Editing New Buffalo, Michigan

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = New Buffalo, Michigan
|image_seal               = New Buffalo Seal.png
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code|ZIP code(s)]]
|postal_code              = 49117
|area_code                = [[Area code 269|269]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 26-57220<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              = 0633317<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>
|footnotes                = 
|website                  = {{URL|http://www.cityofnewbuffalo.org/|Official website}}
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|image_skyline            = Main street P7310009.jpg
|imagesize                = 275
|image_caption            = Looking north along N. Whittaker Street
|pushpin_map            = Michigan
|pushpin_label_position = top<!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
|pushpin_label          = New Buffalo
|pushpin_map_caption    = Location within the state of Michigan
|pushpin_mapsize        = 
|image_map                = New Buffalo, MI location.png
|mapsize                  = 250
|map_caption              = Location within [[Berrien County, Michigan|Berrien County]]
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Michigan|County]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_name1        = [[Michigan]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Berrien County, Michigan|Berrien]]
|government_type          = [[Council–manager government|Council–manager]]
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = Vance Price
| established_title       = Incorporated
| established_date        = 1836 (village)<br>1965 (city)
|area_magnitude           = 
|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_total_km2           = 6.45
|area_land_km2            = 6.39
|area_water_km2           = 0.06
|area_total_sq_mi         = 2.49
|area_land_sq_mi          = 2.47
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.02
|area_water_percent       = 1.19
|elevation_m              = 195
|elevation_ft             = 640
|coordinates              = {{coord|41|47|25|N|86|44|43|W|region:US-MI|display=inline}}
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_est           = 
|pop_est_as_of            = 
|population_total         = 1708
|population_density_km2   = 267.27
|population_density_sq_mi = 692.34
|timezone                 = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|EST]]
|utc_offset               = -5
|timezone_DST             = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|EDT]]
|utc_offset_DST           = -4
|pop_est_footnotes = 
|unit_pref = Imperial
}}
'''New Buffalo''' is a city in [[Berrien County, Michigan|Berrien County]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Michigan]]. The population was 1,708 during the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/New_Buffalo_city,_Michigan?g=1600000US2657220 |access-date=2023-01-07 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref>

==History==
The area around the mouth of the Galien River was originally populated by Miami and Potawatomi peoples.  Later, French missionaries visited the area on their search for the fabled [[Northwest Passage]].  The area remained sparsely populated, even as Michigan Territory was petitioning for statehood.

In 1834 a sea-captain from [[Buffalo, New York]]—Wessel Whittaker—and his crew were shipwrecked on the Lake Michigan coast south of the Galien River outlet.  As they headed back to Saint Joseph, MI to report the loss of their ship, Whittaker noticed the possibilities of the New Buffalo area as a potential harbor. He purchased the land around the river-mouth and with various family members in tow, returned and named his new settlement New Buffalo.

Compared to larger harbors along the coast, New Buffalo wasn't a contender initially.  However, the new [[Michigan Central Railway]] was being built across Michigan in the late 1830s. This new transportation route terminated for several years in New Buffalo, leading to explosive growth.  Railway passengers would stop in town to wait for steamers to finish taking them to Chicago, creating a demand for hotels. Unfortunately, the rail line was completed directly to Chicago, which made New Buffalo just another stop along the route. The boom times were over.

As the 19th century progressed, New Buffalo area became a popular vacation getaway spot for Chicagoans.  It was easily reached by train and was miles away from the heavy industry of [[Gary, Indiana]] and the hustle and bustle of [[Chicago, Illinois]].  New Buffalo area also preserved the sand dunes that are common along the Lake Michigan shore.  In the early 20th Century, US Highway 12 was constructed through town, allowing autos to drive there directly. In the mid-20th century, Interstate 94 was constructed just east of town.

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|2.53|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|2.50|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.03|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> The city is located on [[Lake Michigan]] at the mouth of the [[Galien River]]. This forms a natural harbor, which is part of the current pleasure-boat harbor drawing summer residents and boaters.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1870= 683
|1880= 523
|1890= 553
|1900= 629
|1910= 528
|1920= 496
|1930= 1051
|1940= 1190
|1950= 1565
|1960= 2128
|1970= 2784
|1980= 2821
|1990= 2317
|2000= 2200
|2010= 1883
|2020= 1708
|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 1,883 people, 881 households, and 497 families living in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|753.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 1,692 housing units at an average density of {{convert|676.8|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 93.4% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.6% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.5% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.3% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.2% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 2.6% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 1.3% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 4.4% of the population.

There were 881 households, of which 21.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.7% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.6% were non-families. 38.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.80.

The median age in the city was 48.4 years. 17.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19.4% were from 25 to 44; 34.9% were from 45 to 64; and 21.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.3% male and 50.7% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 2,200 people, 947 households, and 603 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|910.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,426 housing units at an average density of {{convert|590.1|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 96.64% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.41% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.23% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.50% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.05% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.27% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.91% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.86% of the population.

There were 947 households, out of which 24.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.3% were non-families. 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.4% 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 2.89.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 20.8% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 27.0% from 45 to 64, and 18.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $41,658, and the median income for a family was $52,639. Males had a median income of $35,076 versus $22,227 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $24,440. About 4.3% of families and 6.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 9.0% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.

==Economy==

New Buffalo is a popular resort town due to its location along the Lake Michigan shoreline and its proximity to the [[Chicago]] Metropolitan Area. As a result, tourism is the primary industry.

[[Four Winds New Buffalo|Four Winds Casino Resort New Buffalo]] opened on August 2, 2007, and brought more than 2,000 jobs to the New Buffalo area. The casino includes over 3,000 slot machines and 100 gaming tables. The Four Winds is the main competition for the [[Blue Chip Casino]] in [[Michigan City, Indiana]].

== Transportation ==
[[Amtrak]], the national passenger rail system, provides three trains per day at the {{station link|Amtrak|New Buffalo}} station, with the {{line link|Amtrak|Blue Water}} and {{line link|Amtrak|Wolverine}}. [[CSX Transportation]] provides freight service to the city.

[[U.S. Route 12 in Michigan|US&nbsp;12]] and [[Interstate 94 in Michigan|I-94]] provide freeway access to Detroit and Chicago.

A harbor, both natural and man made, is present at the mouth of the Galien River. This harbor is used by pleasure boats and is accessible to all Lake Michigan ports and beyond, but has little to no commercial traffic other than the occasional charter sailboat.

==Education==
The New Buffalo Area Schools system is composed of an elementary school, and a joined middle/high school. The New Buffalo Middle/High School, located off of Clay Street, was built in 2001. It has a performing arts center, multiple computer labs, indoor and outdoor running tracks, and is designed symmetrically for the middle and high school sections. The elementary school's gym was also rebuilt.

The middle/high school also has a "Smart Lab", one of the most sophisticated student labs in the country. At the smart lab, students from New Buffalo and neighboring municipalities have access to EKG machines, flight simulators, and video production equipment. In addition, an addition to the Athletic Wing was completed in 2010 with a brand new two-story weight room and auxiliary gymnasium.

The New Buffalo High School Bison compete in the BCS Conference in sports. The 1963 Boys Basketball team won the Class C State title,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20151110041858/http://www.mhsaa.com/sports/boys-basketball/yearly-champions Yearly Champions | Boys Basketball | MHSAA Sports]</ref> boys baseball won the Class D State title in 1983 and 1995.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mhsaa.com/Sports/Baseball/Yearly-Champions | title=Yearly Champions &#124; Baseball &#124; MHSAA Sports }}</ref> The 1999 boys cross country team won the Class D State title,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mhsaa.com/Sports/BoysCrossCountry/TeamChampions.aspx |title=Team Champions {{!}} Boys Cross Country {{!}} MHSAA Sports<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2012-08-13 |archive-date=2012-11-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102170411/http://www.mhsaa.com/Sports/BoysCrossCountry/TeamChampions.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> and the 2005 baseball team won the Division IV State title.<ref>[http://www.mhsaa.com/Sports/Baseball/YearlyChampions.aspx Yearly Champions | Baseball | MHSAA Sports<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

==Notable people==
*[[Roger Brown (artist)|Roger Brown]], Chicago [[Chicago Imagists|painter]]<ref>[http://www.artic.edu/webspaces/rogerbrown/brown/michigan.html Roger Brown in New Buffalo, Michigan - Roger Brown Resources at SAIC<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
*[[Laurent Novikoff]], ballet master

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.harborcountry.org/about-harbor-country/new-buffalo/ New Buffalo - Harbor Country Chamber]
*[http://www.cityofnewbuffalo.org/ City of New Buffalo, MI Official Website]
*[http://www.newbuffalo.org/ New Buffalo Business Association]
*[http://www.newbuffaloalumni.org/ New Buffalo Alumni]
*[http://www.newbuffalorailroadmuseum.org/ New Buffalo Railroad Museum]
*[https://www.newbuffalo.com/new-buffalo-michigan-things-to-do/historical-sites/ New Buffalo Historical Sites]
{{Berrien County, Michigan}}

{{Coord|41|47|38|N|86|44|38|W|type:city_region:US-MI|display=title}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:New Buffalo, Michigan| ]]
[[Category:Michigan populated places on Lake Michigan]]
[[Category:Cities in Berrien County, Michigan]]