Cass County, Michigan

Cass County, Michigan is a county located in the United States in the state of Michigan, bordering Van Buren County, Michigan to the north, Kalamazoo County, Michigan to the northeast, and St. Joseph County, Michigan to the east. The county is situated near the city of South Bend, Indiana, and is part of the South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county seat is Cassopolis, and the largest city is Dowagiac, which is home to Southwestern Michigan College. The area is also close to Lake Michigan and the Indiana Dunes National Park.

Geography

Cass County, Michigan is located in the southwestern part of the state, near the Indiana border, and is bordered by Berrien County, Michigan to the west and St. Joseph County, Michigan to the east. The county is situated near several major highways, including U.S. Route 131 and U.S. Route 12, which provide access to nearby cities such as Kalamazoo, Michigan and Grand Rapids, Michigan. The county is also home to several lakes, including Diamond Lake (Michigan), Donnell Lake, and Magician Lake, which are popular for fishing and boating. The area is also close to the Fort Custer Recreation Area and the Coldwater Lake.

History

The area that is now Cass County, Michigan was originally inhabited by the Potawatomi and Ottawa tribes, who were later forcibly removed by the United States government through the Indian Removal Act and the Treaty of Chicago. The county was established in 1829 and was named after Lewis Cass, a Governor of Michigan and United States Secretary of War. The area was settled primarily by European Americans from New York and New England, who were attracted by the area's fertile soil and abundant natural resources. The county played an important role in the Underground Railroad, with many abolitionists such as Sojourner Truth and Frederick Douglass passing through the area. The county is also home to the Fort St. Joseph (Michigan), a historic fur trading post that was established by the French in the 18th century.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population of Cass County, Michigan was 51,941, with a population density of 106 people per square mile. The county has a diverse population, with a mix of European Americans, African Americans, and Native Americans. The median household income in the county is around $50,000, and the median home value is around $150,000. The county is also home to a number of major employers, including Southwestern Michigan College, Cass County Health Department, and Dowagiac Union Schools. The area is also close to several major universities, including Western Michigan University and Michigan State University.

Communities

Cass County, Michigan is home to a number of communities, including the city of Dowagiac, the village of Cassopolis, and the townships of LaGrange Township, Cass County, Michigan and Mason Township, Cass County, Michigan. The county is also home to several unincorporated communities, including Edwardsburg, Michigan and Vandalia, Michigan. The area is also close to several major cities, including South Bend, Indiana, Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Grand Rapids, Michigan. The county is served by several major highways, including U.S. Route 131 and U.S. Route 12, which provide access to nearby cities and attractions such as the Indiana Dunes National Park and the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.

Government

The government of Cass County, Michigan is led by the Cass County Board of Commissioners, which is composed of seven members elected by the people. The county is also served by several other government agencies, including the Cass County Sheriff's Office, the Cass County Prosecutor's Office, and the Cass County Clerk's Office. The county is part of the 6th Congressional District of Michigan and is represented in the United States House of Representatives by Fred Upton. The area is also served by several state and local representatives, including State Senator Kim LaSata and State Representative Aaron Miller. The county is also home to several major institutions, including the Cass County Courthouse and the Cass County Jail. Category:Counties in Michigan