Kalamazoo, Michigan

Kalamazoo is a large city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the county seat of Kalamazoo County. As of 2020, the city had a total population of 73,598.[3]

Kalamazoo.jpg
Official logo of Kalamazoo, Michigan
 
Location within Kalamazoo County
Location within Kalamazoo County
Coordinates: 42°17′24″N 85°35′09″W / 42.29000°N 85.58583°W / 42.29000; -85.58583Coordinates: 42°17′24″N 85°35′09″W / 42.29000°N 85.58583°W / 42.29000; -85.58583
CountryUnited States
StateMichigan
CountyKalamazoo
Settled1829
Incorporated1843 (village)
1884 (city)
Government
 • TypeCity commission
Area
 • City25.14 sq mi (65.12 km2)
 • Land24.69 sq mi (63.96 km2)
 • Water0.45 sq mi (1.16 km2)
Elevation
784 ft (239 m)
Population
 • City73,598
 • Density2,980.69/sq mi (1,150.85/km2)
 • Urban
204,562 (US: 189th)[2]
 • Metro
261,108 (US: 189th)
 • CSA
500,670 (US: 89th)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP Code(s)
49001, 49003–49009, 49019, 49048
FIPS code26-42160[4]
GNIS feature ID0629439[5]
WebsiteOfficial website

Kalamazoo is home to Western Michigan University, Haworth College of Business, and Kalamazoo College.

On May 13, 1980, a F3 tornado tore through Kalamazoo, killing 5 people, injuring 79, and causing $50 million in damage.

In popular culture

Kalamazoo's name is used in song titles or lyrics to popular songs, because the way it sounds makes it a "great word for a lyric".[6] Probably the best known was (I've Got a Gal In) Kalamazoo" by the Glenn Miller band with Tex Beneke. This #1 popular song was written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren. It was performed by the band playing the part of the Glenn Miller Orchestra in the 1942 movie Orchestra Wives.[7] This was nominated: Best Music, Original Song in Academy Awards, Harry Warren (music), Mack Gordon (lyrics).

Sister cities

The city of Kalamazoo, Michigan has three sister cities.

Kalamazoo, Michigan Media

References

  1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  2. "List of 2020 Census Urban Areas". census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
  3. 3.0 3.1 "QuickFacts: Kalamazoo city, Michigan". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  4. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  5. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Kalamazoo, Michigan
  6. "Kalamazoo in song". The Straight Dope. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
  7. Lyrics, Glenn Miller "I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo".

Other websites