Editing Buchanan, Michigan

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox settlement
 | official_name            = Buchanan, Michigan
 | settlement_type          = [[City (Michigan)|City]]
 | nickname                 = 
 | motto                    = "Life is better here."<ref>{{cite web|url=  http://www.cityofbuchanan.com/ |title=  City of Buchanan, Michigan |publisher= City of Buchanan, Michigan|access-date=August 24, 2012}}</ref>

<!-- Images -->
 | image_skyline            = Buchanan Downtown Historic District 06.JPG
 | imagesize                = 275
 | image_caption            = [[Buchanan Downtown Historic District]]
 | image_seal               =
 | seal_type                = logo
 | seal_size                = 200px

<!-- Maps -->
 | pushpin_map              = Michigan
 | pushpin_label_position   = top<!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
 | pushpin_label            = Buchanan
 | pushpin_map_caption      = Location within the state of Michigan
 | pushpin_mapsize          = 
 | image_map                = Buchanan, MI location.png
 | mapsize                  = 250
 | map_caption              = Location within [[Berrien County, Michigan|Berrien County]]

<!-- Location -->
 | subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
 | subdivision_name         = United States
 | subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
 | subdivision_name1        = [[Michigan]]
 | subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Michigan|County]]
 | subdivision_name2        = [[Berrien County, Michigan|Berrien]]

<!-- Government -->
 | government_footnotes     = 
 | government_type          = [[City commission government|City commission]]
 | leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
 | leader_name              = Sean Denison
 | leader_title1            = 
 | leader_name1             = 
 | established_title        = 
 | established_date         =

<!-- Area -->
 | unit_pref                = Imperial
 | area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_26.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=May 21, 2022}}</ref>
 | area_magnitude           = 
 | area_total_km2           = 6.71
 | area_land_km2            = 6.53
 | area_water_km2           = 0.18
 | area_total_sq_mi         = 2.59
 | area_land_sq_mi          = 2.52
 | area_water_sq_mi         = 0.07

<!-- Population -->
 | population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
 | population_est           = 
 | pop_est_as_of            = 
 | population_footnotes     = 
 | population_total         = 4300
 | population_density_km2   = 658.19
 | population_density_sq_mi = 1705.00

<!-- General information -->
 | timezone                 = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
 | utc_offset               = −5
 | timezone_DST             = EDT
 | utc_offset_DST           = −4
 | elevation_footnotes      = 
 | elevation_m              = 212
 | elevation_ft             = 696
 | coordinates              = {{coord|41|49|39|N|86|21|41|W|region:US-MI|display=inline,title}}
 | postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code|ZIP code(s)]]
 | postal_code              = 49107
 | area_code                = [[Area code 269|269]]
 | area_code_type           = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
 | blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
 | blank_info               = 26-11400<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>
 | blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
 | blank1_info              = 1618891<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=2008-01-31|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=2007-10-25}}</ref>
 | website                  = {{URL|https://www.cityofbuchanan.com/|Official website}}
 | footnotes                = 
 | pop_est_footnotes        = 
}}

'''Buchanan''' is a city in [[Berrien County, Michigan|Berrien County]] in the U.S. state of [[Michigan]]. The population was 4,300 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="2020 census">{{cite web |title=Buchanan city, Michigan - Census Bureau Profile |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Buchanan_city,_Michigan?g=160XX00US2611400 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=6 March 2024}}</ref> The city is located at the southeast corner of [[Buchanan Township, Michigan|Buchanan Township]], about {{convert|5|mi|km}} west of [[Niles, Michigan|Niles]].

==History==
The community was named after [[James Buchanan]], the 15th President of the United States.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://bcgensoc.com/facts.php?sid=3 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313101635/https://bcgensoc.com/facts.php?sid=3 | url-status=dead | archive-date=13 March 2018 | title=Origins - Old Place Names | publisher=Berrien County Genealogical Society | access-date=13 March 2018}}</ref> Popularly known as "Redbud City" because of the many [[Cercis canadensis|redbud]] trees that have historically lined city streets and the major approaches to the city, Buchanan has long been recognized as a [[Tree City USA]] by the [[National Arbor Day Foundation]].

The area, already having been populated by Native Americans in places such as the [[Moccasin Bluff site]], was first settled in 1833 at the spot where [[McCoy Creek (Michigan)|McCoy Creek]] meets the [[St. Joseph River (Lake Michigan)|St. Joseph River]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.berriencounty.org/econdev/pdfs/buchanan_city.pdf |title=City of Buchanan profile |access-date=2008-04-01 |date=January 2008 |publisher=[[Berrien County, Michigan|Berrien County]] Community Development Department |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080820183027/http://www.berriencounty.org/econdev/pdfs/buchanan_city.pdf |archive-date=August 20, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>  The village of Buchanan was platted in 1842 and incorporated in 1858.<ref>Coolidge, Orville W. (1906). ''A Twentieth Century History of Berrien County, Michigan'', p. 216. The Lewis Publishing Company.</ref>

In 1941, as part of the [[Section of Painting and Sculpture|Section of Fine Arts]] arts projects, [[Gertrude Goodrich]] painted a mural, ''Production'', in the Buchanan post office. Later painted over, it is in the process of being restored.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wpamurals.com/buchanan.htm|title=Buchanan, MI Art - wpamurals.com|website=wpamurals.com|access-date=27 December 2017|archive-date=22 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322150241/http://www.wpamurals.com/buchanan.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On April 12, 1979, farms, houses and mobile homes just north of the city were damaged by an F2 [[tornado]]. There were no deaths but several residences sustained significant damage.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.crh.noaa.gov/images/iwx/IWX_Tors/countymaps/Berrien.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524042050/http://www.crh.noaa.gov/images/iwx/IWX_Tors/countymaps/Berrien.pdf |archive-date=2011-05-24 |url-status=live |title=Berrien County MI Tornado Track Map |access-date=2008-04-01 |publisher=[[National Weather Service]] Northern Indiana Weather Forecast Office: Historical Tornado Data, Statistics and Maps For NWS Northern Indiana County Warning Area}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.crh.noaa.gov/iwx/program_areas/wxhisttdy/index.php?url=Apr12 |title=On Apr 12 in weather history... |access-date=2008-04-01 |publisher=[[National Weather Service]] Northern Indiana Weather Forecast Office: Today in Weather History }}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|2.57|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|2.50|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.07|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2012-11-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=2012-07-02 }}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1870= 1702
|1880= 1894
|1890= 1994
|1900= 1708
|1910= 1831
|1920= 3187
|1930= 3922
|1940= 4056
|1950= 5224
|1960= 5341
|1970= 4645
|1980= 5142
|1990= 4992
|2000= 4681
|2010= 4456
|2020= 4300
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}

===2010 census===
As of the census<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2012-11-25}}</ref> of 2010, there were 4,456 people, 1,901 households, and 1,136 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1782.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 2,139 housing units at an average density of {{convert|855.6|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 86.6% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 7.5% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.2% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.3% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 1.3% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 3.1% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 3.3% of the population.

There were 1,901 households, of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.1% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.2% were non-families. 34.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 3.01.

The median age in the city was 37.6 years. 24.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.3% were from 25 to 44; 25.6% were from 45 to 64; and 14.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.1% male and 51.9% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]],<ref name="GR2" /> there were 4,681 people, 1,915 households, and 1,191 families in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,950.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 2,098 housing units, for an average density of {{convert|874.3|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|racial makeup]] of the city was 86.26% [[White American|White]], 10.23% [[African American]], 1.92% [[Multiracial American|multiracial]], 0.60% [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census|other races]], 0.51% [[Asian American|Asian]], and 0.47% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]]. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanics or Latinos]] of any race were 1.84% of the population.

There were 1,915 households, out of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.5% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.8% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 3.05.

The age structure of the population was diffuse, with 25.6% under the age of 18, 9.6% aged 18–24, 29.0% aged 25–44, 21.3% aged 45–64, and 14.5% 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35. Sex ratio was skewed toward females, with 87.5 males for every 100 females of all ages and 83.1 males for every 100 females 18 years or older.

Median income was $34,244 for a household and $43,860 for a family. Males had a median income of $32,950 versus $21,857 for females. [[Per capita income]] was $16,600. About 10.9% of families and 12.4% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 14.7% of those younger than 18 and 10.7% of those older than 64.

==Economy==
Buchanan was historically known as the headquarters for [[Clark Equipment Company]], a manufacturer of truck axles, fork lift trucks, front-end loaders, and other heavy machinery. The company was formed in 1916 out of an acquisition of two other Buchanan companies.<ref>''Michigan Manufacturer and Financial Record'', Dec. 30, 1916, "New Corporation Acquires Two Buchanan Companies", p. 15.</ref> Clark left the area in the 1990s, forcing the city to diversify, and a number of smaller businesses took over the buildings Clark essentially donated to the city.

[[Electro-Voice]], a manufacturer of high quality audio equipment such as microphones, amplifiers and loudspeakers, was also headquartered in Buchanan.

Charlie Schmidt's Place, a merch company specializing in t-shirts, has a location in the south region of Buchanan.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Charlie Schmidt's Place {{!}} T-Shirts and More! |url=https://CharlieSchmidtsPlace.wixsite.com/my-site-1 |access-date=2024-12-16 |website=C.S.P. |language=en}}</ref>

==Arts and culture==

===Attractions===
Pears Mill, a flour mill using the water power of the swiftly flowing McCoy Creek, was built in 1857 and still stands. It is open during the summer for visitors.

The Tin Shop Theatre, located near Pears Mill, is a small theater with performances in the summer. The seasons run into September and a variety of shows for everyone of any age and any occasion are performed there.

Roti Roti Art Center, located near the old Police Station holds art shows and fundraisers all year round

[[Red Bud MX]] is a racetrack opened in 1973 that hosts a round of the [[AMA Motocross Championship]] on the Independence Day weekend.

Many other attractions are located in surrounding [[Buchanan Township, Michigan|Buchanan Township]].

==Education==
[[Buchanan Community Schools]] consists of two elementary schools, Ottawa and Moccasin (grades K-4), Buchanan Middle School (grades 5–7), and [[Buchanan High School (Michigan)|Buchanan High School]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.buchananschools.com|title=Buchanan Community Schools|work=buchananschools.com|access-date=4 February 2016}}</ref>

==Infrastructure==

===Transportation===
Buchanan is located {{convert|1.5|mi|km}} north of [[U.S. Route 12 in Michigan|US&nbsp;12]], {{convert|2.3|mi|km}} west of [[U.S. Route 31 in Michigan|US&nbsp;31]], {{convert|9.3|mi|km}} north of the US&nbsp;31 interchange on the [[Indiana Toll Road]] (I-80|I-90), and {{convert|20|mi|km}} east of [[Interstate 94 in Michigan|I-94]] (exit&nbsp;4 via US&nbsp;12).

The nearest rail hubs are the [[Amtrak]] stations at [[Niles (Amtrak station)|Niles]] and [[New Buffalo (Amtrak station)|New Buffalo]], and the [[South Shore Line (NICTD)|South Shore Line]] station in [[South Bend, Indiana]].

Commercial air service is provided by the [[South Bend International Airport]], with flights to larger hubs such as [[Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport|Atlanta]], [[O'Hare International Airport|Chicago O’Hare]], [[Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport|Cincinnati]], [[Cleveland Hopkins International Airport|Cleveland]], [[Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport|Detroit]], [[McCarran International Airport|Las Vegas]], [[Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport|Minneapolis-St. Paul]], [[Orlando Sanford International Airport|Orlando]], and [[St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport|St. Petersburg-Clearwater]].

==Notable people==
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· The article must mention how they are associated with Buchanan, whether born, raised, or residing.
· The fact of their association should have a reliable source cited.
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· All others will be deleted.
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* [[Peggy Cramer]], [[All-American Girls Professional Baseball League]] player for the [[South Bend Blue Sox]], born in Buchanan<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aagpbl.org/index.cfm/profiles/cramer-peggy/242|title=All-American Girls Professional Baseball League Official Website|access-date=27 December 2017}}</ref>
* [[Virgil Exner]], influential automobile designer for [[Studebaker]], lived in Buchanan during his youth and graduated from [[Buchanan High School (Michigan)|Buchanan High School]]<ref>Virgil Exner Visioneer, by Peter Grist, Veloce Publishing Limited, 2007</ref>
*[[John Grant (musician)|John Grant]], singer-songwriter born in Buchanan
* [[James H. Knight|Jack "Sky" Knight]], aviation pioneer<ref>{{cite web |title=Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame Enshrinees |url=https://www.airzoo.org/enshrinees |website=Airzoo.org |access-date=9 March 2021}}</ref>
* [[Cary Moon]], urban planner and politician<ref>{{cite news |last1=Raftery |first1=Isolde |last2=Huberman |first2=Bond |date=July 26, 2017 |title=Cary Moon's real name is Carol and no, she's not related to Molly Moon |url=http://kuow.org/post/cary-moons-real-name-carol-and-no-shes-not-related-molly-moon |publisher=[[KUOW-FM|KUOW]] |access-date=October 10, 2017}}</ref>
* [[Harry Niles]], outfielder and second baseman for [[St. Louis Browns]], [[New York Highlanders]], [[Boston Red Sox]], and [[Cleveland Naps]]; born in Buchanan
* [[Jackson Scholz]], the [[200 metres|200-m sprint]] champion in the [[1924 Summer Olympics|1924 Olympics]] (portrayed in the film ''[[Chariots of Fire]]''), also a successful author; born in Buchanan
* [[Jay Town]], [[United States Attorney|United States District Attorney]], raised in Buchanan and graduated from [[Buchanan High School (Michigan)|Buchanan High School]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.buchananschools.com/april-11th-2019-hall-of-fame-induction-event-press-release/|title = April 11th, 2019 Hall of Fame Induction Event - Press Release}}</ref>
* [[Hannah Roberts (BMX cyclist)|Hannah Roberts]], American BMX freestyle cyclist raised in Buchanan and graduated from [[Buchanan High School (Michigan)|Buchanan High School]]. She is a three time world champion in the UCI Urban Cycling World Championships and silver medalist in freestyle BMX at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

==See also==
{{Portal|Michigan}}
* [[List of cities in Michigan]]

==References==
{{Reflist|22em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Buchanan, Michigan}}
* {{official website|http://cityofbuchanan.com/}}

{{Berrien County, Michigan}}
{{James Buchanan}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Berrien County, Michigan]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1842]]
[[Category:1842 establishments in Michigan]]