Editing Kalamazoo County, Michigan

{{short description|County in Michigan, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county     = Kalamazoo County
 | state              = Michigan
 | ex image             = Kalamazoo County Courthouse.jpg
 | ex image cap         = Kalamazoo County Courthouse
 | seal                 = 
 | founded date         = May 7
 | founded year         = 1830<ref name="clarke" />
 | seat wl           = Kalamazoo
 | largest city      = Kalamazoo
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 580
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 562
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 19
 | area percentage      = 3.2%
 | census yr            = 2020
 | pop                  = 261670
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2023
 | population_est       = 262215 {{gain}}
 | density_sq_mi        = auto
 | web       = www.kalcounty.com
 | district             = 4th
 | time zone           = Eastern
 | district2            = 5th }}

'''Kalamazoo County''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|k|æ|l|ə|m|ə|ˈ|z|uː}} {{respell|KAL|ə|mə|ZOO}}) is a [[county (United States)|county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Michigan]]. {{as of|2020}}, the population was 261,670.<ref>{{Cite web |title=QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/kalamazoocountymichigan/POP010220 |access-date=September 15, 2021 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> The [[county seat]] is [[Kalamazoo, Michigan|Kalamazoo]].<ref name="GR6">{{Cite web |title=Find a County |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 |access-date=June 7, 2011 |publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> Kalamazoo County is included in the Kalamazoo–[[Portage, Michigan|Portage]], MI [[Kalamazoo–Portage metropolitan area|Metropolitan Statistical Area]].

==Etymology==
{{See also|Etymology of Kalamazoo}}
{{See also|List of Michigan county name etymologies}}
The name purportedly means "the mirage or reflecting river" and the original Indian name was "Kikalamazoo".<ref name="clarke" />

==History==
Kalamazoo County was organized in 1830, although its set off date is unknown.<ref name="clarke">{{Cite web |title=Bibliography on Kalamazoo County |url=http://clarke.cmich.edu/resource_tab/bibliographies_of_clarke_library_material/michigan_local_history/county_material/kalamazoo.html |access-date=January 19, 2013 |publisher=[[Clarke Historical Library]], [[Central Michigan University]]}}</ref>  The village of Kalamazoo (then known as Bronson) was made the county seat in 1831.<ref>[No author] (1880). [https://books.google.com/books?id=jjgzAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA99 ''History of Kalamazoo County, Michigan''], pp. 99–101. Everts & Abbott.</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|580|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|562|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|19|sqmi}} (3.2%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{Cite web |date=August 22, 2012 |title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_26.txt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113024015/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_26.txt |archive-date=November 13, 2013 |access-date=September 26, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>

===Geographic features===
* [[Kalamazoo River]]
* [[Portage River (St. Joseph County, Michigan)|Portage River]]

===Adjacent counties===
{{div col}}
* [[Barry County, Michigan|Barry County]] – northeast
* [[Allegan County, Michigan|Allegan County]] – northwest
* [[Calhoun County, Michigan|Calhoun County]] – east
* [[Van Buren County, Michigan|Van Buren County]] – west
* [[Branch County, Michigan|Branch County]] – southeast
* [[St. Joseph County, Michigan|St. Joseph County]] – south
* [[Cass County, Michigan|Cass County]] – southwest
{{div col end}}

==Transportation==
===Transit===
*[[Metro Transit (Kalamazoo)|Kalamazoo Metro Transit]]
*[[Kalamazoo station]]

===Air service===
* The Kalamazoo & Battle Creek Metro Area is served by [[Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport]].

===Highways===
* {{jct|state=MI|I|94}} runs east–west through center of county, passing {{convert|3|mi|km|spell=in}} south of Kalamazoo.
* {{jct|state=MI|BS|94|dab1=Kalamazoo}} runs from the far eastern side of Kalamazoo to an intersection with I-94 {{convert|3.5|mi|km}} southeast of Kalamazoo.
* {{jct|country=USA|US|131}} runs north–south through the west-central part of the county.
* {{jct|state=MI|US-Bus|131|dab1=Kalamazoo}} connects northern Kalamazoo to US&nbsp;131.
* {{jct|state=MI|M|43}} enters western side of the county {{convert|8.7|mi|km}} south of the northwestern county corner. It runs eastward through Oshtemo Township and turns north at U.S. 131.
* {{jct|state=MI|M|89}} enters the county near the midpoint of the northern county line. It runs southeasterly to and intersection with M-43 north of Richland and then runs eastward from Richland, exiting the county {{convert|3.4|mi|km}} south of the northeastern county corner.
* {{jct|state=MI|M|96}} starts on the far eastern side of Kalamazoo and runs eastward to Augusta before exiting the county {{convert|5.9|mi|km}} south of the northeastern corner of the county.
* {{jct|state=MI|M|343}} starts on the northeast side of Kalamazoo and runs along Gull Road to [[Richland, Michigan|Richland]].

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1840= 7380
|1850= 13179
|1860= 24646
|1870= 32054
|1880= 34342
|1890= 39273
|1900= 44310
|1910= 60327
|1920= 71225
|1930= 91368
|1940= 100085
|1950= 126707
|1960= 169712
|1970= 201550
|1980= 212378
|1990= 223411
|2000= 238603
|2010= 250331
|2020= 261670
|estyear=2023
|estimate=262215
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{Cite web |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023 |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.html |access-date=April 4, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Decennial Census |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |access-date=September 26, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><br />1790–1960<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historical Census Browser |url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu |access-date=September 26, 2014 |publisher=University of Virginia Library}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{Cite web |title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/mi190090.txt |access-date=September 26, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><br />1990–2000<ref>{{Cite web |title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |access-date=September 26, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 2010–2019<ref name="QF">{{Cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/26/26077.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707225820/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/26/26077.html |archive-date=July 7, 2011 |access-date=August 28, 2013 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>
}}

As of the [[2010 United States census]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Census website |url=https://www.census.gov |access-date=April 26, 2016 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |df=mdy-all}}</ref> there were 250,331 people living in the county. 80.1% were non-Hispanic [[White American|White]], 11.1% [[African American|Black or African American]], 2.2% [[Asian American|Asian]], 0.5% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], and 3.0% [[Multiracial American|of two or more races]]. 4.0% were [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (of any race).

As of the [[2000 United States census]],<ref name="GR2">{{Cite web |title=U.S. Census website |url=https://www.census.gov |access-date=January 31, 2008 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> there were 238,603 people, 93,479 households, and 57,956 families living in the county. The population density was {{convert|425|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 99,250 housing units at an average density of {{convert|177|/mi2|/km2|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 84.57% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 9.73% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.41% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 1.83% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.27% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.15% from two or more races. 2.64% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race. 18.3% were of [[germans|German]], 11.5% [[Dutch people|Dutch]], 10.3% [[English people|English]], 8.4% [[Irish people|Irish]] and 7.2% [[United States|American]] ancestry according to [[Census 2000]]. 93.7% spoke [[English language|English]] and 2.8% [[Spanish language|Spanish]] as their first language.

There were 93,479 households, out of which 30.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.70% were married couples living together, 11.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.00% were non-families. 28.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.00.

The county population contained 24.10% under the age of 18, 15.20% from 18 to 24, 28.20% from 25 to 44, 21.10% from 45 to 64, and 11.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $42,022, and the median income for a family was $53,953. Males had a median income of $39,611 versus $27,965 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $21,739. About 6.50% of families and 12.00% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 12.30% of those under age 18 and 6.30% of those age 65 or over.

==Government==
Kalamazoo County was a bastion of the Republican Party following the Civil War. From 1884 through 1988, voters selected the Republican Party presidential nominee all but three times–in 1912, 1936 and 1964. However, starting in 1992 the county has voted Democratic in every presidential election (through 2024). It swung particularly heavily to the Democrats after 2008, following the trend in most urban counties across the country. Even as Michigan trended Republican in 2016, Kalamazoo County voted for Democratic candidate to a similar level as in recent years. 
{{PresHead|place=Kalamazoo County, Michigan|source=<ref>[http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS US Election Atlas]</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Democratic|58,671|84,501|2,947|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|2020|Democratic|56,823|83,686|3,237|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|2016|Democratic|51,034|67,148|8,117|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|2012|Democratic|52,662|69,051|1,977|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|51,554|77,051|2,456|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|2004|Democratic|57,147|61,462|1,174|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|2000|Democratic|48,254|48,807|3,595|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|40,703|45,644|6,788|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|38,035|43,568|22,255|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|50,205|39,457|573|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|58,327|32,460|601|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|48,669|34,528|12,420|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|51,462|33,411|2,212|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|50,405|33,324|2,041|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|39,796|26,437|7,599|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|27,100|40,789|215|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|42,800|24,286|348|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|43,305|17,808|320|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|38,847|18,967|371|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|23,799|16,393|1,325|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|24,974|16,223|457|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|25,596|17,733|293|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|17,824|17,870|1,686|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1932|Republican|18,584|13,974|1,227|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|23,626|5,946|258|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|18,451|3,587|2,462|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|13,765|5,271|1,348|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|5,951|7,164|1,058|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1912|Progressive|2,642|3,660|6,006|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|6,511|4,477|930|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|7,163|3,264|1,064|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|6,010|4,707|492|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1896|Republican|5,891|5,434|190|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1892|Republican|4,968|4,018|839|Michigan}}
{{PresRow|1888|Republican|5,437|3,950|560|Michigan}}
{{PresFoot|1884|Republican|4,515|3,750|455|Michigan}}

The county government operates the [[County jail|jail]], provides law enforcement in unincorporated areas, 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 commission|county board of commissioners]] controls the budget but has only limited authority to make laws or ordinances. In Michigan, most local government functions—fire, building and zoning, tax assessment, street maintenance, etc.—are the responsibility of individual cities and townships.

===Elected officials===
{{div col}}
* [[Prosecutor|Prosecuting Attorney]]: Jeffrey S. Getting ([[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]])
* [[Sheriff]]: Richard Fuller (Democrat)
* [[County Clerk]]/[[Register of Deeds]]: Meredith Place (Democrat)
* [[Treasurer|County Treasurer]]: Thomas L. Whitener (Democrat)
* [[Drain Commissioner]]: Jason Wiersma (Democrat)
* [[County Surveyor]]: Gary D. Hahn (Democrat) 
* [[County Commissioner]] for District 1: Tami Rey (Democrat)
* County Commissioner for District 2: Jen Strebs (Democrat)
* County Commissioner for District 3: Monteze Morales (Democrat)
* County Commissioner for District 4: Abigail Wheeler (Democrat)
* County Commissioner for District 5: John Taylor (Democrat)
* County Commissioner for District 6: John H. Gisler (Republican)
* County Commissioner for District 7: Jeff Hepler (Republican)
* County Commissioner for District 8: Wendy Mazer (Republican)
* County Commissioner for District 9: Dale Deleeuw (Democrat)
* Eighth [[District Court]]: Judges Tiffany A. Ankley, Christopher Haenicke, Kathleen Hemingway, Alisa L. Parker-LaGrone, Richard A. Santoni, Ronald Schafer, Namita Sharma, and Vincent C. Westra (all non-partisan)
* Ninth [[Circuit Court]]: Judges Curtis J. Bell, Paul J. Bridenstine, Gary C. Giguere Jr., Stephen G. Gorsalitz, Pamela L. Lightvoet, Alexander C. Lipsey, Namita Sharma, and Scott Pierangeli (all non-partisan).
{{div col end}}
<small>(information current {{as of|2022|October|lc=y}})</small>{{citation needed|date=October 2022}}

==Communities==
[[File:Kalamazoo County, MI census map.png|thumb|right|400px|[[United States Census|U.S. Census]] data map showing local municipal boundaries within Kalamazoo County. Shaded areas represent incorporated cities.]]

===Cities===
* [[Galesburg, Michigan|Galesburg]]
* [[Kalamazoo, Michigan|Kalamazoo]] (county seat)
* [[Parchment, Michigan|Parchment]]
* [[Portage, Michigan|Portage]]

===Villages===
* [[Augusta, Michigan|Augusta]]
* [[Climax, Michigan|Climax]]
* [[Richland, Michigan|Richland]]
* [[Schoolcraft, Michigan|Schoolcraft]]
* [[Vicksburg, Michigan|Vicksburg]]

===Charter townships===
* [[Brady Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan|Brady Charter Township]]
* [[Comstock Township, Michigan|Comstock Charter Township]]
* [[Cooper Charter Township, Michigan|Cooper Charter Township]]
* [[Kalamazoo Township, Michigan|Kalamazoo Charter Township]]
* [[Oshtemo Charter Township, Michigan|Oshtemo Charter Township]]
* [[Pavilion Township, Michigan|Pavilion Charter Township]]
* [[Texas Charter Township, Michigan|Texas Charter Township]]

===Civil townships===
{{div col}}
* [[Alamo Township, Michigan|Alamo Township]]
* [[Charleston Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan|Charleston Township]]
* [[Climax Township, Michigan|Climax Township]]
* [[Prairie Ronde Township, Michigan|Prairie Ronde Township]]
* [[Richland Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan|Richland Township]]
* [[Ross Township, Michigan|Ross Township]]
* [[Schoolcraft Township, Kalamazoo County, Michigan|Schoolcraft Township]]
* [[Wakeshma Township, Michigan|Wakeshma Township]]
{{div col end}}

===Census-designated places===
* [[Comstock Northwest, Michigan|Comstock Northwest]]
* [[Eastwood, Michigan|Eastwood]]
* [[Greater Galesburg, Michigan|Greater Galesburg]] ''(former)''
* [[Scotts, Michigan|Scotts]]
* [[South Gull Lake, Michigan|South Gull Lake]]
* [[Westwood, Michigan|Westwood]]

===Other unincorporated communities===
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Adams Park, Michigan|Adams Park]]
* [[Alamo, Michigan|Alamo]]
* [[Collins Corner, Michigan|Collins Corner]]
* [[Comstock, Michigan|Comstock]]
* [[Cooks Mill, Michigan|Cooks Mill]]
* [[Cooper, Michigan|Cooper]]
* [[Doughertys Corners, Michigan|Doughertys Corners]]
* [[East Comstock, Michigan|East Comstock]]
* [[East Cooper, Michigan|East Cooper]]
* [[Factoryville, Michigan|Factoryville]]
* [[Fulton, Kalamazoo County, Michigan|Fulton]]
* [[Gardners Corners, Michigan|Gardners Corners]]
* [[Gull Lake, Michigan|Gull Lake]]
* [[Highland Park, Kalamazoo County, Michigan|Highland Park]]
* [[Howlandsburg, Michigan|Howlandsburg]]
* [[Lakewood, Kalamazoo County, Michigan|Lakewood]]
* [[Lawndale, Kalamazoo County, Michigan|Lawndale]]
* [[Lemon Park, Michigan|Lemon Park]]
* [[Midland Park, Michigan|Midland Park]]
* [[Milwood, Michigan|Milwood]]
* [[Northwood, Michigan|Northwood]]
* [[Oakwood, Kalamazoo County, Michigan|Oakwood]]
* [[Pavilion, Michigan|Pavilion]]
* [[Pavillion Center, Michigan|Pavillion Center]]
* [[Pomeroy, Michigan|Pomeroy]]
* [[Ramona Park, Michigan|Ramona Park]]
* [[Richland Junction, Michigan|Richland Junction]]
* [[Texas Corners, Michigan|Texas Corners]]
* [[Yorkville, Michigan|Yorkville]]
{{div col end}}

==See also==
* [[List of Michigan State Historic Sites in Kalamazoo County, Michigan]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Kalamazoo County, Michigan]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Kalamazoo County, Michigan}}
* [http://www.kalcounty.com/ Kalamazoo County Government]
* {{Cite web |title=Bibliography on Kalamazoo County |url=http://clarke.cmich.edu/resource_tab/bibliographies_of_clarke_library_material/michigan_local_history/county_material/kalamazoo.html |publisher=[[Clarke Historical Library]], [[Central Michigan University]]}}

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Kalamazoo County, Michigan
|Northeast = [[Barry County, Michigan|Barry County]]
|East      = [[Calhoun County, Michigan|Calhoun County]]
|Southeast = [[Branch County, Michigan|Branch County]]
|South     = [[St. Joseph County, Michigan|St. Joseph County]]
|Southwest = [[Cass County, Michigan|Cass County]]
|West      = [[Van Buren County, Michigan|Van Buren County]]
|Northwest = [[Allegan County, Michigan|Allegan County]]
}}

{{Kalamazoo County, Michigan}}
{{West Michigan}}
{{Michigan}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|42.24|-85.53|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-MI_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Kalamazoo County, Michigan| ]]
[[Category:Michigan counties]]
[[Category:Michigan placenames of Native American origin]]
[[Category:Kalamazoo–Portage metropolitan area]]
[[Category:1830 establishments in Michigan Territory]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1830]]