Berrien County, Michigan

Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 4,096 km² (1,581 mi²). 1,479 km² (571 mi²) of it is land and 2,617 km² (1,010 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 63.89% water.

Demographics As of the census of 2000, there are 162,453 people, 63,569 households, and 43,354 families residing in the county. The population density is 110/km² (284/mi²). There are 73,445 housing units at an average density of 50/km² (129/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 79.69% White, 15.93% African American, 0.43% Native American, 1.14% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.14% from other races, and 1.64% from two or more races. 3.01% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 63,569 households out of which 31.20% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.20% are married couples living together, 13.20% have a female householder with no husband present, and 31.80% are non-families. 27.10% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.80% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.49 and the average family size is 3.01.

In the county the population is spread out with 26.00% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.40% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females there are 94.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 89.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $38,567, and the median income for a family is $46,548. Males have a median income of $36,582 versus $23,800 for females. The per capita income for the county is $19,952. 12.70% of the population and 9.30% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 17.80% are under the age of 18 and 9.00% are 65 or older.

Cities and Towns

• Bainbridge Township
• Baroda Township
• Baroda
• Benton Harbor
• Benton Heights
• Benton Charter Township
• Berrien Springs
• Berrien Township
• Bertrand Township
• Bridgman
• Buchanan Township
• Buchanan
• Chikaming Township
• Coloma Charter Township
• Coloma
• Eau Claire
• Fair Plain
• Galien Township
• Galien
• Grand Beach
• Hagar Township
• Lake Michigan Beach
• Lake Charter Township
• Lincoln Charter Township
• Michiana
• New Buffalo Township
• New Buffalo
• Niles Township
• Niles
• Oronoko Charter Township
• Paw Paw Lake
• Pipestone Township
• Royalton Township
• Shoreham
• Shorewood-Tower Hills-Harbert
• Sodus Township
• St. Joseph Charter Township
• St. Joseph
• Stevensville
• Three Oaks Township
• Three Oaks
• Watervliet Township
• Watervliet
• Weesaw Township