Genesee County, Michigan

Genesee County
Genesee County Courthouse in Flint
Official seal of Genesee County
Official logo of Genesee County
Map of Michigan highlighting Genesee County
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Map of the United States highlighting Michigan
Michigan's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 43°01′N 83°43′W / 43.02°N 83.71°W / 43.02; -83.71
Country United States
State Michigan
FoundedMarch 28, 1835 (created)
1836 (organized)
Named forGenesee County, New York
SeatFlint
Largest cityFlint
Area
 • Total650 sq mi (1,700 km2)
 • Land637 sq mi (1,650 km2)
 • Water13 sq mi (30 km2)  1.9%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total406,211
 • Density640/sq mi (250/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts7th, 8th
Websitewww.geneseecountymi.gov

Genesee County (/ˈɛnəsi/ JEN-ə-see) is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 406,211,[1] making it the fifth-most populous county in Michigan. The county seat and population center is Flint (birthplace of General Motors).[2] Genesee County consists of 33 cities, townships, and villages. It is considered to be a part of the greater Mid Michigan area.

The county was named after Genesee County, New York, which in turn comes from the Seneca word Gen-nis'-hee-yo, meaning "Beautiful Valley".[3] Genesee County comprises the Flint, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area. A major attraction for visitors is Crossroads Village, a living history village north of Flint.

Genesee County is noted for having had the fossil of an ancient whale known as Balaenoptera Lacepede[4] unearthed in Thetford Township during quarry work and estimated at 11,000 years old.[5]

  1. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Clarke Historical Library. "Bibliography on Genesee County". Central Michigan University. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  4. ^ "Fossilworks: Balaenoptera". paleodb.org. Archived from the original on October 16, 2012.
  5. ^ "The Paleobiology Database". Archived from the original on October 16, 2012. Retrieved December 18, 2009. Paleobiology Database: Thetford Center