Hudsonville, Michigan

History

Hudsonville was platted in 1873, soon after the Chicago and West Michigan Railway was extended to that point. The town was named for Homer E. Hudson, a pioneer settler.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.14 square miles (10.72 km²), all land.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 7,116 people, 2,582 households, and 1,901 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,718.8 inhabitants per square mile (663.6/km²). There were 2,712 housing units at an average density of 655.1 per square mile (252.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.3% White, 1.5% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 1.3% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.2% of the population.

There were 2,582 households of which 37.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.4% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 26.4% were non-families. 23.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.20.

The median age in the city was 33.5 years. 28.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.8% were from 25 to 44; 22.5% were from 45 to 64; and 14.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.7% male and 52.3% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 7,160 people, 2,514 households, and 1,920 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,729.1 per square mile (667.8/km²). There were 2,598 housing units at an average density of 627.4 per square mile (242.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.71% White, 0.47% African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.39% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.45% of the population.

There were 2,514 households out of which 39.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.4% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.6% were non-families. 20.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.26.

In the city, the population was spread out with 30.8% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 16.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 91.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $46,961, and the median income for a family was $55,372. Males had a median income of $41,418 versus $26,554 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,286. About 2.4% of families and 4.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.8% of those under age 18 and 3.6% of those age 65 or over.

Background

George Edward Hilt founded with his younger brother Quality Farm and Fleet, that eventually became the largest farm-store retailer in the United States. Their first store was a renovated Hudsonville grocery store that opened in 1962 as Quality Wholesale Supply.

Nickname origin

Hudsonville is also known as "Michigan's Salad Bowl" because of the crops grown in the muck fields. Celery, onions, carrots, and other vegetables are prominent throughout the many acres of wet, fertile soil that once was an ancient river bottom.

Notable people