East Central Region, MI Land for Sale

As the name suggests, the East Central region of Michigan is located in the middle and eastern part of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. The eastern side borders Lake Huron and stretches into the fertile plains of the Michigan Basin. The largest city in the region is Lansing, the fifth largest city in the state, which is also the capital. Flint, Midland, Bay City and Saginaw are also larger cities in the area.

There are many rivers in this region, including the Grand River, Red Cedar River, Saginaw River, Tittabawassee River, Shiawassee River and Flint River. Generally, the area has rolling hills and fertile plains, therefore agriculture is abundant in rural areas, with corn, soybeans, sugar beets and hay being the most common crops. This region also has many livestock and dairy farms. Flint is an important center in the automotive industry, with several manufacturing plants. Michigan also provides a commercial gateway between the Midwestern U.S. and Ontario, Canada, as a small piece of land connects across Lake Huron. There are several educational major educational institutions in the region, including Central Michigan University, Michigan State University, Michigan State University College of Law, Saginaw Valley State University and Kettering University.

Genesee County is located in the southern part of the East Central region of Michigan. It is the fifth most populated county in the state, and the largest city is Flint, the seventh largest city in Michigan, which is also the county seat. Burton is another mid-sized city in the county. The county boasts one of the largest county park systems in Michigan, with 21 parks including 11,000 acres of woods, trails, water and beaches. Most notably are Linden Park (Clover Beach), Flushing Park, Bluebell Beach/Flint River Bike Path, Stepping Stone Falls and For-Mar Nature Preserve. Flint offers attractions such as art galleries, museums and a variety of shops and restaurants. University of Michigan has a campus located in Flint, as well as Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. Kettering University and Mott Community College is also in Flint.

Roscommon County, commonly known as "Rosco" to locals, is located in the northwest corner of the East Central Michigan region. The county was named after County Roscommon in Ireland. There are no cities in this county, the village of Roscommon is the largest community and is the county seat. There are a number of small, unincorporated communities and townships. Roscommon County is part of Au Sable State Forest, an important protected area used for wildlife game management and fostering rare and endangered species. Portions of the forest are designated National Natural Landmarks. The county has several lakes, including Higgins Lake, Houghton Lake and Lake St. Helen, and also Au Sable River.

Saginaw County is located near the center of the East Central Michigan region. The largest city is Saginaw, which is also the county seat. Other cities include Frankenmuth and Zilwaukee. Several rivers run through this county, including Saginaw River, Shiawassee River, Cass River, Flint River, Bad River and Tittabawassee River. The Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge is also in Saginaw County. County parks include Imerman Memorial Park, Veterans Memorial Park, Ringwood Forest, Price Nature Center, William H. Haithco Recreation Area and The Saginaw Valley Rail Trail. There are also eight recognized historical markers in Saginaw County. Saginaw Valley State University and Delta College, a two-year community college, are both located in this county.