Berrien County, Michigan

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Berrien County
County
St Joseph North Pier Lights.jpg
Lighthouse at St. Joseph
Berrien County mi seal.png
Seal
Map of Michigan highlighting Berrien County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Michigan in United States.svg
Michigan's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°56′N86°35′W / 41.94°N 86.59°W / 41.94; -86.59
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Michigan.svg  Michigan
FoundedOctober 29, 1829 (created)
1831 (organized) [1]
Named for John M. Berrien
Seat St. Joseph
Largest city Niles
Area
 • Total
1,581 sq mi (4,090 km2)
 • Land568 sq mi (1,470 km2)
 • Water1,014 sq mi (2,630 km2)  64%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
154,316
 • Density272/sq mi (105/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts 4th, 5th
Website www.berriencounty.org

Berrien County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located at the southwest corner of the state's Lower Peninsula, located on the shore of Lake Michigan and sharing a land border with Indiana. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 154,316. [2] The county seat is St. Joseph. [3]

Contents

Berrien County is included in the Niles-Benton Harbor, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the South Bend-Elkhart-Mishawaka, IN-MI Combined Statistical Area. The county is part of the Michiana region.

History

As one of the Cabinet counties, Berrien County was named for John M. Berrien of Georgia, US Attorney General (1829–1831) under US President Andrew Jackson. [1] The county was founded in 1829, and was organized in 1831, before Michigan was accepted into the Union as a state. [4]

When Michigan Territory was established in 1805, the area of present Berrien County was included in the boundary of Wayne County.

About 1780, New Jersey resident William Burnett established a trading post at the mouth of the St. Joseph River (present-day site of St. Joseph) to serve indigenous peoples and French Canadian residents. Also during that time, Joseph Bertrand established a trading post on the river, in present–day Niles Charter Township. [5] In December 1822, missionary Isaac McCoy moved his family and 18 Indian students from Indiana to the St. Joseph River near present-day Niles, Michigan, to open a religious mission (the Carey Mission) to the Potawatomi Indians, 160 km from the nearest White settlement. [6]

In 1827 St. Joseph Township was organized as part of Wayne County, It included all lands acquired from the Native Americans by the 1821 Treaty of Chicago.

The boundary of Berrien County was delineated by the Michigan Territory Legislature on October 29, 1829, with its present limits. For purposes of revenue, taxation and judicial matters, it was attached to Cass County, and was designated as Niles Township. This assignation was terminated in 1831 when Berrien County's government was organized and initiated.

Berrien County began with three townships:

In recent times, Berrien County, especially the coastal cities of New Buffalo and Lakeside, has received notice as a vacation destination for Chicago area residents and other Midwesterners. It has earned multiple nicknames in this capacity, including "Harbor Country" and "the Hamptons of the Midwest", with the latter recognized by the Wall Street Journal. [8] [9]

Politics

Berrien County has favored a Republican Party candidate in all but five elections since 1884.

United States presidential election results for Berrien County, Michigan [10]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
2024 44,97553.12%38,32345.26%1,3701.62%
2020 43,51952.71%37,43845.34%1,6081.95%
2016 38,64753.65%29,49540.95%3,8895.40%
2012 38,20952.51%33,46545.99%1,0881.50%
2008 36,13046.42%40,38151.88%1,3231.70%
2004 41,07655.01%32,84643.99%7491.00%
2000 35,68954.70%28,15243.15%1,4002.15%
1996 28,25447.65%24,61441.51%6,42710.84%
1992 29,25242.02%25,84037.12%14,52320.86%
1988 37,79962.81%21,94836.47%4360.72%
1984 43,16066.58%21,22832.75%4360.67%
1980 41,45860.99%22,15232.59%4,3686.43%
1976 40,83561.13%25,16337.67%8001.20%
1972 43,04768.26%18,59729.49%1,4162.25%
1968 32,13651.08%21,26633.80%9,51415.12%
1964 26,38743.86%33,65355.94%1220.20%
1960 37,42560.85%23,83738.76%2440.40%
1956 35,39765.50%18,45434.15%1940.36%
1952 32,93262.94%19,08836.48%3000.57%
1948 22,00358.89%14,51638.85%8422.25%
1944 24,83260.66%15,88638.81%2160.53%
1940 22,77857.02%16,96142.46%2080.52%
1936 15,32141.27%20,82256.09%9822.65%
1932 14,12342.46%18,44755.46%6942.09%
1928 19,06468.60%8,55530.78%1720.62%
1924 15,61263.73%4,44518.15%4,44018.12%
1920 15,74874.06%4,85522.83%6623.11%
1916 7,51153.68%6,05443.27%4263.04%
1912 2,75223.06%4,22535.40%4,95841.54%
1908 7,26058.07%4,59836.78%6455.16%
1904 7,30962.99%3,81932.91%4764.10%
1900 6,59555.47%4,96041.72%3342.81%
1896 6,67256.12%4,79240.31%4243.57%
1892 4,97948.55%4,71645.98%5615.47%
1888 5,12849.72%4,68945.46%4974.82%
1884 4,44548.06%4,45848.21%3453.73%

Government

The county government operates the jail, maintains rural roads, operates the major local courts, records deeds, mortgages and vital records, oversees public health, and participates with the state in welfare and social services. The county board of commissioners controls the budget and has limited authority to make laws and ordinances. In Michigan, most local government functions — police, fire, building and zoning, tax assessment, street maintenance, etc. — are the responsibility of individual cities and townships.

Elected officials

(information as of March 2024)

Geography

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,581 square miles (4,090 km2), of which 568 square miles (1,470 km2) is land and 1,014 square miles (2,630 km2) (64%) is water. [19]

The county borders the state of Indiana to the South and includes a portion of Lake Michigan to the West.

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 two areas of Michigan drained by the Mississippi River, the other being an area of Michigan's Upper Peninsula near the Wisconsin border.

Major highways

Adjacent counties

By land

By water

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1830 325—
1840 5,0111,441.8%
1850 11,417127.8%
1860 22,37896.0%
1870 35,10456.9%
1880 36,7854.8%
1890 41,28512.2%
1900 49,16519.1%
1910 53,6229.1%
1920 62,65316.8%
1930 81,06629.4%
1940 89,1179.9%
1950 115,70229.8%
1960 149,86529.5%
1970 163,8759.3%
1980 171,2764.5%
1990 161,378−5.8%
2000 162,4530.7%
2010 156,813−3.5%
2020 154,316−1.6%
2023 (est.)152,261 [20] −1.3%
US Decennial Census [21]
1790-1960 [22] 1900-1990 [23]
1990-2000 [24] 2010-2019 [2]

The 2010 United States Census [25] indicates Berrien County had a 2010 population of 156,813. This is a decrease of 5,640 people from the 2000 United States Census, or a 3.5% population decrease. In 2010 there were 63,054 households and 41,585 families in the county. The population density was 276.2 per square mile (106.6 square kilometers). There were 76,922 housing units at an average density of 135.5 per square mile (52.3 square kilometers). 78.3% of the population were White, 15.3% Black or African American, 1.6% Asian, 0.5% Native American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.8% of some other race and 2.4% of two or more races. 4.5% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). 29.0% were of German, 7.4% Irish, 6.8% English and 5.5% American ancestry. [26]

There were 63,054 households, 29.6% of which had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.8% were husband and wife families, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.0% were non-families, and 28.7% were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.98.

The county population contained 23.4% under age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 23.2% from 25 to 44, 28.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 94.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.6 males.

The 2010 American Community Survey 1-year estimate [27] indicates the median income for a household in the county was $40,329 and the median income for a family was $51,305. Males had a median income of $26,745 versus $16,289 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,337. About 12.1% of families and 16.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.5% of those under the age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.

Recreation

State parks

County parks

Other parks

  • Expo Arena – at Berrien County Fairgrounds
  • Kiwanis Park – St. Joseph
  • Riverview Park – St. Joseph

Resorts and beaches

Golf courses

  • The Golf Club at Harbor Shores - Benton Harbor
  • Blossom Trails Golf Club – Benton Harbor
  • Brookwood Golf Course - Buchanan
  • Lake Michigan Hills Golf Club - Benton Harbor
  • Lost Dunes Golf Club - Bridgman
  • Milan Creek Golf Club - Baroda
  • Orchard Hills Country Club - Buchanan
  • Paw Paw Lake Golf Club - Coloma/Watervliet
  • Pebblewood Country Club - Bridgman
  • Pipestone Creek Golf Course - Eau Claire
  • Point O'Woods Golf & Country Club - Benton Harbor

Communities

U.S. Census data map showing local municipal boundaries within Berrien County. Shaded areas represent incorporated cities. Berrien County, MI census map2.png
U.S. Census data map showing local municipal boundaries within Berrien County. Shaded areas represent incorporated cities.

Cities

Villages

Charter townships

Civil townships

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

Indian reservation

The Pokagon reservation with underlying local municipal boundaries Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians (Berrien County), MI location.png
The Pokagon reservation with underlying local municipal boundaries

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benton Charter Township, Michigan</span> Charter township in Michigan, United States

Benton Charter Township is a charter township of Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,374.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benton Harbor, Michigan</span> City in Michigan, United States

Benton Harbor is a city in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is 46 miles southwest of Kalamazoo and 71 miles southwest of Grand Rapids. According to the 2020 census, its population was 9,103. It is the smaller, by population, of the two principal cities in the Niles–Benton Harbor Metropolitan Statistical Area, an area with 156,813 people. Benton Harbor and the city of St. Joseph are separated by the St. Joseph River and are known locally as the "Twin Cities". Fairplain and Benton Heights are unincorporated areas adjacent to Benton Harbor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bertrand Township, Michigan</span> Civil township in Michigan, United States

Bertrand Township is a civil township of Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the township population was 2,611.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buchanan Township, Michigan</span> Civil township in Michigan, United States

Buchanan Township is a civil township of Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the township population was 3,436. The city of Buchanan is located in the southeast portion of the township.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coloma Charter Township, Michigan</span> Charter township in Michigan, United States

Coloma Charter Township is a charter township of Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 5,051 at the 2020 census. The city of Coloma lies within the township.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Galien Township, Michigan</span> Civil township in Michigan, United States

Galien Township is a civil township of Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the township population was 1,412. The village of Galien is located within the township.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lake Charter Township, Michigan</span> Charter township in Michigan, United States

Lake Charter Township is a charter township of Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,316 at the 2020 census. The township is located in the west central portion of the county. Lake Michigan and the city of Bridgman are to the west, Lincoln Township to the north, Baroda Township to the east, Weesaw Township to the south, and Chikaming Township to the southwest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Niles Charter Township, Michigan</span> Charter township in Michigan, United States

Niles Charter Township is a charter township of Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 14,417 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royalton Township, Michigan</span> Civil township in Michigan, United States

Royalton 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 5,141 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sodus Township, Michigan</span> Civil township in Michigan, United States

Sodus Township is a civil township of Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,995 at the 2020 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 the township just to the west is part of the Benton Harbor/St. Joseph urban area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Joseph, Michigan</span> City in Michigan, United States

St. Joseph, colloquially known as St. Joe, is a city and the county seat of Berrien County, Michigan. It was incorporated as a village in 1834 and as a city in 1891. As of the 2020 census, the city population was 7,856. It lies on the shore of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the St. Joseph River, about 90 miles (140 km) east-northeast of Chicago. It is home of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Niles, Michigan</span> City in Michigan, United States

Niles is a city in Berrien and Cass counties in the U.S. state of Michigan, near the Indiana state line city of South Bend. The population was 11,988 according to the 2020 census. It is the larger, by population, of the two principal cities in the Niles-Benton Harbor metropolitan area, an area with 153,797 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paw Paw River</span> River in Michigan, United States

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 42°15′17″N85°55′36″W in Waverly Township in the northeast of Van Buren County. It flows approximately 61.8 miles (99.5 km) through Van Buren County and Berrien County until joining the St. Joseph River just above its mouth on Lake Michigan at Benton Harbor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Joseph River (Lake Michigan)</span> Tributary of Lake Michigan in Michigan and Indiana

The St. Joseph River is a 210-mile-long (340 km) river that flows in a generally westerly direction through southern Michigan and northern Indiana, United States, before emptying into Lake Michigan. The St. Joseph River drainage basin covers 4,685 square miles (12,130 km2), and is the third largest watershed draining to Lake Michigan. The land within its bounds is primarily used for agriculture. The river and its tributaries provide a variety of paddling and fishing environments. Historically, the river served as an important canoe transportation route for various Native American tribes, and for French Canadian Voyageurs.

Michigan's 4th congressional district is a United States congressional district located in the state of Michigan. The current 4th district contains much of Michigan's old 2nd district, and includes all of Allegan and Van Buren counties, as well as portions of Ottawa, Kalamazoo, Calhoun, and Berrien counties. In 2022, the district was redrawn to start in St. Joseph Township and extend north to Port Sheldon Township. The 4th is currently represented by Republican Bill Huizenga, who previously represented the old 2nd district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M-139 (Michigan highway)</span> State highway in Berrien County, Michigan, United States

M-139 is a state trunkline highway entirely within Berrien County in the US state of Michigan. The highway starts at US Highway 12 (US 12) southwest of Niles and runs through rural areas of the county to terminate at an intersection with Business Loop Interstate 94 in Benton Harbor. The highway runs parallel to the St. Joseph River, crossing the river several times as it follows a set of roads previously used for US 31 in the area. The highway was first designated in the 1930s as a bypass of the Benton Harbor and St. Joseph area. Its termini have been moved over the years since, extending and contracting the length of the highway between Niles and Benton Harbor. M-139 now serves to provide access through the area from a set of bypasses consisting of I-94 and US 31.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M-140 (Michigan highway)</span> State highway in Berrien and Van Buren counties in Michigan, United States

M-140 is a north–south state trunkline highway in Berrien and Van Buren counties of the US state of Michigan. The highway starts in the Niles area at M-139 and runs north through Watervliet to South Haven, ending at Interstate 196/US Highway 31 (I-196/US 31). In between, it runs through farm fields and past lakes in the southwestern part of the Lower Peninsula. The trunkline is used, on average, by between 1,500 and 10,200 vehicles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U.S. Route 12 in Michigan</span> US Highway in Michigan

US Highway 12 (US 12) is an east–west United States Numbered Highway that runs from Aberdeen, Washington, to Detroit, Michigan. In Michigan, it runs for 210 miles (340 km) between New Buffalo and Detroit as a state trunkline highway and Pure Michigan Byway. On its western end, the highway is mostly a two-lane road that runs through the southern tier of counties roughly parallel to the Indiana state line. It forms part of the Niles Bypass, a four-lane expressway south of Niles in the southwestern part of the state, and it runs concurrently with the Interstate 94 (I-94) freeway around the south side of Ypsilanti in southeastern Michigan. In between Coldwater and the Ann Arbor area, the highway angles northeasterly and passes Michigan International Speedway. East of Ypsilanti, US 12 follows a divided highway routing on Michigan Avenue into Detroit, where it terminates at an intersection with Cass Avenue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U.S. Route 31 in Michigan</span> U.S. Highway in Michigan

US Highway 31 (US 31) is a part of the United States Numbered Highway System that runs from Alabama to the Lower Peninsula of the US state of Michigan. In Michigan, it is a state trunkline highway that runs along the western portion of the Lower Peninsula, from the Indiana–Michigan state line at Bertrand Township north to its terminus at Interstate 75 (I-75) south of Mackinaw City. Along its 355.2-mile-long (571.6 km) route, US 31 follows the Michigan section of the St. Joseph Valley Parkway as well as other freeways and divided highways northward to Ludington. North of there, the trunkline is a rural undivided highway through the Northern Michigan tourist destinations of Traverse City and Petoskey before terminating south of Mackinaw City. Along its route, US 31 has been dedicated in memory of a few different organizations, and sections of it carry the Lake Michigan Circle Tour (LMCT) moniker. Four bridges used by the highway have been recognized for their historic character as well.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Watervliet Road–Paw Paw Lake Outlet Bridge</span> Bridge in Watervliet Township, Michigan

The North Watervliet Road–Paw Paw Lake Outlet Bridge, also known as Trunk Line Bridge No. 57, was an arch bridge in Watervliet Township, Michigan, that carried North Watervliet Road over the outlet of Paw Paw Lake into the Paw Paw River. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The bridge was demolished and replaced about 2008.

References

  1. 1 2 "Bibliography on Berrien County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Archived from the original on March 13, 2012. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  2. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ↑ "The History of Berrien County, Michigan". Southwest Michigan Business & Tourism Directory. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  5. ↑ Coolidge, Orville W. (1906). A Twentieth Century History of Berrien County Michigan, pp. 19-20. The Lewis Publishing Company.
  6. ↑ ”Rev. Isaac McCoy” "Rev. Isaac McCoy - First Baptist Missionary to the Indians, by Carl C. Rister". Archived from the original on November 20, 2010. Retrieved February 27, 2011., accessed February 19, 2011
  7. ↑ Coolidge (1906), p. 24.
  8. ↑ De Zutter, Hank; Little De Zutter, Pamela (October 6, 1988). "Invasion of the FIPs: boom time in southwestern Michigan". Chicago Reader. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
  9. ↑ Jones, Al (April 6, 2013). "Report: The Wall Street Journal calls the Southwest Michigan shoreline the Hamptons of the Midwest". mlive. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
  10. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on March 23, 2018. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  11. ↑ "Prosecuting Attorney | Berrien County, MI". www.berriencounty.org. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  12. ↑ "About Us | Berrien County, MI". www.berriencounty.org. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  13. ↑ "County Clerk | Berrien County, MI". www.berriencounty.org. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Treasurer | Berrien County, MI". www.berriencounty.org. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Register of Deeds | Berrien County, MI". www.berriencounty.org. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  16. ↑ "County of Berrien State of Michigan | BERRIEN COUNTY DRAIN COMMISSIONER". Archived from the original on October 23, 2017. Retrieved October 22, 2017.
  17. ↑ "County Surveyor | Berrien County, MI". www.berriencounty.org. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  18. ↑ "Meet Your Commissioners | Berrien County, MI". www.berriencounty.org. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  19. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  20. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  21. ↑ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  22. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  23. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 15, 2015. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  24. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  25. ↑ "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
  26. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  27. ↑ "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
  28. ↑ Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians (2019). "Pokégnek Bodéwadmik (Pokagon Band of Potawatomi)" . Retrieved January 3, 2019.
  29. ↑ United States Census Bureau (2000). "Michigan County Subdivision Outline Map" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on June 9, 2011. Retrieved April 13, 2018.

41°56′N86°35′W / 41.94°N 86.59°W / 41.94; -86.59

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