Calhoun County, Michigan

Infobox U.S. County
county = Calhoun County
state = Michigan




map size = 225
founded = established 1829
organized 1833
seat = Marshall | area_total_sq_mi =781
area_land_sq_mi =709
area_water_sq_mi =10
area percentage = 1.35%
census yr = 2000
pop = 137985
density_km2 =75
web = www.calhouncountymi.org
|

Calhoun County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is part of the Battle Creek, Michigan, Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2000 census, the population was 137,985. The county seat is MarshallGR|6. Calhoun County was established on October 19, 1829 and named after John C. Calhoun, who was at the time Vice President under Andrew Jackson, making it one of Michigan's Cabinet counties. County government was first organized March 6, 1833. [cite book| last=Peirce| first=Henry B.| title=History of Calhoun county, Michigan| origyear=1877| url=http://name.umdl.umich.edu/bad0868.0001.001| accessdate=2007-02-11| year=2005 |publisher=University of Michigan Library| location=Ann Arbor, Mich.| pages=p. 18| chapter=Chapter VII| chapterurl= http://www.hti.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=micounty;cc=micounty;idno=bad0868.0001.001;size=l;frm=frameset;seq=26 ]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 718 square miles (1,861 km²), of which, 709 square miles (1,836 km²) of it is land and 10 square miles (25 km²) of it (1.35%) is water.

Geographic features

*Kalamazoo River
*Battle Creek River
*St. Joseph River (Lake Michigan)
*Goguac Lake

Adjacent counties

*Eaton County - north
*Barry County - northwest
*Jackson County - east
*Kalamazoo County - west
*Hillsdale County - southeast
*Branch County - south
*St. Joseph County - southwest

Major highways

Interstates

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* serves the city of Albion.
* serves the city of Battle Creek.
* serves the city of Marshall.

Michigan State Trunklines

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Demographics

As of the 2000 census, [ [http://censtats.census.gov/data/MI/05026025.pdf Statistical profile of Calhoun County, Michigan] , United States Census Bureau, Census 2000] there were 137,985 people, 54,100 households, and 36,247 families residing in the county. The population density was 195 people per square mile (75/km²). There were 58,691 housing units at an average density of 83 per square mile (32/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 83.93% White, 10.89% Black or African American, 0.63% Native American, 1.11% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.29% from other races, and 2.13% from two or more races. 3.15% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 19.7% were of German, 13.9% American, 12.9% English and 8.5% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000. 95.5% spoke English and 2.6% Spanish as their first language.

There were 54,100 households out of which 31.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.60% were married couples living together, 13.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.00% were non-families. 27.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.50% 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 3.01.

In the county the population was spread out with 26.00% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 28.30% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 13.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 94.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,918, and the median income for a family was $47,167. Males had a median income of $37,001 versus $26,464 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,230. About 8.10% of families and 11.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.20% of those under age 18 and 9.00% of those age 65 or over.

Government

The county government operates the jail, maintains rural roads, operates the major local courts,keeps files of deeds and mortgages, maintains vital records, administers public health regulations, andparticipates with the state in the provision of welfare and other social services. The countyboard of commissioners controls the budget but has only limited authority to make laws or ordinances. InMichigan, most local government functions — police and fire, building and zoning, tax assessment, streetmaintenance, etc. — are the responsibility of individual cities and townships.

Calhoun County elected officials

* Prosecuting Attorney: John Hallacy
* Sheriff: Allen Byam
* County Clerk/Register of Deeds: Anne B. Norlander
* County Treasurer: Ann Rosenbaum Petredean
* Drain Commissioner: Blaine VanSickle

(information as of September 2005)

Cities, villages and townships

Cities
*Albion
*Battle Creek
*Marshall
*SpringfieldVillages
*Athens
*Burlington
*Homer
*Tekonsha
*Union City (partial)

Unincorporated
*Albion Landing
*Babcock
*Beadle Lake
*Bedford
*Bentleys Corners
*Brownlee Park
*Ceresco
*Charlotte Landing
*Clarence Center
*Clarendon
*Condit
*Duck Lake
*East Leroy
*Eckford
*Greenfield Park
*Joppa
*Lee Center
*Level Park
*Oak Park
*Maplehurst
*Marengo
*Old Mill Gardens
*Orchard Park
*Partello
*Pennfield
*Pine Creek
*Pine Creek Indian Reservation
*Rice Creek
*Sonoma
*Springfield Place
*Stanley Corners
*Sunrise Heights (subdivision)
*Verona
*Walnut Point
*Wattles Park
*West Leroy
*Wrights Corners

Townships
*Albion Township
*Athens Township
*Bedford Charter Township
*Burlington Township
*Clarence Township
*Clarendon Township
*Convis Township
*Eckford Township
*Emmett Charter Township
*Fredonia Township
*Homer Township
*Lee Township
*Leroy Township
*Marengo Township
*Marshall Township
*Newton Township
*Pennfield Charter Township
*Sheridan Township
*Tekonsha Township

Historical markers

There are 83 recognized Michigan historical markers in the county. [ [http://www.michmarkers.com/Frameset.htm Michigan Historical Markers] ]

ee also

*List of Michigan county name etymologies

References

External links

* [http://www.clarke.cmich.edu/localhistory/Calhoun.htm Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University, Bibliography on Calhoun County]
* [http://courts.co.calhoun.mi.us/ Calhoun County courts]
* [http://www.calhouncountymi.org Calhoun County government]
* [http://www.michmarkers.com/Frameset.htm Michigan Historical Markers including text and photographs]
* [http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/ National Register of Historic Places]
* [http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com National Register of Historic Places.com] - unofficial website
* [http://www.genealogytrails.com/mich/calhoun/index.html Calhoun County, Michigan History and Genealogy]