Branch County, Michigan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Branch County
U.S. county
Lanphere-Pratt House in Coldwater.
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Michigan's location within the U.S.
Country	United States
State	Michigan
Founded	October 29, 1829 (created) 1833 (organized)
Named for	John Branch
Seat	Coldwater
Largest city	Coldwater
Area
• Total	520 sq mi (1,300 km2)
• Land	506 sq mi (1,310 km2)
• Water	13 sq mi (30 km2)  2.6%%
Population  (2020)
• Total	44,862
• Density	89/sq mi (34/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	5th
Website	https://www.countyofbranch.com/

Branch County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 44,862. The county seat is Coldwater. As one of the "cabinet counties" it was named for the U.S. Secretary of the Navy John Branch under President Andrew Jackson. The county was founded in 1829, and was organized in 1833.

Branch County comprises the Coldwater, MI Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Branch County was a New England settlement. The original founders of Coldwater were settlers from the northern coastal colonies – "Yankees", descended from the English Puritans who came from the Old World in the 1600s and who brought their culture. During the early 1800s, there was a wave of New England farmers who headed west into what was then the untamed Northwest Territory. Many traveled through New York State via the Erie Canal; the threat of Native Americans had been reduced by the end of the Black Hawk War.

These early settlers laid out farms, constructed roads, erected government buildings, and established post routes. They brought a passion for education, and established many schools. Many were supporters of abolitionism. They were mostly members of the Congregationalist Church though some were Episcopalian. Culturally Branch County, like much of Michigan, developed as part of the Northern Tier, continuous with New England culture, during its early history. The county still depends on agriculture as the basis of its economy.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 520 square miles (1,300 km²), of which 506 square miles (1,310 km²) is land and 13 square miles (34 km²) (2.6%) is water. It is the third-smallest county in Michigan by total area. The only island in the county is Iyopawa Island.

Adjacent counties

Major highways

• I-69 – runs north–south through central Branch County. Runs east of Girard, Coldwater and Kinderhook.
• BL I-69 – runs through Coldwater.
• US 12 – runs ENE through central Branch County. Passes Bronson, Coldwater and Quincy.
• M-60 – runs through northern part of county. Enters near Union City; runs west 5 miles (8.0 km) to intersection with M60, south of Athens.
• M-66 – runs through NW tip of county. Enters west line from Leonidas, Michigan, runs east 2.4 miles (3.9 km), turns north to exit county toward Athens, Michigan.
• M-86 runs east–west through central Branch County. Enters from Colon, Michigan, runs east to intersection with US12, three miles (4.8 km) west of Coldwater.

Demographics

The 2010 United States Census indicates Branch County had a 2010 population of 45,248. This decrease of -539 people from the 2000 United States Census represents a -1.2% growth decrease during the decade. In 2010 there were 16,419 households and 11,350 families in the county. The population density was 89.4 per square mile (34.5 square kilometers). There were 20,841 housing units at an average density of 41.2 per square mile (15.9 square kilometers). The racial and ethnic makeup of the county was 90.9% White, 3.0% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 0.1% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races.

There were 16,419 households, out of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.2% were husband and wife families, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.9% were non-families, and 25.8% were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.9% under age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 28.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 111.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 112.9 males.

The 2010 American Community Survey 3-year estimate indicates the median income for a household in the county was $41,855 and the median income for a family was $48,959. Males had a median income of $25,595 versus $17,263 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,289. About 2.5% of families and 17.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.3% of those under the age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

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

Cities

• Bronson
• Coldwater (county seat)

Villages

• Quincy
• Sherwood
• Union City (partial)

Civil townships

Unincorporated communities

See also

In Spanish: Condado de Branch para niños