Van Buren County, Michigan

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Van Buren County, Michigan
Pawpawcourthouse.jpg
Van Buren County Courthouse
Seal of Van Buren County, Michigan
Seal
Map of Michigan highlighting Van Buren County
Location in the U.S. state of Michigan
Map of the United States highlighting Michigan
Michigan's location in the U.S.
Founded 1829 (created)
1837 (organized)[1]
Named for Martin Van Buren
Seat Paw Paw
Largest city South Haven
Area
 • Total 1,090 sq mi (2,823 km2)
 • Land 607 sq mi (1,572 km2)
 • Water 482 sq mi (1,248 km2), 44%
Population
 • (2010) 76,258
 • Density 126/sq mi (49/km²)
Congressional district 6th
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website www.vbco.org

Van Buren County is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the population was 76,258.[2] The county seat is Paw Paw.[3] The county was founded in 1829 and organized in 1837.[1]

Van Buren County is included in the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

The county was named for Martin Van Buren before he became president. He was U.S. Secretary of State and later Vice President under President Andrew Jackson, and thus Van Buren is one of Michigan's "Cabinet counties".[1]

The Van Buren County Courthouse was built by Claire Allen, a prominent southern Michigan architect; its cornerstone was laid on September 2, 1901, after a vote to issue $35,000 in county bonds passed 1,355 to 1,097 on July 29, 1901.[4]

Government

The county government operates the jail, 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 — police and fire, building and zoning, tax assessment, street maintenance, etc. — are the responsibility of individual cities and townships.

Elected officials

  1. John Mike Henry
  2. Susan Hammond
  3. Richard Godfrey, Chairperson
  4. Richard W. Freestone
  5. Mike Toth
  6. Donald A. Hanson
  7. Beth Griffin, Vice-Chairperson

(information correct in May 2015)

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,090 square miles (2,800 km2), of which 607 square miles (1,570 km2) is land and 482 square miles (1,250 km2) (44%) is water.[5]

Much of the county is farmland dotted with small towns. Areas near Kalamazoo County are becoming suburbanized. Many of the inland lakes are ringed with homes, either by people living year-round or cottagers, generally people who live the rest of the time in Chicago. Tourism is a major industry in the areas near Lake Michigan.

Rivers

Adjacent counties

Parks, preserves, natural areas

Paw Paw River in Van Buren County

Transportation

Highways

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Public transportation

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1830 5 —
1840 1,910 38,100.0%
1850 5,800 203.7%
1860 15,224 162.5%
1870 28,829 89.4%
1880 30,807 6.9%
1890 30,541 −0.9%
1900 33,274 8.9%
1910 33,185 −0.3%
1920 30,715 −7.4%
1930 32,637 6.3%
1940 35,111 7.6%
1950 39,184 11.6%
1960 48,395 23.5%
1970 56,173 16.1%
1980 66,814 18.9%
1990 70,060 4.9%
2000 76,263 8.9%
2010 76,258 0.0%
Est. 2014 75,199 [6] −1.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2013[2]

The 2010 United States Census[11] indicates Van Buren County had a 2010 population of 76,258. This is a decrease of -5 people from the 2000 United States Census. Overall, the county had a 0.0% growth rate during this ten-year period. In 2010 there were 28,928 households and 20,434 families in the county. The population density was 125.5 per square mile (48.5 square kilometers). There were 36,785 housing units at an average density of 60.6 per square mile (23.4 square kilometers). The racial and ethnic makeup of the county was 82.7% White, 3.9% Black or African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 10.2% Hispanic or Latino, 0.1% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races.

There were 28,928 households out of which 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.0% were husband and wife families, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.4% were non-families, and 24.0% were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the county the population was spread out with 25.5% under age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 23.7% from 25 to 44, 29.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 98.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96 males.

The 2010 American Community Survey 1-year estimate[11] indicates the median income for a household in the county was $44,242 and the median income for a family was $53,642. Males had a median income of $28,079 versus $18,124 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,495. About 10.0% of families and 14.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.1% of those under the age 18 and 11.8% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

South Haven Light, south pier

Cities

Villages

Townships

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See also

References

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  4. ↑ O.W. Rowland, A History of Van Buren County, Michigan: A Narrative Account of Its Historical Progress, Its People, and Its Principal Interests. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company, 1912.
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External links

 Kenosha County, Wisconsin Allegan County
Lake County, Illinois Kalamazoo County
  Van Buren County, Michigan  
Berrien County Cass County St. Joseph County

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