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Parchment, Michigan facts for kids

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Parchment, Michigan
Location of Parchment, Michigan
Location of Parchment, Michigan
Country United States
State Michigan
County Kalamazoo
Area
 • Total 0.94 sq mi (2.43 km2)
 • Land 0.92 sq mi (2.38 km2)
 • Water 0.02 sq mi (0.05 km2)
Elevation
774 ft (236 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total 1,804
 • Estimate 
(2019)
1,828
 • Density 1,991.29/sq mi (769.12/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
49004
Area code(s) 269
FIPS code 26-62340
GNIS feature ID 0634353

Parchment is a city in Kalamazoo County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The 2010 census recorded a population of 1,804. The name is derived from the parchment company that used to manufacture paper on the East bank of the Kalamazoo River.

Parchment is located just northeast of the city of Kalamazoo, and it is mostly surrounded by Kalamazoo Township.

History

The Kalamazoo Vegetable Parchment Company was founded in 1909. The founder, Jacob Kindleberger set up shop along the Kalamazoo River. The company then started selling pieces of land located around the mill to the mill workers. In 1932, "Uncle Jake" left a tract of 40 acres (160,000 m2) located in the center of the city, this later became Kindleberger Park in his honor. Later in 1939 Parchment became a city by a majority vote, and has become known as "The Paper City" since then. Over the years the KVP company was bought out by or merged with other companies including, Sutherland Paper Company, Brown Company, James River, and finally Crown-Vantage. 2000 marked the end of paper making in Parchment and the city has struggled to keep itself afloat. Now a great debate in the city exists as to what to do with the old paper mill property. As of 2011 the first mill building has been demolished with plans to demolish the other building at a later date.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.93 square miles (2.41 km2), of which 0.92 square miles (2.38 km2) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2) is water.

Parchment is east of the Kalamazoo River.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1940 934
1950 1,179 26.2%
1960 1,565 32.7%
1970 2,027 29.5%
1980 1,817 −10.4%
1990 1,958 7.8%
2000 1,936 −1.1%
2010 1,804 −6.8%
2019 (est.) 1,828 1.3%
U.S. Decennial Census

In the November 2010 gubernatorial election, 588 ballots were cast in the city of Parchment.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Parchment para niños

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