out a day out, while this guide also gathers schools, libraries, county offices and transportation contacts to help residents and visitors handle everyday plans with useful information close at hand.
Hillsdale County at a Glance
Population45,746 (2020 Census)
County SeatHillsdale
Largest MunicipalityHillsdale (8,036; 2020 population within county)
Established1829; organized in 1835
ZIP Codes22 ZIP codes wholly or partly within the county
Total Area607.0 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesUS-12, M-34, M-49 and M-99
Area Codes517
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 Hillsdale County
Hillsdale County
Hillsdale County was created in 1829 and organized in 1835. Its communities preserve different parts of that history through civic buildings, local collections and places that remain in everyday use. Hillsdale College’s Slayton Arboretum began with a land donation in 1922 and developed into a natural area for study and public enjoyment. In downtown Hillsdale, the restoration of Mrs. Stock’s Park has renewed a garden gathering place. Together, these sites connect earlier community life with the county’s present streets, schools and parks.
Hillsdale, Jonesville, Litchfield, Reading and the surrounding villages and townships provide different combinations of schools, libraries and municipal services. Check your street address when choosing an enrollment office, utility provider or library card application. Hillsdale Dial-a-Ride offers local transportation, with boundaries and booking arrangements to confirm before travel. Parks, community theatre and campus activities provide options for time off, while smaller shops and seasonal attractions are best visited after checking their current schedules.
What Shapes Us
Garden Paths
Slayton Arboretum and Mrs. Stock’s Park offer different settings for a slower walk, with campus nature paths and downtown gardens adding variety to a local outing.
Lakeside Recreation
Owen Memorial Park connects visitors with Baw Beese Lake views, play areas and a nearby trail, with pavilion rentals and special activities handled separately.
Jonesville Stops
Jonesville combines community theatre, clothing shops and restaurants along its town streets, making it possible to plan a meal and an activity around the same visit.
Make time for a garden, a lake and a town.
Around Hillsdale County
Around Hillsdale County
Places, landscapes and community stories
North Adams Community Memorial Library
North Adams Community Memorial Library Quarterly Newsletter (Sep-Oct-Nov 2026)
Read the Story Sep 3, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Hillsdale County
Stories from every corner of Hillsdale County.
North Adams Community Memorial Library Quarterly Newsletter (Sep-Oct-Nov 2026)
Sep 3, 2026 • 2 min read
Christmas Open House with Santa & Mrs. Claus
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Enjoy a fun and entertaining evening with Santa and Mrs.…
Aug 19, 2026 • 2 min read
Expect the Unexpected: A Visit with Retired Secret Service Agent Radford Jones
“You always have to expect the unexpected wherever you are at.” Radford Jones, retired special agent of the…
Aug 19, 2026 • 2 min read
Songs and Stories of Ireland
Come out for a special evening of music and storytelling! Let the wonderful songs of Ireland take you…
Aug 19, 2026 • 2 min read
Handcrafting
If you enjoy crafting, stitchwork, knitting, or mending bring your project to the library and join the ladies…
Aug 11, 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 Hillsdale 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's Office — 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.
Hillsdale County ISD — District information, enrollment and family resources.
Hillsdale Community Schools — District information, enrollment and family resources.
Jonesville Community Schools — District information, enrollment and family resources.
Reading Community Schools — District information, enrollment and family resources.
Camden-Frontier Schools — District information, enrollment and family resources.
Hospitals and Regional Care
Call 911 for an emergency. Regional facilities are labeled separately.
Hillsdale Hospital — Local hospital and service contacts on South Howell Street.
Public Safety
Hillsdale County Sheriff — County law enforcement and public safety contacts.
Hillsdale 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.
Hillsdale County Emergency Management — County emergency coordination and preparedness information.
Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency — Local public health and environmental health services.
LifeWays — Community mental health services for Hillsdale and Jackson counties.
National Weather Service Northern Indiana — Official forecasts, watches and warnings for the area.
Michigan energy emergency preparedness — Official utility outage preparation and energy emergency resources.
State Parks and Recreation Areas
Lake Hudson Recreation Area — Regional option in Lenawee County, outside Hillsdale County; check access requirements and park notices.
Trails and Outdoor Recreation
Slayton Arboretum — Campus natural area with walking paths and a children’s garden; follow posted visitor rules.
Mrs. Stock’s Park — Downtown gardens, a pond and community gathering space; pavilion rentals are separate.
Owen Memorial Park — Baw Beese Lake views, play areas and access to the Baw Beese Trail.
Hillsdale County Parks — County park locations and recreation information, including Lewis Emery Park.
Lost Nation State Game Area — Find the Hillsdale County entry and area map; this is a game area with hunting activity, not a state park.
Utilities
Providers and public water or sewer service vary by address; confirm your service territory.
Hillsdale Board of Public Utilities — Municipal utility accounts, service information and payment options.
Consumers Energy — Utility information for addresses within its service territory.
Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency — 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
Hillsdale Community Library — Public library visits and programs; borrowing eligibility and special services have separate requirements.
Jonesville District Library — Collections, programs and borrowing information; confirm current hours and card eligibility.
Reading Community Library — Collections, programs and borrowing information; confirm current hours and card eligibility.
North Adams Community Memorial Library — Collections, programs and borrowing information; confirm current hours and card eligibility.
Litchfield District Library — Collections, programs and borrowing information; confirm current hours and card eligibility.
Courts
1st Judicial Circuit Court (Criminal, Divorces) — Court information, procedures and office contacts.
2B District Court (Small Claims, Tickets) — Court information, procedures and office contacts.
Friend of the Court (Child Support) — Court information, procedures and office contacts.
Juvenile Services (Truancy, Juvenile Drug Court) — Court information, procedures and office contacts.
Probate/Family Court (Probate, Adoptions) — 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
Hillsdale Dial-a-Ride — City transportation with select out-of-town destinations; confirm coverage, reservations and current fares.
Hillsdale County Road Commission — County road information and maintenance contacts.
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 Hillsdale County.
Owen Memorial Park offers lake views, play areas and access to the Baw Beese Trail. Check facility rules and arrange pavilion rentals separately.
Slayton Arboretum welcomes community visitors during its posted daytime hours. Stay on permitted paths and follow its rules for the grounds and reserved events.
The Sauk presents shows in Jonesville. Check the current production, age suitability and ticket policy before choosing a performance.
Mrs. Stock’s Park is on East Bacon Street in Hillsdale. Ordinary garden visits and advertised free summer concerts are distinct from paid pavilion reservations.
Lost Nation State Game Area is a state game area in Hillsdale County. Consult the DNR area map and current rules, including hunting activity, when planning an outing.
Lake Hudson Recreation Area is a regional option in neighboring Lenawee County. Check entry requirements, camping arrangements and current notices.
Powers Clothing sells clothing and footwear in Jonesville. Hillsdale College Bookstore offers college apparel, and Walmart Jonesville provides another local option.
Olivia’s Chop House and Saucy Dog’s BBQ provide two choices. Consult their current menus and opening schedules before visiting.
Hillsdale Dial-a-Ride serves the city and select out-of-town destinations. Confirm both ends of your trip, reservation notice and the applicable fare directly.
Hillsdale Community Library and Reading Community Library explain their services. Borrowing eligibility depends on residence or other library arrangements.
Hillsdale Hospital is on South Howell Street in Hillsdale. Use its current contacts for routine service 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
- Owen Memorial Park — Baw Beese Lake views, play areas and access to the Baw Beese Trail.
- Slayton Arboretum — Campus natural area with walking paths and a children’s garden; follow posted visitor rules.
- The Sauk — Jonesville community theatre; choose a suitable production and check age guidance and ticket requirements.
Restaurants
- Olivia’s Chop House — Steaks, seafood and other meals on East Chicago Street in Jonesville.
- Saucy Dog’s BBQ — Jonesville barbecue restaurant; consult the current menu and hours.
- Hillsdale Brewing Company — Food and house beverages on Hillsdale Street; menus change seasonally.
Shopping & Retail
- Smith’s Floral Boutique — Flowers and gifts on North Howell Street in Hillsdale.
- Powers Clothing — Clothing and footwear in downtown Jonesville.
- Hillsdale College Bookstore — Campus books, gifts and college apparel in the Grewcock Student Union.
Clothing & Boutiques
- Powers Clothing — Clothing and footwear in downtown Jonesville.
- Hillsdale College Bookstore — Campus books, gifts and college apparel in the Grewcock Student Union.
- Walmart Jonesville — Family clothing, footwear and accessories at the Jonesville store.
Outdoor Fun
- Slayton Arboretum — Campus natural area with walking paths and a children’s garden; follow posted visitor rules.
- Owen Memorial Park — Baw Beese Lake views, play areas and access to the Baw Beese Trail.
- Lost Nation State Game Area — Find the Hillsdale County entry and area map; this is a game area with hunting activity, not a state park.
Free Things To Do
- Mrs. Stock’s Park — Enjoy an ordinary garden visit; check the city calendar for free summer concerts. Pavilion rentals are separate.
- Hillsdale Community Library — Public library visits and programs; borrowing eligibility and special services have separate requirements.
- North Adams Community Memorial Library — Browse the public library and check free community activities; card eligibility and special programs have separate rules.
Your next local discovery starts here.Explore the listings