Gobles, Michigan

Gobles, Michigan
City
Location of Gobles, Michigan
Coordinates: 42°21′36″N 85°52′46″W
Country	United States
State	Michigan
County	Van Buren
Platted	1870
Incorporation (village)	1893
Incorporation (city)	1957
Area
• Total	1.03 sq mi (2.68 km2)
• Land	1.03 sq mi (2.68 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	817 ft (249 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	851
• Density	823.81/sq mi (318.12/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	49055
Area code	269
FIPS code	26-32640
GNIS feature ID	0626910

Gobles is a city in Van Buren County of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 829. It was originally called Gobleville, after its founders, the Goble family.

History

In 1864–1865, John Goble built a hotel at this location. In 1870, a plot was laid out as Gobleville by Hiram E. Goble. Warren Goble plotted an addition to the original plot two years later. Hiram Goble also became the first postmaster on April 16, 1872 when the post office was moved from Lake Mills. Gobleville was incorporated as a village in 1893. The current name of Gobles was adopted on April 10, 1922. Gobles was incorporated as a city in 1957.

On April 6, 2012, a fire raged throughout downtown in which thirteen departments were called in. The various buildings that were destroyed were over 100 years old.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.03 square miles (2.67 km²), all land.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1880	181		—
1900	505		—
1910	537		6.3%
1920	491		−8.6%
1930	519		5.7%
1940	616		18.7%
1950	622		1.0%
1960	816		31.2%
1970	801		−1.8%
1980	816		1.9%
1990	769		−5.8%
2000	815		6.0%
2010	829		1.7%
2020	851		2.7%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 829 people, 320 households, and 210 families living in the city. The population density was 804.9 inhabitants per square mile (310.8/km²). There were 347 housing units at an average density of 336.9 per square mile (130.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.1% White, 0.6% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.7% from other races, and 4.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.9% of the population.

There were 320 households, of which 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% were married couples living together, 14.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.4% were non-families. 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.24.

The median age in the city was 37.7 years. 27.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26% were from 25 to 44; 26.7% were from 45 to 64; and 12.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.6% male and 52.4% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 815 people, 314 households, and 209 families living in the city. The population density was 786.9 inhabitants per square mile (303.8/km²). There were 333 housing units at an average density of 321.5 per square mile (124.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.11% White, 1.84% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 1.10% from other races, and 2.82% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.33% of the population.

There were 314 households, out of which 35.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.9% were married couples living together, 16.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.4% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 30.6% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 81.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,917, and the median income for a family was $33,194. Males had a median income of $31,250 versus $21,818 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,804. About 16.4% of families and 18.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.0% of those under age 18 and 17.8% of those age 65 or over.

Attractions

The Kal-Haven Trail, which runs from Kalamazoo to South Haven, Michigan, goes through the city's business district.

Notable people

• Tubby Meyers - college football player and coach for Western Michigan, was born in Gobleville.

References

Sources

• Romig, Walter (October 1, 1986) [1973]. Michigan Place Names: The History of the Founding and the Naming of More Than Five Thousand Past and Present Michigan Communities (Paperback). Great Lakes Books Series. Detroit, Michigan: Wayne State University Press. ISBN 081431838X.