Greenville, Michigan
Encyclopedia
Greenville is a city in Montcalm County
of the U.S. state
of Michigan
. Portions of the county are associated with the Western
region while others are more closely associated with the Central Michigan
region. The population was 8,481 at the 2010 census
. Greenville residents can commute to jobs in the nearby Grand Rapids
metro area.
that is credited for attracting other settlers. The newly formed Green's Village attracted many people of Danish
origin who followed another early Danish settler's positive letters home regarding the area. Because of the town's heritage, Greenville celebrates the Danish Festival every year on the third weekend of August. A post office was established on January 20, 1848, with Abel French as the first postmaster. John Green had the village plat
ted in 1853 and it was a station on the Detroit, Grand Rapids and Western Railroad. Greenville incorporated as a village in 1867 and as a city in 1871.
Hendrik Meijer, founder of Meijer
's stores, moved to Greenville after immigrating to the USA from the Netherlands
. He was initially a barber, but the Great Depression
and lack of a proper grocery on his side of town led him to open his own store in 1934. Meijer's corporation now operates stores throughout the Midwest. Hendrik's son Fred Meijer
, principal architect of the modern Meijer chain, is a native son.
Greenville is also home to the Fighting Falcon, the lead plane of a wave of gliders during Operation Overlord
. The Falcon was purchased with funds raised by the school children of the town, and was designated the lead aircraft in recognition of this achievement.
Since the foundation of Ranney Refrigerator Co. in 1892, the town has been known as the "Refrigerator Capital of the World." It has also been home to the Gibson
, White Consolidated, Frigidaire
, and until recently, the Electrolux
refrigerator factory. Electrolux closed the Greenville facility in early 2006, as it was in the process of relocating the factory to Ciudad Juárez
in Mexico. This move by a profitable factory impacted 2,700 employees and their families.
The city is now the epicentre of "green" technology with the addition of solar panel manufacturer United Solar Ovonic. It is also home to the brand-new manufacturing and design center of Northland Marvel, an undercounter refrigeration company that just became a part of the UK-based AgaRangemaster group. Lafayette Street, the downtown district, was placed on the National and State Register of Historic Sites in November 2008.
is available at Jackson's Landing, a popular starting point for paddling through the Flat River State Game area.
building and annually displays some of its most technologically advanced creations on the areas many fishing lakes.
sits along the banks of the Flat River. This little statue generated an international controversy when the City of Greenville was sued for copyright infringement by the heirs of the original sculptor, Edvard Eriksen
tater tots
division, until Oreida consolidated its operation in 1986 and Greenville's farmers were forced to diversify their crops.
Greenville has an active 4H program and each summer hosts the Montcalm County 4H Fair. This fair displays livestock competitions, tractors pulls, a busy midway, and a demolition derby.
, the city is has a total area of 5.9 square miles (15.3 km²), of which, 5.7 square miles (14.8 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (4.03%) is water.
The Greenville post office, with ZIP code 48838, also serves all of Eureka Township
, a large portion of Montcalm Township
and a smaller area of Pine Township to the north, Fairplain Township
to the east, a small area of Otisco Township
in Ionia County
to the south, and a large part of Oakfield Township
to the east and a smaller part of Grattan Township
to the southwest, both in Kent County
.
Greenville contains three navigable lakes within its city limits, Baldwin, Manoka, and Como. It also contains many unnamed ponds, a peat bog
, and seasonal wet lands.
of 2010, there were 8,481 people, 3,303 households, and 2,041 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,389.2 per square mile (536.6/km²). There were 3,571 housing units at an average density of 625.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 96.16% White, 0.54% African American, 0.54% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 1.16% from other races
, and 1.21% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.25% of the population.
There were 3,303 households out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.5% were married couples living together, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.2% were non-families. 32.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.4% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 90.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,453, and the median income for a family was $35,050. Males had a median income of $32,500 versus $23,338 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $15,933. About 9.4% of families and 15.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.1% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over.
Montcalm County, Michigan
-Michigan State Highways:* M-46* M-57* M-66* M-82* M-91-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 61,266 people, 22,079 households, and 16,183 families residing in the county. The population density was 86 people per square mile . There were 25,900 housing units at an average density...
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"....
. Portions of the county are associated with the Western
Western Michigan
West Michigan and Western Michigan are terms for an arbitrarily selected region in the U.S. state of Michigan in its Lower Peninsula. There is no official definition for what constitutes "West Michigan." The area of West Michigan may also include parts Southern Michigan.-Definition:In general,...
region while others are more closely associated with the Central Michigan
Central Michigan
Central Michigan, often called Mid Michigan, is a region in the Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. Southern Michigan can be considered as a subregion of Central Michigan. As its name implies, it is the central area of the Lower Peninsula. Lower Michigan is said to resemble a mitten, and...
region. The population was 8,481 at 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...
. Greenville residents can commute to jobs in the nearby Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand 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...
metro area.
History
Greenville is located on Native American tribal land. The European town was named after a white settler John Green, who settled in the wilderness in the area of the southwest part of the Montcalm County in 1844. John Green constructed a sawmill on the Flat RiverFlat River (Michigan)
The Flat River is a tributary of the Grand River in the western part of the U.S. state of Michigan. It rises as the outflow of the six lakes system in Belvidere Township, west of Edmore in Montcalm County. It flows mostly south and slightly west through Montcalm County, Ionia County, and Kent...
that is credited for attracting other settlers. The newly formed Green's Village attracted many people of Danish
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
origin who followed another early Danish settler's positive letters home regarding the area. Because of the town's heritage, Greenville celebrates the Danish Festival every year on the third weekend of August. A post office was established on January 20, 1848, with Abel French as the first postmaster. John Green had the village plat
Plat
A plat in the U.S. is a map, drawn to scale, showing the divisions of a piece of land. Other English-speaking countries generally call such documents a cadastral map or plan....
ted in 1853 and it was a station on the Detroit, Grand Rapids and Western Railroad. Greenville incorporated as a village in 1867 and as a city in 1871.
Hendrik Meijer, founder of Meijer
Meijer
Meijer, Inc. is a regional American hypermarket chain based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Founded in 1934 as a supermarket chain, Meijer is credited with pioneering the modern supercenter concept in 1962. About half of the company's 196 stores are located in Michigan, with additional locations in...
's stores, moved to Greenville after immigrating to the USA from the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. He was initially a barber, but the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
and lack of a proper grocery on his side of town led him to open his own store in 1934. Meijer's corporation now operates stores throughout the Midwest. Hendrik's son Fred Meijer
Fred Meijer (businessman)
Frederik Gerhard Hendrik Meijer was the Chairman of the Meijer hypermarket chain in Michigan, United States.-Biography:...
, principal architect of the modern Meijer chain, is a native son.
Greenville is also home to the Fighting Falcon, the lead plane of a wave of gliders during Operation Overlord
Operation Overlord
Operation Overlord was the code name for the Battle of Normandy, the operation that launched the invasion of German-occupied western Europe during World War II by Allied forces. The operation commenced on 6 June 1944 with the Normandy landings...
. The Falcon was purchased with funds raised by the school children of the town, and was designated the lead aircraft in recognition of this achievement.
Since the foundation of Ranney Refrigerator Co. in 1892, the town has been known as the "Refrigerator Capital of the World." It has also been home to the Gibson
Gibson Appliance
Gibson was founded by Joshua Hall in Belding, Michigan, in 1877 as the Belding-Hall Company selling cabinets that housed blocks of ice . The area around Belding, Michigan, had a skilled workforce of Danish craftsman and a good supply of hardwoods including ash. The company was purchased by Frank...
, White Consolidated, Frigidaire
Frigidaire
Frigidaire is a brand of consumer and commercial appliances. Frigidaire was founded as the Guardian Frigerator Company in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and developed the first self-contained refrigerator in 1916. In 1918, William C...
, and until recently, the Electrolux
Electrolux
The Electrolux Group is a Swedish appliance maker.As of 2010 the 2nd largest home appliance manufacturer in the world after Whirlpool, its products sell under a variety of brand names including its own and are primarily major appliances and vacuum cleaners...
refrigerator factory. Electrolux closed the Greenville facility in early 2006, as it was in the process of relocating the factory to Ciudad Juárez
Ciudad Juárez
Ciudad Juárez , officially known today as Heroica Ciudad Juárez, but abbreviated Juárez and formerly known as El Paso del Norte, is a city and seat of the municipality of Juárez in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. Juárez's estimated population is 1.5 million people. The city lies on the Rio Grande...
in Mexico. This move by a profitable factory impacted 2,700 employees and their families.
The city is now the epicentre of "green" technology with the addition of solar panel manufacturer United Solar Ovonic. It is also home to the brand-new manufacturing and design center of Northland Marvel, an undercounter refrigeration company that just became a part of the UK-based AgaRangemaster group. Lafayette Street, the downtown district, was placed on the National and State Register of Historic Sites in November 2008.
Swimming
Baldwin Lake Beach offers a pool house and two acres of white sand beach on the cool shores of Baldwin Lake.Biking
Greenville has a well-developed trail system. The eight mile long Fred Meijer Flat River Trail connects Greenville's major parks and circumnavigates the city. Greenville is also the terminus of the 41 mile long Fred Meijer Heartland Trail. This trail connects Greenville to Alma, and various other communities in Montcalm and Gratiot Counties. Mountain biking is available at both the Shearer Road and Edward's Creek mountain bike paths.Skiing
The Tower Mountain ski area offers the county's only tow rope operated skiing/sledding area and is free to the public. Greenville also offers miles of cross country skiing trails at both the Greenville Community Center and along the snow covered bike trails in the winter.Boating
Canoe access to the Flat RiverFlat River (Michigan)
The Flat River is a tributary of the Grand River in the western part of the U.S. state of Michigan. It rises as the outflow of the six lakes system in Belvidere Township, west of Edmore in Montcalm County. It flows mostly south and slightly west through Montcalm County, Ionia County, and Kent...
is available at Jackson's Landing, a popular starting point for paddling through the Flat River State Game area.
Ice fishing
Greenville has a proud culture of ice shantyIce shanty
An ice shanty is a portable shed placed on a frozen lake to provide shelter during ice fishing...
building and annually displays some of its most technologically advanced creations on the areas many fishing lakes.
Black Field
This historic stadium was carved into a hillside south of the Union School building and was home to Greenville High School's football team since 1933. The field was donated to the school by Dr. D. K. Black and was officially dedicated on October 15, 1936.The Fighting Falcon Museum
This historical structure was built in 1902 and was originally the Cass St School building. The building was then used as the Board of Education before being renovated and turned into the Fighting Falcon Museum.First Congregational Church
The multi steepled First Congregational Church was completed on June 6, 1880. The front of the building is adorned with a twelve foot wide rose window. This building is actually the second First Congregational Church in Greenville. The original First Congregational Church was built in 1856, bought by Saint Paul's Episcopal Church and moved down the street.Historic Main Street
Greenville's original shopping district on Lafayette street showcases early 20th century architecture from the bluffs of the Flat River to Greenville's city hall.The Little Mermaid
A copy of Denmark's the little mermaidThe Little Mermaid (statue)
The statue of The Little Mermaid sits on a rock in the harbour of the capital of Denmark. Based on a tale by Hans Christian Andersen, the small and unimposing statue is a Copenhagen icon and a major tourist attraction....
sits along the banks of the Flat River. This little statue generated an international controversy when the City of Greenville was sued for copyright infringement by the heirs of the original sculptor, Edvard Eriksen
Edvard Eriksen
Edvard Eriksen was a Danish-Icelandic sculptor. He is best known as the creator of the Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen, which he completed in 1913.-External links:...
The Flat River Historical Museum
It was on this site on the banks of the Flat river that John Green built his cabin, a dam across the flat river, and the sawmill that brought jobs and the villages first residents.JR's Roller Castle
JR's Roller Castle was the city's roller rink and social hub since it opened its doors in 1981. It was housed in the historic Greenville Armory which was modified, through the mural work of Eston King, into a story book castle. JR's had a fire in 2006 causing extensive damage to the roof and was subsequently torn down in 2011.Danish festival
The third weekend in August brings Greenvillians from across the world back to Greenville. This festival celebrates Greenville's Danish heritage as well as its modern day Midwestern spirit.Farming
Greenville's farms are located in Montcalm County's Soil Preservation District. Greenville is surrounded by potato, corn, dairy, and Christmas tree farms. Greenville was home to Ore-ida'sOre-Ida
Ore-Ida is a brand of potato-based frozen foods currently produced and distributed by the H. J. Heinz Company. Ore-Ida's primary production facility is located in Ontario, Oregon, and the company employs over 1,000 local residents...
tater tots
Tater Tots
Tater Tots, a registered trademark for a commercial form of hash browns made by Ore-Ida, are a side-dish made from deep-fried, grated taters. Tater Tots are widely recognized by their crispness, cylindrical shape and small size....
division, until Oreida consolidated its operation in 1986 and Greenville's farmers were forced to diversify their crops.
Greenville has an active 4H program and each summer hosts the Montcalm County 4H Fair. This fair displays livestock competitions, tractors pulls, a busy midway, and a demolition derby.
Arts
Greenville is home to an active arts scene. The Flat River Community Players stage productions of American plays at the Greenville Community Center Theater. The award winning Greenville High School music program consists of a marching band, concert band, orchestra, symphonic orchestra, and the Village Green choir.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 is has a total area of 5.9 square miles (15.3 km²), of which, 5.7 square miles (14.8 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (4.03%) is water.
The Greenville post office, with ZIP code 48838, also serves all of Eureka Township
Eureka Township, Michigan
Eureka Township is a charter township of Montcalm County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,271 at the 2000 census.The city of Greenville is within the township, and the Greenville post office, with ZIP code 48838, also serves all of Eureka Township.-Geography:According to the...
, a large portion of Montcalm Township
Montcalm Township, Michigan
Montcalm Township is a civil township of Montcalm County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,178 at the 2000 census.-Communities:* Gowen is an unincorporated community in the township on the Flat River at...
and a smaller area of Pine Township to the north, Fairplain Township
Fairplain Township, Michigan
Fairplain Township is a civil township of Montcalm County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,826 at the 2000 census.-Communities:*Fenwick is an unincorporated community in the southeast part of the township at...
to the east, a small area of Otisco Township
Otisco Township, Michigan
Otisco Township is a civil township of Ionia County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 2,243. Township offices are located in the community of Smyrna.-Communities:...
in Ionia County
Ionia County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 61,518 people, 20,606 households, and 15,145 families residing in the county. The population density was 107 people per square mile . There were 22,006 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile...
to the south, and a large part of Oakfield Township
Oakfield Township, Michigan
Oakfield Township is a civil township of Kent County in the U.S state of Michigan. The population was 5,058 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:At the 2000 census,...
to the east and a smaller part of Grattan Township
Grattan Township, Michigan
Grattan Township is a civil township of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 3,551.Grattan is an unincorporated community within the township.-Geography:...
to the southwest, both in Kent County
Kent County, Michigan
-Air Service:*Commercial air service to Grand Rapids is provided by Gerald R. Ford International Airport . Previously named Kent County International Airport, it holds Grand Rapids' mark in modern history with the United States' first regularly scheduled airline service, beginning July 31, 1926,...
.
Greenville contains three navigable lakes within its city limits, Baldwin, Manoka, and Como. It also contains many unnamed ponds, a peat bog
Bog
A bog, quagmire or mire is a wetland that accumulates acidic peat, a deposit of dead plant material—often mosses or, in Arctic climates, lichens....
, and seasonal wet lands.
Major highways
-
M-57M-57 (Michigan highway)M-57 is an east–west state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan. The highway connects US Highway 131 near Rockford on the west end to M-15 near Otisville in the Lower Peninsula. In between, the mostly rural highway passes through farmland and connects several highways and smaller towns... -
M-91M-91 (Michigan highway)M-91 is a largely north–south state trunkline highway in the Lower Peninsula of the US state of Michigan. It runs from Belding to south of Lakeview. Its length exists entirely within Ionia and Montcalm counties. It is all undivided surface route...
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 2010, there were 8,481 people, 3,303 households, and 2,041 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 1,389.2 per square mile (536.6/km²). There were 3,571 housing units at an average density of 625.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 96.16% White, 0.54% African American, 0.54% Native American, 0.32% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 1.16% 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 1.21% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.25% of the population.
There were 3,303 households out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.5% were married couples living together, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.2% were non-families. 32.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.4% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 90.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,453, and the median income for a family was $35,050. Males had a median income of $32,500 versus $23,338 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 $15,933. About 9.4% of families and 15.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.1% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over.