Calhoun County, Michigan

Calhoun County, Michigan
Calhoun County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 134,310. The county seat is Marshall. The 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 on March 6, 1833. Calhoun County comprises the Battle Creek Metropolitan Statistical Area and is included in the Kalamazoo-Battle Creek-Portage Combined Statistical Area.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (1.7%) 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
History
The Kalamazoo River oil spill occurred in July 2010 when a pipeline operated by Enbridge (Line 6B) burst and flowed into Talmadge Creek, a tributary of the Kalamazoo River. A six-foot break in the pipeline resulted in the largest inland oil spill, and one of the costliest spills in U.S. history. The pipeline carries diluted bitumen (dilbit), a heavy crude oil from Canada's Athabasca oil sands to the United States. Following the spill, the volatile hydrocarbon diluents evaporated, leaving the heavier bitumen to sink in the water column. Thirty-five miles of the Kalamazoo River were closed for clean-up until June 2012, when portions of the river were re-opened. On March 14, 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ordered Enbridge to return to dredge portions of the river to remove submerged oil and oil-contaminated sediment.
Demographics
The 2010 United States Census indicates Calhoun County had a 2010 population of 136,146. This is a decrease of -1,839 people from the 2000 United States Census. Overall, the county had a -1.3% growth rate during this ten-year period. In 2010 there were 54,016 households and 35,220 families in the county. The population density was 192.8 per square mile (74.4 square kilometers). There were 61,042 housing units at an average density of 86.4 per square mile (33.4 square kilometers). The racial and ethnic makeup of the county was 79.8% White, 10.7% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 1.6% Asian, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 0.1% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races.
There were 54,016 households, out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% were husband and wife families, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.8% were non-families, and 28.8% were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.2% under age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 27.7% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.5 males.
The 2010 American Community Survey 1-year estimate indicates the median income for a household in the county was $42,921 and the median income for a family was $49,964. Males had a median income of $25,712 versus $18,298 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,661. About 11.7% of families and 16.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.9% of those under the age 18 and 5.8% of those age 65 or over.
Government and politics
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, and
participates with the state in the provision of welfare and other social services. The county
board of commissioners controls the budget but has only limited authority to make laws or ordinances. In
Michigan, most local government functions — police and fire, building and zoning, tax assessment, street
maintenance, etc. — are the responsibility of individual cities and townships.
Calhoun County is a swing county in presidential elections. Since 1980, it has voted for the winner of the national election every time except in 2000 and 2020.
Elected officials
Prosecuting Attorney: David E. Gilbert
Sheriff: Steven Hinkley
County Clerk/Register of Deeds: Kimberly A. Hinkley
County Treasurer: Brian Wensauer
Water Resource Commissioner: Ron Smith
(information as of October 2020)
Communities
Cities
Albion
Battle Creek
Marshall (county seat)
Springfield
Villages
Athens
Burlington
Homer
Tekonsha
Union City (partial)
Census-designated places
Brownlee Park
Level Park-Oak Park
Other unincorporated communities
Albion Landing
Babcock
Beadle Lake
Bedford
Bentleys Corners
Ceresco
Charlotte Landing
Clarence Center
Clarendon
Condit
Duck Lake
East Leroy
Eckford
Greenfield Park
Joppa
Lee Center
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.
See also
List of Michigan county name etymologies
List of Michigan State Historic Sites in Calhoun County, Michigan
National Register of Historic Places listings in Calhoun County, Michigan
List of counties in Michigan
References
External links
Calhoun Intermediate School District
Calhoun County courts
Calhoun County government
Michigan Historical Markers including text and photographs
National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places.com - unofficial website
Calhoun County, Michigan History and Genealogy
Michigan counties
1833 establishments in Michigan Territory
Populated places established in 1833