Kalamazoo, Michigan#Popular culture

{{Main|Etymology of Kalamazoo}}

Originally known as Bronson (after founder Titus Bronson) in the township of Arcadia, the names of both the city and the township were changed to "Kalamazoo" in 1836 and 1837, respectively.Living in Kalamazoo, Balls & Lassfalk, 1958{{full citation needed|date=February 2019}} The name "Kalamazoo" comes from a Potawatomi word, first found in a British report in 1772. The Kalamazoo River, which passes through the modern city of Kalamazoo, was located on the route between Detroit and Fort Saint Joseph (nowadays Niles, Michigan). French-Canadian traders, missionaries, and military personnel were quite familiar with this area during the French era and thereafter. The Kalamazoo River was then known by Canadians and French as La rivière Kikanamaso. The name "Kikanamaso" was also recorded by Father Pierre Potier, a Jesuit missionary for the Huron-Wendats at the Assumption mission (south shore of Detroit), while en route to Fort Saint Joseph during the fall of 1760.{{cite book |last = Potier |first = Pierre |date = 1996 |title = Les écrits de pierre potier, ed |location = Ottawa |publisher = University of Ottawa Press }}{{full citation needed|date=February 2019}} Legend has it that "Ki-ka-ma-sung", meaning "boiling water", referred to a footrace held each fall by local Native Americans, in which participants had to run to the river and back before a pot boiled.Kalamazoo and how it Grew...and Grew, Dunbar, 1959{{full citation needed|date=February 2019}}. The word negikanamazo, purported to mean "otter tail" or "stones like otters", has also been cited as a possible origin of the name.{{Cite book |url=https://pubs.usgs.gov/bul/0258/report.pdf |title=Origin of certain place names in the United States |last=Gannett |first=Henry |publisher=Government Printing Office |year=1905 |edition=Second |series=USGS Bulletin, No. 258, Series F-Geography |location=Washington |page=171 |language=en |type=Book, Internet Resource |oclc=1156805}} Another theory is that it means "the mirage or reflecting river".{{cite book |first1 = Walter |last1 = Romig |title = Michigan Place Names |location = Detroit |publisher = Wayne State University Press |year = 1986 |page = 297 }} Another legend is that the image of "boiling water" referred to fog on the river as seen from the hills above the current downtown. The name was also given to the river that flows almost all the way across the state.

The name Kalamazoo, which sounds unusual to English speakers, has become a metonym for exotic places, as in the phrase "from Timbuktu to Kalamazoo".{{cite journal |url=http://dsc.discovery.com/adventure/want-to-go-from-timbuktu-to-kalamazoo.html |title = Want To Go From Timbuktu to Kalamazoo? |first1 = Erik |last1 = Trinidad |journal = Discovery Channel |publisher = Discovery.com |date = August 8, 2011 |access-date = December 27, 2011 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111201120513/http://dsc.discovery.com/adventure/want-to-go-from-timbuktu-to-kalamazoo.html |archive-date = December 1, 2011 }} Today, T-shirts are sold in Kalamazoo with the phrase "Yes, there really is a Kalamazoo".{{cite web |url = http://store.kazoochamber.com/index.php?page=shop.cart&func=cartAdd&product_id=38&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=31 |title = "Yes, there really is a Kalamazoo" t-shirt, at Kalamazoo Chamber of Commerce. |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131212234747/http://store.kazoochamber.com/index.php?page=shop.cart&func=cartAdd&product_id=38&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=31 |archive-date = December 12, 2013 }} For many years, this was even adopted as the city's main slogan.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}}

The area on which the modern city of Kalamazoo stands was once home to Native Americans of the Hopewell tradition, who migrated into the area sometime before the first millennium. Evidence of their early residency remains in the form of a small mound in downtown's Bronson Park. The Hopewell civilization began to decline after the eighth century, and was replaced by other groups.{{cite book |last = Dunbar |first = Willis |title = Michigan: A History of the Wolverine State |publisher = Wm. B. Edermans |year = 1995 |location = Grand Rapids, MI |pages = 10–12 |isbn = 0-8028-7055-4 }} The Potawatomi culture lived in the area when the first European explorers arrived.

René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, passed just southeast of the present city of Kalamazoo in late March 1680. The first Europeans to reside in the area were itinerant fur traders in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Records exist of several traders wintering in the area, and by the 1820s, at least one trading post had been established.{{cite web |title = Michigan Centennial History |url = http://www.rootsweb.com/~mikalama/centhist1.htm |access-date = June 7, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071114084915/http://www.rootsweb.com/~mikalama/centhist1.htm |archive-date = November 14, 2007 }}{{cite web |title = Kalamazoo's First Residents: Our Native Americans |work = Kalamazoo Public Library: Local history |url = http://www.kpl.gov/collections/localhistory/allabout/general/Indians.aspx |access-date = June 7, 2007 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070830015728/http://www.kpl.gov/collections/localhistory/AllAbout/general/Indians.aspx |archive-date = August 30, 2007 }}

During the War of 1812, the British established a smithy and a prison camp in the area.

The 1821 Treaty of Chicago ceded the territory south of the Grand River to the United States federal government, but the area around present-day Kalamazoo was reserved as the village of Potawatomi Chief Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish. Six years later, as a result of the 1827 Treaty of St. Joseph, the tract that became the city of Kalamazoo was also ceded.

In 1829, Titus Bronson, originally from Connecticut, became the first white settler to build a cabin within the present city limits of Kalamazoo.{{cite web |title = Titus Bronson: Founder of Kalamazoo |work = Kalamazoo Public Library: Local history |url = http://www.kpl.gov/collections/LocalHistory/AllAbout/biography/TitusBronson.aspx |access-date = June 20, 2006 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060110014828/http://www.kpl.gov/collections/LocalHistory/AllAbout/biography/TitusBronson.aspx |archive-date = January 10, 2006 }} He platted the town in 1831 and named it the village of Bronson—not to be confused with the much smaller Bronson, Michigan, about {{convert|50|mi|km|spell=in}} to the south-southeast of Kalamazoo.

Bronson, frequently described as "eccentric" and argumentative, was later run out of town. The village was renamed Kalamazoo in 1836, due in part to Bronson's being fined for stealing a cherry tree.{{cite web |title = The History of Kalamazoo MI |work = Living in Kalamazoo |url = http://www.kalamazoomi.com/hisf.htm |access-date = June 20, 2006 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060706172104/http://www.kalamazoomi.com/hisf.htm |archive-date = July 6, 2006 }} Today, a hospital and a downtown park, among other things, are named for Bronson. Kalamazoo was legally incorporated as a village in 1838 and as a city in 1883.

The fertile farmlands attracted prosperous Yankee farmers who settled the surrounding area, and sent their sons to Kalamazoo to become businessmen, professionals, and entrepreneurs who started numerous factories.{{cite magazine |first1 = John T. |last1 = Houdek |first2 = Charles F. Jr. |last2 = Heller |title = The Emergence of Prosperous Farmers and Businessmen in Nineteenth-Century Kalamazoo County, Michigan |magazine = Michigan Historical Review |year = 2011 |volume = 37 |issue = 2 |pages = 53–78 }} Most of the original settlers of Kalamazoo were New Englanders or from upstate New York.{{cite book |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=qMXoj2IUNUUC&q=History+of+Kalamazoo+County%2C+Michigan+140&pg=PA140 |page = 140 |title = History of Kalamazoo County, Michigan |publisher = Everts & Abbott |location = Philadelphia |year = 1880 |access-date = October 29, 2014 }}

File:Labadie's souvenir of picturesque Kalamazoo (IA 3125273.0001.001.umich.edu).pdf

On August 27, 1856, Abraham Lincoln gave a speech in Kalamazoo during a campaign rally for John C. Fremont, the first Republican presidential candidate. The [https://quod.lib.umich.edu/l/lincoln/lincoln2/1:391?rgn=div1;view=fulltext text of the speech] was found by Lincoln historian Thomas I. Starr in a copy of the Detroit Daily Advertiser and published in a booklet. This was the only trip Lincoln ever made to Michigan.{{Cite journal |last=George |first=Tom M. |date=Summer 2012 |title="Mechem" or "Mack": How a One-Word Correction in the Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln Reveals the Truth About an 1856 Event |url=https://quod.lib.umich.edu/j/jala/2629860.0033.204/--mechem-or-mack-how-a-one-word-correction-in-the-collected?rgn=main;view=fulltext |journal=Journal of the Abraham Lincoln Association |volume=33 |issue=2 |pages=20–33|doi=10.5406/19457987.33.2.04 |doi-broken-date=April 10, 2025 }} In July 2022, a local nonprofit, the [https://kalamazoolincolninstitute.org/ Kalamazoo Abraham Lincoln Institute], was given permission by the city to place a statue of Lincoln in Bronson Park to commemorate the event.{{Cite news |last=Devereaux |first=Brad |date=July 5, 2022 |title=Abraham Lincoln statue approved for Bronson Park in Kalamazoo |work=MLive |url=https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/2022/07/abraham-lincoln-statue-approved-for-bronson-park-in-kalamazoo.html |access-date=July 7, 2022}}

In the 1940s, the city became the first to install curb cuts.{{cite web |url = http://americanhistory.si.edu/blog/smashing-barriers-access-disability-activism-and-curb-cuts |title = Smashing barriers to access: Disability activism and curb cuts |last = Peterson |first = Julie |date = July 15, 2015 |website = National Museum of American History |language = en |access-date = December 31, 2017 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180101135718/http://americanhistory.si.edu/blog/smashing-barriers-access-disability-activism-and-curb-cuts |archive-date = January 1, 2018 }}{{Cite news |url = https://thesurprisedpessimist.com/2016/06/02/the-kalamazoo-kerb-cuts/ |title = The Kalamazoo Kerb Cuts |date = June 2, 2016 |work = the surprised pessimist |access-date = December 31, 2017 |language = en-US |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180101140305/https://thesurprisedpessimist.com/2016/06/02/the-kalamazoo-kerb-cuts/ |archive-date = January 1, 2018 }}

In 1959, the city created the Kalamazoo Mall, the first outdoor pedestrian shopping mall in the United States, by closing part of Burdick Street to auto traffic. The mall was designed by Victor Gruen, who also designed the country's first enclosed shopping mall, which had opened three years earlier. Two of the mall's four blocks were reopened to auto traffic in 1999 after much debate.

An F3 tornado struck downtown Kalamazoo on May 13, 1980, killing five and injuring 79.{{cite web |title = Kalamazoo 1980 Tornado |work = Kalamazoo County, Michigan, Genealogy and Local History |url = http://www.rootsweb.com/~mikalama/tornado.htm |access-date = July 30, 2006 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070219071551/http://www.rootsweb.com/~mikalama/tornado.htm |archive-date = February 19, 2007 }}

On February 20, 2016, Kalamazoo became the site of a random series of shootings in which six people were killed.{{cite web |title = At Least 6 Killed In Series Of Shootings In Kalamazoo |url = https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/02/21/467531697/at-least-6-killed-3-injured-in-kalamazoo-mich-shootings |work = NPR |date = February 21, 2016 |access-date = February 22, 2016 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160222021614/http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/02/21/467531697/at-least-6-killed-3-injured-in-kalamazoo-mich-shootings |archive-date = February 22, 2016 }} A prime suspect was apprehended by police without incident.{{cite news |title = Kalamazoo, Michigan: Seven shot dead in 'random' attacks |url = https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-35624558 |work = BBC News |date = February 21, 2016 |access-date = February 21, 2016 |language = en-GB |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160222020645/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-35624558 |archive-date = February 22, 2016 }}

File:North Burdick Street, Kalamazoo, MI.jpg|North Burdick St. in 1908

File:Academy Street, Kalamazoo, MI.jpg|Academy St. in 1908

File:Old Public Library, Kalamazoo, MI.jpg|Old public library in 1908

File:Kalamazoo Paper Mills, Kalamazoo, MI.jpg|Paper mills in 1908

File:LocomotivCraneDerrickCarSRM.jpg derrick car (Sylvester Manufacturing Company, Kalamazoo Railway Supply Company). Mounted on a push car, pulled with a speeder or draisine.{{cite web |title = Welcome to Saskrailmuseum.org |work = Contact Us |date = September 11, 2008 |url = http://www.saskrailmuseum.org/ |access-date = October 3, 2008 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081015051856/http://www.saskrailmuseum.org/ |archive-date = October 15, 2008 }}

]]

In the past, Kalamazoo was known for its production of windmills, mandolins, buggies, automobiles, cigars, stoves, and paper and paper products. Agriculturally, it once was noted for celery. Although much of it has become suburbanized, the surrounding area still produces farm crops, primarily corn and soybeans. Many landmarks and hiking trails are still based around the past celery industry.

Kalamazoo was the original home of Gibson Guitar Corporation, which spawned the still-local Heritage Guitars. The company was incorporated as "Gibson Mandolin - Guitar Co., Ltd" on October 11, 1902, by craftsman Orville Gibson. One budget model was named the Gibson Kalamazoo "Melody Maker" Electric Guitar. Operations were moved gradually from Kalamazoo to Memphis, Tennessee (Electric Division) and Bozeman, Montana (Acoustic Division) in the 1980s. Some workers from the original factory stayed in Kalamazoo to create the Heritage Guitars company.{{cite web |url = http://www.heritageguitar.com/ |title = Heritage Guitar Inc., of Kalamazoo |work = heritageguitar.com |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140517185252/http://heritageguitar.com/ |archive-date = May 17, 2014 |access-date = December 28, 2012 }}

Kalamazoo was once known as the "Paper City" because of the paper mills in and near the city. The Allied Paper Corporation operated several mills and employed 1,300 people in Kalamazoo during the late 1960s. As the forests of West Michigan were logged, paper mills closed.{{cite news |title = Paper Industry Provides 25% of City's Employment |work = Kalamazoo News |date = July 18, 1940 }}{{page needed|date=February 2019}}{{cite news |title = This is Still the Paper City |first = Al |last = Jones |work = Kalamazoo Gazette |date = March 14, 1999 }}{{page needed|date=February 2019}}

Early in the 20th century, Kalamazoo was home to the Brass Era car company Barley.

Kalamazoo was also headquarters of the Checker Motors Company, the former manufacturer of the Checker Cab, which also stamped sheet-metal parts for other auto manufacturers. Checker closed on June 25, 2009, a victim of the Late-2000s recession.

Most of Kalamazoo is on the southwest bank of a major bend in the Kalamazoo River, with a small portion, about {{convert|2.8|sqmi|km2}}, on the opposite bank. Several small tributaries of the Kalamazoo River, including Arcadia Creek and Portage Creek, wind through the city. The northeastern portion of Kalamazoo sits in the broad, flat Kalamazoo Valley, while the western portions of Kalamazoo climb into low hills to the west and south. Several small lakes are found throughout the area. It is halfway between Detroit and Chicago along I-94. In addition, it is {{convert|50|mi|abbr=on}} south of Grand Rapids and {{convert|75|mi|abbr=on}} southwest of Lansing.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Kalamazoo has a total area of {{convert|25.11|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|0.43|sqmi|sqkm|2|abbr=on}} is covered by water.{{cite web |title = US Gazetteer files 2010 |url = https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110220065340/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |url-status = dead |archive-date = February 20, 2011 |publisher = United States Census Bureau |access-date = November 25, 2012 }}

Kalamazoo's suburban population is located primarily to the south, in the city of Portage, and to the west in Oshtemo and Texas townships.

At least part of the municipal water supply for Kalamazoo is provided by the watershed contained within the Al Sabo Preserve{{cite web |url = http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=42.22516&lon=-85.67227&datum=nad27&u=4&layer=DRG&size=l&s=50 |title = Map |work = topozone.com |access-date = July 21, 2015 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140724060217/http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=42.22516&lon=-85.67227&datum=nad27&u=4&layer=DRG&size=l&s=50 |archive-date = July 24, 2014 }} in Texas Charter Township, Michigan, immediately southwest of Kalamazoo.

Another watershed, Kleinstuck Marsh,{{Cite web|url=https://www.topozone.com/map/|title=State Topo Maps|website=TopoZone.com|access-date=March 10, 2022}} is popular with hikers and birdwatchers. Kleinstuck Marsh is south of Maple Street, between Oakland Drive and Westnedge Avenue, Kalamazoo's major north–south artery.

File:Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020) - Kalamazoo Area, MI(ThreadEx).svg

Kalamazoo has a humid continental (Köppen Dfa) climate. Summers can be hot, humid, and relatively long, from May to September. Tornadoes are rare but possible in Kalamazoo. In fact, in 1980, a major tornado ripped through downtown Kalamazoo, causing extensive damage. In winter, temperatures occasionally plummet below 0°F (-18°). Kalamazoo has been known for brutal snowstorms as late as early April, but winter days have no snow on the ground at all. Lake-effect snowstorms are commonplace in the winter.

{{Weather box|width=auto

|location = Kalamazoo Battle Ck Intl Ap, MI, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1887-present

|single line = Y

|Jan record high F = 67

|Feb record high F = 71

|Mar record high F = 85

|Apr record high F = 89

|May record high F = 96

|Jun record high F = 102

|Jul record high F = 109

|Aug record high F = 104

|Sep record high F = 100

|Oct record high F = 90

|Nov record high F = 81

|Dec record high F = 69

|year record high F = 109

|Jan avg record high F = 51.9

|Feb avg record high F = 54.6

|Mar avg record high F = 69.9

|Apr avg record high F = 80.0

|May avg record high F = 86.5

|Jun avg record high F = 92.1

|Jul avg record high F = 93.0

|Aug avg record high F = 91.8

|Sep avg record high F = 89.6

|Oct avg record high F = 80.4

|Nov avg record high F = 66.0

|Dec avg record high F = 55.5

|year avg record high F = 94.9

|Jan high F = 31.5

|Feb high F = 34.7

|Mar high F = 45.9

|Apr high F = 59.3

|May high F = 70.3

|Jun high F = 79.5

|Jul high F = 83.1

|Aug high F = 81.1

|Sep high F = 74.1

|Oct high F = 61.3

|Nov high F = 47.6

|Dec high F = 36.5

|year high F = 58.7

|Jan mean F = 24.8

|Feb mean F = 27.1

|Mar mean F = 36.6

|Apr mean F = 48.5

|May mean F = 59.5

|Jun mean F = 68.8

|Jul mean F = 72.6

|Aug mean F = 70.8

|Sep mean F = 63.3

|Oct mean F = 51.6

|Nov mean F = 40.1

|Dec mean F = 30.4

|year mean F = 49.5

|Jan low F = 18.1

|Feb low F = 19.5

|Mar low F = 27.3

|Apr low F = 37.7

|May low F = 48.7

|Jun low F = 58.1

|Jul low F = 62.0

|Aug low F = 60.4

|Sep low F = 52.5

|Oct low F = 41.9

|Nov low F = 32.5

|Dec low F = 24.2

|year low F = 40.2

|Jan avg record low F = -2.5

|Feb avg record low F = 1.5

|Mar avg record low F = 8.4

|Apr avg record low F = 23.7

|May avg record low F = 33.6

|Jun avg record low F = 43.8

|Jul avg record low F = 50.7

|Aug avg record low F = 48.8

|Sep avg record low F = 39.1

|Oct avg record low F = 29.0

|Nov avg record low F = 19.0

|Dec avg record low F = 6.8

|year avg record low F = -6.4

|Jan record low F = -20

|Feb record low F = -22

|Mar record low F = -12

|Apr record low F = 6

|May record low F = 24

|Jun record low F = 34

|Jul record low F = 39

|Aug record low F = 36

|Sep record low F = 29

|Oct record low F = 17

|Nov record low F = -7

|Dec record low F = -14

|year record low F = -22

|precipitation color = green

|Jan precipitation inch = 1.70

|Feb precipitation inch = 1.34

|Mar precipitation inch = 2.01

|Apr precipitation inch = 3.07

|May precipitation inch = 3.70

|Jun precipitation inch = 3.20

|Jul precipitation inch = 3.36

|Aug precipitation inch = 3.66

|Sep precipitation inch = 3.27

|Oct precipitation inch = 3.74

|Nov precipitation inch = 2.50

|Dec precipitation inch = 1.68

|year precipitation inch = 33.23

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

|Jan precipitation days = 11.5

|Feb precipitation days = 9.2

|Mar precipitation days = 10.7

|Apr precipitation days = 12.6

|May precipitation days = 13.3

|Jun precipitation days = 11.7

|Jul precipitation days = 10.4

|Aug precipitation days = 12.0

|Sep precipitation days = 12.0

|Oct precipitation days = 13.2

|Nov precipitation days = 11.0

|Dec precipitation days = 12.5

|year precipitation days = 140.1

|source 1 = NOAA

{{cite web

|url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=grr

|title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|access-date = May 7, 2021}}

{{cite web

|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USW00094815&format=pdf

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|title = Station: Kalamazoo Battle CK INTL AP, MI

|work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020)

|access-date = May 8, 2021

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240305025033/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USW00094815&format=pdf

|archive-date = March 5, 2024}}

}}

{{US Census population

|1840= 1290

|1850= 2507

|1860= 6070

|1870= 9181

|1880= 11937

|1890= 17853

|1900= 24404

|1910= 39437

|1920= 48487

|1930= 54786

|1940= 54097

|1950= 57704

|1960= 82189

|1970= 85555

|1980= 79722

|1990= 80277

|2000= 76145

|2010= 74262

|2020= 73598

|align-fn=center

|footnote=[https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html U.S. Decennial Census]
2018 Estimate{{cite web|title=Population Estimates|url=https://census.gov/data/tables/2018/demo/popest/total-cities-and-towns.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=June 8, 2018}}

{{cite web|url = https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/table/PST045216/2642160,00|title = U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Kalamazoo city, Michigan; UNITED STATES|website = Census Bureau QuickFacts|access-date = April 27, 2018 }}

}}

As of 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $31,189, and the median income for a family was $42,438. Males had a median income of $32,160 versus $25,532 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,897. About 13.6% of families and 24.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.0% of those under age 18 and 11.3% of those age 65 or over.

As of the census{{cite web |title = U.S. Census website |url = https://www.census.gov |publisher = United States Census Bureau |access-date = November 25, 2012 }} of 2010, there were 74,262 people, 29,141 households, and 13,453 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|3009.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 32,433 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1314.1|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 68.1% White, 22.2% African American, 0.5% Native American, 1.7% Asian, 2.8% from other races, and 4.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 6.4% of the population.

There were 29,141 households, of which 25.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 26.1% were married couples living together, 15.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 53.8% were non-families. 36.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 3.04.

The median age in the city was 26.2 years. 20.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 27% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.9% were from 25 to 44; 18.2% were from 45 to 64; and 9.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.3% male and 50.7% female.

File:Kalamazoo Neighborhoods Numbered.jpg

{{Main|Neighborhoods of Kalamazoo, Michigan}}

The city of Kalamazoo is commonly divided into 22 neighborhoods, many of which are served by a neighborhood association. The Neighborhood Development Division of the city's government works with these associations to invest federal, state, and local funds, including those from the Community Development Block Grant program, in community improvements and economic growth.

File:Hotelkalamazoo.jpg in Kalamazoo is a popular site for conventions.]]

In 2007, Kalamazoo was named to Fast Company's 'Fast 50: Most Innovative Companies 2007',{{cite news |last = Park |first = Andrew |date = December 20, 2007 |title = 18_KALAMAZOO - MICHIGAN, A city using "Community Capitalism" to restore itself |url = http://www.fastcompany.com/node/99116 |newspaper = Fast Company |access-date = January 11, 2015 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150111070404/http://www.fastcompany.com/node/99116 |archive-date = January 11, 2015 }} in recognition of the city's community capitalism approach to revitalize the economy. In 2012 Kiplinger's Personal Finance ranked Kalamazoo fourth of the Ten Best Cities for Cheapskates.{{cite web |url = http://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/10-best-cities-for-cheapskates/8.html |title = 10 Best Cities for Cheapskates |publisher = Kiplinger |access-date = May 22, 2012 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120604233959/http://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/10-best-cities-for-cheapskates/8.html |archive-date = June 4, 2012 }} The city was named in NerdWallet.com's 2014 'Top 10 Best Cities for Work-Life Balance'.{{cite news |last = Raghavan |first = Divya |title = Best Cities for Work-Life Balance |url = http://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/cities/best-cities-work-life-balance-2/ |newspaper = NerdWallet.com |access-date = January 11, 2015 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150111080104/http://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/cities/best-cities-work-life-balance-2/ |archive-date = January 11, 2015 }}{{cite news |last = Dill |first = Kathryn |date = August 5, 2014 |title = The Best And Worst Cities For Work-Life Balance |url = https://www.forbes.com/sites/kathryndill/2014/08/05/the-best-and-worst-cities-for-work-life-balance/ |newspaper = Forbes |access-date = January 11, 2015 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150209013644/http://www.forbes.com/sites/kathryndill/2014/08/05/the-best-and-worst-cities-for-work-life-balance/ |archive-date = February 9, 2015 }}

Kalamazoo has many local breweries and brewpubs that produce a variety of beer styles.

Perhaps the best-known is Bell's Brewery, established as the Kalamazoo Brewing Company in 1985 by Larry Bell.{{cite web |url = http://www.bellsbeer.com/ |title = Bell's Brewery, Inc. :: Home |work = bellsbeer.com |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160329114941/http://bellsbeer.com/ |archive-date = March 29, 2016 |access-date = December 28, 2012 }} The brewery has expanded from its original Kalamazoo location, which houses the Eccentric Cafe, to another brewery in nearby Comstock Charter Township. Bell's beer is distributed to 40 US states, Washington DC and Puerto Rico.{{Cite web|url=https://bellsbeer.com/beer-finder/|title=Beer Finder|website=Bellsbeer.com|access-date=March 10, 2022}}{{cite news |last = Monacelli |first = Emily |date = March 17, 2017 |title = Bell's Brewery to distribute to New Mexico in 2017 |url = http://www.mlive.com/beer/2017/03/bells_brewery_to_distribute_to_2.html |work = MLive.com |publisher = Booth Newspapers |access-date = April 13, 2017 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170317220756/http://www.mlive.com/beer/2017/03/bells_brewery_to_distribute_to_2.html |archive-date = March 17, 2017 }} Other local breweries include Tibb's Brewing Company,{{cite news |last = Monacelli |first = Emily |date = December 6, 2013 |title = Tibbs Brewing Co. owners 'excited to finally be open and serving people' in Kalamazoo |url = http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2013/12/tibbs_brewing_co.html |newspaper = MLive.com |publisher = Booth Newspapers |access-date = November 29, 2014 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141101221501/http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2013/12/tibbs_brewing_co.html |archive-date = November 1, 2014 }} Rupert's Brewhouse {{small |(2013-2019)}},{{cite news |last = Monacelli |first = Emily |date = October 25, 2013 |title = Rupert's Brew House opens Friday in downtown Kalamazoo with 7 beers on tap, live music |url = http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2013/10/ruperts_brew_house_opens_frida.html |newspaper = MLive.com |publisher = Booth Newspapers |access-date = November 29, 2014 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141205010356/http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2013/10/ruperts_brew_house_opens_frida.html |archive-date = December 5, 2014 }}{{cite news |last=Lippe |first=Emil|date=September 10, 2019 |title= Rupert's Brew House closes; owner hopes to open Kalamazoo cannabis club|url=https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/2019/09/ruperts-brew-house-closes-owner-hopes-to-open-kalamazoo-cannabis-club.html|work=mlive.com |location=Kalamazoo, MI, USA |access-date=September 29, 2019 }} Boatyard Brewing Co. {{small |(2014-2019)}},{{cite news |last = Jones |first = Al |date = June 21, 2014 |title = Beer lovers tip a glass to officially open Boatyard Brewing Co. in Kalamazoo |url = http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2014/06/patrons_tip_a_glass_to_officia.html |newspaper = MLive.com |publisher = Booth Newspapers |access-date = November 29, 2014 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141205005817/http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2014/06/patrons_tip_a_glass_to_officia.html |archive-date = December 5, 2014 }}{{cite news |last= Miller|first=Kayla |date= August 13, 2019|title=Kalamazoo's Boatyard Brewing closing; owners urge support for local brewers |url= https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/2019/08/kalamazoos-boatyard-brewing-closing-owners-urge-support-for-local-brewers.html|work= mlive.com|location= Kalamazoo, MI, USA|access-date=September 29, 2019 }} One Well Brewing,{{cite news |last = Monacelli |first = Emily |date = November 24, 2014 |title = One Well Brewing opens Friday in Kalamazoo with a neighborhood bar feel |url = http://www.mlive.com/beer/2014/11/one_well_brewing_1.html |newspaper = MLive.com |publisher = Booth Newspapers |access-date = November 29, 2014 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141128083317/http://www.mlive.com/beer/2014/11/one_well_brewing_1.html |archive-date = November 28, 2014 }} and Latitude 42 Brewing Company, the latter in the southern suburb of Portage. On a smaller scale, Olde Peninsula Brewpub, Bravo! restaurant, and Bilbo's Pizza and Brewing Company{{cite news |last = Barr |first = Jeff |date = March 7, 2009 |title = 'Be smart ... be brave': Bilbo's Pizza partners share their recipe for success |url = http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2009/03/staying_power_bilbos_story_goe.html |work = Kalamazoo Gazette |access-date = April 13, 2017 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170904203343/http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2009/03/staying_power_bilbos_story_goe.html |archive-date = September 4, 2017 }} serve their own brews. The area is also a hotbed for home brewing and partners with neighboring Grand Rapids to form what is widely considered one of America's more important regions in American craft beer explosion. In recent years, at least two community events have evolved from the growing craft beer industry in the Kalamazoo area (Kalamazoo Beer Week (annual),{{cite news |last = Evans |first = Pat |date = January 7, 2015 |title = Breweries descend on Beer Week |newspaper = Grand Rapids Business Journal }} Kalamazoo Craft Beer Festival{{cite news |last = Wetterholt |first = Rob Jr. |date = November 1, 2014 |title = Kalamazoo Craft Beer festival educates consumers, brings brewers together to share ideas and techniques |url = http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2014/11/kalamazoo_craft_beer_festival.html |newspaper = MLive.com |publisher = Booth Newspapers |access-date = January 9, 2015 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150109154330/http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2014/11/kalamazoo_craft_beer_festival.html |archive-date = January 9, 2015 }}). In 2015, the Give a Craft beer trail and passport were introduced.{{cite news |last = Monacelli |first = Emily |date = May 18, 2015 |title = New Kalamazoo Beer Trail to Promote Craft Brewers |url = http://www.mlive.com/beer/2015/05/new_kalamazoo_beer_trail_to_pr.html |newspaper = MLive.com |publisher = Booth Newspapers |access-date = May 24, 2015 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150524174706/http://www.mlive.com/beer/2015/05/new_kalamazoo_beer_trail_to_pr.html |archive-date = May 24, 2015 }} A shuttle bus (Kalamazoo Brew Bus) service{{cite news |last = Jones |first = Al |date = September 3, 2016 |title = Kalamazoo Brew Bus offers new shuttle service to downtown brew pubs |url = http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2016/09/kalamazoo_brew_bus_offers_new.html |work = MLive.com |publisher = Booth Newspapers |access-date = April 13, 2017 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170419112005/http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2016/09/kalamazoo_brew_bus_offers_new.html |archive-date = April 19, 2017 }} and party bike tour service{{cite news |last = Jones |first = Al |date = September 12, 2016 |title = Party bike tours to get moving in downtown Kalamazoo with P3 Tours |url = http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2016/09/pedal_pub_tours_get_moving_in.html |work = MLive.com |publisher = Booth Newspapers |access-date = April 13, 2017 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170405011414/http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2016/09/pedal_pub_tours_get_moving_in.html |archive-date = April 5, 2017 }} became available in 2016.

File:Olde Peninsula.jpg

In 2015, Rupert's Brew House entered the Kalamazoo craft spirits market.{{cite news |last = Monacelli |first = Emily |date = January 29, 2015 |title = Rupert's Brew House becomes first Kalamazoo County business to distill spirits, make craft beer and cider |url = http://www.mlive.com/beer/2015/01/ruperts_brew_house_distilling.html |newspaper = MLive.com |publisher = Booth Newspapers |access-date = March 20, 2015 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150327052051/http://www.mlive.com/beer/2015/01/ruperts_brew_house_distilling.html |archive-date = March 27, 2015 }} Two additional distilleries, Green Door Distilling, formerly Revival Distilling{{cite news |last = Monacelli |first = Emily |date = September 8, 2015 |title = Green Door Distilling Co. gets local approval for Kalamazoo northside location |url = http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2015/09/green_door_distilling_co_gets.html |newspaper = MLive.com |publisher = Booth Newspapers |access-date = October 10, 2015 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151016091141/http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2015/09/green_door_distilling_co_gets.html |archive-date = October 16, 2015 }} and Kalamazoo Distilling Company, are in the licensing stage.{{cite news |last = Feinberg |first = Robbie |date = February 18, 2015 |title = Craft Spirits Ready to Boom in Kalamazoo |url = http://wmuk.org/post/craft-spirits-ready-boom-kalamazoo |publisher = WMUK-FM |location = Kalamazoo, MI |access-date = March 20, 2015 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150402151123/http://wmuk.org/post/craft-spirits-ready-boom-kalamazoo |archive-date = April 2, 2015 }}

The A.M. Todd Company, one of the lead producers of peppermint oil and other flavorings, is headquartered in Kalamazoo.{{Cite web|url=http://www.amtbotanicals.com/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801004827/http://www.amtbotanicals.com/|url-status=dead|title=Folexco/ East Earth Herb|archive-date=August 1, 2015|access-date=March 10, 2022}} Its founder, Albert M. Todd, was elected to the United States House of Representatives for the 55th Congress.

Kalamazoo is also home to Kalsec, another flavorings company, which was founded by Paul H. Todd Jr., Albert Todd's grandson and U.S. Representative in the 89th Congress. Founded as the Kalamazoo Spice Extraction Company, Kalsec is owned and managed by Todd family descendants.{{cite web |url = http://www.kalsec.com/ |title = Kalsec - Natural Flavors, Colors, and Extracts |work = kalsec.com |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20051029075455/http://www.kalsec.com/ |archive-date = October 29, 2005 |access-date = November 10, 2005 }}

Stryker Corporation is Kalamazoo-based and makes medical equipment.{{cite news |agency = Associated Press |title = Kalamazoo-based Stryker to buy California surgical business |url = http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20140102/NEWS01/140109994/kalamazoo-based-stryker-to-buy-california-surgical-business |newspaper = Crain's Detroit Business |date = January 2, 2014 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180428180730/http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20140102/NEWS01/140109994/kalamazoo-based-stryker-to-buy-california-surgical-business |archive-date = April 28, 2018 }}

Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet designs and manufactures outdoor kitchen equipment.{{cite web |url = http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2012/07/kalamazoo_outdoor_gourmet_name.html |title = Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet |date = July 28, 2012 |access-date = February 1, 2013 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130524180958/http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2012/07/kalamazoo_outdoor_gourmet_name.html |archive-date = May 24, 2013 }}

Fabri-Kal, a supplier of food service and other containers produced from thermoform plastic or plant-based materials (Greenware product line), has operated corporate headquarters in Kalamazoo since the 1960s.{{cite news |last = Bregar |first = Bill |date = April 11, 2012 |title = Kittredge's Fabri-Kal more than family biz |url = http://www.plasticsnews.com/article/20120411/NEWS/304119929/kittredges-fabri-kal-more-than-family-biz |newspaper = Plastics News |access-date = May 25, 2015 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150512141023/http://www.plasticsnews.com/article/20120411/NEWS/304119929/kittredges-fabri-kal-more-than-family-biz |archive-date = May 12, 2015 }} The company closed the Kalamazoo-based manufacturing facilities in 1991, but returned and expanded manufacturing capacity in 2008 with the opening of a LEED-certified {{convert|400,000|sqfoot|sqm}} facility. In recent years, the company's product lines have introduced sustainable and plant-based materials,{{cite news |last = Lauzon |first = Michael |date = March 20, 2015 |title = Fabri-Kal to expand its susatinable packaging with new Idaho plant |url = http://www.plasticsnews.com/article/20150320/NEWS/150329990/fabri-kal-to-expand-its-sustainable-packaging-with-new-idaho-plant |newspaper = Plastics News |access-date = May 25, 2015 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150526024241/http://www.plasticsnews.com/article/20150320/NEWS/150329990/fabri-kal-to-expand-its-sustainable-packaging-with-new-idaho-plant |archive-date = May 26, 2015 }}{{cite news |last = Jones |first = Al |date = October 17, 2010 |title = Food industry packaging supplier, turning 60 this week, is growing in Michigan |url = http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2010/10/food_industry_packaging_suppli.html |newspaper = MLive.com |publisher = Booth Newspapers |access-date = May 25, 2015 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151016091141/http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2010/10/food_industry_packaging_suppli.html |archive-date = October 16, 2015 }} and innovations to reduce the plastic content of consumer and other packaging.{{cite news |last = Bregar |first = Bill |date = July 16, 2014 |title = Fabri-Kal introduces new HDPE packaging for mushrooms |url = http://www.plasticsnews.com/article/20140716/NEWS/140719943/fabri-kal-introduces-new-hdpe-packaging-for-mushrooms |newspaper = Plastics News |access-date = May 25, 2015 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150525184901/http://www.plasticsnews.com/article/20140716/NEWS/140719943/fabri-kal-introduces-new-hdpe-packaging-for-mushrooms |archive-date = May 25, 2015 }}

Parker Hannifin Aerospace's Hydraulic Systems Division (HSD) is located at 2220 Palmer Ave in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The 170,000-square foot facility designs, manufactures, and services hydraulic components for both military and commercial aerospace sectors. It produces hydraulic axial piston pumps and motors, electric motor-driven pumps, hydraulic power transfer/supply units, electrohydraulic power modules, hydraulic thrust-reverser & landing gear actuators, accumulators, reservoirs, filter modules and valve packs.{{Cite news |url = http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2010/04/state_of_michigan_awards_parke.html |title = State of Michigan awards Parker Hannifin tax break for $15.5 million investment in its Kalamazoo plant |newspaper = MLive.com |publisher = Booth Newspapers |language = en-US |access-date = January 30, 2017 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170904202212/http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2010/04/state_of_michigan_awards_parke.html |archive-date = September 4, 2017 }}

The Upjohn Company was a pharmaceutical research and manufacturing firm founded in 1886 in Kalamazoo; through a series of mergers and acquisitions that took place between 1995 and 2003, the Upjohn Company assets became a part of the Pfizer Corporation.{{cite news |author = |date = April 16, 2003 |title = It's official: Pfizer buys Pharmacia: Nine months after announcement, maker of Lipitor, Viagra snags Rogaine, Celebrex, Xanax, Nicorette |url = https://money.cnn.com/2003/04/16/news/companies/pfizer_pharma/ |work = CNNMoney |access-date = May 19, 2018 }}{{cite news |last = Cope |first = Nigel |date = August 20, 1995 |title = Pharmacia and Upjohn merge: Latest move in global shake-up creates pounds 4.5bn drugs group |url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/pharmacia-and-upjohn-merge-1597299.html |work = The Independent |access-date = May 19, 2018 }} Most of Upjohn's original facilities remain, many have been renovated and some new buildings have been constructed. The bulk of the former Upjohn Company facilities in the area exist in Portage, under Pfizer or Zoetis operation; others, located in downtown Kalamazoo, have been re-purposed as the campus of the Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine,{{cite news |last = Monacelli |first = Emily |date = February 23, 2017 |title = 15 ways the Upjohn family's impact lives on in Kalamazoo |url = http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2017/02/upjohn_familys_influence_on_ka.html |work = MLive.com |publisher = Booth Newspapers |access-date = May 19, 2018 }} the research and development headquarters of Zoetis, and office space for Bronson Methodist Hospital.{{cite news |last = Jones |first = Al |date = July 2, 2008 |title = Bronson Healthcare Group completes $6.6 million renovation of former Upjohn Co. building, staff will move in Monday |url = http://blog.mlive.com/kzgazette/2008/07/bronson_healthcare_group_compl.html |work = Kalamazoo Gazette |access-date = May 19, 2018 }}

Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine (WMed) is a collaboration involving Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo's two teaching hospitals, [https://healthcare.ascension.org/locations/michigan/mikal/kalamazoo-ascension-borgess-hospital Ascension Borgess] and Bronson Methodist. The new medical school has been in planning since 2008, and was granted Preliminary Accreditation from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education in October 2012. Welcoming its first class in August 2014, the school is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation supported by private gifts, clinical revenue, research activity, student tuition, and endowment income. In March 2011, Western Michigan University received a gift of $100 million for the medical school from anonymous donors.

The global Research and Development organization of Zoetis, the world's largest producer of medicine and vaccinations for pets and livestock, is headquartered in downtown Kalamazoo.{{cite web |url = http://www.zoetis.com/node/91 |title = Zoetis Research & Development |author = |website = Zoetis.com |access-date = November 29, 2014 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141205171644/http://www.zoetis.com/node/91 |archive-date = December 5, 2014 }}

The city is also home to the Stryker Corporation, a surgical and medical devices manufacturer.

Kalamazoo hospitals include: Kalamazoo Regional Psychiatric Hospital, Bronson Methodist Hospital, and Ascension Borgess Hospital.

In 2014, Newell Rubbermaid established a global product design center in Kalamazoo, consolidating fifteen global design units at a single location within the Western Michigan University Business Technology and Research Park.{{cite news |last = Zerelli |first = Ursula |date = March 28, 2013 |title = Newell Rubbermaid consolidating 15 global design units in Kalamazoo with new company strategy |url = http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2013/03/newell_rubbermaid_consolidatin.html |newspaper = MLive.com |publisher = Booth Newspapers |access-date = February 17, 2015 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150218001059/http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2013/03/newell_rubbermaid_consolidatin.html |archive-date = February 18, 2015 }}{{cite news |last = Jennings |first = Kathy |date = May 22, 2014 |title = Newell Rubbermaid opens Kalamazoo design center |url = http://swmichigan.secondwavemedia.com/devnews/Newell-Rubbermaid-opens-Kalamazoo-design-center-0522.aspx |newspaper = Southwest Michigan's Second Wave |access-date = February 17, 2015 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150218004507/http://swmichigan.secondwavemedia.com/devnews/Newell-Rubbermaid-opens-Kalamazoo-design-center-0522.aspx |archive-date = February 18, 2015 }} The Business Technology and Research Park is also home to design firm TEKNA Solutions.{{cite web |url = http://www.wmich.edu/wmu/news/2005/03/018.html |title = Firm expands with new BTR Park facility |author = |date = March 7, 2005 |publisher = Western Michigan University |access-date = February 17, 2015 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160118021333/http://www.wmich.edu/wmu/news/2005/03/018.html |archive-date = January 18, 2016 }} In 2015, Kalamazoo-based landscape design and manufacturing firm Landscape Forms, Inc., received five National Design Awards.{{cite news |author = |title = Landscape Forms Receives Five National Design Awards |url = http://www.interiorsandsources.com/article-details/articleid/18851/title/landscape-forms-receives-five-national-design-awards.aspx |newspaper = Interiors & Sources: Excellence in Commercial Design |access-date = May 25, 2015 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150525184914/http://www.interiorsandsources.com/article-details/articleid/18851/title/landscape-forms-receives-five-national-design-awards.aspx |archive-date = May 25, 2015 }}

The W. E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, a nonpartisan, not-for-profit research organization, has operated in Kalamazoo since its establishment in 1945. The institute conducts research into the causes and effects of unemployment, and measures for the alleviation of unemployment. The institute also publishes Business Outlook for West Michigan,{{Cite web|url=http://www.upjohninstitute.org/regional/index.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060524213534/http://www.upjohninstitute.org/regional/index.htm|url-status=dead|title=West Michigan Data Center/Business Outlook|archive-date=May 24, 2006|access-date=March 10, 2022}} a quarterly journal that provides economic analysis and forecasts on the West Michigan economy.

The Fetzer Institute promotes and funds holistic solutions to everyday problems.{{cite web |url = http://www.fetzer.org/about-us |title = Our Mission |work = fetzer.org |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130825040106/http://fetzer.org/about-us |archive-date = August 25, 2013 |access-date = August 9, 2013 }} It was founded by John Fetzer, a broadcasting magnate and former owner of the Detroit Tigers and WKZO radio and television in Kalamazoo.{{cite web |url = http://www.fetzer.org/about-us/timeline |title = Timeline |work = fetzer.org |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130909084612/http://www.fetzer.org/about-us/timeline |archive-date = September 9, 2013 |access-date = August 9, 2013 }}

The economic development organization Southwest Michigan First was established in Kalamazoo in 1999, with a focus on community capitalism.{{cite web |url = http://www.southwestmichiganfirst.com/about_us/about_us.cfm |title = About Southwest Michigan First |date = 2015 |website = Southwest Michigan First |access-date = January 9, 2015 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150109234452/http://www.southwestmichiganfirst.com/about_us/about_us.cfm |archive-date = January 9, 2015 }} The organization was recognized as a Best and Brightest Company to Work For{{cite web |url = http://www.101bestandbrightest.com/home |title = The Nation's Best and Brightest Companies to Work For! |author = |date = 2014 |website = 101bestandbrightest.com |publisher = National Association of Business Resources |access-date = January 9, 2015 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150101070733/http://www.101bestandbrightest.com/home |archive-date = January 1, 2015 }} in 2013,{{cite web |url = https://www.southwestmichiganfirst.com/userfiles/file/2013%20National%20Best%20and%20Brightest%20Companies%20to%20Work%20For_Southwest%20Michigan%20First.pdf |title = National Association for Business Resources Names the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For™ in the Country |date = November 20, 2013 |publisher = National Association of Business Resources |access-date = January 9, 2015 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150109234254/https://www.southwestmichiganfirst.com/userfiles/file/2013%20National%20Best%20and%20Brightest%20Companies%20to%20Work%20For_Southwest%20Michigan%20First.pdf |archive-date = January 9, 2015 }} and has received Fast Company commendations for innovative strategies to improve the economy.{{cite news |last = Slater |first = Chuck |date = August 1, 2007 |title = INNOVATION: KALAMAZOO (Cont'd) |url = http://www.fastcompany.com/679231/innovation-kalamazoo-contd |newspaper = Fast Company |access-date = January 10, 2015 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150111061239/http://www.fastcompany.com/679231/innovation-kalamazoo-contd |archive-date = January 11, 2015 }} In 2015, two members of Southwest Michigan First were selected for Development Counsellors International's "2015 40 under 40," top 40 young economic developers in the United States.{{cite news |last = Jones |first = Al |date = February 8, 2015 |title = 40 Under 40: Katie Perry and Tim Terrentine of Southwest Michigan First among top young economic developers in nation |url = http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2015/02/40_under_40_katie_perry_and_ti.html |newspaper = MLive.com |publisher = Booth Newspapers |access-date = February 17, 2015 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150216112542/http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2015/02/40_under_40_katie_perry_and_ti.html |archive-date = February 16, 2015 }}

Other notable Kalamazoo businesses include:

• PNC Bank—Kalamazoo was formerly the corporate HQ of First of America Bank, which merged with National City Bank in 1997. National City has since been purchased and merged with PNC Bank which still maintains a large corporate building in Texas Township, and several locations downtown, along with numerous branches in the region.
• Henderson Castle, an 1895 Queen Anne-Style house that sits on West Main Hill across from Mountain Home cemetery, overlooking the city. It is privately owned but open to the public and currently functioning as a bed and breakfast, restaurant and spa.

File:Kalamazoo City Hall in 2022.jpg

Kalamazoo government is administered under a commission-manager style of government. The city commission is the representative body of the city, and consists of seven members—six city commissioners and a separately elected mayor—elected on a staggered non-partisan basis every four years. Whoever receives the most votes during an election becomes vice mayor of the city for the first two years of their term until a new vice mayor is selected. The current City Commission consists of Mayor David Anderson, Vice Mayor Don Cooney, and commissioners Jeanne Hess, Chris Praedel, Qianna Decker, Stephanie Hoffman, and Esteven Juarez.{{cite web |url = https://www.kalamazoocity.org/Government/Mayor-Vice-Mayor-and-City-Commissioners |title = City Commission |publisher = City of Kalamazoo |access-date = October 8, 2022}} The current mayor, David F. Anderson, was elected to a second term on November 2, 2021, beating Ben Stanley with 78.7% of the vote.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/2021/11/david-anderson-elected-to-2nd-term-as-kalamazoo-mayor-unofficial-results-show.html|title=David Anderson elected to 2nd term as Kalamazoo mayor, unofficial results show|first= Brad|last= Devereaux|website=mlive.com|date=November 3, 2021|access-date=October 8, 2022}}

The vice mayor of Kalamazoo is Don Cooney, who won election in 2021 with 69.37% of the vote.{{cite web |date=November 2, 2021 |title=Election Results November 2, 2021 General Election |url=https://www.kalcounty.com/clerk/elections_voting/elections/results.php?election=2021-11-02 |access-date=October 8, 2022 }}

The city manager is the city's chief administrative officer. The manager is hired by, and answers to, the city commission.

Kalamazoo has a higher crime rate than the national average. Crime is spread throughout Kalamazoo and is especially high in the inner neighborhoods such as Edison, the Northside and Vine. Crime is lower in the downtown area and most of the southwest area.{{cite web |url = http://www.crimemapping.com/map/mi/kalamazoo |title = CrimeMapping.com - Helping You Build a Safer Community |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161018210205/http://www.crimemapping.com/map/mi/kalamazoo |archive-date = October 18, 2016 |access-date = October 17, 2016 }} The aggravated assault rate in 2015 was 793.3 per 100,000{{cite web |url = https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2015/crime-in-the-u.s.-2015/tables/table-8/table-8-state-pieces/table_8_offenses_known_to_law_enforcement_michigan_by_city_2015.xls |title = Table 8 - Michigan |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161018205728/https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2015/crime-in-the-u.s.-2015/tables/table-8/table-8-state-pieces/table_8_offenses_known_to_law_enforcement_michigan_by_city_2015.xls |archive-date = October 18, 2016 }}—3.3 times the national average. The murder rate was 12.5 per 100,000 in 2010 and 7.9 in 2014.{{cite web |url = http://www.city-data.com/crime/crime-Kalamazoo-Michigan.html |title = Crime in Kalamazoo, Michigan (MI): murders, rapes, robberies, assaults, burglaries, thefts, auto thefts, arson, law enforcement employees, police officers, crime map |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161018220350/http://www.city-data.com/crime/crime-Kalamazoo-Michigan.html |archive-date = October 18, 2016 }}{{cite web |url = https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2015/crime-in-the-u.s.-2015/tables/table-1 |title = Table 1 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170602183436/https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2015/crime-in-the-u.s.-2015/tables/table-1/ |archive-date = June 2, 2017 }} The 2016 Kalamazoo shootings by Uber driver Jason Dalton claimed 6 lives and caused 2 serious injuries in Kalamazoo County.{{cite web|url=https://www.oxygen.com/criminal-confessions/crime-news/uber-shooter-jason-dalton-motive-kalamazoo-rampage |title=Uber Shooter Jason Dalton Discusses Motive For Killing Rampage | Crime News |website=Oxygen.com |date= December 21, 2019|access-date=March 8, 2022}} Between 2008 and 2013 firearms were involved in 61% of homicides in Kalamazoo county compared to 77% statewide.{{cite web |url = http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2015/08/see_what_percent_of_homicides.html?appSession=60189432770186746438743020048497131411779985518153351306611022128467272235327045412605481904269081550830612047110279502232643929 |title = Look up Michigan gun homicide numbers in your county |website = MLive.com |date = August 24, 2015 |publisher = Booth Newspapers |access-date = April 27, 2018 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170904201736/http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2015/08/see_what_percent_of_homicides.html?appSession=60189432770186746438743020048497131411779985518153351306611022128467272235327045412605481904269081550830612047110279502232643929 |archive-date = September 4, 2017 }}

File:WMUCampus2.jpg

File:Hoben Hall.jpg

Kalamazoo is home to Western Michigan University. The college has four campuses in Kalamazoo, (West Campus, East Campus, Parkview Campus and Oakland Drive Campus) as well as several regional locations throughout Michigan and two in Florida. West Campus, located just west of downtown, has the largest concentration of university students, programs and school services. In 2005, Western Michigan ranked as the no. 2 wireless campus in the United States, per a national survey done by the Intel Corporation.{{cite press release |title = Intel Most Unwired College Challenge |url = http://www.intel.com/pressroom/archive/releases/2005/20051011corp.htm |access-date = June 13, 2010 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121017112013/http://www.intel.com/pressroom/archive/releases/2005/20051011corp.htm |archive-date = October 17, 2012 }} In 2014, the WMU Homer Stryker School of Medicine (WMed) opened, welcoming an inaugural class of 54 students.{{cite news |last = Mah |first = Linda |date = September 18, 2014 |title = WMU medical school grand opening celebrates community collaboration |url = http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2014/09/wmu_medical_school_grand_openi.html |newspaper = MLive.com |publisher = Booth Newspapers |access-date = December 1, 2014 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150904055538/http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2014/09/wmu_medical_school_grand_openi.html |archive-date = September 4, 2015 }}{{cite web |url = http://wmich.edu/news/2014/08/18129 |title = WMU Stryker School of Medicine welcomes inaugural class |last1 = Roland |first1 = Cheryl |date = August 20, 2014 |publisher = Western Michigan University |access-date = December 1, 2014 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141002030429/http://wmich.edu/news/2014/08/18129 |archive-date = October 2, 2014 }}

Each May, WMU hosts the International Congress on Medieval Studies. Organized by the Medieval Institute's faculty and graduate students, the Congress brings some 3,000 professors and students from around the globe to present and discuss a variety of topics related to the Middle Ages.

Kalamazoo College, a private liberal arts college founded in 1833, is located on a hill opposite WMU's original campus.

Kalamazoo is home to Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Davenport University, and Kalamazoo Area Mathematics and Science Center (KAMSC). Construction of the new Kalamazoo Valley Community College Culinary and Allied Health campus began in August 2014.{{cite news |author = |date = November 26, 2014 |title = Kalamazoo Valley Community College to reinvent culinary education |url = http://www.hollandsentinel.com/article/20141126/News/141129317 |newspaper = Holland Sentinel |access-date = January 10, 2015 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141209004254/http://www.hollandsentinel.com/article/20141126/News/141129317 |archive-date = December 9, 2014 }} It had also been the home of Nazareth College, which closed in 1992.

The public schools for the vast majority of Kalamazoo are managed by Kalamazoo Public Schools.{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st26_mi/schooldistrict_maps/c26077_kalamazoo/DC20SD_C26077.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Kalamazoo County, MI|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|accessdate=September 18, 2022}} Every resident graduate of the Kalamazoo Public Schools is provided with a scholarship for up to 100% of tuition and mandatory fee costs for four years at any public university or community college in Michigan, starting with the class of 2006. This program is known as the Kalamazoo Promise.{{cite news |last = Fishman |first = Ted C. |date = September 13, 2012 |title = Why These Kids Get a Free Ride to College |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/16/magazine/kalamazoo-mich-the-city-that-pays-for-college.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 |newspaper = The New York Times |access-date = February 17, 2015 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150218003420/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/16/magazine/kalamazoo-mich-the-city-that-pays-for-college.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 |archive-date = February 18, 2015 }}

Small sections of Kalamazoo are in other school districts: Parchment School District, Comstock Public Schools and Portage Public Schools.

File:Kalamazooairzoo.jpg WWI fighter in the Kalamazoo Air Zoo]]

The city has an Arts Council.{{cite web |url = http://www.kalamazooarts.com/ |title = Arts, Culture, Fun: Kalamazooarts.org - Serving the Arts and Artists in Southwest Michigan - Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo |work = kalamazooarts.com |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120214231758/http://www.kalamazooarts.com/ |archive-date = February 14, 2012 |access-date = December 28, 2012 }} On the first Friday of each month, the council organizes the 'Art Hop'. Art Hop is a free event, during which downtown businesses and galleries display works by local artists, and patrons 'hop' from venue to venue, enjoying art, live music, and the chance to interact with local artists. A popular site during Art Hop is the Park Trades Center, which houses the Kalamazoo Book Arts Center, Glass Art Kalamazoo, and many other studios.

On New Year's Eve, downtown Kalamazoo is the site of an annual New Year's Fest celebration. This celebration is centered at Bronson Park and surrounding venues, allowing patrons to walk from venue to venue to enjoy an all ages showcase of performing arts and other activities (music, magic, comedy, exhibitions, fireworks, food). Initiated in 1985, the event has grown in scope and popularity.{{cite news |last = Yoakum |first = Ted |date = December 28, 2011 |title = 26th annual New Year's Fest offers variety in downtown Kalamazoo |url = http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2011/12/26th_annual_new_years_fest_off.html |newspaper = MLive.com |publisher = Booth Newspapers |access-date = December 8, 2014 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150904055538/http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2011/12/26th_annual_new_years_fest_off.html |archive-date = September 4, 2015 }}

{{cite web |url = http://deb7293.wix.com/new-years-fest#!about/c10fk |title = Event Information What is New Year's Fest? |author = |website = new-years-fest.com |access-date = December 8, 2014 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141221162642/http://deb7293.wix.com/new-years-fest#!about/c10fk |archive-date = December 21, 2014 }}

Music groups and other performing artists perform at the downtown State Theatre, Western Michigan University's Miller Auditorium, and Wings Event Center.

The annual "Eccentric Day" at Bell's Eccentric Cafe celebrates the brewery's Eccentric Ale on the December Friday that marks the end of finals at Western Michigan University.{{Cite web|url=https://recipes.net/articles/cooking-with-beer-10-beer-recipes-to-try/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211083536/http://www.michiganbeerguide.com/news.asp?articleid=124|url-status=dead|title=Cooking with Beer: 10 Beer Recipes To Try|archive-date=February 11, 2009|access-date=March 10, 2022}}

The Moped Army was founded in Kalamazoo in 1997.

There is no longer a zoo in Kalamazoo. The Milham Park Zoo closed in 1974.

Next to Milham Park is the Milham Park Golf Course.{{Cite web|url=http://www.kalamazoogolf.org/MilhamPark/index.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090713005307/http://www.kalamazoogolf.org/MilhamPark/index.htm|url-status=dead|title=Kalamazoogolf.org : Resources and Information.|archive-date=July 13, 2009|website=Kalamazoogolf.org|access-date=March 10, 2022}} Completed in 1936, the 18-hole, par-72 course is entirely within the city limits of Kalamazoo. During winter, sledding and cross-country skiing are popular activities at the golf course (free of charge). In recent years, the Kalamazoo Nordic Skiers{{cite web |url = http://www.kalamazoonordic.com/ |title = Kalamazoo Nordic Skiers |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141217122848/http://kalamazoonordic.com/ |archive-date = December 17, 2014 |access-date = November 29, 2014 }} club has groomed and maintained skate ski and classic ski trails for community use.

In 2002, the Kalamazoo Public Library was named "Library of the Year" by Library Journal.{{cite web |url = http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA220873.html |title = Library of the Year: Kalamazoo Public Library Kalamazoo, Michigan |publisher = Libraryjournal.com |access-date = December 10, 2011 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110720223054/http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA220873.html |archive-date = July 20, 2011 }} The library includes a main location and four branch libraries, and until 2010, a bookmobile system.{{cite web |url = http://www.kpl.gov/ |title = Kalamazoo Public Library Home Page - Kalamazoo Public Library |work = kpl.gov |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070110041704/http://kpl.gov/ |archive-date = January 10, 2007 |access-date = November 10, 2005 }} In 2014, the library opened 'The Hub', a digital lab open to the public for digitizing photos and video, producing podcasts, preserving old vinyl records, cassettes and VHS tapes, and other services.{{cite news |last = Liberty |first = John |date = May 24, 2014 |title = things to do in Kalamazoo |url = http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2014/05/top_5_things_to_do_in_kalamazo_67.html |newspaper = MLive.com |publisher = Booth Newspapers |location = Kalamazoo |access-date = November 29, 2014 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141205003116/http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2014/05/top_5_things_to_do_in_kalamazo_67.html |archive-date = December 5, 2014 }}

Kalamazoo's theaters and performing groups include the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre, The New Vic Theatre, Farmers Alley Theatre, Crawlspace Theatre Productions, The State Theater, and the Barn Theatre in nearby Augusta. Plays and musicals are also performed at Kalamazoo College and Western Michigan University.

A project of Kalamazoo Valley Community College, The Kalamazoo Animation Festival International (KAFI) encourages and educates animation artists, promotes Kalamazoo's animation industry, and provides community entertainment.[http://kafi.kvcc.edu/about/index.php Kalamazoo Animation Festival International] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120211115239/http://kafi.kvcc.edu/about/index.php |date=February 11, 2012 }} In addition to a biannual festival, KAFI sponsors events such as film screenings and workshops throughout the year.

KAFI's first festival drew 235 submissions and nearly 1,000 attendees in 2002. A second festival was held in 2003. Since then, an every-other-year schedule has been adopted. The 2007 festival attracted more than 500 entries from 37 countries. In addition to an animated film competition with $15,000 in prizes awarded, the festival features events for students, artists, educators, filmmakers and the general public. Past KAFI award winners include Bill Plympton, Chris Landreth and John Canemaker.{{Citation needed|date=January 2011}}

The city's most prominent art museum is the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, whose collection has more than 3,600 works and a focus on 20th-century American art. The KIA regularly mounts temporary exhibitions.

The Kalamazoo Valley Museum, established in 1881,{{cite web |url = http://kvm.kvcc.edu/info/history/ |title = Kalamazoo Valley Museum: History and Governance |author = |date = 2014 |website = kvm.kvcc.edu |publisher = Kalamazoo Valley Museum |access-date = January 9, 2015 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150109225528/http://kvm.kvcc.edu/info/history/ |archive-date = January 9, 2015 }} is an American Association of Museums accredited museum operated by Kalamazoo Valley Community College. The museum features "hands-on" exhibits aimed largely at children, and has a planetarium and a Challenger Learning Center.

Northeast of town, in Hickory Corners, is the Gilmore Car Museum, which includes cars used in Walt Disney movies.

The Kalamazoo Air Zoo, just south of town, in Portage has several dozen aircraft on display, from biplanes to jets.

The Gibson Guitar Corporation, founded in Kalamazoo in 1902, spurred local musicians to play a wide variety of styles, from classical and folk to modern rock (the company relocated to Nashville in 1984). The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra,{{cite web |url = http://www.kalamazoosymphony.com |title = Over 90 Years of Extraordinary Musical Experiences and Educational Programs | Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra (KSO) |publisher = Kalamazoosymphony.com |access-date = December 10, 2011 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120103023417/http://www.kalamazoosymphony.com/ |archive-date = January 3, 2012 }} founded in 1921, is directed by Raymond Harvey. The city also hosts the Irving S. Gilmore International Keyboard Festival, a Bach Festival, the Michigan Festival of Sacred Music,{{cite web |url = http://mfsm.us/ |title = Michigan Festival of Sacred Music |work = mfsm.us |access-date = July 21, 2015 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150801185947/http://mfsm.us/ |archive-date = August 1, 2015 }} and the Stulberg International String Competition.{{cite web |url = http://stulberg.org/ |title = Congratulations to the 2015 winners! |work = stulberg.org |access-date = July 21, 2015 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150813153343/http://www.stulberg.org/ |archive-date = August 13, 2015 }}

The local and indie music scene has produced pop stars such as RCA recording artists The Verve Pipe{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} and Metal Blade recording artists Thought Industry. Kalamazoo is also host to the Kalamashoegazer music festival, held for the last 13 years and a showcase for both local and national shoegaze and dream pop bands.

File:WaldoStadium1.jpg, on the campus of Western Michigan University.]]

Kalamazoo plays host to three non-collegiate teams:

• The Kalamazoo Growlers Summer Collegiate baseball team plays games in Homer Stryker Field. The team is currently a member of the Northwoods League.
• The Kalamazoo Wings (aka K-Wings) minor league hockey team play games in Wings Event Center and has played since 1974. The team is currently a member of the ECHL, a development league for the NHL.
• The Kalamazoo FC, a National Premier Soccer League team, was established in 2016.{{cite news |last = Dacey |first = Justin |date = December 21, 2015 |title = 'Kalamazoo FC' tabbed as name for new National Premier Soccer League team |url = http://www.mlive.com/sports/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2015/12/kalamazoo_fc_tabbed_as_name_fo.html |newspaper = MLive.com |publisher = Booth Newspapers |access-date = December 26, 2015 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151224104413/http://www.mlive.com/sports/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2015/12/kalamazoo_fc_tabbed_as_name_fo.html |archive-date = December 24, 2015 }}

The Western Michigan University Broncos, who compete in the NCAA Division I Mid-American Conference, play at the following on-campus venues:

• Waldo Stadium (football)
• Lawson Arena (hockey)
• University Arena (basketball and Volleyball)
• Hyames Field (baseball)
• Ebert Field (softball)
• Kanley Track (outdoor track and field)

Hyames Field played host to the first two College World Series held in 1947 and 1948. Future U. S. President George H. W. Bush was a first baseman for Yale in the 1947 series.{{cite web |url = http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/baseball/more/06/14/bush.cws.ap/ |title = Bleacher Report |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090213091302/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/baseball/more/06/14/bush.cws.ap/ |archive-date = February 13, 2009 }}

The Kalamazoo College Hornets and Kalamazoo Valley Community College Cougars also have several collegiate athletic teams.

Kalamazoo is the hometown of former New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, former NFL wide receiver Greg Jennings, former NFL running back T. J. Duckett, the world's number one prize money winning pro bass fisherman Kevin VanDam, former MLB pitcher Scott Olsen, former NHL player Adam Hall and former Chicago White Sox first baseman Mike Squires.{{cite news |last = DeCamp |first = Scott |date = August 19, 2010 |title = Fits like a glove: Mike Squires still working in major league baseball, but rooted in Kalamazoo |url = https://www.mlive.com/sports/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2010/08/fits_like_a_glove_mike_squires.html |work = MLive.com |publisher = Booth Newspapers |access-date = July 27, 2018 }} Kalamazoo was also the hometown of longtime Detroit Tigers owner John Fetzer, who owned the American League team from 1961 through 1984, when he sold the franchise to Domino's Pizza founder Tom Monaghan.

The United States Tennis Association Boys 18 and 16 National Tennis Championships are hosted every summer by Kalamazoo College. The event has featured such players as Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, Jim Courier, Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, Michael Chang, James Blake and Andy Roddick, before they turned professional.

The Kalamazoo Rugby Football Club, founded in 1988, competes in the Michigan Rugby Football Union.{{cite web |url = http://www.kalamazoorugby.com |title = Kalamazoo Rugby Football Club |access-date = June 3, 2014 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140517191424/http://kalamazoorugby.com/ |archive-date = May 17, 2014 }}

Since 2006, Wings Event Center has been the home of the Kalamazoo Derby Darlins roller derby league teams. Following up on successful events in 2010 and 2015, Wings Event Center and the Kalamazoo Curling Club will host the 2019 U.S. National Curling Championship.{{cite news |last = Modugno |first = Mike |date = September 25, 2013 |title = Kalamazoo's Wings Stadium to host 2015 U.S. Curling National Championship |url = http://www.mlive.com/sports/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2013/09/curling_nationals_return_to_ka.html |newspaper = MLive.com |publisher = Booth Newspapers |access-date = December 8, 2014 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150121082953/http://www.mlive.com/sports/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2013/09/curling_nationals_return_to_ka.html |archive-date = January 21, 2015 }}

The annual Kalamazoo Marathon, a USA Track & Field-certified and Boston Marathon-qualifying event, is part of a weekend of running and walking events.{{cite news |last = Drew |first = Dave |date = May 5, 2015 |title = Kalamazoo Marathon, Borgess Run, see record participation |url = http://www.mlive.com/sports/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2015/05/kalamazoo_marathon_borgess_run_2.html |newspaper = MLive.com |publisher = Booth Newspapers |access-date = May 26, 2015 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150526193542/http://www.mlive.com/sports/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2015/05/kalamazoo_marathon_borgess_run_2.html |archive-date = May 26, 2015 }}{{cite news |last = Drew |first = Dave |date = May 3, 2015 |title = Complete Coverage: 2015 Kalamazoo Marathon, Borgess 5K, 10K, and half marathon |url = http://www.mlive.com/sports/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2015/05/complete_coverage_2015_kalamaz.html |newspaper = MLive.com |publisher = Booth Newspapers |access-date = May 26, 2015 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150526194148/http://www.mlive.com/sports/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2015/05/complete_coverage_2015_kalamaz.html |archive-date = May 26, 2015 }}

In 1984–1986, the Kalamazoo Kangaroos, a Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) team, played in Kalamazoo.

In 2022-2023 The Kalamazoo Galaxy, a basketball team in The Basketball League (TBL) played at Wings Event Center.

Kalamazoo is served by one daily newspaper, the Kalamazoo Gazette, which now prints seven and delivers two editions weekly. Business Review Western Michigan, a business-to-business publication headquartered in Kalamazoo, covering Western Michigan news, was rolled into MLive online coverage in late 2012. The ultimate parent company of both the Gazette and Business Review are Advance Publications, Inc.

WWMT, West Michigan's CBS affiliate, is licensed and operates out of Kalamazoo, but serves the entire West Michigan region. The station was originally owned and operated by famous broadcasting pioneer (and former Detroit Tigers owner) John Fetzer, as "WKZO-TV". Along with television, Fetzer introduced Kalamazoo to radio in 1931, when AM 590 WKZO signed on the air. Fetzer also created Kalamazoo's first cable television system, then known as Fetzer Cablevision; it is a predecessor of Kalamazoo's current cable franchise, Charter Communications.

Public Media Network, located in downtown Kalamazoo, hosts media outlets, including Charter cable channels 187-191 where daily public access programs are produced and aired to the public.

Kalamazoo is part of the West Michigan television market, which also includes Grand Rapids and Battle Creek. Most channels that serve the entire market are receivable in Kalamazoo, including WWMT, WOOD-TV (NBC), WXMI (Fox), WZPX (Ion) and WLLA (religious). Some channels based in the northern part of the market reach Kalamazoo through a satellite or translator, such as WTLJ Muskegon (religious, through W26BX), WGVU-TV Grand Rapids (PBS, through WGVK), and WXSP-CD Grand Rapids (MyNetworkTV, through WOKZ-CA). WOTV in Battle Creek broadcasts ABC and CW programming for the southern part of the market, including Kalamazoo. Charter offers all West Michigan channels on its system to Kalamazoo subscribers, including WZZM, the ABC affiliate for Grand Rapids and the northern part of the market.

WIDR is the college student-run, commercial-free radio station at Western Michigan University. It is known for playing obscure and underground music of all genres, and some local news and talk. Broadcasting 100 watts on 89.1 FM, WIDR can be heard from about a 20-mile radius from campus.

WMUK is also on Western Michigan University's campus. It hosts many local music programs, including jazz and classical performances, as well as programming from NPR. WMUK broadcasts at 50,000 watts in high definition on 102.1 FM.

WKDS is West Michigan's only high-school student-run radio station. The station signed on in 1983 at 89.9 on the FM dial, broadcasting from Loy Norrix High School. The call letters stood for Kalamazoo District Schools (now Kalamazoo Public Schools). For most of its history, WKDS broadcast only during daytime hours and not at all on the weekend. In the fall of 2004, the station began broadcasting 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in an attempt to prevent an outside organization from taking over the time WKDS was off the air. WKDS was part of a county-wide Education for Employment program for years. The radio station is still owned by Kalamazoo Public Schools, although the EFE program has been discontinued. High-school students from around the area continue to operate the station.

FM radio stations that originate from or can be heard over the air in Kalamazoo include:

• WCXK 88.3 - Kalamazoo - Christian Adult Contemporary
• WIDR 89.1 - Kalamazoo - College/Variety
• WKDS 89.9 - Kalamazoo - High School/Variety
• WCSG 91.3 - Grand Rapids - Christian Adult Contemporary
• WZUU 92.5 - Mattawan/Kalamazoo - Classic Rock
• WBCT 93.7 - Grand Rapids - Country
• WWDK 94.1 - Jackson/Lansing/Battle Creek/Kalamazoo - Classic Country
• WKLQ 94.5 - Grand Rapids - Adult Album Alternative
• W238AL 95.5 - Kalamazoo - Urban Adult Contemporary (FM translator for AM 1560)
• WLKM-FM 95.9 - Three Rivers - Adult Contemporary
• WMAX-FM 96.1 - Holland/Grand Rapids - Sports
• WTOU 96.5 - Portage/Kalamazoo - Modern Adult Contemporary
• WGRD 97.9 - Grand Rapids - Mainstream Rock
• WNWN 98.5 - Coldwater/Battle Creek/Kalamazoo - Country
• WBCH-FM 100.1 - Hastings - Country
• WQXC 100.9 - Otsego/Kalamazoo - Oldies
• WMUK 102.1 - Kalamazoo - NPR/Talk/Classical/Jazz
• WKFR-HD2 102.5 - Kalamazoo - Urban Contemporary //WBXX 104.9
• WYHA 102.9 - Grand Rapids - Christian
• WKFR 103.3 - Battle Creek/Kalamazoo - CHR/Top 40
• WVGR 104.1 - Grand Rapids - NPR/Talk
• WBXX 104.9 - Marshall/Battle Creek- Urban Contemporary
• WSRW 105.7 - Grand Rapids - Adult Contemporary
• WJXQ 106.1 - Jackson/Lansing/Battle Creek - Mainstream Rock
• WVFM 106.5 - Kalamazoo - Variety Hits
• WKZO 106.9 - Kalamazoo - News/Talk (FM translator for AM 590)
• WTNR 107.3 - Greenville/Grand Rapids - Country
• WRKR 107.7 - Portage/Battle Creek/Kalamazoo - Classic Rock

AM radio stations that originate or can be heard over the air in Kalamazoo:

• WKZO 590 - Kalamazoo - News/Talk - (FM translator at 106.9)
• WAKV 980 - Allegan/Otsego - Adult Standards
• WKMI 1360 - Kalamazoo - Talk
• WZOX 1660 - Kalamazoo - Urban Adult Contemporary

File:Kalamazoo wolverine.jpg lies to the right.]]

File:Kalamazoo transportation center train station 2006.png

• {{jct|state=MI|I|94}}
• {{jct|state=MI|BS|94|dab1=Kalamazoo}}
• {{jct|country=USA|US|131}}
• {{jct|state=MI|US-Bus|131|dab2=Kalamazoo}} north of downtown Kalamazoo
• {{jct|state=MI|M|96}}
• {{jct|state=MI|M|343}}
• {{jct|state=MI|CDH|A-45}}

Kalamazoo is served by highways I-94, US 131, M-96 and M-343. It was on the original Territorial Road in Michigan of the 19th century, which started in Detroit and ran to Lake Michigan. Much of that, but not all, later became Old US 12—the "old" designation came about when I-94 was built parallel to it—and also was called Red Arrow Highway after a World War I army division. The name "US 12" was shifted south to what once was US 112 between Detroit and New Buffalo. Some parts of Old US 12 outside of town, especially in Van Buren and Berrien counties to the west, are still called Red Arrow Highway. The term "Old US 12" has faded from use.

{{main|Kalamazoo Transportation Center}}

{{See also|Michigan Services}}

• Kalamazoo has rail service provided by Amtrak, with the station located downtown and combined with a newly renovated bus terminal. Kalamazoo serves as the hub and largest city in Amtrak's only high-speed corridor outside the Northeast, with {{convert|110|mph|km/h|0|adj=on}} service between Porter, Indiana and Albion, Michigan.{{cite news |url = https://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/story/news/2021/05/19/amtrak-increasing-passenger-rail-speed-between-kalamazoo-and-albion/5142884001/ |title = Amtrak increasing passenger rail speed between Kalamazoo and Albion on its Wolverine line |first = Elena |last = Durnbaugh |work = Battle Creek Enquirer |date = May 19, 2021 |access-date = October 11, 2021}}
• Kalamazoo also has a freight service provided by Grand Elk Railroad running north to Grand Rapids, Michigan and south to Elkhart, Indiana. The line they lease was a former Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad mainline.

• Bus service to and through the city is provided by Greyhound, Indian Trails and the Kalamazoo trolley.
• Public bus services within the city are provided by Metro.

• On the southern end of the city is the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport (AZO), which offers flights on various airlines to hubs and leisure destinations. Construction of a new $36 million terminal was completed in 2011.{{cite news |last = Russon |first = Gabrielle |title = $36M terminal at the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport set for take off (with video) |url = http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2011/04/et_for_takeoff_new_36m_kalamaz.html |newspaper = MLive.com |publisher = Booth Newspapers |access-date = November 29, 2014 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151016091141/http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2011/04/et_for_takeoff_new_36m_kalamaz.html |archive-date = October 16, 2015 }}

The Kal-Haven Trail, heavily used by cyclists, runners, walkers, and snowmobilers, extends to downtown Kalamazoo. It runs {{convert|34|mi|km}} between South Haven, to a trailhead just west of Kalamazoo. Between that trailhead and South Haven the trail is run by Van Buren County, even the parts within Kalamazoo County. A trail pass is no longer required. The Kal-Haven is a rail trail, built on the former right-of-way of the Kalamazoo and South Haven Railroad.

The section east of the trailhead was opened in 2008 and extends to downtown Kalamazoo. It is known as the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail and is run by Kalamazoo County. No pass is required on that section.

Kalamazoo's name is a familiar reference in popular music, since its unique sound makes it a "great word for a lyric."{{cite web |url = http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=457232 |title = Kalamazoo in song |work = The Straight Dope |access-date = December 27, 2011 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131214071008/http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=457232 |archive-date = December 14, 2013 }} Its use as metonym for a remote place is discussed above—"although when it comes to both Timbuktu and Kalamazoo, most of that brag-worthy exotic allure is merely in their names." Nonetheless, numerous songs use the city's name in their song title or lyrics.

Probably the first and most famous was "(I've Got a Gal In) Kalamazoo" (1942) by the Glenn Miller Orchestra with Tex Beneke. The song was written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren. It was recreated by the fictional Gene Morrison Orchestra (performing as the Glenn Miller Orchestra) and the Nicholas Brothers (performing the song as part of a dance sequence) in the 1942 movie Orchestra Wives.Lyrics, Glenn Miller "I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo".{{full citation needed|date=February 2019}}{{cite web |url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFv_PoZ2iP0 |title = I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo |first1 = Glenn |last1 = Miller |year = 1943 |via = YouTube |format = Video |publisher = Orchestra Wives |access-date = December 27, 2011 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111224092122/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFv_PoZ2iP0 |archive-date = December 24, 2011 }} It was nominated for Best Original Song at the 15th Academy Awards (music by Harry Warren; lyrics by Mack Gordon).{{cite web |url = https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035157/ |title = Orchestra Wives |website = IMDb |access-date = December 27, 2011 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111202192625/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035157/ |archive-date = December 2, 2011 }} See also Boom Shot.

At least a dozen (and many more versions) of "Kalamazoo" songs have been recorded. In chronological order, others include: "I've Been Everywhere" (1962) by Hank Snow (from the album of the same title){{cite web |url = http://www.cowboylyrics.com/tabs/snow-hank/ive-been-everywhere-1964.html |title = Hank Snow—Ive Been Everywhere Tabs, Chords |work = cowboylyrics.com |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100615073846/http://www.cowboylyrics.com/tabs/snow-hank/ive-been-everywhere-1964.html |archive-date = June 15, 2010 |access-date = June 11, 2010 }} and the 1996 song "Unchained" (also from the album of the same name) by Johnny CashLyrics, "I've Been Everywhere" by Johnny Cash{{full citation needed|date=February 2019}}.—reworked from the original 1959 Geoff Mack Australian-place-names version made popular by the singer Lucky Starr, "Down on the Corner" (1969) by Creedence Clearwater Revival on their fourth studio album, Willy and the Poor Boys—covered by a dozen other groups—though the reference is not to the city but to the "Kalamazoo" line of budget priced guitars manufactured by Gibson,{{cite web |url = http://www.lyricsfreak.com/c/creedence+clearwater+revival/down+on+the+corner_20034359.html |title = Down On The Corner Lyrics |work = lyricsfreak.com |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080713230203/http://www.lyricsfreak.com/c/creedence+clearwater+revival/down+on+the+corner_20034359.html |archive-date = July 13, 2008 |access-date = February 5, 2008 }} "Kalamazoo" (1995) by Luna on Penthouse,{{cite web |url = http://www.metrolyrics.com/kalamazoo-lyrics-luna.html |title = Luna - Kalamazoo Lyrics - MetroLyrics |work = metrolyrics.com |url-status = unfit |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110418115404/http://www.metrolyrics.com/kalamazoo-lyrics-luna.html |archive-date = April 18, 2011 |access-date = June 11, 2010 }} "Cold Rock a Party" (1996) by MC Lyte on Bad as I Wanna B,"Cold Rock a Party [http://www.lyricstime.com/mc-lyte-cold-rock-a-party-mc-lyte-main-version-lyrics.html, "] by MC Lyte. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071218193135/http://www.lyricstime.com/mc-lyte-cold-rock-a-party-mc-lyte-main-version-lyrics.html |date=December 18, 2007 }} "Kalamazoo" (1997) by the rock trio Primus on Brown Album,{{cite web |url = http://www.metrolyrics.com/kalamazoo-lyrics-primus.html |title = Primus—Kalamazoo Lyrics |work = MetroLyrics |url-status = unfit |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120415014226/http://www.metrolyrics.com/kalamazoo-lyrics-primus.html |archive-date = April 15, 2012 |access-date = December 27, 2011 }} "Top of the World" (1999) by Rascalz on Global Warning,{{cite web |url = http://www.lyricstime.com/rascalz-top-of-the-world-lyrics.html |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090204150157/http://lyricstime.com/rascalz-top-of-the-world-lyrics.html |url-status = dead |archive-date = February 4, 2009 |title = "Top of the World" by Rascalz }} "Isn't It Love" (2001) by Andrew Peterson on Clear to Venus (at one point, he sings that he lost his luggage in Kalamazoo), "Kalamazoo" (2002) by Mike Craver on Shining Down,{{cite web |url = http://www.mikecraver.com/lyricsSD.html#Kal |title = Mike Craver Kalamazoo |publisher = Mike Craver |access-date = November 20, 2012 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130523095119/http://www.mikecraver.com/lyricsSD.html#Kal |archive-date = May 23, 2013 }} "Kalamazoo" (2004) by Ben Folds on the EP Super D,Lyrics;* "Kalamazoo" the cat in the Hoyt Axton song Della and the Dealer;{{full citation needed|date=February 2019}} "Kalamazoo" by Ben Folds Five.{{full citation needed|date=February 2019}}[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATgNbq5EhBs "65 Miles from Kalamazoo"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114093801/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATgNbq5EhBs |date=November 14, 2016 }} (2008) by R. J. Miller (a lament for a lost Gibson guitar and a metaphor about "an old girlfriend from Kalamazoo"){{cite web |url = http://www.acidplanet.com/artist.asp?PID=1081512&t=1 |title = "65 miles from Kalamazoo", created by 5thBeatleRJ and presented through ACIDplanet.com |work = acidplanet.com }} and "Kalamazoo" (2017) by The Show Ponies on their album How It All Goes Down.{{cite web | url=https://www.theshowponies.com/store/how-it-all-goes-down-cd | title=How It All Goes Down (CD) }}

The city was also mentioned in the opera Einstein on the Beach by Philip Glass and in the chorus of the song "Gotta Get Away" by The Black Keys, from their album Turn Blue ("I went from San Berdoo to Kalamazoo/Just to get away from you...").{{cite news |last = Liberty |first = John |date = May 8, 2014 |title = Hear The Black Keys reference Kalamazoo in single from their new album 'Turn Blue' |url = http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2014/05/black_keys_reference_kalamazoo.html |newspaper = MLive.com |publisher = Booth Newspapers |access-date = December 1, 2014 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141009134821/http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2014/05/black_keys_reference_kalamazoo.html |archive-date = October 9, 2014 }} Like Miller, the Creedence and Axton lyrics probably use the word "Kalamazoo" as an oblique reference to Gibson, which made various models named "Kalamazoo" that were all prominently adorned with the city's name as their origin. In 2011, rap artist Young Jeezy mentioned the city in the song "Higher Learning" on his album TM:103 Hustlerz Ambition. In 2014, Kalamazoo was mentioned again by Rittz in the song "Bounce" on his album Next to Nothing.{{cite web |url = http://www.shanzuguitars.com/?p=180 |title = Gibson Kalamazoo |date = January 2, 2009 |publisher = Shanzuguitars.com |access-date = December 28, 2011 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111130163039/http://www.shanzuguitars.com/?p=180 |archive-date = November 30, 2011 }}

The "Kalamazoo" was one of several names of a railroad handcar that was produced by the Kalamazoo Manufacturing Company.{{cite web |title = Kalamazoo Railroad Velocipede and Car Company, Kalamazoo, Michigan, U.S. |url = http://www.kalamazoomanufacturingco.net |access-date = November 22, 2012 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121112032221/http://www.kalamazoomanufacturingco.net/ |archive-date = November 12, 2012 }}

In Dr. Seuss's classic children's book Horton Hatches the Egg, Horton the Elephant visits Kalamazoo while he is in the circus.

{{main category|People from Kalamazoo, Michigan}}

The city of Kalamazoo, Michigan has three sister cities.

• {{flagdeco|JAM}} Kingston, Jamaica
• {{flagdeco|JPN}} Numazu, Shizuoka, Japan
• {{flagdeco|RUS}} Pushkin, St. Petersburg, Russia

{{Portal|Michigan}}

• List of mayors of Kalamazoo, Michigan
• Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety

{{Clear}}

{{reflist}}

{{Commons|Kalamazoo, Michigan}}

{{wikivoyage|Kalamazoo}}

• {{Official website|www.kalamazoocity.org}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20060621153756/http://www.kazoochamber.com/ Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce]
• [http://www.discoverkalamazoo.com/ Discover Kalamazoo Michigan]

{{Geographic location

|North=Grand Rapids

|West=Benton Harbor

|Center=Kalamazoo

|East=Battle Creek

|South=Three Rivers

}}

{{Kalamazoo, Michigan}}

{{Kalamazoo County, Michigan}}

{{West Michigan}}

{{Michigan}}

{{Great Lakes Megalopolis}}

{{Michigan county seats}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Cities in Kalamazoo County, Michigan

Category:Michigan placenames of Native American origin

Category:County seats in Michigan

Category:Populated places established in 1831

Category:1831 establishments in Michigan Territory