Okemos, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Okemos, Michigan
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The Red Cedar River flowing through Okemos.
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Location within Ingham County
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 Okemos, Michigan
Location in Michigan
Okemos, Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Ingham |
| Townships | Alaiedon, Meridian, and Williamstown |
| Settled | 1839 |
| Named for | Chief Okemos |
| Area | |
| • Total | 17.01 sq mi (44.06 km2) |
| • Land | 16.86 sq mi (43.66 km2) |
| • Water | 0.15 sq mi (0.40 km2) |
| Elevation | 866 ft (264 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 25,121 |
| • Density | 1,490.15/sq mi (575.37/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes |
48805, 48864
48895 (Williamston) |
| Area code(s) | 517 |
| FIPS code | 26-60340 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2393172 |
Okemos (pronounced OH-kə-məss) is a community in Ingham County, Michigan, in the United States. It is known as a census-designated place (CDP). This means it's an area identified by the U.S. Census Bureau for statistical purposes.
In 2020, about 25,121 people lived in Okemos. It is part of the larger Lansing–East Lansing urban area. Okemos is also very close to the campus of Michigan State University.
Most of Okemos is located within Meridian Charter Township. Smaller parts extend into Alaiedon Township and Williamstown Township. Okemos has its own post offices with ZIP Codes 48805 and 48864. It also has its own school district, Okemos Public Schools, which serves the community and nearby areas.
Contents
History of Okemos
The area now known as Okemos was first settled in 1839. In 1841, a pioneer named Freeman Bray planned out a village here. He first named it Hamilton.
However, the residents preferred to call it Okemos. This name honored Chief Okemos ("Little Chief"), who was a leader of the Ojibway (Chippewa) people. In 1859, the state government officially changed the village's name to Okemos.
The Red Cedar River flows through Okemos from east to west. This river is a branch of the Grand River.
Climate in Okemos
Okemos has a type of weather called a humid continental climate. This means it has big changes in temperature throughout the year. Summers are usually warm to hot and can be humid. Winters are cold, and sometimes very cold.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2010 | 21,369 | — | |
| 2020 | 25,121 | 17.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2020, the population of Okemos was 25,121 people. In 2010, there were 21,369 people living in 8,824 households. About 5,416 of these were families.
The community is diverse. In 2010, about 76.5% of residents were White, 14.4% were Asian, and 5.1% were Black or African American. About 3.3% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
Many households in Okemos have children. About 31.7% of households had children under 18 living with them in 2010. The average household had 2.44 people. The average family had 3.04 people.
The median age in Okemos in 2010 was 35 years old. About 23.9% of the population was under 18. Around 9.7% were 65 years or older.
Education in Okemos
Most students in Okemos attend schools in the Okemos Public Schools district. This district operates Okemos High School.
The Okemos Public Schools district also includes parts of nearby areas. These include Alaiedon Township to the south, Williamstown Township to the east, and Haslett to the north.
Notable People from Okemos
Many interesting people have connections to Okemos, including:
- Travis Bader – A professional basketball player.
- Kim Chi – A Korean-American drag queen and artist.
- Doc Corbin Dart – A punk rock musician.
- Curtis Cregan – A singer and theater actor.
- Monica Drake – An author.
- Lawrence Joseph Giacoletto – An electrical engineer and inventor.
- Madison Hubbell – A U.S. Olympic ice dancer.
- James Hynes – A novelist, born in Okemos.
- Susan Jacoby – An author, born and raised in Okemos.
- Josh Meyers – A comedian and Mad TV cast member.
- Seth Meyers – A comedian, known for Saturday Night Live. He attended Edgewood Elementary.
- Taylor Moton – An NFL player who attended Okemos Public Schools.
- Tyler Oakley – A popular YouTuber, blogger, and LGBT activist.
- Larry Page – The co-founder of Google. He went to Montessori School in Okemos.
- Heather Raffo – A playwright, author of Nine Parts of Desire.
- John Bennett Ramsey – Father of JonBenét Ramsey, attended Okemos High School.
- Andrew Robl – A professional poker player.
- Ben Schneider – A founding member of the indie rock band Lord Huron.
- Tom Welling – An actor, known for playing Clark Kent in the TV series Smallville.
Points of Interest in Okemos
There are several interesting places to visit and learn about in Okemos:
- Goetsch–Winckler House: This house was designed by the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright. It is an early example of his "Usonian" style houses.
- The Meridian Historical Village: This village shows what life was like in the past.
- Meridian Farmers' Market: A great place to find fresh, local produce and goods.
- Ferguson Park: Located along the Red Cedar River, this park is believed to be where Chief Okemos and war chiefs held their important meetings (powwows). It is part of the oldest settlement in the area.
- The Hamilton Building: Found at 2160 Hamilton Road, this is the oldest commercial building in Okemos. It was built in 1904 and first housed the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a charity group. The wood planks inside come from a walnut grove that used to be on the site.
- Meridian Mall: A large shopping mall in the area.
- The Hope Borbas Okemos branch of the Capital Area District Library: A local library where you can find books and resources.
See also
In Spanish: Okemos para niños
