Bridgman, Michigan

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Bridgman, Michigan
settlement_type = City
nickname =
motto =

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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Michigan
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Berrien

government_footnotes =
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unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =

area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 7.6
area_land_km2 = 7.6
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 2.9
area_land_sq_mi = 2.9
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 2428
population_density_km2 = 320.2
population_density_sq_mi = 829.4

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 207
elevation_ft = 679
latd = 41 |latm = 56 |lats = 30 |latNS = N
longd = 86 |longm = 33 |longs = 35 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 49106
area_code = 269
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 26-10580GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0621967GR|3
website =
footnotes =

Bridgman is a city in Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,428 at the 2000 census.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.9 square miles (7.6 km²), all land.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 2,428 people, 998 households, and 649 families residing in the city. The population density was 829.4 per square mile (320.0/km²). There were 1,140 housing units at an average density of 389.4/sq mi (150.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 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 of any race were 1.81% of the population.

There were 998 households out of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.9% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.1% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 18.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.4 males.

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

Weko Beach

Weko Beach is one of the key attractions of Bridgman. It is situated on the shores of Lake Michigan and is connected to Warren Dunes State Park on its South border. Visitors can walk from Weko Beach into Warren Dunes State Park and traverse nearly three consecutive miles of undisturbed, undeveloped beach. From Memorial Day until Labor Day, beachgoers can enjoy "Taps" at sunset. Weko Beach also has camping facilities and rents several small cabins for those who wish to stay longer than one day. Much of the park is steep wooded dunes and Tanner Creek empties into Lake Michigan just beyond Weko's border with Warren Dunes. Tanner Creek is popular for smelt fishing in the spring.

Since 2006, Weko Beach has been the host site of the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Festival which showcases the wines from 11 local wineries in Southwest Michigan. The event has been held the last weekend in June. The festival includes wine tasting as well as live music.

Weko Beach is also the site of the Weko Beach Concert Series. Sunday evening concerts compliment the beautiful Lake Michigan sunsets as concerts feature jazz, contemporary music, Caribbean, and light rock. Many of the performances are local musical acts. Concerts are free of charge and seating is 'on the beach'.

References