Rose City is a city in Ogemaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 653 at the 2010 census. Houghton Creek, a tributary of the Rifle River, runs through part of the city limits.The city is supported by some small businesses and manufacturing facilities, but has survived over the years primarily as a result of tourism and the attraction of the many lakes and streams in the scenic surrounding area. The Rifle River State Recreation Area is less than three miles from the city limits.