Kalamazoo County, Michigan

Kalamazoo County is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of 2019, the population was 265,066.[2] The county seat is Kalamazoo.[3]

Kalamazoo County
U.S. county
Kalamazoo County Courthouse
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Michigan's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°14′N 85°32′W
Country United States
State Michigan
FoundedMay 7, 1830[1]
SeatKalamazoo
Largest cityKalamazoo
Area
 • Total580 sq mi (1,500 km2)
 • Land562 sq mi (1,460 km2)
 • Water19 sq mi (50 km2)  3.2%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2019)
265,066
 • Density446/sq mi (172/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district6th
Websitewww.kalcounty.com

Kalamazoo County is included in the Kalamazoo–Portage, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Kalamazoo County was organized in 1830, although its set off date is unknown.[1] The village of Kalamazoo (then known as Bronson) was made the county seat in 1831.[4]

The name purportedly means "the mirage or reflecting river" and the original Indian name was "Kikalamazoo".[1] See, Etymology of Kalamazoo for detail on the origin of the name. See also, List of Michigan county name etymologies.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 580 square miles (1,500 km2), of which 562 square miles (1,460 km2) is land and 19 square miles (49 km2) (3.2%) is water.[5]

Geographic features

Adjacent counties

Transportation

Air service

Highways
  • I-94 runs east–west through center of county, passing three miles (4.8 km) south of Kalamazoo.
  • BS I-94 runs from the far eastern side of Kalamazoo to an intersection with I-94 3.5 miles (5.6 km) southeast of Kalamazoo.
  • US 131 runs north–south through the west-central part of the county.

  • Bus. US 131 connects northern Kalamazoo to US 131.
  • M-43 enters western side of the county 8.7 miles (14.0 km) south of the northwestern county corner. It runs eastward through Oshtemo Township and turns north at U.S. 131.
  • M-89 enters the county near the midpoint of the northern county line. It runs southeasterly to and intersection with M-43 north of Richland and then runs eastward from Richland, exiting the county 3.4 miles (5.5 km) south of the northeastern county corner.
  • M-96 starts on the far eastern side of Kalamazoo and runs eastward to Augusta before exiting the county 5.9 miles (9.5 km) south of the northeastern corner of the county.
  • M-343 starts on the northeast side of Kalamazoo and runs along Gull Road to Richland.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18407,380—
185013,17978.6%
186024,64687.0%
187032,05430.1%
188034,3427.1%
189039,27314.4%
190044,31012.8%
191060,32736.1%
192071,22518.1%
193091,36828.3%
1940100,0859.5%
1950126,70726.6%
1960169,71233.9%
1970201,55018.8%
1980212,3785.4%
1990223,4115.2%
2000238,6036.8%
2010250,3314.9%
2019 (est.)265,066[6]5.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2019[11]

As of the 2010 United States Census,[12] there were 250,331 people living in the county. 80.1% were non-Hispanic White, 11.1% Black or African American, 2.2% Asian, 0.5% Native American, and 3.0% of two or more races. 4.0% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race).

As of the 2000 United States Census,[13] there were 238,603 people, 93,479 households, and 57,956 families living in the county. The population density was 425 people per square mile (164/km2). There were 99,250 housing units at an average density of 177 per square mile (68/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 84.57% White, 9.73% Black or African American, 0.41% Native American, 1.83% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.27% from other races, and 2.15% from two or more races. 2.64% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 18.3% were of German, 11.5% Dutch, 10.3% English, 8.4% Irish and 7.2% American ancestry according to Census 2000. 93.7% spoke English and 2.8% Spanish as their first language.

There were 93,479 households, out of which 30.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.70% were married couples living together, 11.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.00% were non-families. 28.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.00.

The county population contained 24.10% under the age of 18, 15.20% from 18 to 24, 28.20% from 25 to 44, 21.10% from 45 to 64, and 11.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $42,022, and the median income for a family was $53,953. Males had a median income of $39,611 versus $27,965 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,739. About 6.50% of families and 12.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.30% of those under age 18 and 6.30% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Kalamazoo County was a bastion of the Republican Party following the Civil War. From 1884 until 1988, voters selected the Republican Party nominee all but three times–in 1912, 1936 and 1964. However, since 1992 the county has voted Democratic in national elections (through 2020).

Presidential election results
Presidential election results[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2020 39.5% 56,823 58.2% 83,686 2.3% 3,237
2016 40.4% 51,034 53.2% 67,148 6.4% 8,117
2012 42.6% 52,662 55.8% 69,051 1.6% 1,977
2008 39.3% 51,554 58.8% 77,051 1.9% 2,456
2004 47.7% 57,147 51.3% 61,462 1.0% 1,174
2000 47.9% 48,254 48.5% 48,807 3.6% 3,595
1996 43.7% 40,703 49.0% 45,644 7.3% 6,788
1992 36.6% 38,035 42.0% 43,568 21.4% 22,255
1988 55.6% 50,205 43.7% 39,457 0.6% 573
1984 63.8% 58,327 35.5% 32,460 0.7% 601
1980 50.9% 48,669 36.1% 34,528 13.0% 12,420
1976 59.1% 51,462 38.4% 33,411 2.5% 2,212
1972 58.8% 50,405 38.9% 33,324 2.4% 2,041
1968 53.9% 39,796 35.8% 26,437 10.3% 7,599
1964 39.8% 27,100 59.9% 40,789 0.3% 215
1960 63.5% 42,800 36.0% 24,286 0.5% 348
1956 70.5% 43,305 29.0% 17,808 0.5% 320
1952 66.8% 38,847 32.6% 18,967 0.6% 371
1948 57.3% 23,799 39.5% 16,393 3.2% 1,325
1944 60.0% 24,974 39.0% 16,223 1.1% 457
1940 58.7% 25,596 40.7% 17,733 0.7% 293
1936 47.7% 17,824 47.8% 17,870 4.5% 1,686
1932 55.0% 18,584 41.4% 13,974 3.6% 1,227
1928 79.2% 23,626 19.9% 5,946 0.9% 258
1924 75.3% 18,451 14.6% 3,587 10.1% 2,462
1920 67.5% 13,765 25.9% 5,271 6.6% 1,348
1916 42.0% 5,951 50.6% 7,164 7.5% 1,058
1912 21.5% 2,642 29.7% 3,660 48.8% 6,006
1908 54.6% 6,511 37.6% 4,477 7.8% 930
1904 62.3% 7,163 28.4% 3,264 9.3% 1,064
1900 53.6% 6,010 42.0% 4,707 4.4% 492
1896 51.2% 5,891 47.2% 5,434 1.7% 190
1892 50.6% 4,968 40.9% 4,018 8.5% 839
1888 54.7% 5,437 39.7% 3,950 5.6% 560
1884 51.8% 4,515 43.0% 3,750 5.2% 455

The county government operates the jail, provides law enforcement in unincorporated areas, maintains rural roads, operates the major local courts, keeps files of deeds and mortgages, maintains vital records, administers public health regulations, and participates with the state in the provision of welfare and other social services. The county board of commissioners controls the budget but has only limited authority to make laws or ordinances. In Michigan, most local government functions—fire, building and zoning, tax assessment, street maintenance, etc.—are the responsibility of individual cities and townships.

Elected officials

(information current as of January 2021)

Communities

Cities

Villages

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

Townships

See also

References
  1. "Bibliography on Kalamazoo County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  2. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. [No author] (1880). History of Kalamazoo County, Michigan, pp. 99-101. Everts & Abbott.
  5. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved September 26, 2014.
  6. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  7. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 26, 2014.
  8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 26, 2014.
  9. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 26, 2014.
  10. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 26, 2014.
  11. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  12. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
  13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  14. US Election Atlas
  15. Google (October 3, 2018). "Kalamazoo County, MI" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved October 3, 2018.

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