About Van Buren County, MIOriginally populated by the Potawatami Indians, Van Buren County, Mich., is considered “Michigan’s Fruit Basket.” Sometime in the mid 1800s, settlers determined the soil in the region was perfect for growing fruit, including apples, peaches, pears, grapes and cherries. Naturally, wineries began to arise and today the county still boasts a hearty supply of both quality fruit and fine wineries.
Van Buren County is rich in lakes, rivers, orchards, rolling sand dunes and fertile prairies. Paw Paw village is the county seat of Van Buren, and thrives today as the center of Michigan’s “Wine Country,” drawing tourists from all over to sample their fine products. In addition to fruit and wine production, lakes and rivers provide an abundant supply of water recreational opportunities year-round—from ice skating and ice fishing to skiing and boating. Tourism has become one of Van Buren County’s most prominent and natural industries. Food and auto part manufacturing are also at the top of the list.
In the 2,000 census, the county’s population was recorded at 76,263. Approximately half of the entire region is farmland. Forty-four percent of the total 1,090 square miles that make up the county is covered in water. Many of the lakes and rivers are dotted with homes owned by year-round residents and vacationers. | More Local Area InformationSituated amidst the beautiful hills and wineries of Southwest Michigan, Mattawan provides a rural setting with a growing community. This charmin... Read moreOriginally populated by the Potawatami Indians, Van Buren County, Mich., is considered “Michigan’s Fruit Basket.” Sometime in the mid 1800s, settler... Read morePortage offers the comforts of living in a smaller city with the benefits and convenience of a short drive into Kalamazoo’s vibrant downtown... Read moreConveniently located within driving distance to Detroit, Chicago and Lake Michigan, Kalamazoo offers diverse community living with rich cultural an... Read moreCass County, Michigan, was established in 1828 during the presidency of Andrew Jackson and named after Lewis Cass who served as territorial governo... Read moreOriginally a spa community and now known for its paper industry, Otsego is conveniently located off of U.S. 131 in Allegan County. This small ye... Read moreLocated in Allegan County and convenient to the larger communities of Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Chicago and Detroit, Plainwell offers its residents ... Read moreIn 1840 Three Rivers, Mich., was named for the three rivers—Rocky, Portage and St. Joseph River—that flow together to become one. In 1895, th... Read moreThe “Grand Old City” of southwestern Michigan, Dowagiac, located in Cass County, was named after the Native American word meaning “foraging ground.... Read moreSquire Isaac Thompson built the first homestead in Berrien County in 1823. The county became official in 1831 and received its name from U.S. Senato... Read moreThe first settlers of Cassopolis were the Putnams, a small family from Indiana who took up residence in October of 1825. Their humble floorless hom... Read moreFrom the sandy, white beaches of Lake Michigan to magnificent sunsets and unique shopping, South Haven is an experience like no other. Residents o... Read moreKnown as the “Cereal City” and home to the global headquarters of the Kellogg Company, Battle Creek is a vibrant city located within driving distanc... Read moreA Cass County village, Edwardsburg, Mich., provides a country setting in a quiet environment. This small community is located just northeast of Sout... Read moreJudge John Sturgis was the first settler in 1827 in the area now known as Sturgis, Mich., located in St. Joseph County. His rustic log cabin stil... Read moreA small town in Elkhart County, Bristol was founded by European settlers approximately 200 years ago. Today, Bristol looks forward to the future wit... Read moreElkhart County, Indiana, offers a mix of urban and rural living with a population of nearly 200,000. The large Amish population contributes to th... Read moreBerrien Springs, Michigan, received its namesake from John M. Berrien, a U.S. Senator and Attorney General serving under President Andrew Jackson. I... Read moreAt the southernmost tip of Michigan, on the banks of the St. Joseph River, the first settlers set up Fort St. Joseph and a trading post in 1691... Read morePrior to 1883, the region now known as Granger, Indiana, served as a depot for Lake Huron and Chicago Railroad. The only structures that existed a... Read more |
