Branch County, Michigan

Branch County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the population was 45,248.[2] The county seat is Coldwater.[3] As one of the "cabinet counties" it was named for the U.S. Secretary of the Navy John Branch under President Andrew Jackson.[1] The county was founded in 1829, and was organized in 1833.

Branch County
U.S. county
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Michigan's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°55′N 85°03′W
Country United States
State Michigan
FoundedOctober 29, 1829 (created)
1833 (organized)[1]
Named forJohn Branch
SeatColdwater
Largest cityColdwater
Area
 • Total520 sq mi (1,300 km2)
 • Land506 sq mi (1,310 km2)
 • Water13 sq mi (30 km2)  2.6%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2018)
43,622
 • Density89/sq mi (34/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district7th
Websitehttps://www.countyofbranch.com/

Branch County comprises the Coldwater, MI Micropolitan Statistical Area.

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.[4][5] 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.[6] It is the third-smallest county in Michigan by total area.

Adjacent counties

Major highways
  • I-69 – runs north–south through central Branch County. Runs east of Girard, Coldwater and Kinterhook.
  • 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 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 ( 4 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 (5 km) west of Coldwater.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18405,715—
185012,472118.2%
186020,98168.2%
187026,22625.0%
188027,9416.5%
189026,791−4.1%
190027,8113.8%
191025,605−7.9%
192023,997−6.3%
193023,950−0.2%
194025,8457.9%
195030,20216.9%
196034,90315.6%
197037,9068.6%
198040,1886.0%
199041,5023.3%
200045,78710.3%
201045,248−1.2%
2018 (est.)43,622[7]−3.6%
US Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2018[2]

The 2010 United States Census[12] 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.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.9% under 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.

The 2010 American Community Survey 3-year estimate[12] 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.

Government

Branch County has been reliably Republican since the beginning. Since 1884, the Republican Party nominee has carried 85% of the elections (29 of 34).

Presidential election results
Presidential Elections Results[13]
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2020 68.4% 14,064 29.9% 6,159 1.7% 350
2016 66.7% 11,786 28.7% 5,061 4.6% 816
2012 58.5% 10,035 40.3% 6,913 1.2% 199
2008 52.1% 9,534 46.0% 8,413 1.9% 338
2004 60.0% 10,784 39.0% 7,004 1.0% 179
2000 55.4% 8,743 42.4% 6,691 2.2% 349
1996 42.7% 6,321 44.4% 6,567 13.0% 1,917
1992 36.0% 5,976 35.3% 5,850 28.7% 4,767
1988 63.5% 9,225 36.0% 5,231 0.5% 75
1984 73.6% 11,004 25.8% 3,860 0.5% 81
1980 63.0% 10,224 28.6% 4,635 8.5% 1,371
1976 55.7% 8,251 42.6% 6,301 1.7% 250
1972 62.0% 8,388 36.1% 4,887 1.9% 251
1968 55.9% 7,071 35.7% 4,518 8.4% 1,065
1964 39.2% 5,110 60.3% 7,858 0.5% 66
1960 64.4% 8,752 35.0% 4,759 0.6% 76
1956 69.5% 8,856 30.0% 3,827 0.5% 61
1952 71.5% 9,215 27.7% 3,564 0.8% 105
1948 63.1% 6,323 34.0% 3,405 3.0% 299
1944 67.4% 7,155 32.1% 3,406 0.5% 48
1940 62.9% 7,400 36.7% 4,318 0.4% 46
1936 48.6% 5,528 47.7% 5,425 3.7% 422
1932 43.8% 4,663 53.4% 5,685 2.7% 292
1928 74.5% 6,818 24.8% 2,266 0.7% 66
1924 64.7% 6,016 24.2% 2,253 11.1% 1,033
1920 69.7% 5,704 26.7% 2,181 3.6% 296
1916 48.8% 3,100 48.2% 3,062 3.1% 194
1912 30.1% 1,865 35.3% 2,185 34.6% 2,143
1908 57.5% 3,715 37.2% 2,402 5.4% 346
1904 69.7% 4,385 25.4% 1,598 4.9% 306
1900 54.7% 4,293 43.6% 3,419 1.7% 132
1896 46.6% 3,596 51.5% 3,976 1.9% 148
1892 49.7% 3,271 32.8% 2,161 17.5% 1,152
1888 55.4% 4,098 37.0% 2,739 7.7% 566
1884 52.1% 3,671 42.0% 2,958 6.0% 420

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, building and zoning, tax assessment, street maintenance, etc. — are the responsibility of individual cities and townships.

Elected officials

Information correct as of March 2017.

Communities

Cities

Villages

Unincorporated communities

Townships

See also

References
  1. "Bibliography on Branch County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  2. "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved August 26, 2013.
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. "History of Branch County MI". google.com. 1879.
  5. Johnson, Crisfield (1879). "History of Branch County MI". google.com.
  6. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  7. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  8. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  9. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  10. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  11. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  12. "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
  13. US Election Atlas
  14. "County of Branch ::". www.countyofbranch.com. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  15. "County of Branch ::". www.countyofbranch.com. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  16. "County of Branch ::". www.countyofbranch.com. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  17. "County of Branch ::". www.countyofbranch.com. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  18. "County of Branch ::". www.countyofbranch.com. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  19. "County of Branch ::". www.countyofbranch.com. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  20. Branch County Government Website.
  21. "County of Branch ::". www.countyofbranch.com. Retrieved March 23, 2017.

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