Holland, Michigan

Holland is a city located in Western Michigan on the Black River settled in 1847 by Dutch Calvinist separatists under the leadership of Rev. Albertus Van Raalte. Holland continues to boast a large percentage of citizens of Dutch American heritage, many who still practice forms of the Dutch Reformed faith brought by the original settlers. It is home to Hope College and Western Theological Seminary, institutions of the Reformed Church of America. Most of Holland is located in Ottawa County although the city boundaries extend into Allegan County. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 35,048.

Contents

1 Geography 2 Demographics 3 Culture and history 4 External links

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 44.5 km² (17.2 mi²). 42.9 km² (16.6 mi²) of it is land and 1.6 km² (0.6 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 3.61% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 35,048 people, 11,971 households, and 7,924 families residing in the city. The population density is 816.7/km² (2,115.3/mi²). There are 12,533 housing units at an average density of 292.0/km² (756.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 78.18% White, 2.53% African American, 0.58% Native American, 3.56% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 12.41% from other races, and 2.72% from two or more races. 22.21% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 11,971 households out of which 34.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.4% are married couples living together, 10.8% have a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% are non-families. 26.8% of all households are made up of individuals, and 11.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.67 and the average family size is 3.24.

In the city the population is spread out with 26.1% under the age of 18, 17.5% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 15.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 29 years. For every 100 females there are 90.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 86.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $42,291, and the median income for a family is $50,316. Males have a median income of $36,339 versus $26,481 for females. The per capita income for the city is $18,823. 10.6% of the population and 6.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 9.8% of those under the age of 18 and 6.5% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Culture and history

Holland, Michigan was founded in 1847 by a group of Dutch settlers led by the Rev. Albertus Christiaan van Raalte.

Each May Holland hosts an annual Tulip Time Festival. This festival celebrates the Dutch heritage of many residents of the town. It is normally held the second week of May, right when the numerous tulips planted around the town are blooming.

Holland was the unlikely birthplace of Slashdot, an influential early Internet weblog created by Hope College student Rob "CmdrTaco" Malda.

In 1987, 23-year-old recent Hope College graduate and City Council member Phil Tanis was elected mayor of Holland, becoming its youngest mayor.

Holland is home to the world's largest pickle factory. This factory has been continuously operated by the H.J. Heinz Company at the same location since 1897.

The city suffered a major fire on October 8–9, 1871, the same time as the Great Chicago Fire in Illinois and the very deadly Peshtigo Fire in Wisconsin, leading some to believe there was a common cause—possibly fragments of Comet Biela striking the area, though there is no direct evidence for such a hypothesis.

External links

• City of Holland website (http://www.ci.holland.mi.us/default.htm)nl:Holland (Michigan)