64-529: Dowagiac ( / d ə ˈ w ɑː dʒ æ k / də- WAH -jak ) is a city in Cass County in the U.S. state of Michigan . The population was 5,721 at the 2020 census . It is part of the South Bend – Mishawaka , IN -MI, Metropolitan Statistical Area . Dowagiac is situated at the corner of four townships: Wayne Township to the northeast, LaGrange Township to the southeast, Pokagon Township to
128-458: A 235 acres (0.95 km) woods located in Cass, is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting Michigan's exceptional natural habitats and extraordinary and endangered plants and animals. The Dowagiac River flows from the stream which rises as the "Dowagiac Drain" in central Decatur Township in southern Van Buren County, Michigan. It is joined first by the "Red Run" and then by the "Lake of
192-653: A branch of the St. Joseph River . Although the Sauk Trail ( Chicago Road ) passed through the southern part of the county, early settlement did not come primarily from eastern Michigan. Instead, settlers from Ohio and Indiana migrated who had learned of available prairie lands, reaching the Michigan Territory via a branch of the Chicago Road leading from Fort Wayne, Indiana . The population of Cass County
256-428: A case for including Cass County as one of Michigan's " cabinet counties ". Cass County was not as heavily forested and had more fertile prairie land than other nearby areas of Michigan. During early settlement, it attracted numerous settlers who wanted to farm and grew more rapidly in population. The county quickly developed industry as well. As early as 1830, a carding mill was started in the county on Dowagiac Creek,
320-507: A combined question and a MENA category, while also collecting additional detail to enable data disaggregation. The OMB states, "many federal programs are put into effect based on the race data obtained from the decennial census (i.e., promoting equal employment opportunities; assessing racial disparities in health and environmental risks). Race data is also critical for the basic research behind many policy decisions. States require this data to meet legislative redistricting requirements. The data
384-430: A household in the county was $ 41,264, and the median income for a family was $ 46,901. Males had a median income of $ 35,546 versus $ 24,526 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 19,474. About 6.80% of families and 9.90% of the population were below the poverty line , including 13.60% of those under age 18 and 8.80% of those age 65 or over. Cass County is home to Southwestern Michigan College . The college
448-533: A person's origins considered in the census. Thus, in addition to their race or races, all respondents are categorized by membership in one of two ethnic categories, which are "Hispanic or Latino" and "Not Hispanic or Latino." However, the practice of separating "race" and "ethnicity" as different categories has been criticized both by the American Anthropological Association and members of US Commission on Civil Rights . In 1997,
512-524: A race. Enumerators were instructed that all people born in Mexico, or whose parents were born in Mexico, should be listed as Mexicans, and not under any other racial category. In prior censuses and in 1940, enumerators were instructed to list Mexican Americans as white, perhaps because some of them were of white background (mainly Spanish), many others mixed white and Native American and some of them Native American. The supplemental American Indian questionnaire
576-616: A social-political construct for the race or races that respondents consider themselves to be and, "generally reflect a social definition of race recognized in this country". The OMB defines the concept of race as outlined for the census to be not "scientific or anthropological", and takes into account "social and cultural characteristics as well as ancestry", using "appropriate scientific methodologies" that are not "primarily biological or genetic in reference." The race categories include both racial and national-origin groups. Race and ethnicity are considered separate and distinct identities, with
640-645: Is Cassopolis . Cass County is included in the South Bend – Mishawaka , IN -MI, Metropolitan Statistical Area which has a total population of 316,663 and is considered part of the Michiana region. The county is named for Lewis Cass , the Michigan Territorial Governor at the time the county was created in 1829. Cass later served as the United States Secretary of War under President Andrew Jackson , thus making
704-711: Is a public two-year institution of higher education, the college is part of the Michigan community college system. The college is the largest employer in Cass County. Cass County has several library system which operate in the county. The Cass District Library is the largest library in the county, have branch located in 4 cities around the county. Cass District Library is the library system which services Calvin , Howard , Jefferson , LaGrange , Mason , Milton , Newberg , Ontwa , Penn , Pokagon , Porter and Volinia Townships. The Dowagiac District Library serves
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#1732773340694768-534: Is from the Indian subcontinent ) were counted as White. There was a questionnaire that was asked of only a sample of respondents. These questions were as follows: Questions on Spanish or Hispanic Origin or Descent Is this person's origin or descent? Mexican Puerto Rican Cuban Central American Other Spanish No, none of these This year added several options to the race question, including Vietnamese, Indian (East), Guamanian, Samoan, and re-added Aleut. Again,
832-526: Is located at 200 Depot Drive 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 aboard as carry-ons. Also, this historical train depot is where the first orphans from the orphan train were dropped off and adopted. Dowagiac is served by the Dowagiac Union School District , consisting of
896-607: Is needed to monitor compliance with the Voting Rights Act by local jurisdictions". Data on ethnic groups are important for putting into effect a number of federal statutes (i.e., enforcing bilingual election rules under the Voting Rights Act and monitoring/enforcing equal employment opportunities under the Civil Rights Act ). Data on ethnic groups is also needed by local governments to run programs and meet legislative requirements (i.e., identifying segments of
960-450: 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 originally a Michigan Central, and later a Penn Central, train station. The building has been preserved and is maintained by the City of Dowagiac. Dowagiac is served by Amtrak trains with daily service to Chicago and Detroit . The historic depot
1024-485: The 2000 census , there were 51,104 people, 19,676 households, and 14,304 families living in the county. The population density was 104 inhabitants per square mile (40/km ). There were 23,884 housing units at an average density of 48 per square mile (19/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 89.19% White , 6.12% Black or African American , 0.82% Native American , 0.54% Asian , 0.01% Pacific Islander , 1.17% from other races , and 2.15% from two or more races. 2.41% of
1088-723: The Dewey Lake Monster . In 1854, Dowagiac was the final destination for the first group of orphans brought to the Midwest from New York City on the Orphan Train . According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 4.54 square miles (11.76 km), of which 4.46 square miles (11.55 km) is land and 0.08 square miles (0.21 km) is water. Dowagiac Woods Nature Sanctuary, commonly referred to as Dowagiac Woods ,
1152-562: The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 , which required residents and law enforcement even in free states to support capture of refugee slaves, and increased penalties for failure to do so. Biased toward slaveholders and slavecatchers, it required little documentation and put free blacks at risk for capture and sale into slavery. Many in the North resisted the law, especially in abolitionist strongholds, and it increased tensions contributing to
1216-856: The Fugitive Slave Law . Numerous highly supportive Quakers helped blacks settle in the area, and the land was low-priced. Free and refugee blacks found Cass County to be a haven, some with mixed Native ancestry, especially Saponi, Lumbee, and Pamunkey. Their development of a thriving community attracted the attention of southern slaveholders. In 1847 and 1849, planters from Bourbon and Boone counties in Northern Kentucky led raids into Cass County to recapture escaped slaves. They were "surrounded by crowds of angry farmers armed with clubs, scythes, and other farm implements", resisting their attempt. The raids failed to accomplish their objective but strengthened Southern demands for passage of
1280-470: The National Register of Historic Places and designated by state historical markers as of December 2009. According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 508 square miles (1,320 km ), of which 490 square miles (1,300 km ) is land and 18 square miles (47 km ) (3.6%) is water. It is the smallest county in Michigan by total area. The county government operates
1344-859: The Secretary of State , directed US Marshals to collect data from all 13 original states, and from the Southwest Territory . The census was not conducted in Vermont until 1791, after that state's admission to the Union as the 14th state on March 4 of that year. Some doubt surrounded the numbers, as President George Washington and Thomas Jefferson maintained the population was undercounted. The potential reasons Washington and Jefferson may have thought this could be refusal to participate, poor public transportation and roads, spread-out population, and restraints of current technology. No microdata from
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#17327733406941408-476: The US Constitution and applicable laws. The law required that every household be visited, that completed census schedules be posted in two of the most public places within each jurisdiction, remain for the inspection of all concerned, and that "the aggregate amount of each description of persons" for every district be transmitted to the president . The US Marshals were also responsible for governing
1472-603: The United States census , the US Census Bureau and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) define a set of self-identified categories of race and ethnicity chosen by residents, with which they most closely identify. Residents can indicate their origins alongside their race, and are asked specifically whether they are of Hispanic or Latino origin in a separate question. The racial categories represent
1536-515: The jail , maintains rural roads, operates the major local courts, keeps files of deeds and mortgages, maintains vital records , administers public health regulations, and participates with the state in the provision of welfare and other social services. The elected county board of commissioners controls the budget but has only limited authority to make laws or ordinances. In Michigan, most local government functions — police and fire, building and zoning, tax assessment, street maintenance, etc. — are
1600-417: The "Color or Race" question was slightly modified, removing the term "Mulatto". Also, there was an inclusion of an "Indian Population Schedule" in which "enumerators were instructed to use a special expanded questionnaire for American Indians living on reservations or in family groups off of reservations." This expanded version included the question "Fraction of person's lineage that is white." The 1910 census
1664-532: The 1790 population census are available, but aggregate data for small areas and their compatible cartographic boundary files, can be downloaded from the National Historical Geographic Information System . However, the categories of "Free white males" of 16 years and upward, including heads of families under 16 years, "Free white females", including heads of families, All other free persons, and "Slaves," existed in
1728-414: The 2000 and 2010 censuses. The following questions were asked of a sample of respondents for the 1990 census : The 1990 census was not designed to capture multiple racial responses, and when individuals marked the "other" race option and provided a multiple write-in. The response was assigned according to the race written first. "For example, a write-in of 'black-white' was assigned a code of 'black,' while
1792-749: The City of Dowagiac, Wayne Township, and portions of Silver Creek, Keeler, and Bainbridge townships. Marcellus Township also operates their own library apart from the Cass District library to service the residence of the village of Marcellus and the Township of Marcellus. Southwestern Michigan College operates the Fred Mathews Library on its Campus in Dowagiac. 41°55′N 85°59′W / 41.91°N 85.99°W / 41.91; -85.99 White (U.S. Census) In
1856-672: The Civil War. Cass County became known early on for the anti-slavery attitudes of its population. Pennsylvania Quakers made a settlement in Penn Township in 1829. This community later became a prominent station on the Underground Railroad . One established Underground Railroad route ran from Niles through Cassopolis, Schoolcraft , Climax , and Battle Creek , and thence along the old Territorial Road . Some 26 historical sites in Cass County have been listed on
1920-467: The OMB built on the 1997 guidelines and suggested the addition of a Middle Eastern or North African (MENA) racial category and considered combining racial and ethnic categories into one question. In March 2024, the Office of Management and Budget published revisions to Statistical Policy Directive No. 15: Standards for Maintaining, Collecting, and Presenting Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity that included
1984-405: The OMB issued a Federal Register notice regarding revisions to the standards for the classification of federal data on race and ethnicity. The OMB developed race and ethnic standards in order to provide "consistent data on race and ethnicity throughout the federal government ". The development of the data standards stem in large measure from new responsibilities to enforce civil rights laws. Among
Dowagiac, Michigan - Misplaced Pages Continue
2048-475: The Woods Drain" near the southern edge of Hamilton Township, it becomes the "Dowagiac River" before entering Wayne Township in Cass County. North of the city of Dowagiac, the river passes through the "Dowagiac Swamp". Just west of Dowagiac, the river is joined by its principal tributary, the "Dowagiac Creek". As of the census of 2010, there were 5,879 people, 2,337 households, and 1,463 families residing in
2112-426: The age of 18 living with them, 34.6% were married couples living together, 22.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.4% were non-families. 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.14. The median age in
2176-421: 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
2240-460: 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
2304-418: The census form. In 1800 and 1810, the age question regarding free white males was more detailed with five cohorts and included All other free persons, except "Indians not taxed", and "Slaves". The 1820 census built on the questions asked in 1810 by asking age questions about slaves. Also the term "colored" entered the census nomenclature. In addition, a question stating "Number of foreigners not naturalized"
2368-418: The census. About one-third of the original census data has been lost or destroyed since documentation. The data was lost in 1790–1830, and included data from Connecticut , Delaware , Georgia , Maine , Maryland , Massachusetts , New Hampshire , New Jersey , New York , North Carolina , Pennsylvania , Rhode Island , South Carolina , Vermont , and Virginia . However, the census was proven factual and
2432-483: The changes, The OMB issued the instruction to "mark one or more races" after noting evidence of increasing numbers of mixed-race children and wanting to record diversity in a measurable way after having received requests by people who wanted to be able to acknowledge theirs and their children's full ancestry, rather than identifying with only one group. Prior to this decision, the census and other government data collections asked people to report singular races. As of 2023,
2496-408: 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 aged 65 or over. Dowagiac Municipal Airport has a 4,700-foot (1,400 m) long paved runway for private pilots with a turf runway as well. The city is at the junction of M-51 and M-62 . M-51 connects with Niles 17 miles (27 km) to
2560-402: The city was 32 years. 29.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.5% were from 25 to 44; 22.3% were from 45 to 64; and 12.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.6% male and 52.4% female. As of the census of 2000, there were 6,147 people, 2,421 households, and 1,542 families residing in the city. The population density
2624-476: The city. The population density was 1,318.2 inhabitants per square mile (509.0/km). There were 2,674 housing units at an average density of 599.6 per square mile (231.5/km). The racial makeup of the city was 73.5% White , 14.3% African American , 3.0% Native American , 0.8% Asian , 2.4% from other races , and 6.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.4% of the population. There were 2,337 households, of which 36.6% had children under
Dowagiac, Michigan - Misplaced Pages Continue
2688-657: The decision and make sure the federal government treated Hispanics as white. The State Department, the Census Bureau, the Labor Department, and other government agencies therefore made sure to uniformly classify people of Mexican descent as white. This policy encouraged the League of United Latin American Citizens in its quest to minimize discrimination by asserting their whiteness. The 1940 census
2752-536: The design of the population questionnaire. Residents were still listed individually, but a new questionnaire sheet was used for each family. Additionally, this was the first year that the census distinguished among different Asian ethnic groups, such as Japanese and Chinese , due to increased immigration. This census also marked the beginning of the term "race" in the questionnaires. Enumerators were instructed to write "White", "Black", "Mulatto", " Quadroon ", "Octoroon", "Chinese", "Japanese", or " Indian ". During 1900,
2816-456: The existence of most of this data can be confirmed in many secondary sources pertaining to the first census. Census data included the name of the head of the family and categorized inhabitants as: free white males at least 16 years of age (to assess the country's industrial and military potential), free white males under 16 years of age, free white females, all other free persons (reported by sex and color), and slaves . Thomas Jefferson , then
2880-426: The following schools: Dowagiac is also home to Southwestern Michigan College . SMC is a two-year school that offers on-campus housing. 41°59′03″N 86°06′31″W / 41.98417°N 86.10861°W / 41.98417; -86.10861 Cass County, Michigan Cass County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan . As of the 2020 Census , the population was 51,589. Its county seat
2944-487: The free inhabitants schedule about color was a column that was to be left blank if a person were white, marked "B" if a person were black, and marked "M" if a person were mulatto . Slaves were listed by owner, and classified by gender and age, not individually, and the question about color was a column that was to be marked with a "B" if the slave were black and an "M" if mulatto. For 1890, the Census Office changed
3008-498: The nucleus of the village of Pokagon on Pokagon Prairie in 1825. The next year, a settlement was made on Beardsley's Prairie, where the village of Edwardsburg was laid out in 1831. The village of Cassopolis was platted in 1831 and intended as the county seat, because it was the geographical center of the county. It had no settlers at the time. After 1840, the black population of Cass County grew rapidly as families were attracted by white defiance of discriminatory laws, including
3072-553: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 26.6% were of German , 11.1% American , 10.3% Irish , 10.1% English and 5.0% Polish ancestry, 96.4% spoke only English , while 2.0% spoke Spanish at home. There were 19,676 households, out of which 31.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.20% were married couples living together, 9.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.30% were not family units. 22.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.40% had someone living alone who
3136-681: The population who may not be receiving medical services under the Public Health Service Act ; evaluating whether financial institutions are meeting the credit needs of minority populations under the Community Reinvestment Act ). The 1790 United States census was the first census in the history of the United States. The population of the United States was recorded as 3,929,214 as of Census Day, August 2, 1790, as mandated by Article I, Section 2 of
3200-451: The race of interracial persons. A person with both white and black ancestry (termed "blood") was to be recorded as "Negro", no matter the fraction of that lineage (the " one-drop rule "). A person of mixed black and American Indian ancestry was also to be recorded as "Neg" (for "Negro") unless they were considered to be "predominantly" American Indian and accepted as such within the community. A person with both white and American Indian ancestry
3264-511: The racial question, and also removed Hindu and Korean from the race choices. The 1960 census re-added the word "color" to the racial question, and changed "Indian" to "American Indian", as well as adding Hawaiian, Part-Hawaiian, Aleut, and Eskimo. The "Other (print out race)" option was removed. This year's census included "Negro or Black", re-added Korean and the Other race option. East Indians (the term used at that time for people whose ancestry
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#17327733406943328-481: The responsibility of individual cities and townships. (information as of July 2019) As of the 2010 United States Census , there were 52,293 people living in the county. 88.9% were White , 5.4% Black or African American , 1.0% Native American , 0.6% Asian , 1.1% of some other race and 3.0% of two or more races . 3.0% were Hispanic or Latino (of any race). 25.9% were of German , 10.0% English , 9.6% Irish , 8.1% American and 5.7% Polish ancestry. As of
3392-489: The southwest and with I-94 21 miles (34 km) to the northeast. M-62 connects with Cassopolis eight miles (13 km) to the southeast and with M-140 nine miles (14 km) to the west. 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
3456-620: The southwest, and Silver Creek Township to the northwest. The city name comes from the Potawatomi word dewje'og meaning "fishing [near home] water". Dowagiac is the headquarters of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians and is also contained within the reservation . Dowagiac was first platted in 1848. It was incorporated as a village in 1863 and as a city in 1877. Dowagiac gained national attention in June 1964 after police began investigating multiple reports of what became known as
3520-427: The term "color" was removed from the racial question, and the following questions were asked of a sample of respondents: Questions on Spanish or Hispanic Origin or Descent Is this person of Spanish/Hispanic origin or descent? No, not Spanish/Hispanic Yes, Mexican, Mexican American, Chicano Yes, Puerto Rican Yes, Cuban Yes, other Spanish/Hispanic The racial categories in this year are as they appear in
3584-454: Was 1,530.8 inhabitants per square mile (591.0/km). There were 2,631 housing units at an average density of 655.2 per square mile (253.0/km). 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
3648-443: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 2.98. In the county, 25.50% of the population was under the age of 18, 7.40% was from 18 to 24, 27.60% from 25 to 44, 26.00% from 45 to 64, and 13.60% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.40 males. The median income for
3712-443: Was back, but in abbreviated form. It featured a question asking if the person was of full or mixed American Indian ancestry. President Franklin D. Roosevelt promoted a Good Neighbor policy that sought better relations with Mexico. In 1935, a federal judge ruled that three Mexican immigrants were ineligible for citizenship because they were not white, as required by federal law. Mexico protested, and Roosevelt decided to circumvent
3776-423: Was included. In the 1830 census, a new question, which stated, "The number of White persons who were foreigners not naturalized" was included. The 1850 census had a dramatic shift in the way information about residents was collected. For the first time, free persons were listed individually instead of by head of household. Two questionnaires were used - one for free inhabitants and one for slaves. The question on
3840-843: Was more than 3,000 by 1834. Among the most prominent early settlers of Cass County were Baldwin Jenkins and Uzziel Putnam, who both came from Ohio by way of the Carey Mission in Berrien County . Jenkins had been born at Fort Jenkins in Green County, Pennsylvania , and had migrated to Tennessee . He left that state as he was opposed to the institution of slavery. Putnam, who had lived in Massachusetts and New York, migrated to Cass from Erie County, Ohio , by way of Fort Wayne. These settlers, and their families, established
3904-421: Was similar to 1910, but excluded a separate schedule for American Indians. "Hin", "Kor", and "Fil" were also added to the "Color or Race" question, signifying Hindu (Asian Indian), Korean, and Filipino, respectively. The biggest change in this census was in racial classification. Enumerators were instructed to no longer use the "Mulatto" classification. Instead, they were given special instructions for reporting
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#17327733406943968-538: Was similar to that of 1900, but it included a reinsertion of "Mulatto" and a question about the "mother tongue" of foreign-born individuals and individuals with foreign-born parents. "Ot" was also added to signify "other races", with space for a race to be written in. This decade's version of the Indian Population Schedule featured questions asking the individual's proportion of white, black, or American Indian lineage. The 1920 census questionnaire
4032-415: Was the first to include separate population and housing questionnaires. The race category of "Mexican" was eliminated in 1940, and the population of Mexican descent was counted with the white population. 1940 census data was used for Japanese American internment . The Census Bureau's role was denied for decades, but was finally proven in 2007. The 1950 census questionnaire removed the word "color" from
4096-410: Was to be recorded as American Indian, unless their Indigenous ancestry was small, and they were accepted as white within the community. In all situations in which a person had white and some other racial ancestry, they were to be reported as that other race. People who had minority interracial ancestry were to be reported as the race of their father. For the first and only time, "Mexican" was listed as
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