ZEELAND, MI

Zeeland is a city in Ottawa County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 5,719 at the 2020 census. The city is located at the western edge of Zeeland Charter Township. Its name is taken from the Dutch province of Zeeland.

History

In 1847, nearly 500 Dutch citizens sailed for America ostensibly to achieve religious freedom, although their decision to immigrate was probably also influenced by other factors, such as dire economic conditions in their home province of Zeeland, Netherlands and their opposition to modern scientific and social advances of the time.

The emigrants were led by James Van de Luyster, a wealthy landowner who sold his holdings in the Netherlands to advance money for the members to pay their debts and buy passage to America. Their settlement, some of land once occupied by the Odawa people, was named after their home province of Zeeland.

Van de Luyster arranged for three ships to sail for the United States. He came on the first ship, arriving on June 27, 1847. He was followed by the Steketee group on July 4, and Reverend Van Der Meulen's group on August 1 of that year. The total number of settlers was 457.

thumb|250px|Dutch settlements in Michigan.

The first building was a church. The town of Zeeland was platted in 1849, and the school district was organized the following year.

Within twenty-five years, Zeeland had acquired a sawmill, a wagon factory, blacksmith shops, grocery stores, and a post office.

The village officially became a city in 1907 with a population of almost 3,000. There was a two-story brick kindergarten building, a two-story brick grade school, and a brick house building. The city also had four furniture factories, one large manufacturing plant, and several mills and smaller manufacturing industries.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water. The town itself is located on a hill, giving the city a higher elevation compared to the surrounding township land. Much of the outlying areas contain farmland and forest.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the census of 2020, there were 5,719 people, 2,421 households, and 1,432 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 2,472 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 88.4% White, 1.3% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.6% Asian, 3.7% from other races, and 4.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.4% of the population.

There were 2,421 households, of which 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.8% were married couples living together, 30.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16% had a male householder with no wife present. 43.9% had someone living alone who was 60 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.89.

The median age in the city was 39.2 years. 21.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 52.7% were between the age of 18 and 64; and 25.4% were 65 years of age or older.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 5,504 people, 2,246 households, and 1,426 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 2,446 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 93.8% White, 1.1% African American, 0.4% Native American, 1.3% Asian, 1.3% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.4% of the population.

There were 2,246 households, of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.5% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.5% were non-families. 33.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 3.04.

The median age in the city was 38.8 years. 25.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.8% were from 25 to 44; 20.6% were from 45 to 64; and 22.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 44.8% male and 55.2% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 5,805 people, 2,283 households, and 1,490 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,927.7 per square mile (744.6/km²). There were 2,389 housing units at an average density of 793.3 per square mile (306.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.90% White, 0.59% African American, 0.14% Native American, 1.31% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 2.10% from other races, and 1.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.63% of the population.

There were 2,283 households, out of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.7% were non-families. 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the city, ages of the residents spanned a broad range with 26.2% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 16.1% from 45 to 64, and 23.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $45,611, and the median income for a family was $53,227. Males had a median income of $35,288 versus $26,913 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,801. About 2.8% of families and 4.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.8% of those under age 18 and 3.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education

thumb|right|250px|Zeeland West High School and athletic fields

;K-12 public schools

;Private schools

;School issues

Industry

Zeeland is home to several world-renowned companies. Those in the city of Zeeland include:

Media

Newspapers

Radio

Sports achievements

Notable people