Hudsonville is a city located in Ottawa County, in the state of Michigan. It is part of the Grand Rapids metropolitan area. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, the population of Hudsonville was 7,721. The city is nicknamed "Michigan's Salad Bowl."

History

Hudsonville was established in 1873, shortly after the Chicago and West Michigan Railway was extended to the area. The town was named after Homer E. Hudson, an early settler who also served as the town's first postmaster. The early settlement of Hudsonville was located near a swamp, which made it difficult to develop the area. In 1872, the Chicago and West Michigan Railroad was completed. This railroad attracted more people to the region, including many Dutch immigrants. For many years, Hudsonville was part of Georgetown Township. It became a city in 1957.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.54 square miles (11.76 square kilometers), all of which is land.

Terra Square is a mixed-use community center located in downtown Hudsonville at 3380 Chicago Drive. It provides an event space and a work space, and it also hosts the Hudsonville Farmers Market.

Hudsonville Nature Center is located at the east end of New Holland Drive. It has 5.4 miles of hiking trails, picnic areas, and lookouts within a 76-acre nature preserve.

Demographics

As of the 2010 census, the city had 7,116 people, 2,582 households, and 1,901 families. The population density was 1,718.8 people per square mile (663.6 per square kilometer). There were 2,712 housing units, with an average density of 655.1 per square mile (252.9 per square kilometer). The racial makeup was 94.3% White, 1.5% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 1.3% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino individuals made up 3.2% of the population.

In 2010, there were 2,582 households. Of these, 37.1% had children under 18 living with them, 60.4% were married couples, 9.8% had a female householder without a husband, 3.4% had a male householder without a wife, and 26.4% were non-families. Twenty-three percent of households had only one person, and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.71, and the average family size was 3.20.

The median age in the city was 33.5 years. Twenty-eight point four percent of residents were under 18, 8.8% were between 18 and 24, 25.8% were 25 to 44, 22.5% were 45 to 64, and 14.5% were 65 or older. The gender distribution was 47.7% male and 52.3% female.

As of the 2000 census, the city had 7,160 people, 2,514 households, and 1,920 families. The population density was 1,729.1 people per square mile (667.6 per square kilometer). There were 2,598 housing units, with an average density of 627.4 per square mile (242.2 per square kilometer). The racial makeup was 97.71% White, 0.47% African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.39% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino individuals made up 1.45% of the population.

In 2000, there were 2,514 households. Of these, 39.5% had children under 18, 66.4% were married couples, 7.5% had a female householder without a husband, and 23.6% were non-families. Twenty point four percent of households had only one person, and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.80, and the average family size was 3.26.

In 2000, 30.8% of the population was under 18, 9.5% were between 18 and 24, 28.2% were 25 to 44, 16.6% were 45 to 64, and 14.9% were 65 or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.9 males. For every 100 females aged 18 or older, there were 87.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $46,961, and the median income for a family was $55,372. Males had a median income of $41,418, while females had a median income of $26,554. The per capita income was $19,286. About 2.4% of families and 4.6% of the population lived below the poverty line, including 5.8% of those under 18 and 3.6% of those 65 or older.

Notable people

• Isaac TeSlaa, professional football player for the Detroit Lions
• Bethany Balcer, professional soccer player who grew up in Hudsonville
• Taylor Lautner, actor who grew up in Hudsonville
• John Vander Wal, Major League Baseball player who grew up in Hudsonville / Hudsonville