Gobles, Michigan
Encyclopedia
Gobles is a city in Van Buren County
of the U.S. state
of Michigan
. As of the 2010 census
, the city population was 829. It was originally called Gobleville, after its founders, the Goble family.
at this location. In 1870 it was platted as Gobleville by Hiram E. Goble. Hiram Goble also became the first postmaster
on April 16, 1872. Gobleville was platted as a village in 1893. The current name of Gobles was adopted on April 10, 1922. Gobles was incorporated as a city in 1957.
, the city has a total area of 1 square miles (2.6 km²), all land.
of 2000, there were 815 people, 314 households, and 209 families residing in the city. The population density
was 786.9 per square mile (302.6/km²). There were 333 housing units at an average density of 321.5 per square mile (123.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.11% White, 1.84% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 1.10% from other races
, and 2.82% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.33% of the population.
There were 314 households out of which 35.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.9% were married couples
living together, 16.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.4% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.6% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 81.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $26,917, and the median income for a family was $33,194. Males had a median income of $31,250 versus $21,818 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $12,804. About 16.4% of families and 18.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.0% of those under age 18 and 17.8% of those age 65 or over.
, which runs from Kalamazoo to South Haven, Michigan
, goes through the city's business district. Gobles is also home to Timber Ridge Ski Area
.
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...
of the U.S. state
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"....
. As of the 2010 census
United States Census, 2010
The Twenty-third United States Census, known as Census 2010 or the 2010 Census, is the current national census of the United States. National Census Day was April 1, 2010 and is the reference date used in enumerating individuals...
, the city population was 829. It was originally called Gobleville, after its founders, the Goble family.
History
1n 1864-1865, John Goble built a hotelHotel
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...
at this location. In 1870 it was platted as Gobleville by Hiram E. Goble. Hiram Goble also became the first postmaster
Postmaster
A postmaster is the head of an individual post office. Postmistress is not used anymore in the United States, as the "master" component of the word refers to a person of authority and has no gender quality...
on April 16, 1872. Gobleville was platted as a village in 1893. The current name of Gobles was adopted on April 10, 1922. Gobles was incorporated as a city in 1957.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 1 square miles (2.6 km²), all land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 815 people, 314 households, and 209 families residing in the city. 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 786.9 per square mile (302.6/km²). There were 333 housing units at an average density of 321.5 per square mile (123.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.11% White, 1.84% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 1.10% 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 2.82% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.33% of the population.
There were 314 households out of which 35.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.9% 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, 16.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.4% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.13.
In the city the population was spread out with 30.6% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 81.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $26,917, and the median income for a family was $33,194. Males had a median income of $31,250 versus $21,818 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 city was $12,804. About 16.4% of families and 18.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.0% of those under age 18 and 17.8% of those age 65 or over.
Attractions
The popular Kal-Haven TrailKal-Haven Trail
The Kal-Haven Trail, formally known as the Kal-Haven Trail Sesquicentennial State Park, is a rail trail that originally ran 33.5 miles between South Haven, Michigan, to a point just west of the city of Kalamazoo, Michigan, where there is a trailhead...
, which runs from Kalamazoo to South Haven, Michigan
South Haven, Michigan
South 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....
, goes through the city's business district. Gobles is also home to Timber Ridge Ski Area
Timber Ridge Ski Area
Timber Ridge is a ski area located in Gobles, Michigan. It is family oriented ski area that has eight lifts, two terrain parks, and a tubing park. The terrain difficulty ranges from beginner to advanced, where most of the trails are at easy or intermediate levels...
.