Genesee County, Michigan

Genesee County, Michigan
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Coordinates: 43°01′16″N 83°42′23″W / 43.021077°N 83.706372°W / 43.021077; -83.706372
Country United States
State Michigan
FoundedMarch 28, 1835 (created)
April 4, 1836 (organized)
Named afterGenesee County, New York
SeatFlint
Largest cityFlint
Area
 • Total
649.587 sq mi (1,682.42 km2)
 • Land636.944 sq mi (1,649.68 km2)
 • Water12.643 sq mi (32.75 km2)  1.95%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
406,211
 • Estimate 
(2024)
402,279
 • Density631.698/sq mi (243.900/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Area code810
Congressional districts7th, 8th
Websitegeneseecountymi.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, and was estimated to be 402,279 in 2024, making it the fifth-most populous county in Michigan, and the most populous in Mid-Michigan. The county seat and largest city is Flint (birthplace of General Motors). Genesee County consists of 33 cities, townships, and villages. It is considered to be a part of Mid-Michigan.

The county was named after Genesee County, New York, which in turn comes from the Seneca word Gen-nis'-hee-yo, meaning "Beautiful Valley". 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 unearthed in Thetford Township during quarry work and estimated at 11,000 years old.