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Van Buren County, Michigan

Coordinates: 42°16′N 86°19′W / 42.27°N 86.31°W / 42.27; -86.31
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Van Buren County
County
Map of Michigan highlighting Van Buren County
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Map of the United States highlighting Michigan
Michigan's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°16′N 86°19′W / 42.27°N 86.31°W / 42.27; -86.31
Country United States
State Michigan
Founded1829
SeatPaw Paw
Area
 • Total1,090 sq mi (2,800 km2)
 • Land611 sq mi (1,580 km2)
 • Water479 sq mi (1,240 km2)  43.97%
Population
 (2000)
 • Total76,263
 • Density120/sq mi (48/km2)
Websitewww.vbco.org
Van Buren County Courthouse

Van Buren County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2000 census, the population was 76,263. It is part of the Kalamazoo-Portage Metropolitan Area. The county seat is the village of Paw Paw.

History

The county was named for Martin Van Buren before he became president. He was U.S. Secretary of State and later Vice President under President Andrew Jackson, and thus Van Buren is one of Michigan's "Cabinet counties".

The Van Buren County Courthouse was built by Claire Allen, a prominent southern Michigan architect.

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.

Van Buren County elected officials

(information correct in October 2006)

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,090 square miles (2,824 km²), of which, 611 square miles (1,582 km²) is land and 479 square miles (1,241 km²) (43.97%) is water. The county seat is Paw Paw.Template:GR

Much of the county is farmland dotted with small towns. Areas near Kalamazoo County are becoming suburbanized. Many of the inland lakes are ringed with homes, either by people living year-round or cottagers, generally people who live the rest of the time in Chicago. Tourism is a major industry in the areas near Lake Michigan.

Geographic features

Cities, villages and townships

South Haven Light, south pier

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Townships Template:Multicol

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Transportation

Interstates

US Highways

Michigan State Trunklines

Van Buren County Highways

Adjacent counties

Parks, preserves, natural areas

Paw Paw River in Van Buren County

Demographics

At the 2000 censusTemplate:GR, there were 76,263 people, 27,982 households and 20,314 families residing in the county. The population density was 125 per square mile (48/km²). There were 33,975 housing units at an average density of 56 per square mile (21/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 87.92% White, 5.25% Black or African American, 0.92% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 3.43% from other races, and 2.17% from two or more races. 7.39% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 20.0% were of German, 10.0% American, 9.2% Irish, 9.0% English, 7.8% Dutch and 5.4% Polish ancestry according to Census 2000. 91.5% spoke English and 7.0% Spanish as their first language.

There were 27,982 households of which 35.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.70% were married couples living together, 11.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.40% were non-families. 22.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.10.

Age distribution was 28.10% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 12.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 98.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.60 males.

The median household income was $39,365, and the median family income was $45,824. Males had a median income of $35,317 versus $25,063 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,878. About 7.80% of families and 11.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.20% of those under age 18 and 10.90% of those age 65 or over.

References


42°16′N 86°19′W / 42.27°N 86.31°W / 42.27; -86.31

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