Bridgman is a city located in Berrien County, Michigan. According to the 2020 census, the population was 2,096.

History

There was a place called Plummer's Pier in this area. In 1856, lumbermen started a town named Charlotteville in the same region.

Bridgman began as a village established by George C. Bridgman in 1870. The village was centered around a railroad station that opened the same year.

The Bridgman post office, with ZIP code 49106, first opened on November 11, 1862, and was named "Laketon." The name changed to Bridgman on April 9, 1874. Later, Bridgman grew by including the area that had once been Charlotteville. The town is known for hosting the 1922 Bridgman Convention, a secret communist meeting that was stopped by Federal Bureau of Investigation agents and local officials.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city's total area is 2.93 square miles (7.59 km), of which 2.90 square miles (7.51 km) is land and 0.03 square miles (0.08 km) is water.

Demographics

As of the 2010 census, the city had 2,291 people, 954 households, and 608 families. The population density was 790.0 people per square mile (305.0/km²). There were 1,183 housing units, with an average density of 407.9 per square mile (157.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city included 95.3% White, 1.1% African American, 0.6% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 0.7% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race made up 3.7% of the population.

There were 954 households, with 28.1% having children under 18 living with them. Of these, 49.9% were married couples, 10.3% had a female householder without a husband, 3.6% had a male householder without a wife, and 36.3% were non-families. Thirty-two point three percent of households included only one person, and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years or older. The average household size was 2.30, and the average family size was 2.88.

The median age in the city was 44.3 years. Twenty-two point one percent of residents were under 18, 6.1% were between 18 and 24, 22.6% were aged 25 to 44, 28.6% were aged 45 to 64, and 20.5% were 65 or older. The gender distribution was 47.5% male and 52.5% female.

As of the 2000 census, the city had 2,428 people, 998 households, and 649 families. The population density was 829.4 people per square mile (320.2/km²). There were 1,140 housing units, with an average density of 389.4 per square mile (150.3/km²). The racial makeup included 96.33% White, 0.70% African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.95% from other races, and 1.15% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race made up 1.81% of the population.

There were 998 households, with 30.0% having children under 18 living with them. Of these, 53.8% were married couples, 8.9% had a female householder without a husband, and 34.9% were non-families. Thirty-one point nine percent of households included only one person, and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.31, and the average family size was 2.92.

The population was distributed as follows: 23.1% under 18, 6.1% aged 18 to 24, 26.9% aged 25 to 44, 25.3% aged 45 to 64, and 18.6% aged 65 or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females aged 18 or older, there were 88.4 males.

The median household income was $48,292, and the median family income was $56,466. Males had a median income of $40,862, while females had a median income of $24,297. The per capita income was $25,405. About 4.7% of families and 6.9% of the population lived below the poverty line, including 8.3% of those under 18 and 5.8% of those aged 65 or older.

Parks and recreation

Bridgman provides access to many parks and outdoor activities, especially Weko Beach Park, a public beach on the shore of Lake Michigan. The park has more than 900 feet of beachfront, trails through sand dunes, a campground, picnic areas, and a beach house. Weko Beach also holds seasonal events, such as the Weko Beach Concert Series, where live music is played outdoors at sunset.

Weko Beach is linked to Warren Dunes State Park by a trail system. Warren Dunes is one of Michigan’s most visited state parks, offering long hiking trails, more beaches, and large sand dunes for climbing and viewing.

In addition to lake activities, the city has several community parks. Toth Street Park includes a dog park, playground, and walking path.

Education and library

The Bridgman Public School system has three schools: an elementary school, a middle school, and Bridgman High School. The community supports these schools.

The Bridgman Public Library was created in 1966. It is also where the Bridgman/Lake Township Historical Society meets.

Notable people

• Herbert S. Gutowsky, chemist
• Ralf Mojsiejenko, NFL player from Germany
• Jerry Planutis, NFL player; coached at Michigan State Spartans and Bridgman High School