With a population of 259 at the time of the 2020 census, Omer, Michigan is the smallest city, by area and population, in the state, with close competition from Lake Angelus.
Surrounded by Arenac Township, the city is bisected left and right by the Rifle River, and north and south by US-23 (Huron Road), which serves as Center Street within the city. Other routes through the city include Arenac State Road, Main Street Road, and River Road (Michigan Avenue).
Cities and villages within twenty miles of Omer include Standish, Twining, Au Gres, Sterling, Turner, Whittemore, Pinconning, and Prescott, while the unincorporated community of Pine River is six miles south of Omer.
The Rifle River is a sixty-mile waterway that begins in northeast Ogemaw County, flowing through Arenac County, where it enters Saginaw Bay of Lake Huron. Today, it is popular with canoeists. The river also has one of the best White Sucker runs in the state, which brings people from all over the Midwest and Canada in the spring. Until the 1980s, the city sponsored an annual Sucker Festival and fishing tournament, until the insurance costs of the festival became too much for the city to manage. The tournament was revived by local sponsors in 2008.
The city's peak population was 403 in 1980, while its lowest population since first appearing on a census roll in 1910 was 216 in 1930.
Omer was founded by George Carscallen and George L. Gorie, who built a large sawmill on the Rifle River in 1866. The settlement that grew around the mill was first known as Rifle River Mills. When a post office was established on September 19, 1872, Mr. Carscallen, the first postmaster, wanted to name it Homer, but Michigan had another post office named Homer, so he shortened it to Omer.
Omer was in Bay County until Arenac County was organized in 1883.
The Detroit & Mackinac Railroad built a station in Omer to serve its south division main line and a branch line to Au Gres. The first freight train ran from Omer to Monroe on September 22, 1896.
Platted in 1872, Omer was incorporated as a city in 1903.
The focal point of this portion of our guide is on the small city of Omer, Michigan. Appropriate topics include online resources for the municipal government, as well as for local businesses, industries, schools, churches, organizations, attractions, events, and recreational opportunities.
 
 
Recommended Resources
D&M Supply Heating & Plumbing Parts
Located on Wests Huron Road in Omer, Michigan, the heating and plumbing supply store serves homeowners and contractors. Founded by Michelle and Dan Meihls, Jr. in 2016, the company can work with homeowners and contractors on heating projects, and carries supplies for repairs on drains, sinks, water heaters, toilets, showers, and plumbing and heating parts and supplies. Its address, store hours, a map, telephone number, email address, and an online contact form are featured.
https://dandmsupply.net/
Founded by Daniel Meihls, Jr. in 2006, the HVAC company commercial refrigeration installation and servicing, as well as air conditioning, heating, and plumbing repair and installations, along with a variety of services that includes ice machines, geothermal heating and cooling, outdoor wood stoves, heat pumps, furnaces, and air conditioning units, water heaters, and radiant heat, as well as 24-hour emergency services for installation, repair, and maintenance on commercial equipment.
https://www.meihlsmechanical.net/
Riverbend Campground & Canoe Rental
Situated on thirty acres of woodlands along the Rifle River, Riverbed is open from the middle of May to the end of October. Featuring a hundred campsites, including some with water and electricity that overlook the river, as well as water and electric sites further into the woods, some with a stream flowing behind them. A map and photographs of the campground are provided, along with guest testimonials, rental items, and promotional offers. Directions, contacts, and prices are included.
https://www.riverbendomer.com/
Russell Canoes and Campgrounds & Crystal Creek Campground
Situated on the Rifle River in Omer, Michigan, the family-owned and operated canoe livery and campground offer canoeing, kayaking, rafting, tubing, and other flotation devices, including drifters and cabanas, and river trips that range from one and a half hours to five days. An annual brochure may be downloaded in PDF format, its river trips are highlighted, and online bookings are available. Its two campgrounds are featured, Russell Campgrounds in Omer, and Crystal Creek Campground.
https://russellcanoe.com/
Specializing in Amish-crafted furniture, the Omer, Michigan furniture store features three floors of furniture, including kitchen furniture, and furniture for dining rooms, bedrooms, living rooms, and home offices, as well as textile collections, napkins, towels, table runners, rugs, and outdoor furniture. Established in 1994, its physical location, mailing address, a map, store hours, and contacts are posted, with a product gallery and an introduction to its Red Barn Hobby Shop.
https://amishtreasuresforever.com/