Founded 1829 Area 1,349 km² | Population 60,964 (2013) | |
Website www.stjosephcountymi.org Rivers Rocky River, Pigeon River, Saint Joseph River University Glen Oaks Community College Destinations Points of interest Meyer Broadway Park, Scid Park, King Mill Park, Riverview Park, Sturgis Railroad Depot | ||
St. Joseph County is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the population was 61,295. The county seat is Centreville. The county takes its name from Saint Joseph, patron saint of New France. It was set off and organized in 1829.
Contents
- Map of St Joseph County MI USA
- Geography
- Adjacent counties
- Demographics
- Government
- Elected officials
- Cities
- Villages
- Unincorporated community
- References
Map of St Joseph County, MI, USA
St. Joseph County comprises the Sturgis, MI Micropolitan Statistical Area and is included in the Kalamazoo-Battle Creek-Portage, MI Combined Statistical Area.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 521 square miles (1,350 km2), of which 501 square miles (1,300 km2) is land and 20 square miles (52 km2) (3.9%) is water. It is the fourth-smallest county in Michigan by total area. The entire county is within the Saint Joseph River watershed.
Adjacent counties
Demographics
The 2010 United States Census indicates St. Joseph County had a 2010 population of 61,295. This is a decrease of -1,127 people from the 2000 United States Census. Overall, the county had a -1.8% growth rate during this ten-year period. In 2010 there were 23,244 households and 16,275 families in the county. The population density was 122.4 per square mile (47.3 square kilometers). There were 27,778 housing units at an average density of 55.5 per square mile (21.4 square kilometers). The racial and ethnic makeup of the county was 88.0% White, 2.5% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 6.6% Hispanic or Latino, 0.1% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races.
There were 23,244 households out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were husband and wife families, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.0% were non-families, and 24.8% were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the county, the population was spread out with 25.9% under age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 27.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 97.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.9 males.
The 2010 American Community Survey 3-year estimate indicates the median income for a household in the county was $43,964 and the median income for a family was $52,600. Males had a median income of $30,517 versus $16,388 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,737. About 1.8% of families and 16.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.3% of those under the age 18 and 12.3% of those age 65 or over.
Government
The county government operates the jail, maintains rural roads, operates the major local courts, keeps files of deeds and mortgages, maintains vital records, administers public health regulations, and participates with the state in the provision of welfare and other social services. The county board of commissioners controls the budget but has only limited authority to make laws or ordinances. In Michigan, most local government functions — police and fire, building and zoning, tax assessment, street maintenance, etc. — are the responsibility of individual cities and townships.