Sturgis, Michigan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sturgis is a city in St. Joseph County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 19,285 at the 2000 census. The city is located at the northeast corner of Sturgis Township and at the intersection of US 12 and M-66.
Sturgis has been assigned a ZIP code of 49091.
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[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 15.4 km² (6.0 mi²), all land.
[edit] History
In 1827, Judge John Sturgis came to the St. Joseph Valley area in southern Michigan territory and settled in what is now Sturgis. The original site of his home can be seen at Pioneer Park, maintained by the City of Sturgis. The area's population grew in size and, in 1896, the town became a city. Sturgis is the home of a Ross Products division of Abbott Laboratories and was once the home for Kirsch Company. Located in Sturgis is Burr Oak Tool and Gauge, which claims to be the largest producer of fin lines, fin dies, expanders, benders, and single-tube cutoff machines in the world, and just north of Sturgis is Kirsch Municipal Airport.
Each year, in the third week of May, Sturgis serves as the kickoff city for Michigan Week. In the past, the Governor of Michigan John Engler had walked in the city's kickoff parade annually. The tradition continues as governor Granhom walked the parade route waving and giving kisses to little babies. Many other prominent political figures walk in the parade annually. These include State Representative from the 59th District Rick Schaffer, State Senator from the 16th District Cameron Brown, and 6th District U.S. Representative Fred Upton, the Ironman of the House.
The current mayor is Rob Sisson and the Vice Mayor Caralee Mayer.
Sturgis is a sister city to Wiesloch, Germany.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 11,285 people, 4,293 households, and 2,726 families residing in the city. The population density was 731.1/km² (1,894.5/mi²). There were 4,529 housing units at an average density of 293.4/km² (760.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.32% White, 1.23% African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.69% Asian, 4.79% from other races, and 1.62% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.28% of the population.
There were 4,293 households out of which 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.6% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.5% were non-families. 30.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.20.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.2% under the age of 18, 11.5% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 17.7% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 92.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $33,838, and the median income for a family was $43,381. Males had a median income of $29,508 versus $21,810 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,990. About 11.2% of families and 16.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.5% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Famous Natives
- Sturgis is the childhood home of Michael J. Williams, international counsel for the American Institutes for Research, one of the largest behavioral and social sciences research organizations in the world, based out of Washington, D.C.. He is a graduate of Sturgis High School.
- Actor Verne Troyer was born in Sturgis, but grew up in Centreville, Michigan.
- Current state senator Cameron Brown of the 16th Senate District of Michigan is from Sturgis.
- Tom Bodett, commercial spokesman for Motel 6, is from Sturgis.
- Perle Mesta was born in Sturgis.
[edit] Sources
- www.ci.sturgis.mi.us
- www.infomi.com/city/sturgis
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- City of Sturgis, Michigan
- Sturgis Michigan Online Book
- Sturgis Chamber of Commerce
- Sturgis Public Schools
- Sturgis Hospital
- Trinity Lutheran Church and School
