Ionia, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ionia, Michigan
|
|
|---|---|
|
Aerial view of Ionia, Michigan in 2025
|
|
 Ionia, Michigan
Location in Michigan
Ionia, Michigan
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Ionia |
| Settled | May 1833 |
| Platted | 1841 |
| Incorporated as a village | 1865 |
| Organized into a city | 1873 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5.542 sq mi (14.354 km2) |
| • Land | 5.411 sq mi (14.016 km2) |
| • Water | 0.131 sq mi (0.340 km2) 2.36% |
| Elevation | 633 ft (193 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 13,378 |
| • Estimate
(2024)
|
12,265 |
| • Density | 2,413.93/sq mi (932.01/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Code |
48846
|
| Area code(s) | 616 |
| FIPS code | 26-40860 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1626521 |
Ionia (pronounced eye-OH-nyə) is the biggest city and the county seat of Ionia County, Michigan, in the United States. In 2020, about 13,378 people lived here. In 2024, the population was estimated to be around 12,265. Every July, Ionia hosts a huge event called the Ionia Free Fair. It's known as one of the world's largest fairs with free admission! The city is mostly located within Ionia Township, but it governs itself separately from that township and other nearby areas like Easton Township and Berlin Township. Ionia gets its name from Ionia, an ancient region in Greece.
Contents
Ionia's Early History
Before European settlers arrived, the land where Ionia now stands was home to the Odawa people. Their leader was named Cobmoosa. In 1833, when new settlers led by Samuel Dexter Jr. came from New York, the Odawa people moved to the Flat River area. Later, in the 1850s, they moved again to Oceana County.
Here are some important dates in Ionia's history:
- May 1833: The first European-American settlers arrived.
- 1841: The town was officially mapped out.
- 1865: Ionia became an incorporated village.
- 1873: Ionia was officially organized into a city.
Geography and Location
Ionia is located in Michigan, between the state's capital, Lansing, and its second-largest city, Grand Rapids. The city covers about 14.35 square kilometers (5.54 square miles). Most of this area, about 14.01 square kilometers (5.41 square miles), is land. The rest, about 0.34 square kilometers (0.13 square miles), is water.
Weather and Climate
Ionia experiences big changes in temperature throughout the year. Summers are often warm to hot and humid, while winters are cold, sometimes very cold. The area can also have thick fog. The Grand River flows through the city, which sometimes causes flooding, especially in the spring. Ionia has what is called a humid continental climate. This means it has four distinct seasons.
Population and People
Ionia has grown quite a bit over the years! Here's how the population has changed:
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 12,265 | 7.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2020 Census |
|||
According to the 2020 census, Ionia had 13,378 residents. In 2024, the population was estimated to be around 12,265 people.
Economy and Jobs
Ionia has several large employers that provide many jobs for its residents. These businesses help the city's economy thrive.
City Government
The city of Ionia has a local government that helps manage public services. The current Mayor is John R. Milewski, II. The city collects a small tax from people who live and work there. This money helps pay for important services like schools, roads, and safety.
Schools in Ionia
Most students in Ionia attend schools within the Ionia Public Schools district. There is also a smaller elementary school district called Ionia Township School District 2 that serves a small part of the city.
Main Roads
Two important state highways pass through Ionia:
M-21
M-66
Famous People from Ionia
Many interesting people have connections to Ionia, including:
- Myron G. Barlow (1873–1937), an internationally recognized painter.
- Frances E. Burns (1866–1937), a social leader and successful business woman.
- 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 talented contralto singer who was born in Ionia.
- Allen B. Morse (1837–1921), a Michigan politician, judge, and former mayor of Ionia.
- Billy Strings (born 1992), a Grammy-Award winning bluegrass musician who attended Ionia public school.
Related Topics
- Independent Bank
Images for kids
-
Aerial photo of Ionia taken November 2007
.jpg)
See also
In Spanish: Ionia (Míchigan) para niños
