Editing Cassopolis, Michigan

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Cassopolis, Michigan
|settlement_type          = [[Village (United States)|Village]]
|nickname                 = AmstutzVille
|motto                    =

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = Cass Courthouse.jpg
|imagesize                = 275
|image_caption            = Cass County Courthouse in Cassopolis
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               = Cassopolis Logo.png
|seal_size                = 200px
|seal_type                = logo

<!-- Maps -->
|pushpin_map            = Michigan
|pushpin_label_position = right<!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
|pushpin_label          = Cassopolis
|pushpin_map_caption    = Location within the state of Michigan
|pushpin_mapsize        = 
|image_map                = Cassopolis, MI location.png
|mapsize                  = 250
|map_caption              = Location within [[Cass County, Michigan|Cass 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        = [[Cass County, Michigan|Cass]]
|subdivision_type3        = [[Civil township|Township]]s
|subdivision_name3        = [[LaGrange Township, Michigan|LaGrange]] and [[Penn Township, Michigan|Penn]]

<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = [[Town council|Village council]]
|leader_title             = President
|leader_name              = David Johnson
|leader_title1            = 
|leader_name1             = 
|established_title        = 
|established_date         =

<!-- Area -->
|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           = 5.79
|area_land_km2            = 5.21
|area_water_km2           = 0.58
|area_total_sq_mi         = 2.23
|area_land_sq_mi          = 2.01
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.22

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_est           = 
|pop_est_as_of            = 
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 1712
|population_density_km2   = 328.70
|population_density_sq_mi = 851.32

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
|utc_offset               = −5
|timezone_DST             = EDT
|utc_offset_DST           = −4
|elevation_footnotes      = 
|elevation_m              = 271
|elevation_ft             = 889
|coordinates              = {{coord|41|54|39|N|86|00|28|W|region:US-MI|display=inline}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code|ZIP code(s)]]
|postal_code              = 49031
|area_code                = [[Area code 269|269]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 26-13900<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 0622860<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=October 25, 2007}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|http://cassopolis-mi.us/|Official website}}
|footnotes                = 
|pop_est_footnotes = 
|unit_pref = Imperial
}}
'''Cassopolis''' ({{IPAc-en|k|ə|ˈ|s|ɒ|p|ə|l|ɪ|s}} {{respell|kə|SOP|ə|liss}}) is a village in the U.S. state of [[Michigan]] and the [[county seat]] of [[Cass County, Michigan|Cass County]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 }}</ref> It is located mostly in [[LaGrange Township, Michigan|LaGrange Township]] with a small portion extending east into [[Penn Township, Michigan|Penn Township]]. The village and county are named after [[wikt:statesman|statesman]] [[Lewis Cass]], a [[New Hampshire]] native and a prominent [[U.S. senator]] from Michigan prior to the [[American Civil War]].

Cassopolis is part of the [[South Bend, Indiana|South Bend]]&ndash;[[Mishawaka, Indiana|Mishawaka]], [[Indiana|IN]]-MI, [[South Bend-Mishawaka metropolitan area|Metropolitan Statistical Area]] sometimes referred to as [[Michiana]]. The population was 1,712 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref name="2020 census">{{cite web |title=Cassopolis village, Michigan - Census Bureau Profile |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Cassopolis_village,_Michigan?g=160XX00US2613900 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=March 24, 2024}}</ref>

==History==
Cassopolis was platted by European Americans in 1831. It had already been designated the county seat by that point.  It was incorporated as a village in 1863.<ref>Walter Romig, ''Michigan Place Names'', p. 103</ref> The county developed farming and some industry.

Cassopolis was a transit point on the [[Underground Railroad]], by which sympathizers aided refugee slaves from the South to gain freedom in the North and in Canada. Some refugees continued through Michigan to settle in Canada in order to avoid risk under the 1850 Fugitive Slave Law, which increased incentives for capture.<ref>{{Cite journal|title = Cassopolis, Mich. Boasts of Its Role in the Underground Railroad|last = Brown|first = Beatrice|date = July 2, 1949|journal = Pittsburgh Courier}}</ref> Others remained in the area, with many African-Americans and people of mixed African-American and Sapponi and Pumenkey ancestry settling in Cass County.

In the 1960s, a group of African Americans connected to the [[Nation of Islam]] acquired some 1,000 acres of farmland in the area. Work on this acquisition was overseen by a man who had graduated from Cassopolis High.<ref>{{Cite journal|title = Black Muslims in Michigan|last = Popa|first = Robert|date = December 19, 1968|journal = Washington Post}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[Image:Cass 07-04-2008 01;28;56PM.JPG|left|thumb|300px|<span style="font-size:100%;">Lewis Cass historical marker in Cassopolis, Michigan</span>]]
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the village has a total area of {{convert|2.25|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|2.00|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.25|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=November 25, 2012 |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=July 2, 2012 }}</ref>  Cassopolis is the town associated with [[Diamond Lake (Michigan)|Diamond Lake]], the largest lake in southwestern Michigan.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1850= 379
|1870= 728
|1880= 912
|1890= 1369
|1900= 1330
|1910= 1358
|1920= 1385
|1930= 1448
|1940= 1488
|1950= 1527
|1960= 2027
|1970= 2108
|1980= 1933
|1990= 1822
|2000= 1740
|2010= 1774
|2020= 1712
|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=November 25, 2012}}</ref> of 2010, there were 1,774 people, 709 households, and 384 families residing in the village. The population density was {{convert|887.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 833 housing units at an average density of {{convert|416.5|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the village was 60.0% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 29.3% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.1% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 2.4% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.1% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.5% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 5.6% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 4.5% of the population.

There were 709 households, of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 31.5% were married couples living together, 15.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 45.8% were non-families. 40.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 3.15.

The median age in the village was 35.4 years. 25.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.1% were from 25 to 44; 22.8% were from 45 to 64; and 13.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 50.3% male and 49.7% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 1,740 people, 703 households, and 437 families residing in the village.  The population density was {{convert|994.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  There were 780 housing units at an average density of {{convert|445.6|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The racial makeup of the village was 54.60% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 32.59% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.57% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 3.62% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.80% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 7.82% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.18% of the population.

There were 703 households, out of which 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.4% were married couples living together, 16.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.7% were non-families. 33.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.  The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the village, the age distribution of the population shows 30.0% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older.  The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.3 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.2 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $28,696, and the median income for a family was $37,348. Males had a median income of $29,688 versus $21,036 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the village was $14,359.  About 9.4% of families and 13.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 13.8% of those under age 18 and 13.5% of those age 65 or over.

==Education==
[[Cassopolis Public Schools|Cassopolis Public School District]] is the school system for the Village of Cassopolis and its surrounding areas.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st26_mi/schooldistrict_maps/c26027_cass/DC20SD_C26027.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Cass County, MI|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|accessdate=February 26, 2023}}</ref> The district's schools are [[Ross Beatty High School]], Squires Middle School, and Sam Adams Elementary.

In 2020, the school district split up the junior and senior high school into Ross Beatty High School and Squires Middle School Ross Beatty High School teaches grades nine through twelve. Squires Middle School teaches grades six through eight.

The [[Cass District Library]]'s Main Library is located in Cassopolis.  The Local History Branch is also located in Cassopolis.  Other branches include the Howard Branch, Edwardsburg Branch, and the Mason / Union Branch.

==Notable people==
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· Only people who already have a Wikipedia article may appear here. This establishes notability.
· The article must mention how they are associated with Cassopolis, whether born, raised, or residing.
· The fact of their association should have a reliable source cited.
· Alphabetical by last name please.
· All others will be deleted.
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* [[Dennis Archer]], 67th [[List of mayors of Detroit|Mayor of Detroit]]; [[Michigan Supreme Court]] justice; president of the [[American Bar Association]]; grew up in Cassopolis
* [[Ruth Alice Armstrong]], social activist
* [[Iven Carl Kincheloe, Jr.|Iven Kincheloe]], [[test pilot]] and aviation pioneer, grew up in Cassopolis
* [[Kevin Loder]], small forward and shooting guard for the [[Kansas City Kings]], and [[Los Angeles Clippers#1978–1984: San Diego Clippers|San Diego Clippers]]; born in Cassopolis
* [[Ed Lowe (businessman)|Ed Lowe]], inventor of [[cat litter]]; grew up in Cassopolis

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Cassopolis, Michigan}}
*[http://www.casscountymi.org/ Cass County Government website]
*[http://www.casscountymi.org/ViewCassCam.aspx Cassopolis Webcam] &mdash; view from the Cassopolis courthouse
*[http://dlacassopolis.org/ Diamond Lake] Diamond Lake Association

{{Cass County, Michigan}}
{{Michigan county seats}}

{{Coord|41|54|42|N|86|00|36|W|type:city_region:US-MI|display=title}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Villages in Cass County, Michigan]]
[[Category:Villages in Michigan]]
[[Category:County seats in Michigan]]
[[Category:South Bend – Mishawaka metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1831]]
[[Category:1831 establishments in Michigan Territory]]