Blissfield is a village in Lenawee County, Michigan. The population was recorded as 3,277 in the 2020 census. Most of the village is located within Blissfield Township. Small parts of the village extend west into Palmyra Township and south into Riga Township. The Blissfield post office opened on March 28, 1828. Hervey Bliss, the first white settler in 1824 and for whom the town is named, was the first postmaster.

History

During World War II, 16 German prisoners of war who were working on a sugar beet farm near Blissfield were killed in an accident when their truck crashed into a train as they returned to Fort Custer. They are now buried at Fort Custer National Cemetery.

According to local legend, Blissfield was home to the first set of Triple Bridges in the world. These three bridges stood next to each other and crossed the River Raisin to allow trains and vehicles to pass. The interurban bridge was later removed, and the road bridge was replaced with a larger bridge that took the place of both.

In September–October 2014, Blissfield's village hall was moved to a former KeyBank location in the village's business district. It is now located two doors away from the Township offices. The police department also moved to the new location.

Blissfield High School is the home of the Royals. The baseball team has won seven state championships, and the girls volleyball team won its first state title in 2005.

The village includes three properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places: the Blissfield Downtown Historic District, the David Carpenter House, and the First Presbyterian Church of Blissfield.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 2.30 square miles (5.96 square kilometers), of which 2.24 square miles (5.80 square kilometers) is land and 0.06 square miles (0.16 square kilometers) is water.

The village is part of three townships: Blissfield, Palmyra, and Riga. Of the township's total area of 2.30 square miles (5.96 square kilometers), 2.27 square miles (5.88 square kilometers), or 98.7%, is located within Blissfield Township. Of the population of 3,340 counted in the 2010 census, 3,332 residents lived in Blissfield Township, and 8 lived in Palmyra Township. No residents lived in the Riga Township portion of the village of Blissfield.

Demographics

As of the 2010 census, the village had 3,340 people, 1,349 households, and 924 families. The population density was 1,491.1 people per square mile (575.7 per square kilometer). There were 1,470 housing units, with an average density of 656.2 per square mile (253.4 per square kilometer). The racial makeup included 96.6% White, 0.3% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.8% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino individuals made up 5.1% of the population.

There were 1,349 households. Of these, 34.2% had children under 18 living with them, 52.2% were married couples, 12.5% had a female householder without a husband, 3.8% had a male householder without a wife, and 31.5% were non-families. Twenty-seven point seven percent of households included only one person, and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years or older. The average household size was 2.48 people, and the average family size was 3.00 people.

The median age in the village was 38.8 years. Twenty-five point six percent of residents were under 18, 7.3% were between 18 and 24, 25.3% were 25 to 44 years old, 26.2% were 45 to 64 years old, and 15.5% were 65 years or older. The gender distribution was 48.3% male and 51.7% female.

As of the 2000 census, the village had 3,223 people, 1,319 households, and 903 families. The population density was 1,520.7 people per square mile (587.1 per square kilometer). There were 1,388 housing units, with an average density of 654.9 per square mile (252.9 per square kilometer). The racial makeup included 96.59% White, 0.06% African American, 0.03% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 2.61% from other races, and 0.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino individuals made up 6.14% of the population.

There were 1,319 households. Of these, 32.5% had children under 18 living with them, 55.9% were married couples, 9.4% had a female householder without a husband, and 31.5% were non-families. Twenty-seven point five percent of households included only one person, and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years or older. The average household size was 2.42 people, and the average family size was 2.96 people.

The population was distributed as follows: 26.0% under 18, 8.1% between 18 and 24, 28.0% between 25 and 44, 22.1% between 45 and 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.1 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 87.6 males.

The median household income was $39,438, and the median family income was $48,964. Males had a median income of $37,218, while females had a median income of $25,069. The per capita income was $19,255. About 6.9% of families and 8.4% of the population lived below the poverty line, including 10.0% of those under 18 and 9.4% of those 65 years or older.

Gallery

• River Raisin, viewed from a bridge on Adrian Street
• Historic Blissfield Hotel, located on Lane Street
• Adrian Street, looking east
• First United Methodist Church, situated on Adrian Street
• Old Road Dinner Train, found on Adrian Street
• American Legion Post 325, displaying an F-105, located on Adrian Street