Kalamazoo County, Michigan

County in Michigan, United States

U.S. county in Michigan

Kalamazoo County

U.S. county

Kalamazoo County Courthouse

Kalamazoo County Courthouse

Map of Michigan highlighting Kalamazoo County

Location within the U.S. state of Michigan

Michigan's location within the U.S.

Country|  United States
State|  Michigan
Founded| May 7, 1830[1]
Seat| Kalamazoo
Largest city| Kalamazoo
Area

• Total| 580 sq mi (1,500 km2)
• Land| 562 sq mi (1,460 km2)
• Water| 19 sq mi (50 km2)  3.2%%
Population

(2020)

• Total| 261,670
• Density| 446/sq mi (172/km2)
Time zone| UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district| 6th
Website| www.kalcounty.com

Kalamazoo County is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of 2020[update], the population was 261,670.[2] The county seat is Kalamazoo.[3]

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

## Contents

* 1 History
* 2 Geography
* 2.1 Geographic features
* 2.2 Adjacent counties
* 3 Transportation
* 3.1 Air service
* 3.2 Highways
* 4 Demographics
* 5 Government
* 5.1 Elected officials
* 6 Communities
* 6.1 Cities
* 6.2 Villages
* 6.3 Census-designated places
* 6.4 Other unincorporated communities
* 6.5 Townships
* 7 See also
* 8 References
* 9 External links

## History

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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

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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

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* Kalamazoo River
* Portage River

### Adjacent counties

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* Barry County \- northeast
* Allegan County \- northwest
* Calhoun County \- east
* Van Buren County \- west
* Branch County \- southeast
* St. Joseph County \- south
* Cass County \- southwest

## Transportation

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### Air service

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* The Kalamazoo & Battle Creek Metro Area is served by Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport.

### Highways

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* I-94 runs east–west through center of county, passing three miles (4.8 km) south of Kalamazoo.
* File:Business Spur 94.svg 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.
* File:M-96.svg 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.
* File:M-343 rectangle.svg M-343 starts on the northeast side of Kalamazoo and runs along Gull Road to Richland.

## Demographics

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Historical population

Census | Pop. |  | %±
1840| 7,380| | —
1850| 13,179| | 78.6%
1860| 24,646| | 87.0%
1870| 32,054| | 30.1%
1880| 34,342| | 7.1%
1890| 39,273| | 14.4%
1900| 44,310| | 12.8%
1910| 60,327| | 36.1%
1920| 71,225| | 18.1%
1930| 91,368| | 28.3%
1940| 100,085| | 9.5%
1950| 126,707| | 26.6%
1960| 169,712| | 33.9%
1970| 201,550| | 18.8%
1980| 212,378| | 5.4%
1990| 223,411| | 5.2%
2000| 238,603| | 6.8%
2010| 250,331| | 4.9%
2020| 261,670| | 4.5%
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 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

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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

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* 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: Monteze Morales (Democrat)
* County Commissioner for District 3: Tracy hall (Democrat)
* County Commissioner for District 4: Jen Strebs (Democrat)
* County Commissioner for District 5: Veronica McKissack (Democrat)
* County Commissioner for District 6: Jeff Heppler (Republican)
* County Commissioner for District 7: Roger Tuinier (Republican)
* County Commissioner for District 8: John H. Gisler (Republican)
* County Commissioner for District 9: Dale Shugars (Republican)
* County Commissioner for District 10: Mike Quinn (Democrat)
* County Commissioner for District 11: Fran Bruder Melgar (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[update])[citation needed]

## Communities

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### Cities

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* Galesburg
* Kalamazoo (county seat) (called Bronson until 1836)
* Parchment
* Portage

### Villages

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* Augusta
* Climax
* Richland
* Schoolcraft
* Vicksburg

### Census-designated places

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* Comstock Northwest
* Eastwood
* Greater Galesburg (before 2010)
* South Gull Lake
* Westwood

### Other unincorporated communities

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* Adams Park[15]
* Burdick Settlement (1833)
* Comstock
* Cooper Center
* East Comstock
* Fulton
* Lawndale
* Gull Lake
* Midland Park
* Milwood[15]
* Scotts
* Shirland (proposed 1831)
* Yorkville

### Townships

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* Alamo Township
* Brady Township
* Charleston Township
* Climax Township
* Comstock Charter Township
* Cooper Charter Township
* Kalamazoo Charter Township
* Oshtemo Charter Township
* Pavilion Township
* Prairie Ronde Township
* Richland Township
* Ross Township
* Schoolcraft Township
* Texas Charter Township
* Wakeshma Township

## See also

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* List of Michigan State Historic Sites in Kalamazoo County, Michigan
* National Register of Historic Places listings in Kalamazoo County, Michigan

## References

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1. ^ a b c "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
15. ^ a b Google (October 3, 2018). "Kalamazoo County, MI" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved October 3, 2018.

## External links

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kalamazoo County, Michigan.

* Kalamazoo County Government
* "Bibliography on Kalamazoo County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University.

Places adjacent to Kalamazoo County, Michigan

| Allegan County |
| Barry County

|
|

|  |
Van Buren County |

Kalamazoo County, Michigan

| Calhoun County
|  |
Cass County | St. Joseph County | Branch County

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Kalamazoo County, Michigan, United States

County seat: Kalamazoo

Cities|

* Galesburg
* Kalamazoo
* Parchment
* Portage

File:Map of Michigan highlighting Kalamazoo County.svgMap of Michigan highlighting Kalamazoo County.svg

Villages|

* Augusta
* Climax
* Richland
* Schoolcraft
* Vicksburg

Charter
townships|

* Comstock
* Cooper
* Kalamazoo
* Oshtemo
* Texas

General law
townships|

* Alamo
* Brady
* Charleston
* Climax
* Pavilion
* Prairie Ronde
* Richland
* Ross
* Schoolcraft
* Wakeshma

CDPs|

* Comstock Northwest
* Eastwood
* Scotts
* South Gull Lake
* Westwood

Other
communities|

* Comstock

* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

West Michigan

Central cities|

* Grand Rapids
* Kalamazoo
* Battle Creek

Counties|

* Allegan
* Barry
* Calhoun
* Ionia
* Kalamazoo
* Kent
* Lake
* Mason
* Mecosta
* Muskegon
* Newaygo
* Oceana
* Osceola
* Ottawa
* Van Buren

| Southwest / Michiana|

* Berrien
* Branch
* Cass
* St. Joseph

|

Geography|

* Black River
* Fruit Ridge
* Grand River
* Kalamazoo River
* Lake Michigan
* Muskegon River
* Muskegon Lake
* Pere Marquette River
* St. Joseph River

Transportation|

* Gerald R. Ford International Airport
* Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport
* Lake Express
* Muskegon County Airport
* Amtrak Pere Marquette

Economy|

* Bell's Brewery
* Founders Brewing Company
* Gerber
* Herman Miller
* Kellogg
* Meijer
* Steelcase
* Whirlpool

* Michigan
* Central Michigan
* Northern Michigan
* Southeast Michigan
* Upper Peninsula

* v
* t
* e

State of Michigan

Lansing (capital)

Topics|

* Congressional delegation
* Cuisine
* Fauna
* Geography
* Government
* Highways
* History
* Index
* Islands
* Law
* Lighthouses
* Municipalities
* Museums
* National Historic Landmarks
* National Register of Historic Places listings
* People
* State Historic Sites
* State parks
* Symbols
* Tallest buildings
* Timeline
* Tourist attractions

Society|

* Culture
* Crime
* Demographics
* Economy
* Education
* Elections
* Politics

Regions|

| Upper Peninsula|

* Copper Country
* Gogebic Range
* Keweenaw Peninsula

|

Lower Peninsula|

* Central Michigan
* Metro Detroit
* Michiana
* Northern Michigan
* Southeast Michigan
* The Thumb
* West Michigan

Largest
municipalities|

* Ann Arbor
* Battle Creek
* Bay City
* Bloomfield Township
* Canton
* Chesterfield Township
* Clinton Township
* Commerce Township
* Dearborn
* Dearborn Heights
* Detroit
* East Lansing
* Farmington Hills
* Flint
* Georgetown Township
* Grand Blanc Township
* Grand Rapids
* Holland Charter Township
* Independence Township
* Kalamazoo
* Kentwood
* Lansing
* Lincoln Park
* Livonia
* Macomb Township
* Meridian Charter Township
* Midland
* Muskegon
* Novi
* Orion Township
* Pontiac
* Portage
* Redford
* Rochester Hills
* Roseville
* Royal Oak
* Saginaw
* Saginaw Township
* St. Clair Shores
* Shelby Charter Township
* Southfield
* Sterling Heights
* Taylor
* Troy
* Warren
* Waterford Township
* West Bloomfield
* Westland
* Wyoming
* Ypsilanti Charter Township

Counties|

* Alcona
* Alger
* Allegan
* Alpena
* Antrim
* Arenac
* Baraga
* Barry
* Bay
* Benzie
* Berrien
* Branch
* Calhoun
* Cass
* Charlevoix
* Cheboygan
* Chippewa
* Clare
* Clinton
* Crawford
* Delta
* Dickinson
* Eaton
* Emmet
* Genesee
* Gladwin
* Gogebic
* Grand Traverse
* Gratiot
* Hillsdale
* Houghton
* Huron
* Ingham
* Ionia
* Iosco
* Iron
* Isabella
* Jackson
* Kalamazoo
* Kalkaska
* Kent
* Keweenaw
* Lake
* Lapeer
* Leelanau
* Lenawee
* Livingston
* Luce
* Mackinac
* Macomb
* Manistee
* Marquette
* Mason
* Mecosta
* Menominee
* Midland
* Missaukee
* Monroe
* Montcalm
* Montmorency
* Muskegon
* Newaygo
* Oakland
* Oceana
* Ogemaw
* Ontonagon
* Osceola
* Oscoda
* Otsego
* Ottawa
* Presque Isle
* Roscommon
* Saginaw
* Sanilac
* Schoolcraft
* Shiawassee
* St. Clair
* St. Joseph
* Tuscola
* Van Buren
* Washtenaw
* Wayne
* Wexford

Coordinates: 42°14′N 85°32′W﻿ / ﻿42.24°N 85.53°W﻿ / 42.24; -85.53
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