Berrien County, Michigan
Encyclopedia
Berrien County is a county located in the extreme southwest of the U.S. state
of Michigan
. It is included in the Niles
-Benton Harbor
, Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the population was 156,813. The county seat
is St. Joseph
.
, Berrien county was named for John M. Berrien
of Georgia
, U.S. Attorney General under U.S. President Andrew Jackson
(1829–1831).
After creation of the Michigan Territory
in 1805, the territory now comprising Berrien County was part of Wayne County, Michigan
. The first White settlement came in December 1822, when missionary Isaac McCoy
moved his family and 18 Indian students from Indiana to a site on the St. Joseph River
near the present-day city of Niles
to open a mission to the Potawatomi
Indians. The Carey Mission
, as he named it, was 100 miles from the nearest White settlement. In 1827 St. Joseph Township was organized as part of Wayne County. The township included all lands acquired from the Native Americans
by the Treaty of Chicago
of 1821.
Berrien county's boundaries were set off by an act of the legislature of the Michigan Territory on October 29, 1829, with its present limits, but it was initially attached as Niles Township to Cass County
for administrative purposes. In 1831 Berrien County was detached from Cass County.
The county was initially divided into three townships: Berrien Township
, consisting of present-day townships of Berrien, Oronoko
, and Lake plus a two-mile strip north of that territory; St. Joseph Township
, consisting of everything north of Berrien Township; and Niles Township, consisting of everything south of Berrien Township.
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.
(information as of September 2005)
to the South and includes a portion of Lake Michigan
to the West. Van Buren County
is to the north and northeast. Cass County
is to the east.
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 1581.38 square miles (4,095.8 km²), of which 571 square miles (1,478.9 km²) (or 36.11%) is land and 1010.39 square miles (2,616.9 km²) (or 63.89%) is water.
The St. Joseph River
is a major geographical feature, flowing mostly north and west through the county from Niles
to its mouth on Lake Michigan at St. Joseph
. The southwest of the county is drained by the Galien River
and its tributaries. Paw Paw Lake
is in the north of the county, along with the Paw Paw River
, which flows into the St. Joseph River just before it enters Lake Michigan. A tiny portion along the Indiana state line is drained by small tributaries of the Kankakee River
, which ultimately flows into the Mississippi River
. This is one of the few areas of Michigan drained by the Mississippi River, the other being an area of Michigan's Upper Peninsula near the Wisconsin
border.
Villages
Unincorporated
Townships
, there were 162,453 people, 63,569 households, and 43,354 families residing in the county. The population density
was 284 people per square mile (110/km²). There were 73,445 housing units at an average density of 129 per square mile (50/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 79.69% White
, 15.93% Black
or African American
, 0.43% Native American
, 1.14% Asian
, 0.04% Pacific Islander
, 1.14% from other races
, and 1.64% from two or more races. 3.01% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 25.8% were of German
, 8.8% American
, 7.9% Irish
and 7.3% English
ancestry according to Census 2000. 93.5% spoke English
, 3.0% Spanish
and 1.0% German
as their first language.
There were 63,569 households out of which 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.20% were married couples
living together, 13.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.80% were non-families. 27.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the county the population was spread out with 26.00% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 94.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $38,567, and the median income for a family was $46,548. Males had a median income of $36,582 versus $23,800 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $19,952. About 9.30% of families and 12.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.80% of those under age 18 and 9.00% of those age 65 or over.
Plans are in the works for three more wineries in the Baroda
area.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. It is included in the Niles
Niles, Michigan
Niles is a city in Berrien and Cass counties in the U.S. state of Michigan, near South Bend, Indiana. The population was 11,600 at the 2010 census. It is the greater populated of two principal cities of and included in the Niles-Benton Harbor, Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a...
-Benton Harbor
Benton Harbor, Michigan
Benton Harbor is a city in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan which is located west of Kalamazoo. The population was 10,038 at the 2010 census. It is the lesser populated of the two principal cities included in the Niles-Benton Harbor, Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a...
, Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the population was 156,813. The county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is St. Joseph
St. Joseph, Michigan
St. Joseph is a city in the US state of Michigan. It was incorporated as a village in 1834 and as a city in 1891. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 8,789. It lies on the shore of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the St. Joseph River, about east-northeast of Chicago. It is the county...
.
History
As one of the Cabinet countiesCabinet counties
The Cabinet counties of the U.S. state of Michigan are those named after President Andrew Jackson and people who served in his Cabinet. The Michigan Territorial legislature created twelve counties in 1829, naming eight of them after members of the recently elected Jackson's cabinet. Cass County was...
, Berrien county was named for John M. Berrien
John M. Berrien
John Macpherson Berrien of Georgia was a United States Senator and Andrew Jackson's Attorney General.Born at Rocky Hill, New Jersey, to a family of Huguenot ancestry, Berrien moved with his parents to Savannah, Georgia, in 1782; was graduated from Princeton College in 1796; studied law in...
of Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, U.S. Attorney General under U.S. President Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States . Based in frontier Tennessee, Jackson was a politician and army general who defeated the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend , and the British at the Battle of New Orleans...
(1829–1831).
After creation of the Michigan Territory
Michigan Territory
The Territory of Michigan was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from June 30, 1805, until January 26, 1837, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Michigan...
in 1805, the territory now comprising Berrien County was part of Wayne County, Michigan
Wayne County, Michigan
-History:Wayne County was one of the first counties formed when the Northwest Territory was organized. It was named for the American general "Mad Anthony" Wayne. It originally encompassed the entire area of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, as well as small sections that are now part of northern...
. The first White settlement came in December 1822, when missionary Isaac McCoy
Isaac McCoy
Isaac McCoy was a Baptist missionary among the Native Americans in present-day Indiana, Michigan and Missouri. He was an advocate of Indian removal from the eastern United States, proposing an Indian state in what is now Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma...
moved his family and 18 Indian students from Indiana to a site on the St. Joseph River
St. Joseph River (Lake Michigan)
The St. Joseph River is a river, approximately long, in southern Michigan and northern Indiana in the United States. It drains a primarily rural farming area in the watershed of Lake Michigan...
near the present-day city of Niles
Niles, Michigan
Niles is a city in Berrien and Cass counties in the U.S. state of Michigan, near South Bend, Indiana. The population was 11,600 at the 2010 census. It is the greater populated of two principal cities of and included in the Niles-Benton Harbor, Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a...
to open a mission to the Potawatomi
Potawatomi
The Potawatomi are a Native American people of the upper Mississippi River region. They traditionally speak the Potawatomi language, a member of the Algonquian family. In the Potawatomi language, they generally call themselves Bodéwadmi, a name that means "keepers of the fire" and that was applied...
Indians. The Carey Mission
Carey Mission
The Carey Mission was established by Baptist missionary Isaac McCoy among the Potawatomi tribe of American Indians on the St. Joseph River near Niles, Michigan, USA in December, 1822. It was named for William Carey, a noted English Baptist missionary...
, as he named it, was 100 miles from the nearest White settlement. In 1827 St. Joseph Township was organized as part of Wayne County. The township included all lands acquired from the Native Americans
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
by the Treaty of Chicago
Treaty of Chicago
The Treaty of Chicago may refer to either of two treaties made and signed in Chicago, Illinois between the United States and the Ottawa, Ojibwe , and Potawatomi Native American peoples.-1821 Treaty of Chicago:...
of 1821.
Berrien county's boundaries were set off by an act of the legislature of the Michigan Territory on October 29, 1829, with its present limits, but it was initially attached as Niles Township to Cass County
Cass County, Michigan
Cass County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the population was 51,104. It is part of the South Bend–Mishawaka, IN-MI, Metropolitan Statistical Area which has a total population of 316,663 and is sometimes considered part of Greater Michiana...
for administrative purposes. In 1831 Berrien County was detached from Cass County.
The county was initially divided into three townships: Berrien Township
Berrien Charter Township, Michigan
Berrien Township is a civil township of Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 5,075.- Communities :...
, consisting of present-day townships of Berrien, Oronoko
Oronoko Charter Township, Michigan
Oronoko Charter Township is a charter township of Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 9,843 at the 2000 census.The Village of Berrien Springs is the only incorporated municipality within the township. Much of the eastern portion of the township is considered to be part...
, and Lake plus a two-mile strip north of that territory; St. Joseph Township
St. Joseph Charter Township, Michigan
St. Joseph Charter Township is a charter township of Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 10,042 at the 2000 census. The township is on the shores of Lake Michigan in the west central portion of the county, south of and adjacent to the City of St. Joseph. The Village of...
, consisting of everything north of Berrien Township; and Niles Township, consisting of everything south of Berrien Township.
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.
Berrien 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...
: Arthur Cotter - 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....
: L. Paul Bailey - County Clerk: M. Louise Stine
- 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:...
: Bret E. Witkowski - Register of Deeds: Lori D. Jarvis
- 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...
: Roger Zilke - 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...
: John G. Kamer
(information as of September 2005)
Geography
The county borders the state of IndianaIndiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
to the South and includes a portion of Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America and the only one located entirely within the United States. It is the second largest of the Great Lakes by volume and the third largest by surface area, after Lake Superior and Lake Huron...
to the West. Van Buren County
Van Buren County, Michigan
-Parks, preserves, natural areas:* Dunes Parkway, an 84 acre preserve of dunes in Covert Township* Jeptha Lake Fen Preserve, a 49 acre preserve in Columbia Township...
is to the north and northeast. Cass County
Cass County, Michigan
Cass County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the population was 51,104. It is part of the South Bend–Mishawaka, IN-MI, Metropolitan Statistical Area which has a total population of 316,663 and is sometimes considered part of Greater Michiana...
is to the east.
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 1581.38 square miles (4,095.8 km²), of which 571 square miles (1,478.9 km²) (or 36.11%) is land and 1010.39 square miles (2,616.9 km²) (or 63.89%) is water.
The St. Joseph River
St. Joseph River (Lake Michigan)
The St. Joseph River is a river, approximately long, in southern Michigan and northern Indiana in the United States. It drains a primarily rural farming area in the watershed of Lake Michigan...
is a major geographical feature, flowing mostly north and west through the county from Niles
Niles, Michigan
Niles is a city in Berrien and Cass counties in the U.S. state of Michigan, near South Bend, Indiana. The population was 11,600 at the 2010 census. It is the greater populated of two principal cities of and included in the Niles-Benton Harbor, Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a...
to its mouth on Lake Michigan at St. Joseph
St. Joseph, Michigan
St. Joseph is a city in the US state of Michigan. It was incorporated as a village in 1834 and as a city in 1891. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 8,789. It lies on the shore of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the St. Joseph River, about east-northeast of Chicago. It is the county...
. The southwest of the county is drained by the Galien River
Galien River
The Galien River is a stream in the southwest region of the U.S. state of Michigan. The river begins at the outlet of Dayton Lake and flows in a predominantly westerly direction until it enters southeastern Lake Michigan at New Buffalo...
and its tributaries. Paw Paw Lake
Paw Paw Lake
Paw Paw Lake is a lake in Coloma Township and Watervliet Township in Berrien County, Michigan.-History:Paw Paw Lake was the site of a tourist area in the early 20th Century. An 1894 Chicago newspaper article was the catalyst in making the shore a resort area, and a rail line extension from nearby...
is in the north of the county, along with the Paw Paw River
Paw Paw River
The Paw Paw River is located in the U.S. state of Michigan in the southwest portion of the lower peninsula. It is formed by the confluence of the north and south branches at in Waverly Township in the northeast of Van Buren County. It flows approximately through Van Buren County and Berrien...
, which flows into the St. Joseph River just before it enters Lake Michigan. A tiny portion along the Indiana state line is drained by small tributaries of the Kankakee River
Kankakee River
The Kankakee River is a tributary of the Illinois River, approximately long, in northwestern Indiana and northeastern Illinois in the United States. At one time the river drained one of the largest wetlands in North America and furnished a significant portage between the Great Lakes and the...
, which ultimately flows into the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
. This is one of the few areas of Michigan drained by the Mississippi River, the other being an area of Michigan's Upper Peninsula near the Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
border.
Cities, villages and townships
Cities- Benton HarborBenton Harbor, MichiganBenton Harbor is a city in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan which is located west of Kalamazoo. The population was 10,038 at the 2010 census. It is the lesser populated of the two principal cities included in the Niles-Benton Harbor, Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a...
- BridgmanBridgman, MichiganBridgman is a city in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,428 at the 2000 census. The Bridgman post office, with ZIP code 49106 opened with the name "Laketon" on November 11, 1862. The name changed to Bridgman on April 9, 1874...
- BuchananBuchanan, MichiganBuchanan is a city in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,681 at the 2000 census. The city is located at the southeast corner of Buchanan Township, about 5 miles west of Niles. It was named after James Buchanan, the 15th President of the United States...
- ColomaColoma, MichiganColoma is a city in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,595 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land....
- New BuffaloNew Buffalo, MichiganNew Buffalo is a city in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,200 at the 2000 census. This city is within New Buffalo Township, but is politically autonomous.-Geography:...
- NilesNiles, MichiganNiles is a city in Berrien and Cass counties in the U.S. state of Michigan, near South Bend, Indiana. The population was 11,600 at the 2010 census. It is the greater populated of two principal cities of and included in the Niles-Benton Harbor, Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a...
- St. JosephSt. Joseph, MichiganSt. Joseph is a city in the US state of Michigan. It was incorporated as a village in 1834 and as a city in 1891. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 8,789. It lies on the shore of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the St. Joseph River, about east-northeast of Chicago. It is the county...
- WatervlietWatervliet, MichiganWatervliet is a city in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. Watervliet is also in the Charter Township of Watervliet. The population was 1,843 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
Villages
- BarodaBaroda, MichiganBaroda is a village in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 858 at the 2000 census. The village is within Baroda Township....
- Berrien SpringsBerrien Springs, MichiganBerrien Springs is a village in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,862 at the 2000 census. The village is located within Oronoko Charter Township. Berrien Springs is best known for its Seventh-day Adventist community and Andrews University...
- Eau ClaireEau Claire, MichiganEau Claire is a village located in east central Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 656 at the 2000 census.The village lies partially within Pipestone Township and partially within Berrien Charter Township.-Geography:...
- GalienGalien, MichiganGalien is a village in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 593 at the 2000 census. The village is located within Galien Township. The village provides its own sewer utility.-History:...
- Grand BeachGrand Beach, MichiganGrand Beach is a village in Berrien County of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 221. The village is within New Buffalo Township on the shore of Lake Michigan near to the Michigan-Indiana border.-Geography:...
- MichianaMichiana, MichiganMichiana is a village in New Buffalo Township, Berrien County in the extreme southwest corner of the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 200 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
- ShorehamShoreham, MichiganShoreham is a village in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 860 at the 2000 census. The village is located within St. Joseph Charter Township on the shore of Lake Michigan, just south of the City of St...
- StevensvilleStevensville, MichiganStevensville is a village in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The village lies within Lincoln Township. The population was 1,191 at the 2000 census.-History:...
- Three OaksThree Oaks, MichiganThree Oaks is a village in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,829 at the 2000 census. The village is located within Three Oaks Township.-Geography:...
Unincorporated
- Benton HeightsBenton Heights, MichiganBenton Heights is an unincorporated community in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is also a census-designated place for statistical purposes without any legal status as an incorporated municipality. The population was 5,458 at the 2000 census...
- Berrien Center
- Bethany Beach
- Birchwood
- Dayton
- Fair PlainFair Plain, MichiganFair Plain is an unincorporated community in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is a census-designated place for statistical purposes and has no legal status as a municipality. The population of the CDP was 7,828 at the 2000 census....
- Glendora
- Harbert
- Hazelhurst
- Lake Michigan BeachLake Michigan Beach, MichiganLake Michigan Beach is an unincorporated community in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is a census-designated place for statistical purposes, without any legal status as a municipality. The population was 1,509 at the 2000 census....
- LakesideLakeside, Berrien County, MichiganLakeside is an unincorporated community in Chikaming Township of Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated on the shore of Lake Michigan just west of Interstate 94. It is part of a group of communities known as "Harbor Country" which includes New Buffalo, Three Oaks, Harbert,...
- Millburg
- New Troy
- Paw Paw LakePaw Paw Lake, MichiganPaw Paw Lake is an unincorporated community in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is a census-designated place for statistical purposes, without legal status as a municipality...
- RiversideLakeside, Berrien County, MichiganLakeside is an unincorporated community in Chikaming Township of Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated on the shore of Lake Michigan just west of Interstate 94. It is part of a group of communities known as "Harbor Country" which includes New Buffalo, Three Oaks, Harbert,...
- Sawyer
- Scottdale
- Shorewood Hills
- Shorewood-Tower Hills-HarbertShorewood-Tower Hills-Harbert, MichiganShorewood-Tower Hills-Harbert is a census-designated place composed of several small unincorporated communities in Chikaming Township of Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,619 at the 2000 census...
- Tower Hill Shorelands
- Union PierUnion Pier, MichiganUnion Pier is an unincorporated community in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated between the Lake Michigan shore and the Galien River about five miles north of the Indiana state border.Union Pier is at coordinates...
Townships
- Bainbridge TownshipBainbridge Township, MichiganBainbridge Township is a civil township of Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 3,132. It was organized in 1837....
- Baroda TownshipBaroda Township, MichiganBaroda Township is a civil township of Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 2,880....
- Benton Charter TownshipBenton Charter Township, MichiganBenton Charter Township is a charter township of Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2000 census, the township population was 16,404.-Communities:...
- Berrien Township
- Bertrand TownshipBertrand Township, MichiganBertrand Township is a civil township of Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 2,380.- Communities :...
- Buchanan Township
- Chikaming Township
- Coloma Charter TownshipColoma Charter Township, MichiganColoma Charter Township is a charter township of Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 5,217 at the 2000 census. The city of Coloma lies within the township.The township is located in the north central portion of the county...
- Galien Township
- Hagar TownshipHagar Township, MichiganHagar Township is a civil township of Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 3,964.The township is in the north of the county with Lake Michigan to the west, Van Buren County to the north, Coloma Charter Township to the east, Bainbridge...
- Lake Charter Township
- Lincoln Charter TownshipLincoln Charter Township, MichiganLincoln Charter Township is a charter township of Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 13,952 at the 2000 census....
- New Buffalo TownshipNew Buffalo Township, MichiganNew Buffalo Township is a civil township of Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 2,468....
- Niles Charter Township
- Oronoko Charter TownshipOronoko Charter Township, MichiganOronoko Charter Township is a charter township of Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 9,843 at the 2000 census.The Village of Berrien Springs is the only incorporated municipality within the township. Much of the eastern portion of the township is considered to be part...
- Pipestone TownshipPipestone Township, MichiganPipestone Township is a civil township of Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,474 at the 2000 census. The township was organized on February 16, 1842.-History:...
- Royalton TownshipRoyalton Township, MichiganRoyalton Township is a civil township of Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan, a few miles southeast of the city of St. Joseph. The population was 3,888 at the 2000 census. There are no incorporated municipalities in the township, but portions are considered to be part of the Benton...
- Sodus TownshipSodus Township, MichiganSodus Township is a civil township of Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,139 at the 2000 census. There are no incorporated municipalities in the township. The unincorporated community of Sodus in the northwest of the township is its main settlement; the portion of...
- St. Joseph Charter TownshipSt. Joseph Charter Township, MichiganSt. Joseph Charter Township is a charter township of Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 10,042 at the 2000 census. The township is on the shores of Lake Michigan in the west central portion of the county, south of and adjacent to the City of St. Joseph. The Village of...
- Three Oaks TownshipThree Oaks Township, MichiganThree Oaks Township is a civil township of Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan on the border with the state of Indiana. The population was 2,949 at the 2000 census.The Village of Three Oaks is the only incorporated community within the township....
- Watervliet Charter TownshipWatervliet Township, MichiganWatervliet Charter Township is a charter township of Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,392 at the 2000 census....
- Weesaw TownshipWeesaw Township, MichiganWeesaw Township is a civil township of Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,065 at the 2000 census. The township was organized in 1837.-Communities:...
Interstates
I-94Interstate 94Interstate 94 is the northernmost east–west Interstate Highway, connecting the Great Lakes and Intermountain regions of the United States. I-94's western terminus is in Billings, Montana at a junction with Interstate 90; its eastern terminus is the U.S...
runs north along the western edge of the county, staying near Lake Michigan, until bending inland to skirt the St. JosephSt. Joseph, MichiganSt. Joseph is a city in the US state of Michigan. It was incorporated as a village in 1834 and as a city in 1891. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 8,789. It lies on the shore of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the St. Joseph River, about east-northeast of Chicago. It is the county...
/Benton HarborBenton Harbor, MichiganBenton Harbor is a city in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan which is located west of Kalamazoo. The population was 10,038 at the 2010 census. It is the lesser populated of the two principal cities included in the Niles-Benton Harbor, Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a...
urban area. It then turns east as it continues toward KalamazooKalamazoo, MichiganThe area on which the modern city stands was once home to Native Americans of the Hopewell culture, who migrated into the area sometime before the first millennium. Evidence of their early residency remains in the form of a small mound in downtown's Bronson Park. The Hopewell civilization began to...
. There is a Business Loop 94 which passes through downtown Benton Harbor and St. Joseph.
BL I-94 runs through the downtowns of both St. Joseph and Benton Harbor.
I-196Interstate 196Interstate 196 is a long freeway spur route in the US state of Michigan linking Grand Rapids, Holland, South Haven, and Benton Harbor. I-196 is known as the Gerald R. Ford Freeway, or simply the Ford Freeway, in Kent, Ottawa, and Allegan Counties, after the 38th President of the United States,...
branches off of I-94 just east of Benton Harbor and continues north to HollandHolland, MichiganHolland is a city in the western region of the Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated near the eastern shore of Lake Michigan on Lake Macatawa, which is fed by the Macatawa River ....
and then east to Grand RapidsGrand Rapids, MichiganGrand Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located on the Grand River about 40 miles east of Lake Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 188,040. In 2010, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had a population of 774,160 and a combined statistical area, Grand...
.
US Highways
US 12U.S. Route 12U.S. Route 12 or US 12 is an east–west United States highway, running from Grays Harbor on the Pacific Ocean, in the state of Washington, to downtown Detroit, for almost . As a thoroughfare, it has mostly been supplanted by I-90 and I-94, but remains an important road for local travel.The...
, is an east-west route crossing through the southern portion of the county from south of Niles through Three OaksThree Oaks, MichiganThree Oaks is a village in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,829 at the 2000 census. The village is located within Three Oaks Township.-Geography:...
to New BuffaloNew Buffalo, MichiganNew Buffalo is a city in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,200 at the 2000 census. This city is within New Buffalo Township, but is politically autonomous.-Geography:...
and Michiana, MichiganMichiana, MichiganMichiana is a village in New Buffalo Township, Berrien County in the extreme southwest corner of the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 200 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
, before leaving the state and continuing to Michigan City, IndianaMichigan City, IndianaMichigan City's origins date to 1830, when the land for the city was first purchased by Isaac C. Elston. Elston Middle School, formerly Elston High School, located at 317 Detroit St., is named after the founder....
.
US 31U.S. Route 31U.S. Route 31 is a long north–south highway connecting northern Michigan to southern Alabama, with its northern terminus at Interstate 75 near Mackinaw City, Michigan, and southern terminus at the combined U.S. Route 90 & U.S. Route 98 at Spanish Fort, Alabama...
, which connects the area with the South Bend, IndianaSouth Bend, IndianaThe city of South Bend is the county seat of St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States, on the St. Joseph River near its southernmost bend, from which it derives its name. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a total of 101,168 residents; its Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 316,663...
metropolitan area, enters the southeast of the county as the St. Joseph Valley ParkwaySt. Joseph Valley ParkwayThe St. Joseph Valley Parkway is a freeway in the U.S. states of Indiana and Michigan, serving as a bypass route around Elkhart, Mishawaka, and South Bend in Indiana and Niles in Michigan. The freeway runs to the south and west of Elkhart and South Bend and Niles and consists of segments of U.S...
, near NilesNiles, MichiganNiles is a city in Berrien and Cass counties in the U.S. state of Michigan, near South Bend, Indiana. The population was 11,600 at the 2010 census. It is the greater populated of two principal cities of and included in the Niles-Benton Harbor, Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a...
, and continues north and west. A new segment of the freeway was completed in August 2003, running from Berrien SpringsBerrien Springs, MichiganBerrien Springs is a village in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,862 at the 2000 census. The village is located within Oronoko Charter Township. Berrien Springs is best known for its Seventh-day Adventist community and Andrews University...
north to Napier Avenue east of Benton Harbor. US 31 follows Napier Avenue west to I-94 before branching off with I-196. A final segment is planned to continue the freeway from Napier Avenue north to the junction with I-94 and Business I-94 with a full cloverleaf interchangeCloverleaf interchangeA cloverleaf interchange is a two-level interchange in which left turns, reverse direction in left-driving regions, are handled by ramp roads...
. The former route of US 31 between Berrien Springs and St. Joseph was redesignated as M-139.
Michigan State Trunklines
M-51M-51 (Michigan highway)M-51, is a north–south state trunkline highway in the southwestern portion of the US state of Michigan. The northern terminus is on I-94 west of Paw Paw, where it continues north for less than a mile to W Red Arrow Highway as Van Buren CR 671, and the southern terminus is at the Indiana state...
has its southern terminus at the state line as a continuation of State Road 933State Road 933 (Indiana)State Road 933 is a 900-series state highway in the U.S. state of Indiana, consisting of the former U.S. Route 33 within Indiana, north of the St. Joseph Valley Parkway .-Route description:...
. It runs north through Niles, then turns northeast and exits the county as it continues toward DowagiacDowagiac, MichiganDowagiac is a city in Cass County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 6,147 at the 2000 census. It is part of the South Bend–Mishawaka, IN-MI, Metropolitan Statistical Area....
.
M-140M-140 (Michigan highway)M-140 is a short state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan. the route is entirely within Berrien and Van Buren counties. Although it runs near M-40, it was not designated as a spur from M-40. M-140 originally only existed north of Watervliet, as a designation to replace a rerouted U.S...
has its southern terminus in Niles, runs north along the eastern portion of the county, and exits the county as it continues north toward South HavenSouth Haven, MichiganSouth Haven is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. Most of the city is in Van Buren County, although a small portion extends into Allegan County. The population was 5,021 at the 2000 census....
.
M-60M-60 (Michigan highway)M-60 is an east–west state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan. It runs from the Niles area at a junction with US Highway 12 to the Jackson area where it ends at Interstate 94 . The trunkline passes through a mix of farm fields and woodlands, crosses or runs along several rivers and...
runs east from Niles to I-94 at JacksonJackson, MichiganJackson is a city located along Interstate 94 in the south central area of the U.S. state of Michigan, about west of Ann Arbor and south of Lansing. It is the county seat of Jackson County. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 33,534...
.
Business M-60 routes through the city of Niles.
M-62M-62 (Michigan highway)M-62 is an arc-shaped state trunkline highway in the southwestern part of the US state of Michigan. The route runs from the Indiana state line north and west to M-140 in Eau Claire. In between, it serves the western Cass County communities of Dowagiac and Cassopolis. The highway was formed in the...
has its western terminus at a junction with M-140 and runs only a short distance east before it exits the county as it continues toward DowagiacDowagiac, MichiganDowagiac is a city in Cass County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 6,147 at the 2000 census. It is part of the South Bend–Mishawaka, IN-MI, Metropolitan Statistical Area....
.
M-63M-63 (Michigan highway)M-63 is a state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan that runs from M-139 at Scottdale through the cities of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph to Interstate 196/US Highway 31 at exit 7 just outside Hagar Shores. The trunkline runs through residential areas south of St. Joseph and through...
has its southern terminus at a junction with M-139 (formerly US 31) in Scottdale. It runs northwest into downtown St. Joseph, then runs northeast along Lake Michigan before its northern terminus at a junction with US 31 and I-196 just south of the county boundary.
M-139M-139 (Michigan highway)M-139 is a state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan, entirely within Berrien County. It was formed originally as a bypass of the Benton Harbor and St...
has its southern terminus at a junction with US 31 near Berrien Springs. It runs northwest until a junction with M-63 in Scottdale where it turns north and passes to the east of St. Joseph and Benton Harbor before reaching its northern terminus at a junction with Business Loop I-94.
M-239M-239 (Michigan highway)M-239 is a very short north–south state trunkline highway in Berrien County in the extreme southwestern corner of the US state of Michigan connecting Indiana State Road 39 to Interstate 94.-Route description:...
is only 1.1 miles long and links I-94 at exit 1 near New Buffalo to State Road 39 north of LaPorte, IndianaLaPorte, IndianaLa Porte is a city in La Porte County, Indiana, United States, of which it is the county seat. Its population was 22,053 at the 2010 census. It is one of the two principal cities of the Michigan City-La Porte, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the...
.
Berrien County Intercounty Highways
- A-2 is Berrien's only signed county highway. Its southern terminus is in Hagar ShoresLake Michigan Beach, MichiganLake Michigan Beach is an unincorporated community in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is a census-designated place for statistical purposes, without any legal status as a municipality. The population was 1,509 at the 2000 census....
at M-63 and I-196. It follows the Lake Michigan shoreline and exits the county, continuing toward South HavenSouth Haven, MichiganSouth Haven is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. Most of the city is in Van Buren County, although a small portion extends into Allegan County. The population was 5,021 at the 2000 census....
.
Adjacent counties
- Van Buren CountyVan Buren County, Michigan-Parks, preserves, natural areas:* Dunes Parkway, an 84 acre preserve of dunes in Covert Township* Jeptha Lake Fen Preserve, a 49 acre preserve in Columbia Township...
(north) - Van Buren CountyVan Buren County, Michigan-Parks, preserves, natural areas:* Dunes Parkway, an 84 acre preserve of dunes in Covert Township* Jeptha Lake Fen Preserve, a 49 acre preserve in Columbia Township...
(northeast) - Cass CountyCass County, MichiganCass County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the population was 51,104. It is part of the South Bend–Mishawaka, IN-MI, Metropolitan Statistical Area which has a total population of 316,663 and is sometimes considered part of Greater Michiana...
(east) - St. Joseph County, IndianaSt. Joseph County, IndianaAs of the census of 2000, there were 265,559 people, 100,743 households, and 66,792 families residing in the county. The population density was 581 people per square mile . There were 107,013 housing units at an average density of 234 per square mile...
(southeast) - LaPorte County, IndianaLaPorte County, IndianaLaPorte County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2010, the population was 111,467. The county seat is the city of La Porte. This county is part of the Chicago metropolitan area, Northwest Indiana and Michiana. The largest city is Michigan City...
(south) - Porter County, IndianaPorter County, IndianaPorter County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2010, the population was 164,343. Much of the population growth has to do with the expansion of the Chicago Metropolitan Area eastward into Indiana. The county seat is Valparaiso...
(southwest) - Cook County, IllinoisCook County, IllinoisCook County is a county in the U.S. state of Illinois, with its county seat in Chicago. It is the second most populous county in the United States after Los Angeles County. The county has 5,194,675 residents, which is 40.5 percent of all Illinois residents. Cook County's population is larger than...
(west) - Lake County, IllinoisLake County, IllinoisLake County is a county in the northeastern corner of the state of Illinois, on the shore of Lake Michigan. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 703,462, which is an increase of 9.2% from 644,356 in 2000. Its county seat is Waukegan. The county is part of the Chicago metropolitan area...
(northwest)
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 162,453 people, 63,569 households, and 43,354 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 284 people per square mile (110/km²). There were 73,445 housing units at an average density of 129 per square mile (50/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 79.69% 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...
, 15.93% Black
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 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...
, 0.43% 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...
, 1.14% 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...
, 0.04% 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...
, 1.14% 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 1.64% from two or more races. 3.01% 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. 25.8% 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....
, 8.8% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 7.9% 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...
and 7.3% 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...
ancestry according to Census 2000. 93.5% 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...
, 3.0% Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
and 1.0% German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
as their first language.
There were 63,569 households out of which 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.20% 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, 13.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.80% were non-families. 27.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the county the population was spread out with 26.00% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 94.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $38,567, and the median income for a family was $46,548. Males had a median income of $36,582 versus $23,800 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 $19,952. About 9.30% of families and 12.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.80% of those under age 18 and 9.00% of those age 65 or over.
Other parks, preserves and natural areas
- Galien RiverGalien RiverThe Galien River is a stream in the southwest region of the U.S. state of Michigan. The river begins at the outlet of Dayton Lake and flows in a predominantly westerly direction until it enters southeastern Lake Michigan at New Buffalo...
County Park Preserve - Kiwanis Park – St. JosephSt. Joseph, MichiganSt. Joseph is a city in the US state of Michigan. It was incorporated as a village in 1834 and as a city in 1891. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 8,789. It lies on the shore of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the St. Joseph River, about east-northeast of Chicago. It is the county...
- Love Creek County Park
- Madeline Bertrand County Park
- Riverview Park – St. Joseph
- Rocky Gap County Park
- Silver Beach County ParkSilver Beach Amusement ParkSilver Beach Amusement Park was located in St. Joseph, Michigan. The small amusement park operated between 1891 and 1971.-History:Silver Beach opened as a resort in 1891 when local businessmen in boat building Logan Drake and Louis D. Wallace built vacation cottages as Silver Beach Amusement and...
Resorts and beaches
- Hagar Park – Hagar TownshipHagar Township, MichiganHagar Township is a civil township of Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 3,964.The township is in the north of the county with Lake Michigan to the west, Van Buren County to the north, Coloma Charter Township to the east, Bainbridge...
- Jean Klock ParkJean Klock ParkJean Klock Park is an historic city park along Lake Michigan in Benton Harbor, Michigan, United States. In 1917, J. N. Klock and his wife Carrie bought a significant stretch of lakeshore including tall dunes and of shoreline from E. K. Warren, donor of Warren Dunes, and deeded the land to the City...
- Benton HarborBenton Harbor, MichiganBenton Harbor is a city in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan which is located west of Kalamazoo. The population was 10,038 at the 2010 census. It is the lesser populated of the two principal cities included in the Niles-Benton Harbor, Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a... - Lion’s Park Beach – St. Joseph
- New Buffalo Beach Park – New BuffaloNew Buffalo, MichiganNew Buffalo is a city in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,200 at the 2000 census. This city is within New Buffalo Township, but is politically autonomous.-Geography:...
- Paw Paw LakePaw Paw LakePaw Paw Lake is a lake in Coloma Township and Watervliet Township in Berrien County, Michigan.-History:Paw Paw Lake was the site of a tourist area in the early 20th Century. An 1894 Chicago newspaper article was the catalyst in making the shore a resort area, and a rail line extension from nearby...
- Rocky Gap Beach Park - Benton Harbor
- Silver Beach - St. Joseph
- Tiscornia Park
- Weko Beach - BridgmanBridgman, MichiganBridgman is a city in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,428 at the 2000 census. The Bridgman post office, with ZIP code 49106 opened with the name "Laketon" on November 11, 1862. The name changed to Bridgman on April 9, 1874...
Golf courses
- The Golf Club at Harbor Shores - Benton Harbor
- Berrien Hills Country Club – Benton Harbor
- Blossom Trails Golf Club – Benton Harbor
- Brookwood Golf Course - BuchananBuchanan, MichiganBuchanan is a city in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,681 at the 2000 census. The city is located at the southeast corner of Buchanan Township, about 5 miles west of Niles. It was named after James Buchanan, the 15th President of the United States...
- Lake Michigan Hills Golf Club - Benton Harbor
- Lost Dunes Golf Club - Bridgman
- Oaks Golf Club – St. Joseph
- Orchard Hills Country Club - Buchanan
- Paw Paw Lake Golf Club - Coloma/Watervliet
- Pebble Wood Country Club - Bridgman
- Point O'Woods Golf & Country ClubPoint O'Woods Golf & Country ClubThe Point O'Woods Golf & Country Club is a private golf club located in Benton Township, Berrien County, Michigan, United States, near Benton Harbor.-History:...
- Benton Harbor
Wineries
- Lemon Creek Winery and Fruit Farm – BarodaBaroda, MichiganBaroda is a village in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 858 at the 2000 census. The village is within Baroda Township....
- Round Barn Winery - BarodaBaroda, MichiganBaroda is a village in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 858 at the 2000 census. The village is within Baroda Township....
- Tabor Hill Winery and Restaurant - Buchanan
- Contessa Winery - Coloma
- Karma Vista Winery - Coloma
- Hickory Creek Winery - Buchanan
- Free Run Cellars - Berrien Springs
- Domaine Berrien Cellars - BarodaBaroda, MichiganBaroda is a village in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 858 at the 2000 census. The village is within Baroda Township....
Plans are in the works for three more wineries in the Baroda
Baroda, Michigan
Baroda is a village in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 858 at the 2000 census. The village is within Baroda Township....
area.
Annual events
- Antiques on the Bluff (first Sunday every month May - October, St. Joseph)
- Berrien County Youth Fair (late August, Berrien Springs)
- Blossomtime Festival (late May, multi-community)
- Cherry Festival (4 July, Eau Claire)
- Coloma Glad-Peach Festival (first full weekend of August, Coloma)
- Four Flags Area Apple Festival (October, Niles)
- Hunter Ice Festival (January, Niles)
- Independence Day Celebration (early July, Watervliet)
- Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff (second weekend in July, St. Joseph)
- Venetian FestivalVenetian FestivalVenetian festivals are held in cities in Europe and North America. They are based on carnival, or carnevale, the period just before Lent, as celebrated in the 17th century in Venice, Italy. Venetian festivals re-create the fantasy of the earlier events with food, costumes, masks, music, theater,...
(mid-July, St. Joseph) - Watervliet Ice Festival (last week of February, Watervliet)
External links
- Berrien County government official web site
- Berrien County Health Department
- Berrien County Road Commission
- Berrien County Sheriff's Department
- Berrien County GenGuide for Berrien County Genealogy Information
- Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University, Bibliography on Berrien County
- History of Berrien and Van Buren counties, Michigan (Ensign, 1880)
- http://2010.census.gov/2010census/data/ (US census)
- History of Berrien County (Southwest Michigan Directory)