Charlotte, Michigan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Charlotte (Pronounced: Shar-lot[1]) is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 8,389. It is the county seat of Eaton County6.
Charlotte is in the central portion of the county, on the boundary between Eaton Township and Carmel Township, though politically independent of both. Interstate 69 serves the city, connecting with Interstate 96, 13 miles to the northeast, on the southwest side of Lansing, and with Interstate 94, 21 miles to the southwest, near Marshall. M-79 has its eastern terminus in the city, with Hastings 27 miles west. M-50 runs east-northwest through the city, with Eaton Rapids nine miles to the east and Jackson another 21 miles further. M-50 provides a northwest route to Grand Rapids, about 60 miles away.
Charlotte incorporated as a village on October 10, 1863 and as a city on March 29, 1871. It was designated as the county seat when Eaton County was organized in 1837; however, due to a lack of population and buildings, county functions were conducted at Bellevue until 1840. The city's name was reportedly that of early land-owner E. B. Bostwick's wife.
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[edit] Geography
Charlotte is situated on gently rolling prairie. The Battle Creek River has its northern bend in the south part of the city, entering from the southeast and exiting to the southwest. The northern part of the city is part of the Thornapple River watershed. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 15.5 km² (6.0 mi²). 15.5 km² (6.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.17% is water.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 8,389 people, 3,249 households, and 2,124 families residing in the city. The population density was 541.6/km² (1,403.8/mi²). There were 3,417 housing units at an average density of 220.6/km² (571.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.79% White, 0.94% African American, 0.55% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 1.07% from other races, and 1.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.46% of the population.
There were 3,249 households out of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.7% were married couples living together, 13.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.6% were non-families. 29.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.5% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 95.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $37,473, and the median income for a family was $45,759. Males had a median income of $31,573 versus $27,019 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,066. About 7.8% of families and 10.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.3% of those under age 18 and 11.2% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Education
Charlotte Public Schools has four elementary schools, a middle school and high school.
A parochial school run by the Church of Saint Mary also serves K-6 students.
There are two alternative education schools, Froebel and The Annex. In addition, special needs children are served by the Eaton Intermediate School District.
For post-secondary students, Olivet College is 10.4 miles to the south and Michigan State University is 25.2 miles to the north.
Further education/training can also be obtained at the Southridge Vocational Center.
[edit] External links
