Lowell, Michigan

Lowell, Michigan
City
Nickname:  Red Arrows
Motto:  The next place to be!
Location of Lowell, Michigan
Country	United States
State	Michigan
County	Kent
Government
• Mayor	Charlie Myers
Area
• Total	3.1 sq mi (8.0 km2)
• Land	2.9 sq mi (7.5 km2)
• Water	0.2 sq mi (0.5 km2)
Elevation	636 ft (194 m)
Population  (2000)
• Total	4,013
• Density	1,391.2/sq mi (537.2/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	49331
Area code	616
FIPS code	26-49540Template:GR
GNIS feature ID	0631155Template:GR

Lowell is a city in Kent County of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 4,013. The city is in the northern portion of Lowell Township, but is politically independent.

History

Lowell was founded as a trading post on the south bank of the Grand River in 1831 by Daniel Marsac. In 1847, he purchased land on the north side of the river and platted it as "Dansville". In 1851, a post office was established there named "Lowell" after the township. The community was replatted in 1854 and renamed after the post office. It incorporated as a village in 1861.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.1 square miles (8.0 km²), of which, 2.9 square miles (7.5 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.5 km²) of it (6.47%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 4,013 people, 1,492 households, and 1,008 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,391.2 per square mile (538.0/km²). There were 1,564 housing units at an average density of 542.2/sq mi (209.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.21% White, 0.57% African American, 0.62% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 0.72% from other races, and 1.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.14% of the population.

There were 1,492 households out of which 38.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% were married couples living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.4% were non-families. 26.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.17.

In the city the population was spread out with 29.3% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 17.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 89.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $42,326, and the median income for a family was $49,145. Males had a median income of $36,525 versus $25,625 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,843. About 4.4% of families and 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.3% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.

Lowell is neighbored by Vergennes township, Lowell township, and Ionia county communities.

Schools

Lowell has seven schools within its district: the high school, middle school, 4 elementary schools, and Unity high school. The district excels in Michigan educational assessment program (MEAP), with only 8.3% of Michigan Schools scoring higher, and 95% of students are excelled in reading and math. They have around 4000 students in the district with a growth rate of 75 per year. The district covers 130 square miles, The superintendent of the school as of 2 years is Gregory Pratt.

Facts

• Lowell is considered a bedroom community of Michigan's second largest city, Grand Rapids.
• Lowell's School Name is the Red Arrows, which comes from a military division in World War II.
• Lowell's High School Football and Wrestling teams have won state championships in 2002 and 2004.
• Former NFL player Mike Dumas played his high school football for the Lowell Red Arrows.
• Oklahoma Sooners back up quarterback Keith Nichol played for the Red Arrows
• Lowell is home to Project Runway designer Daniel Vosovic.
• Home of a retired showboat, the Robert E. Lee.
• Hometown of Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
• Lowell is in fact the "Birthplace of the Gus Macker Tournament", Started in 1974 in Scott McNeal's drive with 18 friends, it was moved to Belding Michigan in 1987
• Lowell is the home of the North Country Trail Association.
• Lowell is the home of 1991 World Series of Poker Champion (Ohama, Hold'em) Tony Stormzand
• Justin S. son of Monster energy drink founder bill samson lives there

Notable residents

• Anthony Kiedis

Sources

• Romig, Walter. Michigan Place Names. Wayne State University Press: Detroit, 1986.

External links

• Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce
• Lowell Area Schools
• Lowell Football
• Lowell Basketball
• Lowell Baseball
• Discover Lowell
• Gus Macker
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42°56′01″N 85°20′31″W