Branch County, Michigan
County in Michigan, United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Branch County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 44,862.[3] The county seat is Coldwater.[4] One of the "cabinet counties", it was named for John Branch, U.S. Secretary of the Navy under President Andrew Jackson.[1] The county was founded in 1829, and was organized in 1833. Branch County comprises the Coldwater, MI Micropolitan Statistical Area.
United States1833 (organized)[1]
Branch County, Michigan | |
|---|---|
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 Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state of Michigan | |
| Coordinates: 41°55′N 85°03′W | |
| Country | United States |
| State |  Michigan |
| Founded | October 29, 1829 (created) 1833 (organized)[1] |
| Named after | John Branch |
| Seat | Coldwater |
| Largest city | Coldwater |
| Area | |
• Total | 520 sq mi (1,300 km2) |
| • Land | 506 sq mi (1,310 km2) |
| • Water | 13 sq mi (34 km2) 2.6% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 44,862 |
46,187  | |
| • Density | 91.3/sq mi (35.3/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 5th |
| Website | https://www.countyofbranch.com/ |
History
Branch County was a New England settlement. The original founders of Coldwater were settlers from the northern coastal colonies – "Yankees", descended from the English Puritans who came from the Old World in the 1600s and who brought their culture. During the early 1800s, there was a wave of New England farmers who headed west into what was then the untamed Northwest Territory. Many traveled through New York State via the Erie Canal; the threat of Native Americans had been reduced by the end of the Black Hawk War.
These early settlers laid out farms, constructed roads, erected government buildings, and established post routes. They brought a passion for education, and established many schools. Many were supporters of abolitionism. They were mostly members of the Congregationalist Church though some were Episcopalian. Culturally Branch County, like much of Michigan, developed as part of the Northern Tier, continuous with New England culture, during its early history.[5][6] The county still depends on agriculture as the basis of its economy.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 520 square miles (1,300 km2), of which 506 square miles (1,310 km2) is land and 13 square miles (34 km2) (2.6%) is water.[7] It is the third-smallest county in Michigan by total area. The only island in the county is Iyopawa Island.
Adjacent counties
- Kalamazoo County – northwest
- Calhoun County – north
- Hillsdale County – east
- Steuben County, Indiana – south
- LaGrange County, Indiana – southwest
- St. Joseph County – west
Major highways
I-69 – runs north–south through central Branch County. Runs east of Girard, Coldwater and Kinderhook.
BL I-69 – runs through Coldwater.
US 12 – runs ENE through central Branch County. Passes Bronson, Coldwater and Quincy.
M-60 – runs through northern part of county. Enters near Union City; runs west 5 miles (8.0 km) to intersection with M60, south of Athens.
M-66 – runs through NW tip of county. Enters west line from Leonidas, Michigan, runs east 2.4 miles (3.9 km), turns north to exit county toward Athens, Michigan.
M-86 runs east–west through central Branch County. Enters from Colon, Michigan, runs east to intersection with US12, three miles (4.8 km) west of Coldwater.
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1840 | 5,715 | — | |
| 1850 | 12,472 | 118.2% | |
| 1860 | 20,981 | 68.2% | |
| 1870 | 26,226 | 25.0% | |
| 1880 | 27,941 | 6.5% | |
| 1890 | 26,791 | −4.1% | |
| 1900 | 27,811 | 3.8% | |
| 1910 | 25,605 | −7.9% | |
| 1920 | 23,997 | −6.3% | |
| 1930 | 23,950 | −0.2% | |
| 1940 | 25,845 | 7.9% | |
| 1950 | 30,202 | 16.9% | |
| 1960 | 34,903 | 15.6% | |
| 1970 | 37,906 | 8.6% | |
| 1980 | 40,188 | 6.0% | |
| 1990 | 41,502 | 3.3% | |
| 2000 | 45,787 | 10.3% | |
| 2010 | 45,248 | −1.2% | |
| 2020 | 44,862 | −0.9% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 46,187 | | 3.0% |
| US Decennial Census[8] 1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10] 1990-2000[11] 2010-2018[3][12] 2024[2] | |||
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 44,862. The median age was 40.6 years, 24.2% of residents were under the age of 18, and 18.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 106.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 107.5 males age 18 and over.[13]
The racial makeup of the county was 88.3% White, 2.6% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 2.6% from some other race, and 5.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 5.8% of the population.[14]
There were 16,780 households in the county, of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 49.2% were married-couple households, 19.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 22.8% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[13]
There were 20,749 housing units, of which 19.1% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 74.1% were owner-occupied and 25.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.4%.[13]
30.6% of residents lived in urban areas, while 69.4% lived in rural areas.[15]
2010 census
The 2010 United States census[16] indicates Branch County had a 2010 population of 45,248. This decrease of -539 people from the 2000 United States census represents a -1.2% growth decrease during the decade. In 2010 there were 16,419 households and 11,350 families in the county. The population density was 89.4 per square mile (34.5 square kilometers). There were 20,841 housing units at an average density of 41.2 per square mile (15.9 square kilometers). The racial and ethnic makeup of the county was 90.9% White, 3.0% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 0.1% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races.
There were 16,419 households, out of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.2% were husband and wife families, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.9% were non-families, and 25.8% were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.05.[16]
In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.9% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 28.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 111.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 112.9 males.[16]
2010 American Community Survey
The 2010 American Community Survey 3-year estimate indicates the median income for a household in the county was $41,855 and the median income for a family was $48,959. Males had a median income of $25,595 versus $17,263 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,289. About 2.5% of families and 17.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.3% of those under the age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.[16]
Government
Branch County has been reliably Republican since the party's founding. Since 1884, the Republican Party nominee has carried 85% of the elections (29 of 34).
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1884 | 3,671 | 52.08% | 2,958 | 41.96% | 420 | 5.96% |
| 1888 | 4,098 | 55.36% | 2,739 | 37.00% | 566 | 7.65% |
| 1892 | 3,271 | 49.68% | 2,161 | 32.82% | 1,152 | 17.50% |
| 1896 | 3,596 | 46.58% | 3,976 | 51.50% | 148 | 1.92% |
| 1900 | 4,293 | 54.73% | 3,419 | 43.59% | 132 | 1.68% |
| 1904 | 4,385 | 69.72% | 1,598 | 25.41% | 306 | 4.87% |
| 1908 | 3,715 | 57.48% | 2,402 | 37.17% | 346 | 5.35% |
| 1912 | 1,865 | 30.11% | 2,185 | 35.28% | 2,143 | 34.60% |
| 1916 | 3,100 | 48.77% | 3,062 | 48.17% | 194 | 3.05% |
| 1920 | 5,704 | 69.72% | 2,181 | 26.66% | 296 | 3.62% |
| 1924 | 6,016 | 64.67% | 2,253 | 24.22% | 1,033 | 11.11% |
| 1928 | 6,818 | 74.51% | 2,266 | 24.77% | 66 | 0.72% |
| 1932 | 4,663 | 43.83% | 5,685 | 53.43% | 292 | 2.74% |
| 1936 | 5,528 | 48.60% | 5,425 | 47.69% | 422 | 3.71% |
| 1940 | 7,400 | 62.90% | 4,318 | 36.71% | 46 | 0.39% |
| 1944 | 7,155 | 67.44% | 3,406 | 32.10% | 48 | 0.45% |
| 1948 | 6,323 | 63.06% | 3,405 | 33.96% | 299 | 2.98% |
| 1952 | 9,215 | 71.52% | 3,564 | 27.66% | 105 | 0.81% |
| 1956 | 8,856 | 69.49% | 3,827 | 30.03% | 61 | 0.48% |
| 1960 | 8,752 | 64.41% | 4,759 | 35.03% | 76 | 0.56% |
| 1964 | 5,110 | 39.21% | 7,858 | 60.29% | 66 | 0.51% |
| 1968 | 7,071 | 55.88% | 4,518 | 35.70% | 1,065 | 8.42% |
| 1972 | 8,388 | 62.01% | 4,887 | 36.13% | 251 | 1.86% |
| 1976 | 8,251 | 55.74% | 6,301 | 42.57% | 250 | 1.69% |
| 1980 | 10,224 | 62.99% | 4,635 | 28.56% | 1,371 | 8.45% |
| 1984 | 11,004 | 73.63% | 3,860 | 25.83% | 81 | 0.54% |
| 1988 | 9,225 | 63.48% | 5,231 | 36.00% | 75 | 0.52% |
| 1992 | 5,976 | 36.02% | 5,850 | 35.26% | 4,767 | 28.73% |
| 1996 | 6,321 | 42.70% | 6,567 | 44.36% | 1,917 | 12.95% |
| 2000 | 8,743 | 55.40% | 6,691 | 42.39% | 349 | 2.21% |
| 2004 | 10,784 | 60.02% | 7,004 | 38.98% | 179 | 1.00% |
| 2008 | 9,534 | 52.14% | 8,413 | 46.01% | 338 | 1.85% |
| 2012 | 10,035 | 58.52% | 6,913 | 40.32% | 199 | 1.16% |
| 2016 | 11,786 | 66.73% | 5,061 | 28.65% | 816 | 4.62% |
| 2020 | 14,064 | 68.36% | 6,159 | 29.94% | 350 | 1.70% |
| 2024 | 14,848 | 70.41% | 5,911 | 28.03% | 330 | 1.56% |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 14,181 | 68.20% | 5,923 | 28.49% | 688 | 3.31% |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2022 | 10,132 | 62.81% | 5,676 | 35.19% | 322 | 2.00% |
The county government operates the jail, maintains rural roads, operates the major local courts, records deeds, mortgages, and vital records, administers public health regulations, and participates with the state in the provision of social services. The county board of commissioners controls the budget and has limited authority to make laws or ordinances. In Michigan, most local government functions — police and fire services, building and zoning, tax assessment, street maintenance, etc. — are the responsibility of individual cities and townships.
Elected officials
- Prosecuting Attorney: Zachary Stempien[19]
- Sheriff: John Pollack[20]
- County Clerk: Terry Kubasiak[21]
- County Treasurer: Steven Rutz[22]
- Register of Deeds: Nyci DeLoach[23]
- Drain Commissioner: Michael Hard[24]
- County Surveyor: Edward W. Reed[25]
- County Commissioners: Tim Stoll, Tom Matthew, Alan McClellan, Jon Houtz, Randall Hazelbaker[26]
Information correct as of March 2017.
Communities
Cities
Villages
- Quincy
- Sherwood
- Union City (partial)