County Facts and Symbols
County Name
Saginaw
Name Origin
The name Saginaw is derived from the language of the Chippewa Indians, and it means “Land of the Sauks.” The entire Saginaw Valley was inhabited by the warlike Sauks. However, around the year 1520, the Chippewas invaded the territory in great force and in a series of battles the Sauks were virtually destroyed. The bloodiest of these battles was fought on what has since been known as Skull Island in the Saginaw River and on a bluff on the Flint River about a mile from the present Village of Flushing.
County Info
Saginaw County was organized in 1835 from unorganized territory. The boundary between Saginaw and Bay counties was adjusted in 1875 and 1881. The county borders Bay, Tuscola, Genesee, Shiawassee, Gratiot, and Midland Counties. There are 37 cities, townships, and villages and the county seat is Saginaw.
Population
According to the last census, the population of Saginaw County was 187,714.
County Seal
Radiating from a star, the symbol of American independence and perseverance, the symbol blossoms into many petals depicting our County heritage:
- White Pine - Symbolizing the first giant industry
- Sheaf of Wheat - Rich in agriculture
- Native American - Our heritage
- Gear - Our significant place in the automotive industry
- Fish & Water - For the mighty Shiawassee, Tittabawassee & Saginaw Rivers
County Flag
Saginaw County is rich in heritage, and the flag symbolizes, through its color and pattern, our highest ideals, our greatest achievements and our richest wealth in natural resources. The “field of green” of our flag represents nature’s gift of open fields, gentle sloping valleys and meandering rivers. It also represents another area from which Saginaw County profits, the area of higher education, and the profit of innovation, invention and improvement. The green is graced by two stars, one gold, one blue. The gold star symbolizes a total and supreme sacrifice; the blue star, total and supreme readiness. Adorning the green field are eleven stripes, six blue and five gold. Each blue stripe represents one of the six rivers, the Saginaw, Shiawassee, Flint, Tittabawassee, Bad and the Cass. Four gold stripes represent the four directions, symbolizing our agricultural productivity and its radiating importance to surrounding areas. The fifth gold stripe symbolizes the wealth that belongs to Saginaw County by means of cultural exchange. A blue circle crowns the flag, representing unbroken unity, and yet individualism. The colors of red, white and blue are symbolic of the Country to which we claim allegiance and reflect individualism and freedom. The two arrowheads on the background of white represent hope for increased brotherhood of man. Our highest aspirations are evidenced by the words “God Be With Us” in gold. An abstract white pine tree, formed by the letters “SC” is significant of the industry’s major emphasis regionally. This flag, with its poignant reflection of our heritage, serves to nurture an appreciation of the past, a greater understanding of the present, and a growing perspective for the future.