Ionia, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ionia, Michigan
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Aerial photo of Ionia taken November 2007
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Location of Ionia, Michigan
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| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Ionia |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5.54 sq mi (14.36 km2) |
| • Land | 5.41 sq mi (14.02 km2) |
| • Water | 0.13 sq mi (0.34 km2) |
| Elevation | 637 ft (194 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 13,378 |
| • Density | 2,472.37/sq mi (954.51/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
48846
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| Area code(s) | 616 |
| FIPS code | 26-40860 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1626521 |
| Website | http://www.ci.ionia.mi.us/ |
Ionia (pronounced eye-OH-nyuh) is the biggest city in Ionia County, Michigan. It is also the county seat, which means it's where the county government is located. In 2020, about 13,378 people lived there.
Every July, Ionia hosts the Ionia Free Fair. This fair is known as one of the world's largest free-admission fairs. The city is named after Ionia, an ancient region in Greece.
Contents
History of Ionia
Before European settlers arrived, the area was home to an Odawa village. The leader of the Odawa people here was named Cobmoosa. In 1833, they planted crops in this area.
When new settlers arrived, the Odawa people sold their crops. They then moved to the Flat River area. Later, in the 1850s, they moved again to Oceana County.
Key Dates in Ionia's History
- The first European-American settlers came in 1833. They were from New York and led by Samuel Dexter Jr.
- The city's layout was officially planned in 1841.
- Ionia became an official village in 1865.
- It was organized into a city in 1873.
Geography and Climate of Ionia
Ionia is located in Michigan, between two major cities. It sits between Lansing, the state capital, and Grand Rapids, the second-largest city.
Land and Water Area
The city covers a total area of about 5.48 square miles (14.2 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 5.35 square miles (13.8 square kilometers), is land. The remaining 0.13 square miles (0.34 square kilometers) is water.
Ionia's Weather Patterns
Ionia has a humid continental climate. This means it has big changes in temperature throughout the year. Summers are warm to hot and often humid. Winters are cold, sometimes very cold.
The area can also get thick fog. The Grand River flows through the city. This river can cause flooding, sometimes very damaging, especially in the spring.
Population of Ionia
Ionia's population has changed over the years. Here's how it has grown:
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1850 | 774 | — | |
| 1860 | 1,170 | 51.2% | |
| 1870 | 2,500 | 113.7% | |
| 1880 | 4,190 | 67.6% | |
| 1890 | 4,482 | 7.0% | |
| 1900 | 5,209 | 16.2% | |
| 1910 | 5,030 | −3.4% | |
| 1920 | 6,935 | 37.9% | |
| 1930 | 6,562 | −5.4% | |
| 1940 | 6,392 | −2.6% | |
| 1950 | 6,412 | 0.3% | |
| 1960 | 6,754 | 5.3% | |
| 1970 | 6,361 | −5.8% | |
| 1980 | 5,920 | −6.9% | |
| 1990 | 5,935 | 0.3% | |
| 2000 | 10,569 | 78.1% | |
| 2010 | 11,394 | 7.8% | |
| 2020 | 13,378 | 17.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Population Details from 2010
In 2010, there were 11,394 people living in Ionia. The population density was about 2,130 people per square mile.
Most residents, about 70.9%, were White. About 25.0% were African American. People of Hispanic or Latino background made up 7.7% of the population.
Many people in Ionia work at the state facilities located in the city. These facilities are a big part of the city's population.
Economy of Ionia
The state facilities in Ionia are very important for the city's economy. They are major employers, meaning many people in Ionia work there. These facilities are located west of downtown.
Major Highways in Ionia
M-21
M-66
Notable People from Ionia
Many interesting people have connections to Ionia:
- Myron G. Barlow (1873–1937), a painter who won international awards.
- Frances E. Burns (1866–1937), a leader in social causes and a businesswoman.
- Nick Bussell (born 1983), a former race car driver in the Indy Pro Series.
- Fred W. Green (1871–1936), who served as the 31st governor of Michigan.
- Elizabeth Lennox (1894–1992), a contralto singer born in Ionia.
- Allen B. Morse (1837–1921), a politician and judge in Michigan, and a mayor of Ionia.
- Billy Strings (born 1992), a Grammy-Award winning bluegrass musician, who went to school in Ionia.
See also
In Spanish: Ionia (Míchigan) para niños
