Westphalia, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Westphalia, Michigan
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Village
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| Village of Westphalia | |
Location within Clinton County
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 Westphalia, Michigan
Location in Michigan
Westphalia, Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Michigan |
| County |  Clinton |
| Township | Westphalia |
| Founded | 1836 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Village council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.15 sq mi (2.96 km2) |
| • Land | 1.11 sq mi (2.88 km2) |
| • Water | 0.03 sq mi (0.08 km2) |
| Elevation | 758 ft (231 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 924 |
| • Density | 829.44/sq mi (320.31/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code(s) |
48894
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| Area code(s) | 989 |
| FIPS code | 26-86120 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2400156 |
Westphalia is a small village located in Clinton County, Michigan, in the United States. In 2020, about 924 people lived there. The village is part of Westphalia Township. It is about 25 miles (40 km) northwest of Lansing. It is also about 55 miles (89 km) east of Grand Rapids. Westphalia is well-known for its strong German and Catholic history.
Contents
History of Westphalia Village
Westphalia was started in 1836 by a group of German settlers. They named it after the Westphalia region in Germany. These settlers were German Catholics. They came from cities like Wimbach and Meerhof, and from Hesse. They found the rich soil in Michigan perfect for farming.
Some family members stayed in Detroit. Others moved into the wild to clear land for farms. A German-Catholic church was set up very soon after the settlers arrived. Father Anton Kopp bought land in Ionia. He then traveled to Detroit to meet Bishop Friedrich Reese. In September 1837, he returned to his church. He held Masses in the homes of the settlers. This area is now St. Mary's Parish.
In 2012, the village celebrated its 175th birthday.
Geography of Westphalia
Westphalia is a small village. It covers a total area of about 1.14 square miles (2.95 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 1.11 square miles (2.87 square kilometers), is land. A small part, about 0.03 square miles (0.08 square kilometers), is water. This water makes up about 2.63% of the village's total area.
Population Changes in Westphalia
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 350 | — | |
| 1900 | 374 | 6.9% | |
| 1910 | 366 | −2.1% | |
| 1920 | 325 | −11.2% | |
| 1930 | 328 | 0.9% | |
| 1940 | 386 | 17.7% | |
| 1950 | 459 | 18.9% | |
| 1960 | 560 | 22.0% | |
| 1970 | 806 | 43.9% | |
| 1980 | 896 | 11.2% | |
| 1990 | 780 | −12.9% | |
| 2000 | 876 | 12.3% | |
| 2010 | 923 | 5.4% | |
| 2020 | 924 | 0.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Westphalia's Population in 2010
In 2010, the village had 923 people living in it. There were 355 households and 267 families. The village had about 831.5 people per square mile (321.0 people per square kilometer). There were 364 houses. On average, there were 327.9 houses per square mile (126.6 houses per square kilometer).
Most people in the village were White (98.2%). A small number were African American (0.1%), Native American (0.1%), or Asian (0.1%). About 1.0% were from other races. About 0.5% were from two or more races. People of Hispanic or Latino background made up 3.0% of the population.
About 30.7% of households had children under 18. Most households (67.0%) were married couples living together. About 6.2% had a female head of household with no husband. About 2.0% had a male head of household with no wife. About 24.8% were not families.
About 22.3% of all households were single people. About 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household had 2.60 people. The average family had 3.04 people.
The average age in the village was 39.4 years. About 27.5% of residents were under 18. About 6.2% were between 18 and 24. About 23.8% were from 25 to 44. About 20.1% were from 45 to 64. About 22.4% were 65 or older. The village had slightly more females (51.7%) than males (48.3%).
Education in Westphalia
Westphalia has several schools for students of different ages:
- St. Mary Catholic School (for grades K-6)
- Pewamo-Westphalia Elementary School (for grades K-5)
- Pewamo-Westphalia Middle/High School (for grades 6-12)
In 2019, Pewamo-Westphalia High School was named one of the top 15 best high schools in Michigan. This was reported by U.S. News & World Report. It was also ranked 615th in the entire nation.
Fun Activities and Events
Westphalia Cruise-In
The Westphalia Cruise-In is a yearly event. It happens every June. The village of Westphalia works with the Portland Cruisers for this event. People display classic cars on the downtown streets. In 2018, over 1,300 cars were shown at the Cruise-In.
Light Parade and Tree Lighting
The Westphalia Historical Society hosts this event. It takes place on the first Saturday of December. A parade goes down Main Street. Each year, a special person "flips the switch" to light up the tree. St. Nikolaus also joins in. This is a German tradition for his upcoming feast day. Local businesses open up. They offer special treats and fun activities.
Cemetery Walk
The Westphalia Historical Society also hosts a Cemetery Walk. It happens every September. It takes place in the St. Mary Parish Cemetery. During the walk, people act as historical community members. Often, their living relatives play these roles. They wear old-fashioned clothes and use props. They tell stories to visitors as they walk past the graves.
St. Mary Parish Family Fest
This festival used to be called the St. Mary Parish Picnic. It was traditionally held on the 4th of July. In 2021, it officially changed to the St. Mary's Fall Family Fest. This two-day festival is held across from the church. It includes a cookout and a beanbag tournament. There's also a live stream of the Pewamo-Westphalia football game. Other activities include a bake sale, a 5k/5-mile run, and a craft show. There's also a family concert and live music in the evening.
Famous People from Westphalia
- Ardeth Platte: She was a Dominican religious sister. She worked as an anti-nuclear activist. She is a member of the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame.
- Joseph Rademacher: He was a Catholic Bishop.
See also
In Spanish: Westphalia (Míchigan) para niños
