Calhoun County, Michigan

Calhoun County, Michigan is a county located in the United States in the state of Michigan, bordered by Kalamazoo County, Michigan to the west, Jackson County, Michigan to the east, Eaton County, Michigan to the north, and Branch County, Michigan to the south. The county seat is Marshall, Michigan, and the largest city is Battle Creek, Michigan, home to the Kellogg Company and Post Foods. Calhoun County is part of the Battle Creek, Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Area and is situated near Fort Custer Recreation Area and Fort Custer Training Center. The county is also close to Western Michigan University and Albion College.

Geography

Calhoun County is located in the southern part of Michigan, near the Kalamazoo River and Battle Creek River. The county has a total area of 718 square miles, with 706 square miles of land and 12 square miles of water. The terrain is mostly flat, with some rolling hills, and is part of the Great Lakes region. The county is bordered by Hillsdale County, Michigan to the southeast and Barry County, Michigan to the northwest. Nearby cities include Lansing, Michigan, Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Jackson, Michigan, which are all connected by Interstate 94 and Interstate 69. The county is also close to Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, and is part of the Michigan Basin.

History

Calhoun County was founded in 1829 and was named after John C. Calhoun, the seventh Vice President of the United States. The county was originally part of the Michigan Territory and was later organized as a county in 1833. The county seat was established in Marshall, Michigan, which was founded in 1830 and was named after John Marshall, the fourth Chief Justice of the United States. The county has a rich history, with many notable events and figures, including the Underground Railroad, which passed through the county, and the Battle of the Thames, which took place nearby. The county is also home to the Fort Custer National Cemetery and the Marshall Historical Society Museum. Nearby historical sites include the Sojourner Truth House and the Fenner Nature Center.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, the population of Calhoun County was 134,091, with a population density of 190 people per square mile. The county has a diverse population, with a mix of urban and rural areas, and a range of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and education. The county is home to several institutions of higher education, including Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine and Kellogg Community College. The county is also close to Michigan State University and University of Michigan. The median household income in the county is around $50,000, and the median home value is around $120,000. Nearby cities with similar demographics include Grand Rapids, Michigan and Lansing, Michigan.

Communities

Calhoun County has several communities, including the city of Battle Creek, Michigan, which is the largest city in the county, and the city of Marshall, Michigan, which is the county seat. Other communities in the county include the city of Albion, Michigan, the village of Homer, Michigan, and the townships of Eckford Township, Michigan and Clarence Township, Michigan. The county is also home to several unincorporated communities, including Ceresco, Michigan and Level Park, Michigan. Nearby communities include Kalamazoo, Michigan and Jackson, Michigan, which are connected by Interstate 94.

Government

The government of Calhoun County is led by the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners, which is composed of seven members elected by district. The county also has a number of other elected officials, including the Calhoun County Sheriff, the Calhoun County Clerk, and the Calhoun County Treasurer. The county is part of the Michigan 3rd congressional district and is represented in the United States House of Representatives by Congressman Bill Huizenga and Congressman John Moolenaar. The county is also part of the Michigan Senate and the Michigan House of Representatives, and is represented by Senator John Bizon and Representative Matt Hall.

Economy

The economy of Calhoun County is diverse, with a range of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and education. The county is home to several major employers, including the Kellogg Company, Post Foods, and Denso Manufacturing Michigan Inc.. The county is also a major center for agriculture, with many farms and agricultural businesses located in the area. The county is part of the Southcentral Michigan Planning Council and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and is close to the Kalamazoo Battle Creek International Airport and the Lansing Capital City Airport. Nearby economic centers include Grand Rapids, Michigan and Detroit, Michigan, which are connected by Interstate 94 and Interstate 96. The county is also home to the Battle Creek Unlimited and the Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance.