Lowell, Michigan
Encyclopedia
Lowell is a city in Kent County
of the U.S. state
of Michigan
. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 4,013. The city is in the northern portion of Lowell Township
, but is politically independent. Lowell's economy is a mix of manufacturing, restaurants and locally owned bussinesses
in 1831 by Daniel Marsac. In 1847, he purchased land on the north side of the river and plat
ted it as "Dansville". In 1851, a post office was established there named "Lowell" after the township. The community was replatted in 1854 and renamed after the post office. It incorporated as a village in 1861. Lowell is the home of a retired showboat
, the Robert E. Lee.
, the city has a total area of 3.1 square miles (8 km²), of which, 2.9 square miles (7.5 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (6.47%) is water.
of 2000, there were 4,013 people, 1,492 households, and 1,008 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,391.2 per square mile (538.0/km²). There were 1,564 housing units at an average density of 542.2 per square mile (209.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.21% White, 0.57% African American, 0.62% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 0.72% from other races
, and 1.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.14% of the population.
There were 1,492 households out of which 38.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% were married couples
living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.4% were non-families. 26.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.17.
In the city, the population was spread out with 29.3% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 17.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 89.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $42,326, and the median income for a family was $49,145. Males had a median income of $36,525 versus $25,625 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $17,843. About 4.4% of families and 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.3% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.
Lowell is neighbored by Vergennes township
, Lowell township
, and Ionia county
communities.
, middle school, 3 elementary schools, and Unity high school. The district excels in Michigan educational assessment program (MEAP), with only 8.3% of Michigan Schools scoring higher, and 95% of students are excelled in reading and math. They have around 4000 students in the district with a growth rate of 75 per year. The district covers 130 square miles (336.7 km²), The superintendent of the school as of 4 years is Gregory Pratt.
There is also one private school, St. Patrick School, located within the Lowell School District. This school serves children from preschool through 8th grade and is affiliated with St. Patrick Catholic Church in Parnell. The school provides a comprehensive, faith-based curriculum.
Lowell High School's mascot
is the Red Arrow. Lowell High School participates in Division 2 for all sports according to the Michigan High School Athletic Association. They participate in almost all sports but are most notably known for their football team. The football team is known for being a powerhouse and as having the largest program which holds 3 state titles (2002, 2004, 2009), The Equestrian team holds the most state titles including the first for the school, 4 total (2000, 2002, 2003, and 2007), and strong wrestling program also regarded as a powerhouse which holds 3 state championships (2002, 2004, 2009).
Lowell is the home of the North Country Trail
Association.
Kent County, Michigan
-Air Service:*Commercial air service to Grand Rapids is provided by Gerald R. Ford International Airport . Previously named Kent County International Airport, it holds Grand Rapids' mark in modern history with the United States' first regularly scheduled airline service, beginning July 31, 1926,...
of the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 4,013. The city is in the northern portion of Lowell Township
Lowell Township, Michigan
Lowell Charter Township is a charter township of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 5,219...
, but is politically independent. Lowell's economy is a mix of manufacturing, restaurants and locally owned bussinesses
History
Lowell was founded as a trading post on the south bank of the Grand RiverGrand River (Michigan)
The Grand River is the longest river in the U.S. state of Michigan. It runs through the cities of Jackson, Eaton Rapids, Lansing, Grand Rapids, and Grand Haven.-Description:...
in 1831 by Daniel Marsac. In 1847, he purchased land on the north side of the river and plat
Plat
A plat in the U.S. is a map, drawn to scale, showing the divisions of a piece of land. Other English-speaking countries generally call such documents a cadastral map or plan....
ted it as "Dansville". In 1851, a post office was established there named "Lowell" after the township. The community was replatted in 1854 and renamed after the post office. It incorporated as a village in 1861. Lowell is the home of a retired showboat
Showboat
A showboat, or show boat, was a form of theater that traveled along the waterways of the United States, especially along the Mississippi and Ohio rivers . A showboat was basically a barge that resembled a long, flat-roofed house, and in order to move down the river, it was pushed by a small tugboat...
, the Robert E. Lee.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 3.1 square miles (8 km²), of which, 2.9 square miles (7.5 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square mile (0.517997622 km²) of it (6.47%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 4,013 people, 1,492 households, and 1,008 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,391.2 per square mile (538.0/km²). There were 1,564 housing units at an average density of 542.2 per square mile (209.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.21% White, 0.57% African American, 0.62% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 0.72% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.14% of the population.
There were 1,492 households out of which 38.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.4% were non-families. 26.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.17.
In the city, the population was spread out with 29.3% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 17.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 89.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $42,326, and the median income for a family was $49,145. Males had a median income of $36,525 versus $25,625 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $17,843. About 4.4% of families and 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.3% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.
Lowell is neighbored by Vergennes township
Vergennes Township, Michigan
Vergennes Township is a civil township of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 3,611.-Geography:...
, Lowell township
Lowell Township, Michigan
Lowell Charter Township is a charter township of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 5,219...
, and Ionia county
Ionia County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 61,518 people, 20,606 households, and 15,145 families residing in the county. The population density was 107 people per square mile . There were 22,006 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile...
communities.
Schools and Athletics
Lowell has six schools within its public school district: the high schoolLowell High School (Michigan)
Lowell High School is a coeducation public school located in Lowell, Michigan. The current principal for Lowell High School is Patricia Murphy-Alderman....
, middle school, 3 elementary schools, and Unity high school. The district excels in Michigan educational assessment program (MEAP), with only 8.3% of Michigan Schools scoring higher, and 95% of students are excelled in reading and math. They have around 4000 students in the district with a growth rate of 75 per year. The district covers 130 square miles (336.7 km²), The superintendent of the school as of 4 years is Gregory Pratt.
There is also one private school, St. Patrick School, located within the Lowell School District. This school serves children from preschool through 8th grade and is affiliated with St. Patrick Catholic Church in Parnell. The school provides a comprehensive, faith-based curriculum.
Lowell High School's mascot
Mascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
is the Red Arrow. Lowell High School participates in Division 2 for all sports according to the Michigan High School Athletic Association. They participate in almost all sports but are most notably known for their football team. The football team is known for being a powerhouse and as having the largest program which holds 3 state titles (2002, 2004, 2009), The Equestrian team holds the most state titles including the first for the school, 4 total (2000, 2002, 2003, and 2007), and strong wrestling program also regarded as a powerhouse which holds 3 state championships (2002, 2004, 2009).
Recreation
| Lowell Parks | Location |
|---|---|
| CreeksidePark | Located in the 1600 block of Gee Dr. |
| Rec Park | Located in the 300 block of S. Broadway St. |
| Richards Park | Located in the 300 block of N. Hudson St. |
| Stoney Lakeside Park | Located in the 1200 block of Bowes Rd. |
| Lowell Dog Park | Located in the 1200 block of Bowes Rd.http://www.lowelldogpark.comhttp://www.ci.lowell.mi.us |
Lowell is the home of the North Country Trail
North Country Trail
The North Country National Scenic Trail , which stretches approximately from Crown Point in eastern New York to Lake Sakakawea in central North Dakota in the United States, is the longest of the eleven National Scenic Trails authorized by Congress...
Association.
Notable residents
- David Christenson, distinguished classical scholar, grew up in Lowell (1960-74)
- Mike Dumas, professional football player (retired)
- Dave HildenbrandDave HildenbrandDave Hildenbrand is a politician from the U.S. state of Michigan. He is a Republican member of the Michigan Senate, representing the 29th District. He is the Assistant Majority Leader....
, Michigan politician - Anthony KiedisAnthony KiedisAnthony Kiedis is an American vocalist/lyricist, and occasional actor best known as the lead vocalist of the Grammy-winning American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers. Kiedis spent his youth in Grand Rapids, Michigan with his mother before moving, shortly before his 12th birthday, to Hollywood,...
, "Red Hot Chili PeppersRed Hot Chili PeppersRed Hot Chili Peppers is an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles in 1983. The group's musical style primarily consists of rock with an emphasis on funk, as well as elements from other genres such as punk, hip hop and psychedelic rock...
" lead singer - Daniel VosovicDaniel VosovicDaniel Vosovic is a fashion designer and a finalist in season 2 of the reality show, Project Runway. He was the winner of the Project Runway All-Star Challenge, which aired on August 20, 2009.-Biography:...
, a fashion designer and a finalist in season 2 of the reality show, Project RunwayProject RunwayProject Runway is an American reality television series on Lifetime Television, previously on the Bravo network, which focuses on fashion design and is hosted by model Heidi Klum. The contestants compete with each other to create the best clothes and are restricted in time, materials and theme...
. - Nate Vanderveen, American country-western musician. Founding member of the Vandertones.
- Kimberly Fosburg, interviewed by Matt Lauer for support of [Lowell Pink Arrow Project|http://pinkarrowpride.org/]