Kalkaska County is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the population was 17,153. The county seat is Kalkaska. The county was set off in 1840 as Wabassee County, and renamed in 1843. It was organized in 1871. The county's name is a Native American, but its meaning is uncertain.Kalkaska County is included in the Traverse City, MI Micropolitan Statistical Area. The county is considered to be part of Northern Michigan.