Kalamazoo County, Michigan
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Template:Infobox U.S. County Kalamazoo County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the population was 238,603. the county seat is Kalamazoo6.
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Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,503 km² (580 mi²). 1,455 km² (562 mi²) of it is land and 47 km² (18 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 3.16% water.
Geographic Features
Major Highways
- Interstate 94
- U.S. Highway 131
- Michigan State Highway 43
- Michigan State Highway 89
- Michigan State Highway 96
Adjacent counties
- Van Buren County west
- Cass county southwest
- St. Joseph County south
- Branch County southeast
- Calhoun County east
- Barry County northeast and north
- Allegan County north and northwest
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 238,603 people, 93,479 households, and 57,956 families residing in the county. The population density was 164/km² (425/mi²). There were 99,250 housing units at an average density of 68/km² (177/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 84.57% White, 9.73% Black or African American, 0.41% Native American, 1.83% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.27% from other races, and 2.15% from two or more races. 2.64% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
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.
In the county the population was spread out with 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. 12.00% of the population and 6.50% of families were below the poverty line. 12.30% of those under the age of 18 and 6.30% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
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, 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.
Kalamazoo County elected officials
- Prosecuting Attorney: Jeffrey R. Fink (Republican)
- Sheriff: Michael J. Anderson (Republican)
- County Clerk/Register of Deeds: Timothy A. Snow (Republican)
- County Treasurer: Sharon A. Cubitt (Republican)
- Drain Commissioner: William B. French (Republican)
- County Surveyor: Robert E. Snell (Republican)
- County Commission or Board of Commissioners: 17 members, elected from districts (10 Republicans, 7 Democrats)
- Circuit Court: 7 judges (non-partisan)
(information as of February 2006)
Cities, villages, and townships
Cities
Villages
Townships
- Alamo Township
- Brady Township
- Charleston Township
- Climax Township
- Comstock Township
- Cooper Township
- Kalamazoo Charter Township
- Oshtemo Township
- Pavilion Township
- Prairie Ronde Township
- Richland Township
- Ross Township
- Schoolcraft Township
- Texas Township
- Wakeshma Township
