Kalamazoo, Michigan

Kalamazoo is a city located in Kalamazoo County in southwest Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 77,145. The name comes from a Potawatomi[?] term for "pot of boiling water," as bends in the Kalamazoo River had a close resemblance thereto. It is the county seat of Kalamazoo County⁶.

Some businesses with roots in Kalamazoo include:

• The Pharmacia & Upjohn Company(now owned by Pfizer), Pharmaceuticals
• A. M. Todd, Flavorings
• Kalsec, Flavorings
• Gibson Guitar Corp., Musical Instruments
• First of America of Michigan (now National City), Banking & Finance
• Checker Motors (now a division of GM), Automobiles
• Pro Co, Audio Equiptment

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 65.2 km² (25.2 mi²). 63.9 km² (24.7 mi²) of it is land and 1.3 km² (0.5 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.99% water.

Demographics As of the census of 2000, there are 77,145 people, 29,413 households, and 14,353 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,206.9/km² (3,125.4/mi²). There are 31,798 housing units at an average density of 497.5/km² (1,288.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 70.77% White, 20.64% African American, 0.58% Native American, 2.39% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 2.38% from other races, and 3.18% from two or more races. 4.28% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 29,413 households out of which 24.9% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 30.6% are married couples living together, 14.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 51.2% are non-families. 34.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.30 and the average family size is 2.99.

In the city the population is spread out with 20.3% under the age of 18, 27.6% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 15.2% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 26 years. For every 100 females there are 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 89.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $31,189, and the median income for a family is $42,438. Males have a median income of $32,160 versus $25,532 for females. The per capita income for the city is $16,897. 24.3% of the population and 13.6% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 26.0% are under the age of 18 and 11.3% are 65 or older.

Colleges and Universities Kalamazoo also houses a liberal arts college (Kalamazoo College) and a university (Western Michigan University) as well as Kalamazoo Valley Community College[?] and Davenport Business College[?].