Wikipedia

Branch County, Michigan

Branch County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 44,862.[3] The county seat is Coldwater.[4] One of the "cabinet counties", it was named for John Branch, U.S. Secretary of the Navy under President Andrew Jackson.[1] The county was founded in 1829, and was organized in 1833. Branch County comprises the Coldwater, MI Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Branch County, Michigan
County
Lanphere-Pratt House in Coldwater
Lanphere-Pratt House in Coldwater
Official seal of Branch County, Michigan
Seal
Map of Michigan highlighting Branch County
Location within the U.S. state of Michigan
Coordinates: 41°55′N 85°03′W / 41.92°N 85.05°W / 41.92; -85.05
Country United States
State Michigan
FoundedOctober 29, 1829 (created)
1833 (organized)[1]
Named afterJohn Branch
SeatColdwater
Largest cityColdwater
Area
 • Total
520 sq mi (1,300 km2)
 • Land506 sq mi (1,310 km2)
 • Water13 sq mi (34 km2)  2.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
44,862
 • Estimate 
(2025)[2]
45,993 Increase
 • Density91/sq mi (35/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district5th
Websitehttps://branchcounty.gov/

History

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Branch County was a New England settlement. The original founders of Coldwater were settlers from the northern coastal colonies – "Yankees", descended from the English Puritans who came from the Old World in the 1600s and who brought their culture. During the early 1800s, there was a wave of New England farmers who headed west into what was then the untamed Northwest Territory. Many traveled through New York State via the Erie Canal; the threat of Native Americans had been reduced by the end of the Black Hawk War.

These early settlers laid out farms, constructed roads, erected government buildings, and established post routes. They brought a passion for education, and established many schools. Many were supporters of abolitionism. They were mostly members of the Congregationalist Church though some were Episcopalian. Culturally Branch County, like much of Michigan, developed as part of the Northern Tier, continuous with New England culture, during its early history.[5][6] The county still depends on agriculture as the basis of its economy.

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 520 square miles (1,300 km2), of which 506 square miles (1,310 km2) is land and 13 square miles (34 km2) (2.6%) is water.[7] It is the third-smallest county in Michigan by total area. The only island in the county is Iyopawa Island.

Adjacent counties

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Major highways

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  • I-69 – runs north–south through central Branch County. Runs east of Girard, Coldwater and Kinderhook.
  • BL I-69 – runs through Coldwater.
  • US 12 – runs ENE through central Branch County. Passes Bronson, Coldwater and Quincy.
  • M-60 – runs through northern part of county. Enters near Union City; runs west 5 miles (8.0 km) to intersection with M60, south of Athens.
  • M-66 – runs through NW tip of county. Enters west line from Leonidas, Michigan, runs east 2.4 miles (3.9 km), turns north to exit county toward Athens, Michigan.
  • M-86 runs east–west through central Branch County. Enters from Colon, Michigan, runs east to intersection with US12, three miles (4.8 km) west of Coldwater.

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18405,715—
185012,472118.2%
186020,98168.2%
187026,22625.0%
188027,9416.5%
189026,791−4.1%
190027,8113.8%
191025,605−7.9%
192023,997−6.3%
193023,950−0.2%
194025,8457.9%
195030,20216.9%
196034,90315.6%
197037,9068.6%
198040,1886.0%
199041,5023.3%
200045,78710.3%
201045,248−1.2%
202044,862−0.9%
2025 (est.)45,993[8] Increase2.5%
US Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900–90[11]
1990–00[12] 2010–20[3][13] 2025[2]

Racial and ethnic composition

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Branch County, Michigan – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 1980[14] Pop 1990[15] Pop 2000[16] Pop 2010[17] Pop 2020[18] % 1980 % 1990 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 39,685 39,975 42,134 41,116 39,025 98.75% 96.32% 92.02% 90.87% 86.99%
Black or African American alone (NH) 77 686 1,187 1,380 1,124 0.19% 1.65% 2.59% 3.05% 2.51%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 102 215 195 166 132 0.25% 0.52% 0.43% 0.37% 0.29%
Asian alone (NH) 58 150 179 196 266 0.14% 0.36% 0.39% 0.43% 0.59%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) x [19] x [20] 7 2 10 x x 0.02% 0.00% 0.02%
Other race alone (NH) 43 8 35 22 135 0.11% 0.02% 0.08% 0.05% 0.30%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) x [21] x [22] 685 562 1,587 x x 1.50% 1.24% 3.54%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 223 468 1,365 1,804 2,583 0.55% 1.13% 2.98% 3.99% 5.76%
Total 40,188 41,502 45,787 45,248 44,862 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2020 census

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As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 44,862. The median age was 40.6 years, 24.2% of residents were under the age of 18, and 18.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 106.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 107.5 males age 18 and over.[23]

The racial makeup of the county was 88.3% White, 2.6% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 2.6% from some other race, and 5.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 5.8% of the population.[24]

There were 16,780 households in the county, of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 49.2% were married-couple households, 19.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 22.8% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[23]

There were 20,749 housing units, of which 19.1% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 74.1% were owner-occupied and 25.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.4%.[23]

30.6% of residents lived in urban areas, while 69.4% lived in rural areas.[25]

2010 census

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The 2010 United States census[26] indicates Branch County had a 2010 population of 45,248. This decrease of -539 people from the 2000 United States census represents a -1.2% growth decrease during the decade. In 2010 there were 16,419 households and 11,350 families in the county. The population density was 89.4 per square mile (34.5 square kilometers). There were 20,841 housing units at an average density of 41.2 per square mile (15.9 square kilometers). The racial and ethnic makeup of the county was 90.9% White, 3.0% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 0.1% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races.

There were 16,419 households, out of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.2% were husband and wife families, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.9% were non-families, and 25.8% were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.05.[26]

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.9% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 28.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 111.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 112.9 males.[26]

2010 American Community Survey

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The 2010 American Community Survey 3-year estimate indicates the median income for a household in the county was $41,855 and the median income for a family was $48,959. Males had a median income of $25,595 versus $17,263 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,289. About 2.5% of families and 17.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.3% of those under the age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.[26]

Government

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Branch County has been reliably Republican since the party's founding. Since 1884, the Republican Party nominee has carried 85% of the elections (29 of 34).

United States presidential election results for Branch County, Michigan[27]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
1884 3,671 52.08% 2,958 41.96% 420 5.96%
1888 4,098 55.36% 2,739 37.00% 566 7.65%
1892 3,271 49.68% 2,161 32.82% 1,152 17.50%
1896 3,596 46.58% 3,976 51.50% 148 1.92%
1900 4,293 54.73% 3,419 43.59% 132 1.68%
1904 4,385 69.72% 1,598 25.41% 306 4.87%
1908 3,715 57.48% 2,402 37.17% 346 5.35%
1912 1,865 30.11% 2,185 35.28% 2,143 34.60%
1916 3,100 48.77% 3,062 48.17% 194 3.05%
1920 5,704 69.72% 2,181 26.66% 296 3.62%
1924 6,016 64.67% 2,253 24.22% 1,033 11.11%
1928 6,818 74.51% 2,266 24.77% 66 0.72%
1932 4,663 43.83% 5,685 53.43% 292 2.74%
1936 5,528 48.60% 5,425 47.69% 422 3.71%
1940 7,400 62.90% 4,318 36.71% 46 0.39%
1944 7,155 67.44% 3,406 32.10% 48 0.45%
1948 6,323 63.06% 3,405 33.96% 299 2.98%
1952 9,215 71.52% 3,564 27.66% 105 0.81%
1956 8,856 69.49% 3,827 30.03% 61 0.48%
1960 8,752 64.41% 4,759 35.03% 76 0.56%
1964 5,110 39.21% 7,858 60.29% 66 0.51%
1968 7,071 55.88% 4,518 35.70% 1,065 8.42%
1972 8,388 62.01% 4,887 36.13% 251 1.86%
1976 8,251 55.74% 6,301 42.57% 250 1.69%
1980 10,224 62.99% 4,635 28.56% 1,371 8.45%
1984 11,004 73.63% 3,860 25.83% 81 0.54%
1988 9,225 63.48% 5,231 36.00% 75 0.52%
1992 5,976 36.02% 5,850 35.26% 4,767 28.73%
1996 6,321 42.70% 6,567 44.36% 1,917 12.95%
2000 8,743 55.40% 6,691 42.39% 349 2.21%
2004 10,784 60.02% 7,004 38.98% 179 1.00%
2008 9,534 52.14% 8,413 46.01% 338 1.85%
2012 10,035 58.52% 6,913 40.32% 199 1.16%
2016 11,786 66.73% 5,061 28.65% 816 4.62%
2020 14,064 68.36% 6,159 29.94% 350 1.70%
2024 14,848 70.41% 5,911 28.03% 330 1.56%
United States Senate election results for Branch County, Michigan1[28]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
2024 14,181 68.20% 5,923 28.49% 688 3.31%
Michigan Gubernatorial election results for Branch County
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
2022 10,132 62.81% 5,676 35.19% 322 2.00%

The county government operates the jail, maintains rural roads, operates the major local courts, records deeds, mortgages, and vital records, administers public health regulations, and participates with the state in the provision of social services. The county board of commissioners controls the budget and has limited authority to make laws or ordinances. In Michigan, most local government functions — police and fire services, building and zoning, tax assessment, street maintenance, etc. — are the responsibility of individual cities and townships.

Elected officials

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Information correct as of May 2026.

Communities

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See also

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References

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  1. 1 2 "Bibliography on Branch County". Clarke Historical Library, Central Michigan University. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  2. 1 2 "Branch County, Michigan". Census.gov.
  3. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
  4. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. ↑ Johnson, Crisfield (1879). "History of Branch County MI". google.com.
  6. ↑ Johnson, Crisfield (1879). "History of Branch County MI". google.com.
  7. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  8. ↑ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 6, 2026.
  9. ↑ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  14. ↑ "1980 Census of Population - General Social and Economic Characteristics - Michigan - Tables 15 and 16 – Race by Sex: 1980 and Tables 16 and 17 – Persons by Spanish Origin, Race, and Sex: 1980" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 24-59. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 11, 2025 – via Wayback Machine.
  15. ↑ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Michigan: Table 3-5 - Race and Hispanic Origin" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 37-179. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2026 – via Wayback Machine.
  16. ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Branch County, Michigan". United States Census Bureau.
  17. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Branch County, Michigan". United States Census Bureau.
  18. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Branch County, Michigan". United States Census Bureau.
  19. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
  20. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
  21. ↑ not an option in the 1980 Census
  22. ↑ not an option in the 1990 Census
  23. 1 2 3 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  24. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  25. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  26. 1 2 3 4 "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved March 11, 2012.
  27. ↑ US Election Atlas
  28. ↑ "2024 Senate Election (Official Returns)". Commonwealth of Michigan by county. November 5, 2024. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  29. ↑ Briscoe, Brett (May 19, 2026). "Retired Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz named interim Branch County prosecutor". WTVB. Retrieved May 19, 2026.
  30. ↑ "Prosecuting Attorney". Branch County, Michigan. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  31. ↑ "Sheriff's Office". Branch County, Michigan. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  32. ↑ "County Clerk". Branch County, Michigan. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  33. ↑ "Treasurer's Office". Branch County, Michigan. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  34. ↑ "Register of Deeds". Branch County, Michigan. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  35. ↑ "Drain Commissioner". Branch County, Michigan. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  36. ↑ Branch County Government Website.
  37. ↑ "Board of Commissioners". Branch County, Michigan. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
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