kids encyclopedia robot

Douglas, Michigan facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Douglas, Michigan
Motto(s): 
"The Village of Friendliness since 1870"
Location of Douglas, Michigan
Location of Douglas, Michigan
Country United States
State Michigan
County Allegan
Area
 • Total 2.01 sq mi (5.20 km2)
 • Land 1.78 sq mi (4.61 km2)
 • Water 0.23 sq mi (0.59 km2)
Elevation
610 ft (186 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 1,378
 • Density 775/sq mi (299.1/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
49406
Area code(s) 269
FIPS code 26-22740
GNIS feature ID 0624823
Website City of the Village of Douglas, Michigan

Douglas (officially known as the City of the Village of Douglas) is a city in Allegan County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,378 at the 2020 census. The city is surrounded by Saugatuck Township and the city of Saugatuck is adjacent on the north.

On December 13, 2004, residents voted to adopt a charter changing the status of the village into a city form of government. Under Michigan law, cities are independent entities whereas villages are part of the township. The official name is City of the Village of Douglas.

Neighourhoods

  • Beachmont is located on Lakeshore Drive along Lake Michigan.
  • Summer Grove is on Wiley Road half of a mile from Lake Michigan.

History

Douglas, originally known as Dudleyville, was first settled in 1851 as a lumber mill town. In 1861, residents changed the name to Douglas. Reportedly the name was chosen to honor the American statesman Stephen A. Douglas, but other reports indicate that a relative of the original owner of the land also suggested the name because he came from Douglas, the capital of the Isle of Man. Douglas was incorporated as a village in 1870.

Area sawmills provided much of the lumber used to rebuild Chicago after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. After most of the harvestable trees in the area were cleared by the lumber industry, the area became a center for growing and shipping fruit, especially peaches. Tourism and resorts also became an important part of the area economy.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.98 square miles (5.13 km2), of which 1.75 square miles (4.53 km2) is land and 0.23 square miles (0.60 km2) is water. The city has over 1.5 miles of coastline along the shores of Lake Michigan, and over two miles of frontage along the meandering Kalamazoo River and Lake Kalamazoo Harbor.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1880 522
1890 404 −22.6%
1900 444 9.9%
1910 485 9.2%
1920 305 −37.1%
1930 368 20.7%
1940 421 14.4%
1950 447 6.2%
1960 602 34.7%
1970 813 35.0%
1980 948 16.6%
1990 1,040 9.7%
2000 1,214 16.7%
2010 1,232 1.5%
2020 1,378 11.9%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 1,232 people, 645 households, and 279 families residing in the city. The population density was 704.0 inhabitants per square mile (271.8/km2). There were 1,075 housing units at an average density of 614.3 per square mile (237.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.2% White, 0.6% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.9% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.7% of the population.

There were 645 households, of which 15.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.3% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 56.7% were non-families. 46.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.82 and the average family size was 2.60.

The median age in the city was 54.3 years. 14% of residents were under the age of 18; 3.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 14.9% were from 25 to 44; 41.6% were from 45 to 64; and 26% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.0% male and 50.0% female.

Arts and culture

Douglas is well known for its impressive art galleries and dining options. Water Street Gallery, LaFontsee Galleries, Button Gallery, Kubiak Gallery and Lynn Newman Gallery are just a few of the well known stops for local and national artworks.

Notable person

  • George Washington Maher - early 20th century Prairie School style architect

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Douglas (Míchigan) para niños

kids search engine
Douglas, Michigan Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.