Editing Portage, Michigan

{{About|the city|the township|Portage Township, Michigan (disambiguation){{!}}Portage Township, Michigan}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox settlement
 | name                     = Portage, Michigan
 | nickname                 = 
 | settlement_type          = [[City]]
 | motto                    =

<!-- images and maps  ----------->
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 | image_blank_emblem       = 
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 | image_map                = Portage, MI location.png
 | map_caption              = Location within [[Kalamazoo County, Michigan|Kalamazoo County]]

<!-- Location ------------------>
 | coordinates              = {{coord|42|12|35|N|85|35|19|W|region:US-MI|display=inline,title}}
 | subdivision_type         = Country
 | subdivision_name         = United States
 | subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
 | subdivision_name1        = [[Michigan]]
 | subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Michigan|County]]
 | subdivision_name2        = [[Kalamazoo County, Michigan|Kalamazoo]]
 | subdivision_type3        = 
 | subdivision_name3        = 
 | subdivision_type4        = 
 | subdivision_name4        =

<!-- Politics ----------------->
 | government_footnotes     = 
 | government_type          = [[Council–manager government|Council-manager]]
 | leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
 | leader_name              = Patricia Randall
 | leader_title1            = [[City manager|Manager]]
 | leader_name1             = Patrick McGinnis
 | leader_title2            = [[Municipal clerk|Clerk]]
 | leader_name2             = Erica Eklov
 | leader_title3            = 
 | leader_name3             = 
 | leader_title4            = 
 | leader_name4             = 
 | established_title        = Settled
 | established_date         = 1830
 | established_title1       = Established
 | established_date1        = 1838 (Portage Township)
 | established_title2       = Incorporated 
 | established_date2        = 1963 (city)
 | established_date3        =

<!-- 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           = 91.30
 | area_land_km2            = 83.64
 | area_water_km2           = 7.66
 | area_total_sq_mi         = 35.25
 | area_land_sq_mi          = 32.29
 | area_water_sq_mi         = 2.96
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 | elevation_footnotes      = <!--for references: use <ref name="wwwcensusgov" />-->

 | population_note          = 
 | population_total         = 48891
 | pop_est_footnotes        = 
 | pop_est_as_of            = 
 | population_est           = 
 | population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
 | population_footnotes     = 
 | population_density_km2   = 
 | population_density_sq_mi = 1514.12
 | population_metro         = 
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<!-- General information  --------------->
 | timezone                 = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
 | utc_offset               = -5
 | timezone_DST             = EDT
 | utc_offset_DST           = -4
<!-- Area/postal codes & others -------->
 | postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code|ZIP code(s)]]
 | postal_code              = 49002, 49024, 49081
 | area_code                = [[Area code 269|269]]
 | blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS]] code
 | blank_info               = 26-65560<ref name=GR2 />
 | blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
 | blank1_info              = 635269<ref>{{GNIS|635269}}</ref>
 | blank2_name              = 
 | blank2_info              = 
 | website                  = {{URL|https://www.portagemi.gov/|Official website}}
}}

'''Portage''' is a city in [[Kalamazoo County, Michigan]], United States. The population was 48,891 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]]. It is the smaller of the two main cities included in the [[Kalamazoo–Portage metropolitan area|Kalamazoo-Portage]] [[Metropolitan Statistical Area]], which had a population of 261,670 in 2020.

==History==

Portage was settled in 1830, and incorporated as a city in 1963.

[[File:EF2 damage Portage, MI 2024 (7).jpg|thumb|left|Mobile homes destroyed at high-end EF2 intensity in Portage]]

On [[Tornado outbreak of May 6–10, 2024|May 7, 2024]], the city was struck by a high-end EF2 tornado, causing significant damage to homes and properties.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sergent |first1=Katie |title=NWS: Portage tornado rated high-end EF-2, packed maximum winds of 135 mph |url=https://wwmt.com/news/local/portage-michigan-tornado-ef2-damage-buildings-businesses-homes-apartment-complex-135-mph-11-miles-path-300-yards-width-weather-alert-national-service-grand-rapids-state |access-date=9 May 2024 |agency=CBS News |publisher=CBS Kalamazoo |date=8 May 2024}}</ref> A FedEx distribution center was severely damaged after the tornado caused part of the roof to collapse.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Edwards |first1=Jonathan |last2=Livingston |first2=Ian |last3=Vinall |first3=Frances |last4=Bisset |first4=Victoria |title=Trapped people evacuated from FedEx facility after tornados hit Michigan |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2024/05/07/michigan-tornadoes-kalamazoo-portage-unioncity/ |access-date=8 May 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=8 May 2024}}</ref> Over 500 buildings were damaged, with 60 being destroyed, including a strip mall.<ref>{{cite news |last1=DesOrmeau|first1=Taylor |title=NWS: Portage NASCAR driver to headline tornado relief event for his hometown |url= https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/2024/06/portage-nascar-driver-to-headline-tornado-relief-event-for-his-hometown.html?outputType=amp |access-date=3 June 2024 |agency=Michigan Live |publisher=Michigan Live |date=1 June 2024}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|35.17|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|32.23|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|2.94|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 |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 |access-date=November 25, 2012 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

Austin Lake is in the southeast part of the city and was named for Moses Austin,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Austin, Benjamin Miller |url=https://www.kpl.gov/local-history/kalamazoo-history/biographies/austin-benjamin-miller/ |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=Kalamazoo Public Library |language=en-US}}</ref> who had emigrated to Portage Township from [[Genesee County, New York]], in 1833. A settlement grew on the north shore of the lake, known as Austin or Austin Lake. A post office named "Austin's Lake" was established on May 18, 1850, with Austin as postmaster, and operated until August 15, 1853. The place was also a station on the [[Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad]] in 1867. West Lake is adjacent to Austin Lake with Portage Road running between the two lakes.<ref name="Romig">{{Cite book |last=Romig |first=Walter |title=Michigan Place Names |publisher=Wayne State University Press |year=1986 |isbn=0-8143-1838-X |location=Detroit, Michigan |orig-year=1973}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1970= 33590
|1980= 38157
|1990= 41042
|2000= 44897
|2010= 46292
|2020= 48891
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{Cite web |title=Census of Population and Housing|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|access-date=June 4, 2015|publisher=Census.gov}}</ref>
}}

===2010 census===
At the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]] there were 46,292 people, 19,199 households, and 12,426 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1436.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 20,559 housing units at an average density of {{convert|637.9|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2010 census|racial makeup]] of the city was 86.9% White, 4.9% African American, 0.4% Native American, 3.8% Asian, 1.0% from other races, and 3.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.1%.<ref name="wwwcensusgov">{{Cite web |title=U.S. Census website |url=https://www.census.gov |access-date=November 25, 2012 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

Of the 19,199 households 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.1% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.3% were non-families. 29.1% of households were one person and 10.5% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.98.

The median age was 38.1 years. 24.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.7% were from 25 to 44; 26.9% were from 45 to 64; and 13.6% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.9% male and 52.1% female.

===2000 census===
As of the 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> of 2000, there were 44,897 people, 18,138 households, and 12,134 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,394.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 18,880 housing units at an average density of {{convert|586.3|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2010 census|racial makeup]] of the city was 90.75% White, 3.73% African American, 0.30% Native American, 2.64% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.70% from other races, and 1.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.93% of the population.

Of the 18,138 households 34.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.4% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.1% were non-families. 27.2% of households were one person and 8.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.01.

The age distribution was 26.4% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.8 males.

The median household income was $49,410 and the median family income was $61,285. Males had a median income of $42,377 versus $29,399 for females. The per capita income for the city was $25,414. About 3.1% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.9% of those under age 18 and 4.2% of those age 65 or over.

==Economy==
Portage is the site of [[Pfizer]]'s largest manufacturing facility, at 1,300 acres.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Monacelli |first=Nick |last2=Clarke |first2=Kayla |date=December 11, 2020 |title=Portage, Michigan 'proud' to help roll out Pfizer COVID vaccine |url=https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/michigan/2020/12/11/portage-michigan-proud-to-help-roll-out-pfizer-covid-vaccine/ |access-date=December 13, 2020 |website=WDIV |language=en}}</ref>  The U.S. government prepped millions of doses of [[Pfizer/BioNTech COVID vaccine|Pfizer-BioNTech]]'s [[COVID-19 vaccine]] on December 13, 2020, for shipment to sites across the nation, a mammoth logistical undertaking in support of the most complex immunization program in history.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Sigalos|first=MacKenzie|date=December 12, 2020|title=Pfizer's Covid vaccine ships within hours. Here's how the U.S. plans to deliver it|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/12/how-fedex-ups-plan-to-distribute-fda-approved-covid-vaccine-when-will-you-get-the-coronavirus-vaccine.html|access-date=December 13, 2020|website=CNBC|language=en}}</ref>

== Education==
Most of Portage is in the [[Portage Public Schools]] [[school district]]. Some of Portage is in [[Comstock Public Schools]], some is in Vicksburg Community Schools<!--34950-->, and some is in Schoolcraft Community Schools<!--31020-->.<ref name=CensusSDmap2020>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st26_mi/schooldistrict_maps/c26077_kalamazoo/DC20SD_C26077.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920170701/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st26_mi/schooldistrict_maps/c26077_kalamazoo/DC20SD_C26077.pdf |archive-date=2022-09-20 |url-status=live|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Kalamazoo County, MI|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2022-09-18}}</ref>

== Notable people ==
{{div col}}
* [[Eric Alexander (soccer)|Eric Alexander]] (born 1988) – soccer player
* [[Phil Bozell]] (born 1983) – stock car racer
* [[Robert P. Burke]] (born 1962) – [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]] [[Admiral (United States)|admiral]]
* [[Lisa Byington]] (born 1976) – sports announcer
* [[Jeff Criswell (baseball)|Jeff Criswell]] (born 1999) – [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) player
* [[Andrew Evans (discus thrower)|Andrew Evans]] (born 1991) – [[Discus throw|discus thrower]]
* [[Timothy Granaderos]] (born 1986) – actor and model
* [[Tommy Henry (baseball)|Tommy Henry]] (born 1997) – MLB player
* [[Carson Hocevar]] (born 2003) – stock car racer
* [[Pete Metzelaars]] (born 1960) – [[National Football League]] (NFL) player
* [[Margaret O'Brien (politician)|Margaret O'Brien]] (born 1973) – Michigan state politician
* [[Scott Parse]] (born 1984) – [[National Hockey League]] (NHL) player
* [[Jacob Peterson (soccer)|Jacob Peterson]] (born 1986) – soccer player
* [[B. J. Snow]] (born 1977) – soccer coach
* [[Ronda Stryker]] (born 1954) – director at [[Stryker Corporation]]
* [[Lindsay Tarpley]] (born 1983) – soccer player and two-time Olympic gold medalist
{{div col end}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Portage, Michigan}}
{{Wikivoyage|Portage (Michigan)}}
* [http://www.portagemi.gov/ City of Portage]

{{Kalamazoo County, Michigan}}
{{Michigan}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Kalamazoo County, Michigan]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1830]]
[[Category:1830 establishments in Michigan Territory]]