Lowell, Michigan
Lowell is a city in Kent County of the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,783 at the 2010 census. The city is in the northern portion of Lowell Township, but is politically independent. Lowell's economy is a mix of manufacturing, restaurants and locally owned businesses.
Lowell, Michigan | |
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Location of Lowell, Michigan | |
Coordinates: 42°56′1″N 85°20′31″W | |
Country | United States |
State | Michigan |
County | Kent |
Government | |
• Mayor | Michael DeVore |
• City Manager | Michael Burns |
Area | |
• Total | 3.10 sq mi (8.03 km2) |
• Land | 2.88 sq mi (7.46 km2) |
• Water | 0.22 sq mi (0.57 km2) |
Elevation | 636 ft (194 m) |
Population | |
• Total | 3,783 |
• Estimate (2019)[3] | 4,171 |
• Density | 1,448.26/sq mi (559.18/km2) |
Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
ZIP code | 49331 |
Area code(s) | 616 |
FIPS code | 26-49540[4] |
GNIS feature ID | 0631155[5] |
Website | www |
Downtown Lowell Historic District | |
Location | Roughly along Main St. bet. Hudson and Washington, Lowell, Michigan |
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Coordinates | 42°56′4″N 85°20′16″W |
Built | 1904 |
Architect | McDole, Shaw, et al.; Vinton, Colonel H.H., et al |
Architectural style | Late Victorian, Art Deco |
NRHP reference No. | 99001539 [6] |
Added to NRHP | December 09, 1999 |
Lowell is situated just north of where the Flat River meets the Grand River. The Flat River bisects downtown with main street crossing the river and connecting the east and west portions of the business district.
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.[7]
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.[8]
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.
Demographics
Historical population | |||
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Census | Pop. | %± | |
1860 | 547 | — | |
1870 | 1,503 | 174.8% | |
1880 | 1,538 | 2.3% | |
1890 | 1,829 | 18.9% | |
1900 | 1,736 | −5.1% | |
1910 | 1,761 | 1.4% | |
1920 | 1,730 | −1.8% | |
1930 | 1,919 | 10.9% | |
1940 | 1,944 | 1.3% | |
1950 | 2,191 | 12.7% | |
1960 | 2,545 | 16.2% | |
1970 | 3,068 | 20.6% | |
1980 | 3,707 | 20.8% | |
1990 | 3,983 | 7.4% | |
2000 | 4,013 | 0.8% | |
2010 | 3,783 | −5.7% | |
2019 (est.) | 4,171 | [3] | 10.3% |
U.S. Decennial Census[9] |
2010 census
As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 3,783 people, 1,457 households, and 962 families living 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[4] of 2000, there were 4,013 people, 1,492 households, and 1,008 families living 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.
Recreation
North Country Trail
Lowell is the home of the North Country Trail Association.[10] In the Lowell area, the trail runs just north of downtown and along portions of the Flat River.
Notable people
- William Seward Burroughs I, adding machine inventor, founder of the Burroughs Corporation and grandfather of Beat Generation author William S. Burroughs lived in Lowell in the 1860s and graduated from Lowell High School.
- Cobmoosa, operated a trading post where Lowell now exists.[11]
- Mike Dumas, professional football player (retired)
- Mabel Gillespie, farmer, teacher, journalist, politician, lived in Lowell from 1958 to 1967.[12]
- Ernest R. Graham (architect), designer of Chicago landmarks such as the Wrigley Building, Shedd Aquarium, etc., born in Lowell.
- Jennie Harris Oliver, poet, born in Lowell.[13]
- Dave Hildenbrand, Michigan politician[14]
- Anthony Kiedis, Red Hot Chili Peppers lead singer.
- Howard Henry Peckham, professor and historian, Lowell High School graduate.[15]
- Ann Rule, author of true crime novels, born in Lowell, Michigan[16]
- Glendon Swarthout, novelist, graduated from Lowell High School.
- Daniel Vosovic, fashion designer, Lowell High School graduate.[17]
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.[18]
References
- "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
- "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-11-25.
- "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Lowell, Michigan
- "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
- Romig, Walter (1986) [1973]. Michigan Place Names. Detroit, Michigan: Wayne State University Press. ISBN 0-8143-1838-X.
- "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2012-07-02. Retrieved 2012-11-25.
- "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- "North Country Trail Association". Retrieved 18 January 2011.
- https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/2140619/
- Omaha World Herald, November 26, 1982, page 4
- https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/905700998
- "Senator Dave Hildenbrand". Michigan Senate Republicans. Archived from the original on 4 December 2010. Retrieved 17 January 2011.
- "Memorial | Faculty History Project".
- http://www.authorannrule.com/Ann_Rule_Bio.html
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-10-10. Retrieved 2019-05-09.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- Climate Summary for Lowell, Michigan