Branch County
County
Lanphere-Pratt House in Coldwater.
Lanphere-Pratt House in Coldwater.
Official seal of Branch County
Seal
Map of Michigan highlighting Branch County
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Map of the United States highlighting Michigan
Michigan's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°55′N 85°03′W / 41.92°N 85.05°W / 41.92; -85.05
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
 (2020)
 • Total44,862
 • Density89/sq mi (34/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district5th
Websitehttps://www.countyofbranch.com/

Branch County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 44,862.[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 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. The only island in the county is Iyopawa Island.

Adjacent counties

Major highways

  • I-69 – runs north–south through central Branch County. Runs east of Girard, Coldwater and Kinderhook.
  • 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 (8.0 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 (3.9 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 (4.8 km) west of Coldwater.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
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%
202044,862−0.9%
US Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2018[2]

The 2010 United States Census[11] 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[11] 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 parties' founding. Since 1884, the Republican Party nominee has carried 85% of the elections (29 of 34).

United States presidential election results for Branch County, Michigan[12]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 14,064 68.36% 6,159 29.94% 350 1.70%
2016 11,786 66.73% 5,061 28.65% 816 4.62%
2012 10,035 58.52% 6,913 40.32% 199 1.16%
2008 9,534 52.14% 8,413 46.01% 338 1.85%
2004 10,784 60.02% 7,004 38.98% 179 1.00%
2000 8,743 55.40% 6,691 42.39% 349 2.21%
1996 6,321 42.70% 6,567 44.36% 1,917 12.95%
1992 5,976 36.02% 5,850 35.26% 4,767 28.73%
1988 9,225 63.48% 5,231 36.00% 75 0.52%
1984 11,004 73.63% 3,860 25.83% 81 0.54%
1980 10,224 62.99% 4,635 28.56% 1,371 8.45%
1976 8,251 55.74% 6,301 42.57% 250 1.69%
1972 8,388 62.01% 4,887 36.13% 251 1.86%
1968 7,071 55.88% 4,518 35.70% 1,065 8.42%
1964 5,110 39.21% 7,858 60.29% 66 0.51%
1960 8,752 64.41% 4,759 35.03% 76 0.56%
1956 8,856 69.49% 3,827 30.03% 61 0.48%
1952 9,215 71.52% 3,564 27.66% 105 0.81%
1948 6,323 63.06% 3,405 33.96% 299 2.98%
1944 7,155 67.44% 3,406 32.10% 48 0.45%
1940 7,400 62.90% 4,318 36.71% 46 0.39%
1936 5,528 48.60% 5,425 47.69% 422 3.71%
1932 4,663 43.83% 5,685 53.43% 292 2.74%
1928 6,818 74.51% 2,266 24.77% 66 0.72%
1924 6,016 64.67% 2,253 24.22% 1,033 11.11%
1920 5,704 69.72% 2,181 26.66% 296 3.62%
1916 3,100 48.77% 3,062 48.17% 194 3.05%
1912 1,865 30.11% 2,185 35.28% 2,143 34.60%
1908 3,715 57.48% 2,402 37.17% 346 5.35%
1904 4,385 69.72% 1,598 25.41% 306 4.87%
1900 4,293 54.73% 3,419 43.59% 132 1.68%
1896 3,596 46.58% 3,976 51.50% 148 1.92%
1892 3,271 49.68% 2,161 32.82% 1,152 17.50%
1888 4,098 55.36% 2,739 37.00% 566 7.65%
1884 3,671 52.08% 2,958 41.96% 420 5.96%

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

U.S. Census data map showing local municipal boundaries within Hillsdale County. Shaded areas represent incorporated cities.

Cities

Villages

Civil townships

Unincorporated communities

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Bibliography on Branch County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  2. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ↑ Johnson, Crisfield (1879). "History of Branch County MI". google.com.
  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. ↑ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  11. 1 2 "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
  12. ↑ US Election Atlas
  13. ↑ "County of Branch ::". www.countyofbranch.com. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  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. ↑ Branch County Government Website.
  20. ↑ "County of Branch ::". www.countyofbranch.com. Retrieved March 23, 2017.

41°55′N 85°03′W / 41.92°N 85.05°W / 41.92; -85.05

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