St. Joseph County, Michigan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| St. Joseph County, Michigan | |
| Image:St Joseph County mi seal.gif | |
| Map | |
| Image:Map of Michigan highlighting St. Joseph County.svg Location in the state of Michigan |
|
 Michigan's location in the USA |
|
| Statistics | |
| Founded | 1829 |
|---|---|
| Seat | Centreville |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
1,350 km² (521 mi²) sq mi ( km²) 45 km² (17 mi²), 3.34% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
62,422 48/km² |
| Website: www.stjosephcountymi.org | |
St. Joseph County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the population was 62,422. The county seat is Centreville6.
Contents |
[edit] Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,350 km² (521 mi²). 1,305 km² (504 mi²) of it is land and 45 km² (17 mi²) of it (3.34%) is water.
[edit] Adjacent Counties
- Kalamazoo County (north)
- Branch County (east)
- Lagrange County, Indiana (south)
- Elkhart County, Indiana (southwest)
- Cass County (west)
[edit] Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 62,422 people, 23,381 households, and 16,600 families residing in the county. The population density was 48/km² (124/mi²). There were 26,503 housing units at an average density of 20/km² (53/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.49% White, 2.58% Black or African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.58% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 1.51% from other races, and 1.46% from two or more races. 3.99% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 23,381 households out of which 34.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.90% were married couples living together, 10.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.00% were non-families. 23.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the county the population was spread out with 27.50% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 13.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 97.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $40,355, and the median income for a family was $46,391. Males had a median income of $34,983 versus $23,638 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,247. About 8.20% of families and 11.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.50% of those under age 18 and 6.90% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] 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.
[edit] St. Joseph County elected officials
- Prosecuting Attorney: Douglas Fisher
- Sheriff: Matt Lori
- County Clerk: Pattie S. Bender
- County Treasurer: Phyllis E. Bainbridge
- Register of Deeds: Cynthia L. Jarratt
- Drain Commissioner: David D. Hassenger
- County Surveyor: Wayne Mostrom
(information as of September 2005)
[edit] Cities, villages, and townships
- Burr Oak Township
- Burr Oak, village
- Centreville, village
- Colon Township
- Colon, village
- Constantine Township
- Constantine, village
- Fabius Township
- Fawn River Township
- Florence Township
- Flowerfield Township
- Leonidas Township
- Lockport Township
- Mendon Township
- Mendon, village
- Mottville Township
- Nottawa Township
- Park Township
- Sherman Township
- Sturgis Township
- Sturgis, city
- Three Rivers, city
- White Pigeon Township
- White Pigeon, village
