Hillsdale, Michigan

Geography and Climate

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.19 square miles (16.03 km²), of which, 5.92 square miles (15.33 km²) is land and 0.27 square miles (0.70 km²) is water.

The Saint Joe river begins in Hillsdale, near Lake Baw Beese, a major body of water in this city, around which is situated several parks and a beach.

History

In 1834 the first settler of Hillsdale, Jeremiah Arnold, erected a cabin and settled there with his wife Percy Round Arnold. In 1838 the first schoolhouse was erected. The City was established in 1839 and chartered in 1869, located in the rolling, fertile hills of South Central Michigan, bordering Indiana and Ohio. Hillsdale College, founded in 1844, relocated to the city of Hillsdale in 1853. It was the first American college to prohibit in its charter any discrimination based on race, religion or sex, and became an early force for the abolition of slavery. It was also only the second college in the nation to grant four-year liberal arts degrees to women. In 1885 a high school building was dedicated on what is now West Street which now is the middle school. In the late 1800s, Hillsdale was a booming railroad town, but this came to an end when the last passenger train left Hillsdale in 1956. Dozens of beautiful Victorian homes, many of which are still occupied as private residences, line its streets. In 1908 the city opened its first public library. In 1921 it opened its first hospital and in 1934 Hillsdale Municipal Airport opened.

Highways

Hillsdale has one major roadway passing through it, Michigan highway 99 ( M-99). It passes through both the historic downtown as well as the newer business strip. Highway 99 connects to Highway 12 just over a mile north of Hillsdale.

Airports

Hillsdale Municipal Airport (KJYM) established in 1934, has a 5000' paved lighted runway with instrument approaches, hangars, tie-downs, and fuel services available.

Railroad

Although passenger trains no longer frequent the railway, the railway is still used for commercial purposes and is occasionally used by the Little River Railroad.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 8,305 people, 2,970 households, and 1,686 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,402.9 inhabitants per square mile (541.7/km²). There were 3,383 housing units at an average density of 571.5 per square mile (220.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.8% White, 0.7% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.3% of the population.

There were 2,970 households of which 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.7% were married couples living together, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.2% were non-families. 36.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.6% 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 3.03.

The median age in the city was 30.2 years. 22.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 21.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.9% were from 25 to 44; 20.5% were from 45 to 64; and 13.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.0% male and 53.0% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 8,233 people, 3,067 households, and 1,781 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,548.2 per square mile (597.5/km²). There were 3,274 housing units at an average density of 615.7 per square mile (237.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.53% White, 0.60% African American, 0.50% Native American, 0.83% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.49% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.53% of the population.

There were 3,067 households out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.5% were married couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.9% were non-families. 34.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the city, the population was spread out with 22.5% under the age of 18, 21.3% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 17.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 87.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,695, and the median income for a family was $42,649. Males had a median income of $32,573 versus $22,707 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,062. About 5.5% of families and 10.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.1% of those under age 18 and 15.7% of those age 65 or over.

Points of interest

Media

There are no television stations broadcasting from within the county; Hillsdale County gets its television signals from the Lansing-Jackson, Toledo-Port Clinton-Lake Erie Islands, Kalamazoo-Battle Creek-Grand Rapids, and Detroit-Windsor SMSAs.

Notable people

Climate

This climatic region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Hillsdale has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.