Dowagiac, Michigan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dowagiac, founded in 1848 is a city in Cass County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 6,147 at the 2000 census.
Dowagiac is situated at the corner of four townships: Wayne Township to the northeast, La Grange Township to the southeast, Pokagon Township to the southwest, and Silver Creek Township to the northeast.
The city is at the junction of M-51 and M-62. M-51 connects with Niles 17 miles to the southwest and with I-94 21 miles to the northeast. M-62 connects with Cassopolis eight miles to the southeast and with M-140 nine miles to the west.
The city name comes from the Potawatomi Indian word meaning, "foraging ground".
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[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.5 km² (4.0 mi²). 10.4 km² (4.0 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it (0.74%) is water.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 6,147 people, 2,421 households, and 1,542 families residing in the city. The population density was 590.4/km² (1,530.8/mi²). There were 2,631 housing units at an average density of 252.7/km² (655.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 76.95% White, 15.63% African American, 2.02% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 1.59% from other races, and 3.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.49% of the population.
There were 2,421 households out of which 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.1% were married couples living together, 18.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.3% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.1% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,926, and the median income for a family was $33,443. Males had a median income of $28,534 versus $22,282 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,659. About 14.3% of families and 17.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.6% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Transportation
- See also: Dowagiac (Amtrak station)
Air - Dowagiac Municipal Airport has a 4,700 foot long paved runway for private pilots & a turf runway as well.
Rail - Dowagiac is served by Amtrak trains with daily service to Chicago & Detroit. The historic depot is located at 100 Railroad Street in the downtown area. Baggage cannot be checked at this location; however, up to two suitcases in addition to any "personal items" such as briefcases, purses, laptop bags, and infant equipment are allowed on board as carry-ons.
[edit] Attractions
Dowagiac is also home to many of the lakes in The Sister Lakes Region, including Round, Little Crooked, Big Crooked, Cable, Dewey and Magician. A favorite of the people is the Driftwood, which is an ice cream parlor-arcade on Round Lake. Big Crooked Lake has the Lakeview Inn, a neighborhood watering hole for 30+ years. Dowagiac is home to one of the few remaining drive-in theatres: 5-Mile Drive-in (they have a website).
[edit] External links
