Lowell, Michigan

History

Lowell was founded as a trading post on the south bank of the Grand River in 1831 by Daniel Marsac. In 1847, he purchased land on the north side of the river and platted it as "Dansville". In 1851, a post office was established there named "Lowell" after the township. The community was replatted in 1854 and renamed after the post office. It incorporated as a village in 1861. Lowell is the home of a retired showboat, the Robert E. Lee.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.10 square miles (8.03 km²), of which, 2.88 square miles (7.46 km²) is land and 0.22 square miles (0.57 km²) is water.

Lowell is bordered by Vergennes Township on the north; Lowell Township on the west, south and east; and Boston Township in Ionia county is one-half mile east of the eastern Lowell city limit.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 3,783 people, 1,457 households, and 962 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,313.5 inhabitants per square mile (507.1/km²). There were 1,581 housing units at an average density of 549.0 per square mile (212.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.1% White, 1.3% African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 1.1% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.0% of the population.

There were 1,457 households of which 36.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.8% were married couples living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.0% were non-families. 29.0% 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 2.50 and the average family size was 3.04.

The median age in the city was 37.1 years. 25.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.1% were from 25 to 44; 25.2% were from 45 to 64; and 15% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.3% male and 53.7% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 4,013 people, 1,492 households, and 1,008 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,391.2 per square mile (538.0/km²). There were 1,564 housing units at an average density of 542.2 per square mile (209.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.21% White, 0.57% African American, 0.62% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 0.72% from other races, and 1.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.14% of the population.

There were 1,492 households out of which 38.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% were married couples living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.4% were non-families. 26.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.17.

In the city, the population was spread out with 29.3% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 17.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 89.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $42,326, and the median income for a family was $49,145. Males had a median income of $36,525 versus $25,625 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,843. About 4.4% of families and 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.3% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.

Schools and athletics

Lowell Area Schools maintains eight school buildings: Lowell High, Lowell High Freshman Center, Lowell Middle, Alto Elementary, Bushnell Elementary, Cherry Creek Elementary, Murray Lake Elementary, and Unity High. The district excels in Michigan educational assessment program (MEAP), with only 8.3% of Michigan Schools scoring higher, and 95% of students are excelling in reading and math. They have around 4000 students in the district with a growth rate of 75 per year. The school district covers 130 square miles (340 km²). Greg Pratt is the current Lowell Area Schools Superintendent.

One private school, St. Patrick School, is also located within the Lowell Area School district. This school serves children from preschool through 8th grade and is affiliated with St. Patrick Catholic Church in Parnell. The school provides a comprehensive, faith-based curriculum.

The Lowell High School mascot is the Red Arrow. Lowell High School participates in Division 2 for all sports according to the Michigan High School Athletic Association. The football team is known for being a powerhouse, winning three state titles in 2002, 2004 and 2009. The Equestrian team won Lowell's first state championship then went on to win three more state titles, in 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2007. The High School wrestling program also has become a powerhouse in the state, holding four state championships, in 2002, 2004, 2009, and 2014.

Every year since 2008, the Football, volleyball, and soccer teams all participate in the Pink Arrow Project. This Pink Arrow Project was started by Noel Dean, the football coach, to help raise money for cancer research and for families in the community that have been affected by such maladies.

Police and fire

The City of Lowell staffs a full-time police department located at 111 N. Monroe St. With a sworn staff of four full-time officers, six part-time officers, an investigator, a police sergeant, and the Police Chief. Two non-sworn employees provide additional support for the department. The Police Department also supports a Senior Volunteer Patrol which provides complementary services with in the City, including crossing guard details and property checks.

The Lowell Area Fire Department maintains a firehouse within the City on Hudson St. (M-50) south of downtown.

Recreation

Lowell is the home of the North Country Trail Association.

Notable residents

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, Lowell has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.