Oakland County began as a settlement where the Saginaw Trail crossed the Clinton River in 1818. One year later on January 12, 1819, Oakland County was officially organized and was named for its beautiful oak trees. Oakland County was not heavily wooded enough to attract many lumbermen, and settlement was slow at first.

Oakland County's agriculture was productive, however, and when roads and railroads to the north were built, the county was able to trade with the lumber areas.

Today the excellent agriculture of Oakland County has been overshadowed by its industrial and residential growth. The result is a mixture of big city, suburban, and rural lifestyles. A superior system of parks includes 6 state recreation areas, 3 state parks, and 2 metroparks providing Michigan's second largest population with an abundance of leisure opportunity.

Addison

Auburn Hills

Berkley

Beverly Hills

Bingham Farms

Birmingham

Bloomfield Hills

Bloomfield

Brandon

Clarkston

Clawson

Commerce Township

Farmington Hills

Farmington

Fenton

Ferndale

Franklin

Groveland

Hazel Park

Highland

Holly

Huntington Woods

Independence

Keego Harbor

Lake Angelus 

Lake Orion

Lathrup Village

Leonard

Lyon

Madison Heights

Milford

Northville

Novi

Oak Park

Oakland

Orchard Lake

Orion

Ortonville

Oxford

Pleasant Ridge

Pontiac

Rochester Hills

Rochester 

Rose

Royal Oak

South Lyon

Southfield

Springfield

Sylvan Lake

Troy

Walled Lake

Waterford

West Bloomfield

White Lake

Wixom

Wolverine Lake