Gobles, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gobles, Michigan
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Location of Gobles, Michigan
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| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Van Buren |
| Platted | 1870 |
| Incorporation (village) | 1893 |
| Incorporation (city) | 1957 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.03 sq mi (2.68 km2) |
| • Land | 1.03 sq mi (2.68 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 817 ft (249 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 851 |
| • Density | 823.81/sq mi (318.12/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
49055
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| Area code(s) | 269 |
| FIPS code | 26-32640 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0626910 |
Gobles is a small city located in Van Buren County, which is in the state of Michigan in the United States. In 2020, about 851 people lived here. The city was first known as Gobleville, named after the Goble family who founded it.
Contents
History of Gobles
Early Beginnings and Naming
In 1864 and 1865, a man named John Goble built a hotel in this area. Later, in 1870, Hiram E. Goble planned out the first part of the town, calling it Gobleville. Two years later, Warren Goble added more land to the town's plan.
Hiram Goble also became the first postmaster on April 16, 1872. This happened when the local post office moved from Lake Mills to Gobleville.
Becoming a Village and City
Gobleville officially became a village in 1893. The name of the town was changed to Gobles on April 10, 1922. Many years later, in 1957, Gobles officially became a city.
Downtown Fire of 2012
On April 6, 2012, a large fire broke out in the downtown area of Gobles. Thirteen different fire departments had to be called in to help put out the flames. Several buildings that were over 100 years old were destroyed in the fire.
Geography of Gobles
Location and Land Area
Gobles is located in Van Buren County, Michigan. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city covers a total area of about 1.03 square miles (2.68 square kilometers). All of this area is land, meaning there are no large bodies of water like lakes or rivers within the city limits.
People of Gobles
Population Overview
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 181 | — | |
| 1900 | 505 | — | |
| 1910 | 537 | 6.3% | |
| 1920 | 491 | −8.6% | |
| 1930 | 519 | 5.7% | |
| 1940 | 616 | 18.7% | |
| 1950 | 622 | 1.0% | |
| 1960 | 816 | 31.2% | |
| 1970 | 801 | −1.8% | |
| 1980 | 816 | 1.9% | |
| 1990 | 769 | −5.8% | |
| 2000 | 815 | 6.0% | |
| 2010 | 829 | 1.7% | |
| 2020 | 851 | 2.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2010, there were 829 people living in Gobles. These people lived in 320 households, and 210 of these were families. The city had about 805 people per square mile.
Diversity in Gobles
Most people in Gobles were White (93.1%). A smaller number of people were African American (0.6%), Native American (0.2%), or from other races (1.7%). About 4.3% of the population identified as being from two or more races. About 4.9% of the people in Gobles were of Hispanic or Latino background.
Households and Families
Out of the 320 households, about 35.3% had children under 18 living with them. About 45.3% of households were married couples living together. Some households had a female head (14.1%) or a male head (6.3%) without a spouse. About 29.7% of households were individuals living alone.
Age of Residents
The average age of people in Gobles was 37.7 years old. About 27.6% of residents were under 18 years old. About 12.7% of the population was 65 years old or older. The city had slightly more females (52.4%) than males (47.6%).
Fun Things to Do in Gobles
Exploring the Kal-Haven Trail
A popular attraction in Gobles is the Kal-Haven Trail. This trail is a long path that stretches from the city of Kalamazoo all the way to South Haven, Michigan. It passes right through the main business area of Gobles, making it easy for residents and visitors to enjoy walking, biking, or running.
Famous People from Gobles
Tubby Meyers
- Tubby Meyers was a college football player and coach. He played and coached for the Western Michigan team. Tubby Meyers was born in Gobleville, which is the old name for Gobles.
