Kalamazoo is the largest city in the southwest region of Michigan. It is the county seat of Kalamazoo County. Kalamazoo is located approximately halfway between Detroit and Chicago.
Yes, there really is a Kalamazoo--a unique name, immortalized in song and verse. The name is derived from the Native American name for the Kalamazoo River, which means "where the water boils in the pot." The concept is noted not only in the community's name but also in its cultural, industrial, and recreational makeup. Diversified industry from bedding plants to pharmaceuticals thrive here. Many recreational activities complete the picture.
The city is situated mainly on the southwest bank of a major bend in the Kalamazoo River, with a small portion, approximately 2.8 square miles, on the opposite bank. Several small tributaries of the river, including Arcadia Creek and Portage Creek, wind through the city. The terrain in the eastern portions of the city, nearest to the river, is generally low and flat, whilst in the western portions it becomes a series of low hills spreading out to the west and south. Several small lakes are found throughout the area.
It is an industrial and commercial center in a fertile farm area that produces celery, peppermint, and fruit. Kalamazoo has an important paper industry, along with other manufactures including hydraulic equipment, meat products, furniture, motor vehicle parts, and pharmaceuticals. Kalamazoo is the seat of Western Michigan Univ., Kalamazoo College, and Nazareth College. The city has a natural history museum, an art institute, a planetarium, an aviation museum, and a symphony orchestra.
Housing Cost
The city of Kalamazoo is commonly divided into twenty-two neighborhoods, many of which are served by a neighborhood association.
There is a great diversity in the character of the neighborhoods. Closer to the city center are historical residential areas such as Stuart, full of Victorian and Queen Anne homes. Neighborhoods in the south west corner of the city are home to the wealthier inhabitants and contain modern developments with more open spaces. The Central Business District and the neighborhoods to the south along Westnedge Avenue (Westnedge Hill, Southside, Vine, and South Westnedge) contain much of the area's retail shopping, mixed with a residential populace. Just west of downtown are the campuses of Kalamazoo College and Western Michigan University, surrounded by several blocks of student housing. Neighborhoods north and east of the city center tend to be lower income.
Estimated median house/condo value in 2005: $101,700
Demographics
Estimated population in July 2006: 72,161. Kalamazoo covers 24.7 square miles. It sits at an elevation of 780 feet above sea level.
Zip codes: 49001, 49004, 49006, 49007, 49008, 49009 - Area code: 269
Weather
Kalamazoo, MI climate is warm during summer when temperatures tend to be in the 70's and very cold during winter when temperatures tend to be in the 20's.
The warmest month of the year is July with an average maximum temperature of 84.20 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of the year is January with an average minimum temperature of 17.00 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperature variations between night and day tend to be moderate during summer with a difference that can reach 22 degrees Fahrenheit, and fairly limited during winter with an average difference of 15 degrees Fahrenheit.
The annual average precipitation at Kalamazoo is 37.41 Inches. Rainfall in is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The wettest month of the year is September with an average rainfall of 4.10 Inches.
Information provided by idcide.com and city data.com
