Kalamazoo County was organized in 1830, although its set off date is unknown.[1] The village of Kalamazoo (then known as Bronson) was made the county seat in 1831.[4]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 580 square miles (1,500 km2), of which 562 square miles (1,460 km2) is land and 19 square miles (49 km2) (3.2%) is water.[6]
I-94 runs east–west through center of county, passing three miles (4.8 km) south of Kalamazoo.
BS I-94 runs from the far eastern side of Kalamazoo to an intersection with I-94 3.5 miles (5.6 km) southeast of Kalamazoo.
US 131 runs north–south through the west-central part of the county.
Bus. US 131 connects northern Kalamazoo to US 131.
M-43 enters western side of the county 8.7 miles (14.0 km) south of the northwestern county corner. It runs eastward through Oshtemo Township and turns north at U.S. 131.
M-89 enters the county near the midpoint of the northern county line. It runs southeasterly to and intersection with M-43 north of Richland and then runs eastward from Richland, exiting the county 3.4 miles (5.5 km) south of the northeastern county corner.
M-96 starts on the far eastern side of Kalamazoo and runs eastward to Augusta before exiting the county 5.9 miles (9.5 km) south of the northeastern corner of the county.
M-343 starts on the northeast side of Kalamazoo and runs along Gull Road to Richland.
As of the 2000 United States census,[14] there were 238,603 people, 93,479 households, and 57,956 families living in the county. The population density was 425 inhabitants per square mile (164/km2). There were 99,250 housing units at an average density of 177 per square mile (68/km2). 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. 18.3% were of German, 11.5% Dutch, 10.3% English, 8.4% Irish and 7.2% American ancestry according to Census 2000. 93.7% spoke English and 2.8% Spanish as their first language.
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.
The county population contained 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. About 6.50% of families and 12.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.30% of those under age 18 and 6.30% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Kalamazoo County was a bastion of the Republican Party following the Civil War. From 1884 through 1988, voters selected the Republican Party presidential nominee all but three times–in 1912, 1936 and 1964. However, starting in 1992 the county has voted Democratic in every presidential election (through 2024). It swung particularly heavily to the Democrats after 2008, following the trend in most urban counties across the country. Even as Michigan trended Republican in 2016, Kalamazoo County voted for Democratic candidate to a similar level as in recent years.
United States presidential election results for Kalamazoo County, Michigan[15]
The county government operates the jail, provides law enforcement in unincorporated areas, 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—fire, building and zoning, tax assessment, street maintenance, etc.—are the responsibility of individual cities and townships.
County Commissioner for District 2: Jen Strebs (Democrat)
County Commissioner for District 3: Monteze Morales (Democrat)
County Commissioner for District 4: Abigail Wheeler (Democrat)
County Commissioner for District 5: John Taylor (Democrat)
County Commissioner for District 6: John H. Gisler (Republican)
County Commissioner for District 7: Jeff Hepler (Republican)
County Commissioner for District 8: Wendy Mazer (Republican)
County Commissioner for District 9: Dale Deleeuw (Democrat)
Eighth District Court: Judges Tiffany A. Ankley, Christopher Haenicke, Kathleen Hemingway, Alisa L. Parker-LaGrone, Richard A. Santoni, Ronald Schafer, Namita Sharma, and Vincent C. Westra (all non-partisan)
Ninth Circuit Court: Judges Curtis J. Bell, Paul J. Bridenstine, Gary C. Giguere Jr., Stephen G. Gorsalitz, Pamela L. Lightvoet, Alexander C. Lipsey, Namita Sharma, and Scott Pierangeli (all non-partisan).
