Kalamazoo County
County
Kalamazoo County Courthouse
Kalamazoo County Courthouse
Map of Michigan highlighting Kalamazoo County
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Map of the United States highlighting Michigan
Michigan's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°14′N 85°32′W / 42.24°N 85.53°W / 42.24; -85.53
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
 (2020)
 • Total261,670
 • Density446/sq mi (172/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts4th, 5th
Websitewww.kalcounty.com

Kalamazoo County (/ˌkæləməˈzuː/ KAL-ə-mə-ZOO) is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of 2020, the population was 261,670.[2] The county seat is Kalamazoo.[3]

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.

Kalamazoo County does not have a county flag.[5]

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.[6]

Geographic features

Adjacent counties

Transportation

Transit

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.Note%±
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%
2020261,6704.5%
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 inhabitants 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 through 1988, voters selected the Republican Party presidential nominee all but three times–in 1912, 1936 and 1964. However, starting in 1992 the county has voted Democratic in every presidential election (through 2020). It swung particularly heavily to the Democrats after 2008, following the trend in most urban counties across the country. Even as Michigan trended Republican in 2016, Kalamazoo County voted for Democratic candidate to a similar level as in recent years.

United States presidential election results for Kalamazoo County, Michigan[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 56,823 39.53% 83,686 58.22% 3,237 2.25%
2016 51,034 40.41% 67,148 53.17% 8,117 6.43%
2012 52,662 42.58% 69,051 55.83% 1,977 1.60%
2008 51,554 39.34% 77,051 58.79% 2,456 1.87%
2004 57,147 47.71% 61,462 51.31% 1,174 0.98%
2000 48,254 47.94% 48,807 48.49% 3,595 3.57%
1996 40,703 43.70% 45,644 49.01% 6,788 7.29%
1992 38,035 36.62% 43,568 41.95% 22,255 21.43%
1988 50,205 55.64% 39,457 43.73% 573 0.64%
1984 58,327 63.82% 32,460 35.52% 601 0.66%
1980 48,669 50.90% 34,528 36.11% 12,420 12.99%
1976 51,462 59.09% 33,411 38.37% 2,212 2.54%
1972 50,405 58.77% 33,324 38.85% 2,041 2.38%
1968 39,796 53.90% 26,437 35.81% 7,599 10.29%
1964 27,100 39.79% 40,789 59.89% 215 0.32%
1960 42,800 63.47% 24,286 36.01% 348 0.52%
1956 43,305 70.49% 17,808 28.99% 320 0.52%
1952 38,847 66.76% 18,967 32.60% 371 0.64%
1948 23,799 57.32% 16,393 39.49% 1,325 3.19%
1944 24,974 59.96% 16,223 38.95% 457 1.10%
1940 25,596 58.68% 17,733 40.65% 293 0.67%
1936 17,824 47.68% 17,870 47.81% 1,686 4.51%
1932 18,584 55.01% 13,974 41.36% 1,227 3.63%
1928 23,626 79.20% 5,946 19.93% 258 0.86%
1924 18,451 75.31% 3,587 14.64% 2,462 10.05%
1920 13,765 67.53% 5,271 25.86% 1,348 6.61%
1916 5,951 41.99% 7,164 50.55% 1,058 7.46%
1912 2,642 21.47% 3,660 29.74% 6,006 48.80%
1908 6,511 54.63% 4,477 37.57% 930 7.80%
1904 7,163 62.34% 3,264 28.40% 1,064 9.26%
1900 6,010 53.62% 4,707 41.99% 492 4.39%
1896 5,891 51.16% 5,434 47.19% 190 1.65%
1892 4,968 50.56% 4,018 40.90% 839 8.54%
1888 5,437 54.66% 3,950 39.71% 560 5.63%
1884 4,515 51.78% 3,750 43.00% 455 5.22%

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

  • Prosecuting Attorney: Jeffrey S. Getting (Democrat)
  • Sheriff: Richard Fuller (Democrat)
  • County Clerk/Register of Deeds: Meredith Place (Democrat)
  • County Treasurer: Thomas L. Whitener (Democrat)
  • Drain Commissioner: Jason Wiersma (Democrat)
  • County Surveyor: Gary D. Hahn (Republican)
  • County Commissioner for District 1: Tami Rey (Democrat)
  • County Commissioner for District 2: Jen Strebs (Democrat)
  • County Commissioner for District 3: Monteze Morales (Democrat)
  • County Commissioner for District 4: Abigail Wheeler (Democrat)
  • County Commissioner for District 5: John Taylor (Democrat)
  • County Commissioner for District 6: John H. Gisler (Republican)
  • County Commissioner for District 7: Jeff Hepler (Republican)
  • County Commissioner for District 8: Wendy Mazer (Republican)
  • County Commissioner for District 9: Dale Deleeuw (Democrat)
  • Eighth District Court: Judges Tiffany A. Ankley, Christopher Haenicke, Kathleen Hemingway, Alisa L. Parker-LaGrone, Richard A. Santoni, Ronald Schafer, Namita Sharma, and Vincent C. Westra (all non-partisan)
  • Ninth Circuit Court: Judges Curtis J. Bell, Paul J. Bridenstine, Gary C. Giguere Jr., Stephen G. Gorsalitz, Pamela L. Lightvoet, Alexander C. Lipsey, Namita Sharma, and Scott Pierangeli (all non-partisan).

(information current as of October 2022)

Communities

U.S. Census data map showing local municipal boundaries within Kalamazoo County. Shaded areas represent incorporated cities.

Cities

Villages

Charter townships

Civil townships

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Bibliography on Kalamazoo County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  2. ↑ "QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  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. ↑ Kalamazoo, County, Michigan crwflags.com
  6. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved September 26, 2014.
  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
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