The city of Kalamazoo, Michigan has many neighborhoods. Although different sources may have different numbers, borders, and names for these areas, the list below shows the most commonly accepted arrangement, as defined by the City of Kalamazoo. Some of these neighborhoods have a neighborhood association.
Arcadia
The Arcadia neighborhood is located on the west side of Kalamazoo. It is bounded on the south by West Michigan Avenue and on the east by Howard Street. To the north of Arcadia are Kalamazoo Township and the Westwood neighborhood, while Oshtemo Township is to the west. The neighborhood has about 400 single-family homes, which are the main focus of the Arcadia Neighborhood Association. The northern part of the neighborhood includes natural areas that are not developed.
According to the 2000 census, the population of the Arcadia neighborhood was 3,529 people living in 1,647 households. The racial makeup of the neighborhood was 81.30% White, 9.49% Black or African American, 0.43% Native American, 5.02% Asian, 0.00% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 1.25% from other races, and 2.52% from two or more races. Additionally, 2.21% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Burke Acres
Burke Acres is located in the northeast part of the City of Kalamazoo. It is surrounded by the City of Parchment to the north, the Kalamazoo River to the west, and Gull Road to the south. Averill and Spring Valley Lakes are within the neighborhood, and Spring Valley Park covers a large part of the area. Much of the neighborhood was originally divided into plots from the old Burke farm. Many homes in the area were built in the 1950s and 1960s. There is no neighborhood association for Burke Acres.
According to the 2000 census, the neighborhood had a population of 3,481 people living in 1,414 households. The racial makeup of the neighborhood was 69.64% White, 23.04% Black or African American, 0.43% Native American, 1.09% Asian, 0.00% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 1.87% from other races, and 3.94% from two or more races. Two and a half percent of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Central Business District/Center
The Central Business District, or downtown Kalamazoo, is split into six areas: Arcadia, Bronson Park, East End, Haymarket, Kalamazoo Mall, and South Town. Places for learning and culture in this area include the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, the main branch of the Kalamazoo Public Library, and the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. Nightlife in the city is found here and includes nightclubs and small breweries. The Kalamazoo Transportation Center is located on the northern part of the Central Business District.
According to the 2000 census, 1,420 people in 604 households lived in the Central Business District. The racial composition of the district was 75.49% White, 18.45% Black or African American, 0.92% Native American, 1.27% Asian, 0.07% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 0.35% from other races, and 3.45% from two or more races. Two percent of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
The development of this area is supported by the private, non-profit Downtown Kalamazoo, Inc.
Colony Farm
Colony Farm is located in the southwest part of Kalamazoo. It includes Western Michigan University's Business, Technology & Research Park and has a small number of homes where people live. There is no neighborhood association in this area.
According to the 2000 census, the Colony Farm neighborhood had 371 people living in 177 households. The racial makeup of the neighborhood was 89.76% White, 4.04% Black or African American, 0.27% Native American, 1.35% Asian, 0.00% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 0.27% from other races, and 4.31% from two or more races. Additionally, 0.81% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Eastside
Eastside, along with Burke Acres, is one of the two neighborhoods in Kalamazoo located on the east side of the Kalamazoo River. The neighborhood has two city parks and is built on hills that look down over the center of the city from the east. Residents are helped by the Eastside Neighborhood Association.
According to the 2000 census, the Eastside neighborhood had 2,673 people living in 883 homes. The different groups of people in the neighborhood were 31.31% White, 58.51% Black or African American, 1.80% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.22% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 2.84% from other races, and 4.90% from two or more races. Five point zero nine percent of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Edison
The Edison neighborhood in Kalamazoo is the most populated area in the city. It is located on the east side and is home to the largest number of Hispanic residents in Kalamazoo. Four of the city's parks are in Edison, including Mayor's Riverfront Park, where the Kalamazoo Growlers and Kalamazoo Kingdom sports teams play. The Edison Neighborhood Association provides services to residents in the area.
According to the 2000 census, Edison had a population of 9,415 people living in 3,288 households. The racial composition of the neighborhood was 56.14% White, 27.59% Black or African American, 1.39% Native American, 0.72% Asian, 0.10% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 8.39% from other races, and 5.66% from two or more races. Thirteen point two four percent of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Hill 'N' Brook
According to the 2000 census, the Hill 'N' Brook neighborhood had a population of 451 people living in 188 households. The racial composition of the neighborhood was 89.58% White, 4.21% Black or African American, 0.00% Native American, 4.43% Asian, 0.00% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 0.89% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. Two percent of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Knollwood
The Knollwood neighborhood is located on the west side of the city, next to Western Michigan University. Because of this, there are many student housing options in Knollwood, especially on the east side near the university. Unlike other student housing areas, such as the Stuart and West Main Hill Neighborhoods, which have individual homes or parts of homes for rent, most housing in Knollwood is in apartment buildings. Knollwood also has several houses for sororities and fraternities from Western Michigan University. There is no neighborhood association in the area.
According to the 2000 census, the Knollwood neighborhood had a population of 5,633 people living in 2,101 households. The different groups of people in the neighborhood included 74.28% White, 14.17% Black or African American, 0.53% Native American, 5.04% Asian, 0.04% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 2.54% from other races, and 3.41% from two or more races. Additionally, 4.69% of the population were Hispanic or Latino, regardless of race.
Milwood
The Milwood neighborhood is located in the southeast part of the city and includes a large area to the south that includes the Kalamazoo-Battle Creek International Airport. Milwood is the second largest neighborhood by population and the largest in area, covering 12.6 km. Most of the homes in Milwood, which are mostly single-family houses, are found in the north and west parts of the neighborhood, while the east remains mostly undeveloped. Residents of Milwood are protected by the Milwood Neighborhood Watch Association.
According to the 2000 census, Milwood had a population of 7,918 people living in 3,632 households. The racial makeup of the neighborhood was 87.61% White, 7.60% Black or African American, 0.45% Native American, 0.87% Asian, 0.00% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 1.23% from other races, and 2.24% from two or more races. Additionally, 2.75% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Northside
Northside has more than one-fourth of the city's African American population, according to the 2000 census. Along with the Eastside neighborhood, Northside is one of the two areas in Kalamazoo where African Americans make up the majority of the population. The Northside includes several of the city's parks and has many organizations that provide social services to help residents. A group called the Northside Association for Community Development works to support the neighborhood.
According to the 2000 census, the Northside neighborhood had 5,669 people living in 1,965 households. The racial breakdown of the neighborhood was as follows: 10.83% White, 83.35% Black or African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.05% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 2.17% from other races, and 2.98% from two or more races. Additionally, 4.07% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Oakland / Winchell
The Oakland / Winchell neighborhood is located on the west side of the city and named after the two main streets where most residents live. The western third of the neighborhood includes large areas of untouched natural land, with Asylum Lake at its center. In the southeast corner, there are two city parks near the edge of Woods Lake. The neighborhood is managed by the Oakland Drive / Winchell Avenue Neighborhood Association.
Along the southern shore of Woods Lake, which borders the Oakwood neighborhood, there once stood a series of popular amusement parks that operated from the 1890s to the 1920s. The western shore of Woods Lake is home to Woods Lake Beach Park, which is open to the public during the summer months. The park has had several major changes, including removing the old restroom building, building a new restroom with drinking fountains, and constructing a wooden dock for fishing.
According to the 2000 census, the Oakland / Winchell neighborhood had a population of 4,299 people living in 1,903 households. The racial composition of the neighborhood was 87.88% White, 7.70% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 2.26% Asian, 0.00% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 0.44% from other races, and 1.54% from two or more races. Additionally, 1.21% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Oakwood
The Oakwood Neighborhood Association is one of the oldest groups in the city. It was formed in 1947, but the area became part of the city in 1957.
According to the 2000 census, the Oakwood neighborhood had a population of 1,382 people living in 609 homes. The racial breakdown of the neighborhood was as follows: 90.59% White, 4.12% Black or African American, 0.58% Native American, 0.72% Asian, 0.00% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 2.24% from other races, and 1.74% from two or more races. Additionally, 3.04% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino, regardless of race.
Parkview Hills
According to the 2000 census, the Parkview Hills neighborhood had a population of 1,125 people living in 693 households. The racial composition of the neighborhood included 90.84% White, 3.02% Black or African American, 0.27% Native American, 3.64% Asian, 0.09% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 0.27% from other races, and 1.87% from two or more races. Additionally, 1.60% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino of any race.
South Westnedge
According to the 2000 census, the South Westnedge neighborhood had a population of 5,266 people living in 2,429 households. The racial composition of the neighborhood was as follows: 85.24% White, 8.79% Black or African American, 0.34% Native American, 1.90% Asian, 0.17% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 0.72% from other races, and 2.83% from two or more races. Additionally, 2.05% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino, regardless of race.
Southside
According to the 2000 census, the Southside neighborhood had a population of 795 people living in 305 households. The racial composition of the neighborhood was 75.72% White, 15.35% Black or African American, 0.88% Native American, 0.63% Asian, 0.00% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 2.52% from other races, and 4.91% from two or more races. Additionally, 5.28% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Stuart
The Stuart area is located just northwest of Kalamazoo’s central business district. It began as an early suburb of Kalamazoo when US Senator Charles Stuart built a home there in 1854. At first, the area was wealthy but had few people living in it. Later, in the 1880s, horse-drawn trolley cars connected the neighborhood to the city center, making it more accessible to the middle class. Many homes in the Historic Stuart Neighborhood were built during this late 19th-century growth period. These homes include well-preserved examples of architectural styles like Queen Anne and Italianate. The neighborhood is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Residents and property owners are supported by the Stuart Area Restoration Association, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization created in 1973. The Association owns a house at 530 Douglas, Kalamazoo, MI. This 1910 American Four Square-style home serves as the group’s office, neighborhood center, and plant-sharing garden.
According to the 2000 census, the Stuart neighborhood had a population of 1,011 people living in 536 households. The racial makeup included 73.69% White, 18.69% Black or African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.89% Asian, 0.30% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 1.48% from other races, and 4.55% from two or more races. Additionally, 2.47% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Vine
The Vine neighborhood is located between West Lovell Street to the north, Oakland Drive to the west, Crosstown Parkway to the south, and South Burdick Street to the east. The area includes the Vine Area Historic District, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
The Vine is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Kalamazoo. It has homes that were built as early as the 1840s. In the early 1900s, many businesses, such as grocery stores and retail shops, operated in the Vine. During the Great Depression, many homes built for single families were divided into smaller homes for multiple families. In the 1970s, the neighborhood became a place where many students from nearby Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo College, and Kalamazoo Valley Community College lived, leading to the name "student ghetto."
In 2009, about 80% of the neighborhood’s residents were students. However, many students later moved to new apartments on the west side of town, leaving some apartments in the Vine empty.
In December 2009, a plan to improve the neighborhood was introduced. The plan aimed to reduce crime and increase commercial and economic growth. Landlords have since worked to improve their properties to attract students back to the area.
In 2009, the national magazine This Old House described the Vine as one of the best places for families to buy an older home. The magazine noted the Vine’s closeness to downtown, schools, parks, hiking trails, and playgrounds.
Since 1980, the Vine Neighborhood Association has provided services to residents of the Vine neighborhood in Kalamazoo.
Schools in the neighborhood include El Sol Elementary, Kalamazoo Area Math and Science Center, and a Montessori School.
According to the 2000 census, the Vine neighborhood had a population of 6,079 people living in 2,656 households. The racial makeup of the neighborhood was 78.65% White, 13.23% Black or African American, 0.77% Native American, 1.25% Asian, 0.07% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 2.24% from other races, and 3.80% from two or more races. Additionally, 4.39% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino of any race.
West Douglas / Fairmont
According to the 2000 census, the West Douglas / Fairmont neighborhood had a population of 2,550 people living in 1,004 households. The racial composition of the neighborhood was as follows: 57.88% White, 32.78% Black or African American, 0.51% Native American, 0.82% Asian, 0.00% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 3.53% from other races, and 4.47% from two or more races. Additionally, 5.33% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino, regardless of race.
West Main Hill
As of the 2000 census, the West Main Hill neighborhood had a population of 1,661 people living in 346 households. The racial makeup of the neighborhood included 90.67% White, 3.01% Black or African American, 0.00% Native American, 3.37% Asian, 0.00% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 1.32% from other races, and 1.63% from two or more races. Additionally, 2.11% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Western Michigan University / KRPH
According to the 2000 census, the neighborhood near Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo Regional Psychiatric Hospital had 7,245 people living in 630 households. The racial composition of the neighborhood was as follows: 77.16% White, 10.95% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 8.83% Asian, 0.17% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 0.90% from other races, and 1.81% from two or more races. Additionally, 2.24% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Westnedge Hill
According to the 2000 census, the Westnedge Hill neighborhood had a population of 3,027 people living in 1,388 households. The racial composition of the neighborhood was 87.58% White, 7.30% Black or African American, 0.17% Native American, 1.42% Asian, 0.00% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 0.96% from other races, and 2.58% from two or more races. Additionally, 2.02% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino, regardless of their race.
Westwood
According to the 2000 census, the Westwood neighborhood had a population of 2,145 people living in 1,015 households. The neighborhood's population included 81.17% White, 14.17% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 2.24% Asian, 0.00% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 0.93% from other races, and 1.26% from two or more races. Additionally, 2.14% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino, regardless of race.