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Calhoun County, Michigan

Coordinates: 42°15′N 85°00′W / 42.25°N 85.00°W / 42.25; -85.00
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Calhoun County
County
Post Card. Michigan Central Depot in Battle Creek.
Post Card. Michigan Central Depot in Battle Creek.
Map of Michigan highlighting Calhoun County
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Map of the United States highlighting Michigan
Michigan's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°15′N 85°00′W / 42.25°N 85°W / 42.25; -85
Country United States
State Michigan
Foundedestablished 1829
organized 1833[1]
Named forJohn C. Calhoun
SeatMarshall
Largest cityBattle Creek
Area
 • Total
718 sq mi (1,860 km2)
 • Land706 sq mi (1,830 km2)
 • Water12 sq mi (30 km2)  1.7%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
134,310
 • Density193/sq mi (75/km2)
Congressional districts4th, 5th
Websitewww.calhouncountymi.gov

Calhoun County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 134,310.[2] The county seat is Marshall.[3] The county was established on October 19, 1829, and named after John C. Calhoun, who was at the time Vice President under Andrew Jackson, making it one of Michigan's Cabinet counties. County government was first organized on March 6, 1833.[1][4] Calhoun County comprises the Battle Creek Metropolitan Statistical Area and is included in the Kalamazoo-Battle Creek-Portage Combined Statistical Area.

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 718 square miles (1,860 km2), of which 706 square miles (1,830 km2) is land and 12 square miles (31 km2) (1.7%) is water.[5]

Geographic features

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Adjacent counties

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History

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The Kalamazoo River oil spill occurred in July 2010 when a pipeline operated by Enbridge (Line 6B) burst and flowed into Talmadge Creek, a tributary of the Kalamazoo River. A six-foot break in the pipeline resulted in the largest inland oil spill, and one of the costliest spills in U.S. history. The pipeline carries diluted bitumen (dilbit), a heavy crude oil from Canada's Athabasca oil sands to the United States. Following the spill, the volatile hydrocarbon diluents evaporated, leaving the heavier bitumen to sink in the water column. Thirty-five miles of the Kalamazoo River were closed for clean-up until June 2012, when portions of the river were re-opened. On March 14, 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ordered Enbridge to return to dredge portions of the river to remove submerged oil and oil-contaminated sediment.

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
184010,599—
185019,16280.8%
186029,56454.3%
187036,56923.7%
188038,4525.1%
189043,50113.1%
190049,31513.4%
191056,63814.8%
192072,91828.7%
193087,04319.4%
194094,2068.2%
1950120,81328.2%
1960138,85814.9%
1970141,9632.2%
1980141,557−0.3%
1990135,982−3.9%
2000137,9851.5%
2010136,146−1.3%
2020134,310−1.3%
2023 (est.)133,366[6]−0.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2019[2]

The 2010 United States Census[11] indicates Calhoun County had a 2010 population of 136,146. This is a decrease of -1,839 people from the 2000 United States Census. Overall, the county had a -1.3% growth rate during this ten-year period. In 2010 there were 54,016 households and 35,220 families in the county. The population density was 192.8 per square mile (74.4 square kilometers). There were 61,042 housing units at an average density of 86.4 per square mile (33.4 square kilometers). The racial and ethnic makeup of the county was 79.8% White, 10.7% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 1.6% Asian, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 0.1% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races.

There were 54,016 households, out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% were husband and wife families, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.8% were non-families, and 28.8% were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.2% under age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 27.7% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.5 males.

The 2010 American Community Survey 1-year estimate[11] indicates the median income for a household in the county was $42,921 and the median income for a family was $49,964. Males had a median income of $25,712 versus $18,298 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,661. About 11.7% of families and 16.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.9% of those under the age 18 and 5.8% of those age 65 or over.

Government and politics

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United States presidential election results for Calhoun County, Michigan[12]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 38,606 56.29% 28,988 42.26% 996 1.45%
2020 36,221 54.65% 28,877 43.57% 1,183 1.78%
2016 31,494 53.47% 24,157 41.01% 3,251 5.52%
2012 28,333 48.58% 29,267 50.18% 727 1.25%
2008 28,553 44.48% 34,561 53.84% 1,082 1.69%
2004 32,093 51.21% 29,891 47.70% 683 1.09%
2000 26,291 47.73% 27,312 49.59% 1,477 2.68%
1996 20,953 39.95% 26,287 50.12% 5,203 9.92%
1992 19,791 33.71% 25,542 43.51% 13,369 22.77%
1988 26,771 53.77% 22,717 45.63% 299 0.60%
1984 34,470 62.60% 20,313 36.89% 284 0.52%
1980 30,912 52.24% 23,022 38.90% 5,242 8.86%
1976 30,390 53.77% 25,229 44.64% 901 1.59%
1972 32,531 58.27% 22,154 39.68% 1,143 2.05%
1968 26,181 47.64% 22,633 41.18% 6,146 11.18%
1964 18,987 36.50% 32,939 63.31% 99 0.19%
1960 32,080 57.50% 23,511 42.14% 202 0.36%
1956 32,284 61.33% 20,184 38.34% 175 0.33%
1952 31,941 62.09% 19,171 37.26% 335 0.65%
1948 19,285 54.95% 15,077 42.96% 734 2.09%
1944 20,664 54.82% 16,611 44.07% 418 1.11%
1940 21,633 53.27% 18,682 46.00% 295 0.73%
1936 14,667 40.57% 20,231 55.96% 1,255 3.47%
1932 16,255 48.43% 16,281 48.51% 1,027 3.06%
1928 24,379 80.40% 5,769 19.03% 173 0.57%
1924 18,165 71.91% 4,020 15.91% 3,077 12.18%
1920 16,722 69.12% 6,291 26.00% 1,180 4.88%
1916 6,484 42.07% 8,037 52.15% 891 5.78%
1912 3,447 26.42% 3,781 28.98% 5,817 44.59%
1908 6,848 55.99% 4,240 34.67% 1,143 9.35%
1904 7,506 64.49% 3,102 26.65% 1,031 8.86%
1900 6,220 50.11% 5,560 44.79% 633 5.10%
1896 5,874 47.01% 6,202 49.64% 418 3.35%
1892 5,077 48.10% 4,150 39.31% 1,329 12.59%
1888 5,732 52.77% 4,358 40.12% 772 7.11%
1884 5,113 51.20% 4,309 43.15% 564 5.65%

The county government operates the jail, maintains rural roads, operates the major local courts, keeps files of deeds and mortgages, maintains vital records, administers public health regulations, and participates with the state in the provision of welfare and other social services. The county board of commissioners controls the budget but has only limited authority to make laws or ordinances. In Michigan, most local government functions — police and fire, building and zoning, tax assessment, street maintenance, etc. — are the responsibility of individual cities and townships.

Calhoun County is a swing county in presidential elections. Beginning in 1964, it has voted for the winner of the national election every time except in 1976 (instead backing native Michigander Gerald Ford), 2000, and 2020.

Elected officials

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(information as of October 2020)

Communities

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Cities

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Villages

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Charter townships

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Census-designated places

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Other unincorporated communities

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Townships

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Historical markers

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There are 83 recognized Michigan historical markers in the county.[13]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Bibliography on Calhoun County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  2. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ Peirce, Henry B. (2005) [1877]. "Chapter VII". History of Calhoun county, Michigan. Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan Library. p. 18. Retrieved February 11, 2007.
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  6. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  9. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  10. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  11. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
  12. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
  13. ^ "Michigan Historical Markers". michmarkers.com. Archived from the original on March 15, 2010. Retrieved January 11, 2008.
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42°15′N 85°00′W / 42.25°N 85.00°W / 42.25; -85.00

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