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Calhoun County, Michigan facts for kids

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Calhoun County
U.S. county
Post Card. Michigan Central Depot in Battle Creek.
Post Card. Michigan Central Depot in Battle Creek.
Map of Michigan highlighting Calhoun County
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Map of the United States highlighting Michigan
Michigan's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Michigan
Founded established 1829
organized 1833
Named for John C. Calhoun
Seat Marshall
Largest city Battle Creek
Area
 • Total 718 sq mi (1,860 km2)
 • Land 706 sq mi (1,830 km2)
 • Water 12 sq mi (30 km2)  1.7%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 134,310
 • Density 193/sq mi (75/km2)
Congressional districts 4th, 5th

Calhoun County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 134,310. The county seat is Marshall. The county was established on October 19, 1829, and named after John C. Calhoun, who was at the time Vice President under Andrew Jackson, making it one of Michigan's Cabinet counties. County government was first organized on March 6, 1833. Calhoun County comprises the Battle Creek Metropolitan Statistical Area and is included in the Kalamazoo-Battle Creek-Portage Combined Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 718 square miles (1,860 km2), of which 706 square miles (1,830 km2) is land and 12 square miles (31 km2) (1.7%) is water.

Geographic features

Adjacent counties

History

The Kalamazoo River oil spill occurred in July 2010 when a pipeline operated by Enbridge (Line 6B) burst and flowed into Talmadge Creek, a tributary of the Kalamazoo River. A six-foot break in the pipeline resulted in the largest inland oil spill, and one of the costliest spills in U.S. history. The pipeline carries diluted bitumen (dilbit), a heavy crude oil from Canada's Athabasca oil sands to the United States. Following the spill, the volatile hydrocarbon diluents evaporated, leaving the heavier bitumen to sink in the water column. Thirty-five miles of the Kalamazoo River were closed for clean-up until June 2012, when portions of the river were re-opened. On March 14, 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ordered Enbridge to return to dredge portions of the river to remove submerged oil and oil-contaminated sediment.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1840 10,599 —
1850 19,162 80.8%
1860 29,564 54.3%
1870 36,569 23.7%
1880 38,452 5.1%
1890 43,501 13.1%
1900 49,315 13.4%
1910 56,638 14.8%
1920 72,918 28.7%
1930 87,043 19.4%
1940 94,206 8.2%
1950 120,813 28.2%
1960 138,858 14.9%
1970 141,963 2.2%
1980 141,557 −0.3%
1990 135,982 −3.9%
2000 137,985 1.5%
2010 136,146 −1.3%
2020 134,310 −1.3%
2023 (est.) 133,366 −2.0%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2019

The 2010 United States Census indicates Calhoun County had a 2010 population of 136,146. This is a decrease of -1,839 people from the 2000 United States Census. Overall, the county had a -1.3% growth rate during this ten-year period. In 2010 there were 54,016 households and 35,220 families in the county. The population density was 192.8 per square mile (74.4 square kilometers). There were 61,042 housing units at an average density of 86.4 per square mile (33.4 square kilometers). The racial and ethnic makeup of the county was 79.8% White, 10.7% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 1.6% Asian, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 0.1% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races.

There were 54,016 households, out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% were husband and wife families, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.8% were non-families, and 28.8% were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.2% under age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 27.7% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.5 males.

The 2010 American Community Survey 1-year estimate indicates the median income for a household in the county was $42,921 and the median income for a family was $49,964. Males had a median income of $25,712 versus $18,298 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,661. About 11.7% of families and 16.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.9% of those under the age 18 and 5.8% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Villages

Charter townships

Census-designated places

  • Brownlee Park
  • Level Park-Oak Park

Other unincorporated communities

Townships

Historical markers

There are 83 recognized Michigan historical markers in the county.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Calhoun (Míchigan) para niños

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