Editing Fennville, Michigan

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Fennville, Michigan
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    =

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = {{photomontage|photo1a=Main Street Fennville Michigan.jpg|photo1b=Historic Grain Silos Fennville Michigan.jpg|photo2a=Kingsley House - Fennville, Michigan.jpg|color_border = white|color= white| size = 200}}
|image_caption            = Top to bottom, left to right:<br>Main Street/M-89 facing West, historic grain silos, the Kingsley House
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               =

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map = Allegan_County_Michigan_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Fennville_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 300px
|map_caption              = Location of Fennville, Michigan
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             =

<!-- 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        = [[Allegan County, Michigan|Allegan]]

<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = 
|leader_name              = 
|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           = 2.85
|area_land_km2            = 2.83
|area_water_km2           = 0.03
|area_total_sq_mi         = 1.10
|area_land_sq_mi          = 1.09
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.01

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_total         = 1745
|population_density_km2   = 617.30
|population_density_sq_mi = 1599.45

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
|utc_offset               = -5
|timezone_DST             = EDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -4
|elevation_footnotes      = 
|elevation_m              = 203
|elevation_ft             = 666
|coordinates              = {{coord|42|35|40.98|N|86|6|18.75|W|region:US-MI|display=inline}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 49408
|area_code                = [[Area code 269|269]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 26-27740<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              = 1626274<ref>{{gnis|1626274}}</ref>
|website                  = {{URL|https://www.fennville.gov/}}
|footnotes                = 
|pop_est_footnotes = 
|pop_est_as_of = 
|population_est = 
|population_footnotes = 
}}
'''Fennville''' is a city in [[Allegan County, Michigan|Allegan County]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Michigan]].  The population was 1,745 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].

Located on [[M-89 (Michigan highway)|M-89]] on the boundary between [[Manlius Township, Michigan|Manlius Township]] to the north and [[Clyde Township, Allegan County, Michigan|Clyde Township]] to the south, Fennville is located about {{convert|11|mi|km}} southeast of the city of [[Saugatuck, Michigan|Saugatuck]] and about {{convert|13|mi|km}} west-northwest of the city of [[Allegan, Michigan|Allegan]]. It is about {{convert|13|mi|km}} south of [[Holland, Michigan|Holland]], about {{convert|16|mi|km}} northeast of [[South Haven, Michigan|South Haven]] and roughly {{convert|40|mi|}} miles southwest of [[Grand Rapids]].

== History ==
[[File:Fennville, Michigan Post Office.jpg|thumb|left|United States Post Office in Fennville]]
The "official" and widely accepted account of how the city came to be known as Fennville, is that an early white settler by the name of Elam Atwater Fenn<ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ | title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States | publisher=Govt. Print. Off. | author=Gannett, Henry | year=1905 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ/page/n124 125]}}</ref> built a saw mill in the immediate vicinity of the current community. This led to people referring to the settlement as "Fenn's Mill" which became the name associated with the post office there. Some early documents pluralized "Mill" to render "Fenn's Mills." The first road through what was to be Fennville was built by Harrison Hutchins and James McCormick in 1837.<ref>{{cite web |title=Western County 1837 Plat Map |url=http://fennville.memorieshop.com/Pilgrims/index.html#Map |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006055830/http://www.fennville.memorieshop.com/Pilgrims/index.html#Map |url-status=usurped |archive-date=October 6, 2008 |website=fennville.memorieshop.com |access-date=15 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Hutchins |first1=Henry Hudson |title=Recollections of the Pioneers of Western Allegan County |date=1977 |publisher=COMMERCIAL RECORD-RESORTER |page=40 |url=http://fennville.memorieshop.com/History/Recollections/page-2.html |access-date=15 April 2020}}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

A fire (possibly related to the [[Great Chicago Fire]] or [[Great Michigan Fire]]) destroyed the village in October 1871. About that time, the paperwork (timetables and such) for the recently completed [[Chicago and Michigan Lake Shore Railroad]] arrived which identified the community's station as "Fennville." This was thought by some at the time (including Hutchins) to have been the result of clerical error. However, Fenn himself recorded that the change in name had been suggested by and mutually agreed upon among certain leaders of the community in conjunction with the establishment of the new railroad station. The post office name was then changed to "Fennville" to match the station's name. The community was officially incorporated as the village of Fennville on February 20, 1889.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lane |first1=Kit |title=Fennville The Early Years |date=1982 |publisher=The Fennville Herald |location=Fennville, MI |url=http://fennville.memorieshop.com/History/The-Early-Years/Fire1871.html |access-date=15 April 2020}}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

A United States atlas from 1895 indicates the town name was in some cases broken into two words, as in "Fenn Ville." Yet another documented variation was "Fennsville," as found in a plat book from 1873.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lake |first1=D. J. |title=Atlas of Allegan County Michigan / from actual surveys by and under the direction of D. J. Lake ; assisted by B. N. Griffing... [et al.] |url=https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/micounty/2897686.0001.001/81 |website=Michigan County Histories |publisher=C. O. Titus |access-date=15 September 2023}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|1.11|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|1.10|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.01|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/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=2012-01-25 }}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1890= 360
|1900= 454
|1910= 533
|1920= 547
|1930= 622
|1940= 643
|1950= 639
|1960= 705
|1970= 811
|1980= 934
|1990= 1023
|2000= 1459
|2010= 1398
|2020= 1745
|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 1,398 people, 505 households, and 346 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1270.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 588 housing units at an average density of {{convert|534.5|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 72.6% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.9% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.5% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.1% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 20.7% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 4.2% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 39.1% of the population.

There were 505 households, of which 45.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.2% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 17.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 8.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.5% were non-families. 26.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.77 and the average family size was 3.36.

The median age in the city was 28.7 years. 34.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.4% were from 25 to 44; 20.7% were from 45 to 64; and 7.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.3% male and 49.7% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 1,459 people, 484 households, and 349 families residing in the city.  The population density was {{convert|1,378.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  There were 552 housing units at an average density of {{convert|521.5|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The racial makeup of the city was 73.27% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 3.15% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.75% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.34% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 19.81% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.67% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 32.63% of the population.

There were 484 households, out of which 48.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.4% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 16.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.7% were non-families. 23.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.  The average household size was 3.01 and the average family size was 3.53.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 38.0% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 15.1% from 45 to 64, and 6.4% who were 65 years of age or older.  The median age was 26 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.0 males.  For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 88.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $39,013, and the median income for a family was $40,875. Males had a median income of $32,833 versus $25,556 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $16,127.  About 9.7% of families and 12.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 15.5% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those aged 65 or over.

== Education ==
The [[Fennville Public Schools]] district includes:<ref>[http://www.fennvilleschools.org/]  Fennville Public Schools</ref>
* [[Fennville High School]] (9-12)
* Fennville Middle School (6-8)
* Fennville Elementary School (K-5)
* Pearl Alternative/Adult Education School (9-12)

The Discovery Elementary School, a [[charter school|chartered]] public school academy located in Fennville,<ref>[http://www.discoveryelementary.net/ Discovery Elementary] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090428175929/http://www.discoveryelementary.net/ |date=2009-04-28 }}, Accessed 03 May 2009</ref> closed at the end of the 2009 school year.<ref>[http://www.discoveryelementary.net/documents/closing%20notice.pdf "Discovery School Announces Closing at End of School Year"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723094904/http://www.discoveryelementary.net/documents/closing%20notice.pdf |date=2011-07-23 }}, Accessed 03 May 2009</ref>

==Tourism==

===Goose Festival===
Each October since 1984, Fennville has held an annual local event known as the Goose Festival.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Herman |first1=Jennifer |title=Michigan Encyclopedia, Volume 21 of Encyclopedia of the United States |date=1999 |publisher=State History Publications |isbn=9781878592941 |page=269 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NbaF0SWvRJIC&q=fennville+goose+festival&pg=PA269 |access-date=15 April 2020 |edition=2008-2009}}</ref> Fennville's Goose Festival promotes the abundance of area game and wildlife, with a special emphasis on thousands of Canada geese as they pass through the nearby Todd Farm Unit of the [[Allegan State Game Area]] during their seasonal migration.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Whiteley |first1=Sandy |title=Chase's Annual Events: Special Days, Weeks and Months in 1991 |date=1990 |publisher=McGraw-Hill |isbn=9780809240876 |page=287}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Annual Fennville Goose Festival Returns for its 34th Year |url=https://www.saugatuck.com/annual-fennville-goose-festival/ |website=Saugatuck.com |access-date=14 April 2020}}</ref> One impetus for creating the festival was to encourage passenger train visitation via [[Amtrak]] on the railway that runs through Fennville.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hayden |first1=Jim |title=Goose Festival might migrate back to downtown Fennville |url=https://www.hollandsentinel.com/article/20130123/NEWS/301239800 |access-date=14 April 2020 |work=The Holland Sentinel |publisher=Gannett Co., Inc. |date=23 January 2013}}</ref> Tens of thousands of people flock to the small town each year to enjoy the various activities and attractions planned and managed by the volunteer-based Goose Festival organization that operates the Goose Festival.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hayden |first1=Jim |title=Festival brings Fennville together for family fun |url=http://www.thecommercialrecord.com/festival-brings-fennville-together-for-family-fun/ |website=The Commercial Record |access-date=14 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=National Geographic Traveler, Volume 11 |date=1994 |publisher=National Geographic Society |page=118 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zD8sAQAAMAAJ&q=fennville+goose+festival |access-date=15 April 2020}}</ref>

===Wine===
Also playing a role in Fennville's appeal as a tourist destination, the city and surrounding region is an [[American Viticultural Area]], the [[Fennville AVA]], known for the production of [[Michigan wine]].

==Notable people==
* [[Patricia L. Birkholz]] - [[Michigan State Senate|Michigan State Senator]]<ref>{{cite web| title =Senator Patty Birkholz| url =http://www.senate.michigan.gov/gop/senators/about.asp?District=24| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20070825165734/http://www.senate.michigan.gov/gop/senators/about.asp?District=24| url-status =dead| archive-date =2007-08-25| website =Michigan Senate Republicans| date = 2007| access-date = 20 Feb 2020}}</ref>
* [[J. Edward Hutchinson|Edward Hutchinson]] - [[United States Congressional Delegations from Michigan|United States Representative for the 4th Congressional District of Michigan]] 1963 &ndash; 1977

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Fennville, Michigan}}
*[https://www.fennville.gov/ City of Fennville]
*Fennville History at Memorieshop.com {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509121057/http://www.fennville.memorieshop.com/ |date=2008-05-09 }}

{{Allegan County, Michigan}}
{{Coord|42|35|40.98|N|86|06|18.75|W|type:city_region:US-MI|display=title}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Allegan County, Michigan]]
[[Category:1837 establishments in Michigan]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1837]]