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Backus

A township of 294 people in Roscommon County, Michigan

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Around town

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The Backus album

0 of 12 shotsNeighbors document Backus together

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Outdoors in Backus

Parks & trails →

Map of Backus: conserved land, trails and the top places to walk

Conserved land14%3,149 of 22,878 acres

Trails68 mi1.9 mi per sq mi

Parks & preserves3named on the map

1Au Sable State Forest - Roscommon Unit51.3 mi of trails · 14,521 acres Directions

2Backus Township park0.5 mi of trails · 41 acres Directions

3Backus Creek State Game Area0.2 mi of trails · 1,281 acres

Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US

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Know Backus

The town at a glance, and the guide to how things work

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About Backus

Civil township in Michigan, United States

294Population

35.9 sq miArea

1,168 ftElevation

Backus Township is a civil township of Roscommon County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 294 at the 2020 census.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

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Living in Backus

Work & commute in Backus

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Most working residents leave Backus for work: only 1% work in town. The top destinations are Denton (14%), Roscommon (7%) and Grayling (6%). Half commute less than 28 miles.

Denton

14%

Roscommon

7%

Grayling

6%

Higgins

6%

1%Work in townlive and work in Backus 28 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 61Jobs based herebalanced

Census LEHD 2021 · ACSWork & commute in Backus →

Health in Backus

Compared with Michigan

1better than MI·14worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 17 are too close to call.

Conditions 9▼ 3 close Habits 2▼ 2 close Care 1▲ 1▼ 5 close Mind 2▼ 3 close Everyday needs all close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

83%More adults treating high blood pressureMI 77.6% · better 14.4%More adults with COPDMI 8.1% · worse

Care nearby

Mymichigan Medical Center West BranchWest Branch · 15.2 mi · ER

Midmichigan Health Park - Houghton LakeHoughton Lake · 13.6 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalShortage · county-wide

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · ZIP codes 48651, 48656 · CMS · HRSAHealth in Backus →

Natural hazards in Backus

Moderate

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 52% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🥶 Cold waves🌪️ Tornadoes

0Does Backus flood?no paid flood claims on record NoneDisasters that paid out hereof 5 declared for Roscommon County MapBackus vs. its neighborsnearby towns shaded by rating

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Backus →

Climate in Backus

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Backus has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 81°, a January night drops to 12°, and about 66 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

30° / 14°Winter

54° / 31°Spring

78° / 54°Summer

57° / 37°Fall

How much snow does Backus get?About 66 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Sep 23, with the last in spring around May 19.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+2.0° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Backus →

Libraries near Backus

Nearest: Richfield Township Public LibrarySaint Helen · 8.4 miles · 24 hrs a week

Famous people from BackusWriters, athletes, leaders and more who were born in Backus.Meet them →

Where Backus is

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Locator map of Backus — Wikimedia Commons · Map: Notorious4life at English Wikipedia · Public domain

Location map

Michigan · MI · Roscommon CountyTown boundary on OpenStreetMap →

Around town

Bordering towns

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Backus Higgins Denton Richfield Nester

NHiggins WDenton NERichfield SENester

Where Backus residents work nearby:Denton 14%Higgins 6%Work & commute →

Compare side by side:Backus vs Higgins Backus vs Denton Backus vs Richfield Backus vs Nester

How things work in Backus

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Town hall & decisionsTrash, recycling & yard wasteUtilities & servicesStreets, parking & getting aroundSafety & preparednessSchools & learningParks, sports & recreationHealth & emergency care