Coldwater is a city located in Branch County, Michigan. It serves as the county seat, which means it is the main city for the county. According to the 2020 census, the city had a population of 13,822 people. The city is mostly surrounded by Coldwater Township, but the city and township are managed separately.

History

In the early 1800s, American settlers began moving into the area. Many of them came from New York and New England. In 1837, Coldwater was officially established as a village. Later, in 1861, the legislature formally created it as a city. In 1842, Coldwater was chosen as the county seat of Branch County.

Geography

The Coldwater River flows into the city from the south and begins at Coldwater Lake. The Coldwater chain of lakes also has an outlet called the Sauk River, which starts at the north end of the lake near Quincy and flows through the south side of the city of Coldwater. These rivers form a series of shallow, connected lakes on the city's west side.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.27 square miles (21.42 km²), of which 8.03 square miles (20.80 km²) is land and 0.24 square miles (0.62 km²) is water.

Coldwater has a humid continental climate, which is near the boundary between two categories: Dfa (hot summer) and Dfb (long, warm summer).

National Weather Service records show that in January, the average high temperature is 30.9°F (−0.6°C), and the average low is 15.9°F (−8.9°C). In July, the average high temperature is 81.9°F (27.7°C), and the average low is 59.9°F (15.5°C). On average, there are 7.4 afternoons each year with temperatures reaching 90°F (32.2°C) or higher, and 136.2 days with temperatures dropping to 32°F (0°C) or lower. The highest temperature ever recorded was 108°F (42.2°C) on July 24, 1934, and the lowest was −29°F (−33.9°C) on January 31, 2019.

The city receives an average of 39.12 inches (993.6 mm) of precipitation each year. Measurable precipitation occurs on about 145 days annually. The wettest year was 2018, with 47.12 inches (1,196.8 mm) of rain, and the driest year was 1930, with 17.94 inches (455.7 mm). The most rain in one month was 13.07 inches (332.0 mm) in August 2007, and the most rain in 24 hours was 5.37 inches (136.4 mm) on June 26, 1978.

The city averages 42.7 inches (108 cm) of snowfall each year, with measurable snowfall on about 27.5 days. The snowiest season was from July 1977 to June 1978, when 84.8 inches (215 cm) of snow fell, including 50.7 inches (129 cm) in January 1978. A blizzard that month brought 17.0 inches (43 cm) of snow on January 26, 1978.

Demographics

As of the 2010 census, the city had 10,945 people, 4,255 households, and 2,628 families. The population density was 1,363.0 people per square mile (526.3/km²). There were 4,827 housing units, with an average density of 601.1 per square mile (232.1/km²). The racial makeup was 92.5% White, 0.6% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 3.2% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino individuals made up 6.6% of the population.

Out of 4,255 households, 34.9% had children under 18 living with them, 39.9% were married couples, 15.1% had female householders without husbands, 6.7% had male householders without wives, and 38.2% were non-families. Thirty-two point four percent of households included only one person, and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.49 people, and the average family size was 3.14 people.

The median age in the city was 35.2 years. Twenty-seven point two percent of residents were under 18, 9.3% were between 18 and 24, 25.3% were aged 25 to 44, 23.4% were aged 45 to 64, and 15% were 65 or older. The gender distribution was 47.8% male and 52.2% female.

As of the 2000 census, the city had 12,697 people, 4,058 households, and 2,520 families. The population density was 1,562.5 people per square mile (603.3/km²). There were 4,370 housing units, with an average density of 537.8 per square mile (207.6/km²). The racial makeup was 85.35% White, 8.42% African American, 0.75% Native American, 0.92% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.52% from other races, and 3.01% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino individuals made up 4.52% of the population.

Out of 4,058 households, 32.9% had children under 18, 43.6% were married couples, 12.9% had female householders without husbands, and 37.9% were non-families. Thirty-one point nine percent of households included only one person, and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.49 people, and the average family size was 3.11 people.

In 2000, 22.4% of the population was under 18, 9.4% were aged 18 to 24, 35.4% were aged 25 to 44, 20.3% were aged 45 to 64, and 12.5% were 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.5 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 100.8 males.

The median household income in the city was $33,913, and the median family income was $41,107. Males had a median income of $31,577, while females had a median income of $22,088. The average income per person was $15,833. About 6.0% of families and 9.6% of the population lived below the poverty line, including 11.6% of those under 18 and 7.9% of those 65 or older.

Arts and culture

Coldwater hosts several seasonal festivals throughout the year. The Ice Festival in January includes ice carvings, a chili-tasting competition, and family-friendly activities. The Strawberry Fest in June highlights foods made from strawberries and showcases arts and crafts. The Apple Fest in September offers home-baked treats made from apples and displays various crafts.

The Tibbits Opera House in Coldwater was built in 1882 and is the second-oldest theater in Michigan. It became a movie theater in the 1930s. In the 1960s, efforts began to restore it as a venue for live performances, with the goal of preserving its French Empire-style architecture. Today, it hosts a wide range of cultural events.

The Wing House, constructed in 1875, is now a historical museum operated by the Branch County Historical Society. The Little River Railroad provides train rides behind a steam locomotive built in 1911, departing from the city's historic 1883 train depot.

Education

• Coldwater Community Schools: A public school district serving Coldwater
• Pansophia Academy: A charter school offering grades K through 12
• St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School: Grades K through 5
• Legg Middle School: Grades 6 through 8. Part of the Coldwater Community Schools district.
• Coldwater High School: Grades 9 through 12. Part of the Coldwater Community Schools district.

In addition to public and Catholic schools, Coldwater also has branches of Kellogg Community College and Baker College.

Media

The newspaper in Coldwater is called The Daily Reporter.

Coldwater has two radio stations, WTVB and WNWN. Their studios are located south of town on Business Loop 69, and these stations are part of the Kalamazoo radio area. There are no television stations that broadcast from within the county. Instead, Coldwater receives its television signals from the Kalamazoo-Grand Rapids-Battle Creek and Lansing-Jackson SMSAs in Michigan.

Infrastructure

Memorial Airport serves general aviation only.

• I-69 provides access to Coldwater through exits 10 (BL I-69, Fenn Road), 13 (US 12/BL I-69), and 16 (Jonesville Road). The city has grown since 1967, when I-69 was completed in the area to include the expanding region near exit 13.
• BL I-69 runs through downtown Coldwater.
• US 12 continues west to Sturgis and east toward the Hillsdale area.
• M-86 runs west to Three Rivers.

Public bus transportation in Coldwater is provided by the Branch Area Transit Authority (BATA).

Coldwater has an east–west railroad, but this is now a relic of a railroad that once connected to Chicago and Detroit.