Barry County, Michigan
Encyclopedia
Highways
M-37M-37 (Michigan highway)M-37 is a north–south state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan. The southern terminus is near the border between Kalamazoo and Calhoun counties at exit 92 of Interstate 94 southwest of Battle Creek. The northern terminus is at the Mission Point Light on Old Mission Point in Grand...
M-43M-43 (Michigan highway)M-43 is a state trunkline highway in southwestern and central parts of the US state of Michigan. The highway runs from South Haven to Webberville along an indirect path through both rural areas and larger cities...
M-50M-50 (Michigan highway)M-50 is a state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan. Although designated as an east–west highway, it is nearly a diagonal northwest-southeast route...
M-66M-66 (Michigan highway)M-66 is a north–south state trunkline highway on the Lower Peninsula of the US state of Michigan. It runs from the Indiana state line in the south to Charlevoix in the north. M-66 is the only state highway to traverse almost the entire north–south distance of the LP. It starts as a...
M-78M-78 (Michigan highway)M-78 is a state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan. The western terminus is the intersection with M-66 north of Battle Creek in Pennfield Township. The roadway runs through rural farmland and the community of Bellevue as it approaches its eastern terminus at an interchange with...
M-79M-79 (Michigan highway)M-79 is an east–west state trunkline highway in the central portion of Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. The western terminus is about three miles southeast of Hastings at the junction with M-37 and the eastern terminus is in downtown Charlotte at the junction with M-50 and...
M-89M-89 (Michigan highway)M-89 is an east–west state highway in the US state of Michigan. It runs from near Ganges Township to Battle Creek. M-89 passes through Allegan County, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, and Calhoun County. It also briefly crosses the southwest corner of Barry County.-Route description:M-89 begins...
M-179M-179 (Michigan highway)M-179 is a state trunkline highway in the western potion of the US state of Michigan. It runs from US Highway 131 at exit 61 outside of Bradley to M-43 just west of Hastings in the Lower Peninsula. The highway crosses through forest land and provides access to state recreational areas...
Demographics
As of the 2000 censusUnited States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
, there were 56,755 people, 21,035 households, and 15,986 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 102 people per square mile (39/km²). There were 23,876 housing units at an average density of 43 per square mile (17/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.39% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.24% African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.46% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.27% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.50% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.12% from two or more races. 1.46% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race. 21.8% were of German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
, 13.6% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
, 12.5% Dutch
Dutch people
The Dutch people are an ethnic group native to the Netherlands. They share a common culture and speak the Dutch language. Dutch people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in Suriname, Chile, Brazil, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United...
, 12.4% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and 9.6% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
ancestry according to Census 2000. 98.2% spoke English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
as their first language.
There were 21,035 households out of which 35.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.10% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 7.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.00% were non-families. 19.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the county the population was spread out with 27.20% under the age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 29.00% from 25 to 44, 24.60% from 45 to 64, and 11.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 99.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $46,820, and the median income for a family was $51,794. Males had a median income of $38,991 versus $26,387 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $20,636. About 3.90% of families and 5.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.90% of those under age 18 and 5.90% of those age 65 or over.
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 healthPublic health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
regulations, and participates with the state in the provision of welfare and other social services. The county board of commissioners
County commission
A county commission is a group of elected officials charged with administering the county government in local government in some states of the United States. County commissions are usually made up of three or more individuals...
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.
Barry County elected officials
- Prosecuting AttorneyProsecutorThe prosecutor is the chief legal representative of the prosecution in countries with either the common law adversarial system, or the civil law inquisitorial system...
: Thomas E. Evans - SheriffSheriffA sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
: Dar Leaf - County Clerk: Pamela A. Jarvis
- County TreasurerTreasurerA treasurer is the person responsible for running the treasury of an organization. The adjective for a treasurer is normally "tresorial". The adjective "treasurial" normally means pertaining to a treasury, rather than the treasurer.-Government:...
: Susan L. Vandecar - Register of Deeds: Darla K. Burghdoff
- Drain CommissionerDrain commissionerA drain commissioner is an elected official in counties of the U.S. state of Michigan with a population over 12,000. In counties with a population under 12,000, the statutory duties and responsibilities of the drain commissioner are performed by the county's board of road commissioners.The office...
: Russ Yarger - County SurveyorCounty surveyor1. A county surveyor is a public official in many counties of the USA. At the bottom of this page are working "External Links" as at 4 November 2011 to websites of a selection of such County Surveyor's departments. Most of these officials are elected on the partisan ballot to four-year terms...
: Brian Reynolds - County Board of Commissioners: 8 Members (8 Republicans, 0 Democrats)
(information as of January 2009)
Cities, villages, and townships
Cities- HastingsHastings, MichiganHastings is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan, the county seat of Barry County as well as the county's only city. The population was 7,095 at the 2000 census. The city borders Hastings Charter Township on the north, east, and south, and Rutland Charter Township on the west...
Villages
- FreeportFreeport, MichiganFreeport is a village in Irving Township, Barry County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 444 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , all land.-Demographics:...
- MiddlevilleMiddleville, MichiganMiddleville is a village in Thornapple Township, Barry County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,721 at the 2000 census.- History :...
- NashvilleNashville, MichiganNashville is a village in Barry County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,684 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water....
- WoodlandWoodland, MichiganWoodland is a village in Barry County of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 495. The village is located within Woodland Township.-Geography:...
Unincorporated
- Assyria
- Banfield
- Cloverdale
- Coats Grove
- Delton
- Dowling
- Hickory Corners
- Lacey
- Maple Grove
- Prairieville
- Quimby
- Schultz
Townships
- Assyria TownshipAssyria Township, MichiganAssyria Township is a civil township of Barry County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 1,912.The unincorporated community of Assyria Center is located on M-66 at the corner of Tasker Rd.-Geography:...
- Baltimore TownshipBaltimore Township, MichiganBaltimore Township is a civil township of Barry County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 1,845.- Communities :...
- Barry TownshipBarry Township, MichiganBarry Township is a civil township of Barry County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 3,489. It is also the home of NBA All Star Chris Paul -Communities:...
- Carlton TownshipCarlton Township, MichiganCarlton Township is a civil township of Barry County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,331 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-Demographics:As of the census of...
- Castleton TownshipCastleton Township, MichiganCastleton Township is a civil township of Barry County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,475 at the 2000 census. Castleton Township was formed on February 16, 1842.-History:...
- Hastings Charter TownshipHastings Charter Township, MichiganHastings Charter Township is a charter township of Barry County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,930 at the 2000 census. The township borders the City of Hastings on the north, east, and south.-Geography:...
- Hope TownshipHope Township, Barry County, MichiganHope Township is a civil township of Barry County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,283 at the 2000 census.-Communities:*Cedar Creek is a locale in the southeast part of the township at In 1849, Isaac LaGrange built the first sawmill in township on the Cedar Creek. A Post Office...
- Irving TownshipIrving Township, MichiganIrving Township is a civil township of Barry County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,682 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water...
- Johnstown TownshipJohnstown Township, MichiganJohnstown Township is a civil township of Barry County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,067 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
- Maple Grove TownshipMaple Grove Township, Barry County, MichiganMaple Grove Township is a civil township of Barry County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,471 at the 2000 census. The unincorporated community of Maple Grove is located within the township.-Geography:...
- Orangeville TownshipOrangeville Township, MichiganOrangeville Township is a civil township of Barry County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,321 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
- Prairieville TownshipPrairieville Township, MichiganPrairieville Township is a civil township of Barry County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,175 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
- Rutland Charter TownshipRutland Charter Township, MichiganRutland Charter Township is a charter township of Barry County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,646 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
- Thornapple TownshipThornapple Township, MichiganThornapple Township is a civil township of Barry County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 6,685 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
- Woodland TownshipWoodland Township, MichiganWoodland Township is a civil township of Barry County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,129 at the 2000 census. The village of Woodland is located within the township.-Geography:...
- Yankee Springs TownshipYankee Springs Township, MichiganYankee Springs Township is a civil township of Barry County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,219 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Barry County, Michigan