Dowagiac, Michigan
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| Dowagiac, Michigan | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Cass |
| Area | |
| - Total | 4.0 sq mi (10.5 km²) |
| - Land | 4.0 sq mi (10.4 km²) |
| - Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.1 km²) |
| Elevation | 761 ft (232 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Total | 6,147 |
| - Density | 1,530.8/sq mi (591.0/km²) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 49047 |
| Area code(s) | 269 |
| FIPS code | 26-22880[1] |
| GNIS feature ID | 0624843[2] |
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, LaGrange Township to the southeast, Pokagon Township to the southwest, and Silver Creek Township to the northwest.
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 4.0 square miles (10.5 km²), of which, 4.0 square miles (10.4 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.74%) is water.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 6,147 people, 2,421 households, and 1,542 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,530.8 per square mile (590.4/km²). There were 2,631 housing units at an average density of 655.2/sq mi (252.7/km²). 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)
[edit] Air
- Dowagiac Municipal Airport has a 4,700 foot long paved runway for private pilots & a turf runway as well.
[edit] Highways
[edit] Mass Transit
[edit] Bus
- One of the oldest dial-a-ride services in Michigan, Dowagiac DART began service in June 1975 with a three bus fleet. The service is provided to the community of Dowagiac with service extended out to Southwest Michigan College. The service is provided by the city administration and is operated from a multi-modal terminal located on an Amtrak line. In its former life, the building was a Grand Truck and Western train station. The building has been preserved and is carefully maintained by the City of Dowagiac.
[edit] 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 and dining
Dowagiac is home to one of the few remaining drive-in theaters in the area, if not the region - 5-Mile Drive-In Theater, located at the intersection of M-51 and M-152. It is named after its location, known to local residents as "Five Mile Corner" because it is five miles north of Dowagiac on M-51. Lutz's Drive-In Restaurant is located next to the theater, and is quite popular in the summer months.
Dowagiac is located in close proximity to the area known as Sister Lakes, providing a very popular summer vacation home for many Chicago-area residents who have cabins and homes on the various lakes. A favorite restaurant near Sister Lakes is The Driftwood, which is an ice cream parlor and arcade on Round Lake. Big Crooked Lake has the Lakeview Inn, a neighborhood watering hole for over 30 years. Other attractions in the area include the Ramona Roller Rink and Lakes Bowl.
Downtown Dowagiac has several popular restaurants and bars, including Zeke's Food and Spirits, where there is an assortment of 250+ brands of beer. Zeke's is home to the World Tour of Beers beer club. Also located downtown are the Round Oak Restaurant, Philo's Pub, The Wounded Minnow Saloon (named as an homage to the Heddon heritage), Wood Fire Italian Trattoria (featuring live jazz and blues three nights per week), and Saylor's Pizza, which bills itself as "Home of the $5 Pizza". Also at home in Dowagiac is Caruso's Candy & Soda Shoppe, family owned and operated since 1922. Fully operating old fashioned soda fountain, homemade candy, and lunch. Located in the center of beautiful downtown Dowagiac at 130 S. Front St.
[edit] Notable residents
James Heddon - Inventor of the artificial fishing lure. Billi Gordon -Model, Actor, Author, Television & Film Writer & Doctor of Functional Human Brain Research Greg Clary- Journalist, Chris Taylor - Olympic Medalist, Judith Ivey -Tony Award Winning Actress David "Sinbad" Adkins -Comedian
[edit] References
- ^ a b American FactFinder. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ US Board on Geographic Names. United States Geological Survey (2007-10-25). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
[edit] External links
- City of Dowagiac
- Dowagiac Area Federal Credit Union
- Dowagiac Daily News (newspaper)
- Dowagiac District Library
- Dowagiac Dogwood Fine Arts Festival
- Dowagiac Union Schools
- Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce
- Sister Lakes, Michigan
- Southwestern Michigan College
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