View source for Sturgis, Michigan

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name            = Sturgis, Michigan
| settlement_type          = [[City]]
| nickname                 = 
| motto                    = 
<!-- Images -->
| image_skyline            = Sturgis, Michigan (7973794620).jpg
| image_caption            = 
| image_flag               = 
| image_seal               = Seal_of_Sturgis,_Michigan.svg

<!-- Maps -->
| image_map                = St. Joseph County Michigan Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Sturgis Highlighted.svg
| map_caption              = Location of Sturgis, Michigan
| image_map1               = 
| map_caption1             =

<!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name         = United States
| subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1        = [[Michigan]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Michigan|County]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[St. Joseph County, Michigan|St. Joseph]]

<!-- Government -->
| government_footnotes     = 
| government_type          = 
| leader_title             = 
| leader_name              = 
| leader_title1            = 
| leader_name1             = 
| established_title        = 
| established_date         =

<!-- Area -->
| unit_pref                = Imperial
| area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_26.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=May 21, 2022}}</ref>
| area_magnitude           = 
| area_total_km2           = 17.57
| area_land_km2            = 17.57
| area_water_km2           = 0.00
| area_total_sq_mi         = 6.78
| area_land_sq_mi          = 6.78
| area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00

<!-- Population -->
| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_est           = 
| pop_est_as_of            = 
| population_footnotes     = 
| population_total         = 11082
| population_density_km2   = 630.84
| population_density_sq_mi = 1633.79

<!-- General information -->
| timezone                 = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
| utc_offset               = -5
| timezone_DST             = EDT
| utc_offset_DST           = -4
| elevation_footnotes      = 
| elevation_m              = 279
| elevation_ft             = 915
| coordinates              = {{coord|41|47|57|N|85|25|9|W|region:US-MI|display=inline}}
| postal_code_type         = 
| postal_code              = 
| area_code                = 
| blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info               = 26-76960<ref name="wwwcensusgov"/>
| blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info              = 1624965<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=2008-01-31|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=2007-10-25}}</ref>
| website                  = http://www.sturgismi.gov/
| footnotes                = 
| pop_est_footnotes        = 
}}

'''Sturgis''' is a city in [[St. Joseph County, Michigan|St. Joseph County]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Michigan]]. The population was 11,082 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].  The city is located at the northeast corner of [[Sturgis Township, Michigan|Sturgis Township]] and at the intersection of [[U.S. Route 12 in Michigan|US 12]] and [[M-66 (Michigan highway)|M-66]]. Sturgis is just north of the Michigan–Indiana border and the [[Indiana Toll Road|I-80/90 Indiana Toll Road]].

Sturgis has been assigned a [[ZIP code]] of 49091.<ref>[http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/citytown.jsp ZIP code lookup], USPS.com</ref>

==Geography==
Sturgis is located at {{coord|41|47|57|N|85|25|09|W|type:city_region:US-MI}}.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|6.49|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all land.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2012-11-25|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|archive-date=2012-01-25}}</ref>

==Transportation==
===Major highways===
* {{jct|US|12|state=MI}} runs east and west through the city.
* {{jct|M|66|state=MI}} runs north and south through the city.
* {{jct|state=IN|I|80|I|90|Toll}} has an exit within three miles of Sturgis.

===Airport===
The City owns and operates Kirsch Municipal Airport (KIRS), which is located in the northwest corner of the city. Kirsch Municipal is a general aviation airport and features two runways; the primary runway is 5,200 feet long with a secondary, crosswind runway 3,457 feet long.

===Railroad===
Sturgis is served by Michigan Southern Railroad Company for commercial rail service.

The historic Sturgis Train Depot, built in 1895, is one of the oldest train depots in West Michigan. In 2014, it was moved across town and is now being renovated to become the home of the Sturgis Historical Museum.<ref name="Fox 17 Move">{{cite news|url=http://fox17online.com/2014/06/24/historic-sturgis-train-depot-to-be-moved/|date=June 24, 2014|last=Craig|first=Kevin|publisher=Fox 17|access-date=April 27, 2017|title=Historic Sturgis Train Depot To Be Moved}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Sturgis Memorial Hospital and Nurses Home, Sturgis, Michigan.jpg|thumb|The Sturgis Memorial Hospital was built in 1925 and was updated for medical offices in 1992.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sturgishospital.com/aboutus.php|title=About Sturgis Hospital}}</ref>]]

===Founding of the community===
[[File:Carnegie Library Sturgis MI.jpg|thumb|Construction of the Carnegie Library in Sturgis began in 1908 with a dedication on April 2, 1909.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=etXhAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA23 Sturgis, Michigan: Pictorial City Directory and Year Book, September, 1915], Willis C. Bailey, Coldwater, Mich., 1915</ref>]]
In 1827, Judge John Sturgis came to the St. Joseph Valley area in southern Michigan [[United States territory|territory]] and settled in what is now Sturgis. The original site of his home can be seen at Pioneer Park, maintained by the City of Sturgis. Legend has it that Sturgis was chosen as the town's name because Mrs. John Sturgis baked a pan of biscuits and sent them to a surveying party near their cabin. Lewis Cass, who later became governor, was part of that surveying party. When the time came to name the town, Governor Cass remembered the biscuits and was insistent that the town be named Sturgis. In 1896, Sturgis officially became a city.<ref>[http://www.ci.sturgis.mi.us/information_history.php The story of Sturgis: From past to present], City of Sturgis, retrieved March 11, 2008 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090715080133/http://www.ci.sturgis.mi.us/information_history.php |date=July 15, 2009 }}</ref>

===Sturgis: the "Electric City"===
Sturgis is known as the "Electric City" due to its municipal electric utility and [[hydroelectric]] [[Sturgis Dam|dam]], which date back to the early days of the community. The City-owned electric department has served the Sturgis area since the city's inception in 1896.  In 1909, the City of Sturgis approved construction of a hydroelectric dam on the [[St. Joseph River (Lake Michigan)|St. Joseph River]] near [[Centreville, Michigan]]. The dam began operation on September 3, 1911, and continues to serve the community. In 2011, the City celebrated the centennial of the Dam as part of "Sturgis Dam Days."

===Sister City===
Sturgis is a Sister City to [[Wiesloch]], [[Germany]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wiesloch.de/pb/,Lde/Home/Ueber+Wiesloch/Sturgis.html|title=Stadt Wiesloch: Sturgis|website=wiesloch.de|access-date=2016-01-18}}</ref> In 1966, the cities of Wiesloch and Sturgis decided to form a Sister City partnership that grew out of President Eisenhower's [[People to People Student Ambassador Program|People-to-People]] program which was formed to increase cultural awareness and promote friendship.  In 1967 Wiesloch formally began the cultural exchange by sending a community choir to Sturgis.  In 1969 Sturgis reciprocated, sending its community choir to Wiesloch.  In 1977, the exchange program was expanded to include students, who each year spend three weeks in their partner's home.  In 1989 a Sturgis teacher worked in Wiesloch as part of the Sister City program.  This teacher exchange continues periodically as teachers from Wiesloch work in Sturgis and vice versa.

In 2016, Sturgis and Wiesloch celebrated the 50th Anniversary of their Sister City partnership.

===Kickoff city for Michigan Week===
For many years, in the third week of May, Sturgis served as the kickoff city for Michigan Week, a statewide celebration.  Many prominent political figures walked in the parade annually.  These included State Representatives and State Senators as well as the 6th District [[U.S. Representative]] and periodically the [[Governor of Michigan]].  With statewide celebration of Michigan Week waning, in 2010, Sturgis ended the tradition of holding the Michigan Week Kick-Off, opting to celebrate Sturgis Dam Days in June.  Sturgis Dam Days was held in honor of the hydroelectric dam. The 100-year anniversary of the Sturgis Dam was celebrated at the Sturgis Dam Days in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/2011/06/sturgis_hydroelectric_dam_mark.html |title=Sturgis Hydroelectric Dam marks 100 years of operation with Dam Days celebration |last=Rietsma |first=Jef |date=27 June 2011 |website=Michigan Live |publisher=Michigan Live |access-date=20 June 2020 |quote=The creation that brought electricity to the city of Sturgis a century ago was lauded Sunday by more than 40 people at Covered Bridge Park.}}</ref> In 2012, the Sturgis community began celebrating Sturgis Fest during the last week in June.

===Sturgis Rail Depot===
[[File:DepotSturgisMI.jpg|thumb|Sturgis Railroad Depot in 2019, after it was moved and restored]]
On June 23–24, 2014, the historic Sturgis Rail Depot was moved from its location on West Main & N. Clay Streets to a more central location on W. Chicago Road.<ref name="Fox 17 Move" /> The 120-year-old building, featuring masonry walls up to 2 feet thick and weighing 304 tons, was moved by Wolfe House & Building Movers.<ref name="Fox 17 Move" /><ref name="Wolfe">{{cite web|url=https://www.wolfehousebuildingmovers.com/sturgis-railroad-depot/|title=Moving the Sturgis Railroad Depot|access-date=April 27, 2017}}</ref> The building was elevated by a Unified Jacking System and mounted on the Buckingham Dolly System for the quarter of a mile move across town.<ref name="Fox 17 Move" /><ref name="Wolfe" />

The Depot underwent renovations to be used as a museum by the Sturgis Historical Society.<ref name="Fox 17 Move" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sturgismuseum.org/|publisher=Sturgis Historical Society|title=Sturgis Historical Museum – At the Depot|access-date=April 27, 2017}}</ref>

===Abbott plant for infant formula===
{{Main|2022 United States infant formula shortage}}
[[Abbott Laboratories]] produces [[infant formula]] at a plant in Sturgis. In February 2022, the plant was shut down due to bacteria in some of the infant formula produced there, which led to a nationwide shortage.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/abbott-to-resume-production-of-baby-formula-at-sturgis-michigan-plant-after-recall |date=May 11, 2022 |title=Abbott to resume production of baby formula at Sturgis, Michigan plant after recall |publisher=CBS News Chicago |access-date=June 6, 2022 }}</ref> The plant resumed production in June 2022 after receiving FDA clearance, first making specialty formula for infants with special dietary needs.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/06/04/1103088504/abbott-plant-baby-formula-shortage-reopening |title=Abbott's baby formula plant is reopening in a step that could soon ease the shortage |first=Emma |last=Bowman |date=June 4, 2022 |access-date=June 6, 2022 |publisher=NPR }}</ref> The operations at the plant were a focus of an investigation launched by the [[House Oversight Committee]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://abc7chicago.com/baby-formula-shortage-why-is-there-a-price-gouging/11844875/ |title=House committee opens investigation into baby formula shortage, potential price gouging: Exclusive |publisher=ABC News|location=United States |date=May 13, 2022 |first=Benjamin |last=Siegel |access-date=June 6, 2022 }}</ref>

==Government==
The City of Sturgis is a [[council-manager form of government]] with a nine-member city commission.  The city is divided into four precincts and two members of the commission are elected from each precinct with one member elected from the City at large.  Members elected from precincts serve a term of four years while the member at large serves a two-year term.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sturgismi.gov/commission/|title=City Commission|website=City of Sturgis – City Commission|access-date=2016-07-15}}</ref> Each year in November the commission nominates one of its members as mayor and another as vice-mayor.  The current mayor is Frank Perez and the current vice-mayor is Aaron Miller.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sturgismi.gov/commission/members.php|title=Commission Members|website=City of Sturgis – Commission Members|access-date=2016-07-15}}</ref>

The city commission is the legislative body, responsible for the passage of municipal ordinances and the overall direction of City. The city commission appoints a professional city manager, who manages the day-to-day operations of the city, as well as the city attorney, city assessor, city treasurer, and city clerk.  The commission sets policy to be carried out by the city manager and city staff.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sturgismi.gov/commission/index.php|title=Sturgis Michigan – City of Sturgis Michigan Website|website=sturgismi.gov|access-date=2017-07-27}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1860= 1020
|1870= 1768
|1880= 2060
|1890= 2489
|1900= 2465
|1910= 3635
|1920= 5995
|1930= 6950
|1940= 7214
|1950= 7786
|1960= 8915
|1970= 9295
|1980= 9468
|1990= 10130
|2000= 11285
|2010= 10994
|2020= 11082
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[Census]]<ref name="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2012-11-25}}</ref> of 2010, there were 10,994 people, 4,088 households, and 2,632 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1694.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 4,595 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 73.6% [[White (U.S. census)|White]], 1.4% [[African American (U.S. census)|African American]], 0.3% [[Native American (U.S. census)|Native American]], 0.9% [[Asian (U.S. census)|Asian]], 1.6% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 3.2% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. census)|Latino]] of any race were 20.8% of the population.

There were 4,088 households, of which 39.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.8% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.6% were non-families. 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.28.

The median age in the city was 32.3 years. 30% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.1% were from 25 to 44; 22% were from 45 to 64; and 12.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.3% male and 52.7% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="wwwcensusgov"/> of 2000, there were 11,285 people, 4,293 households, and 2,726 families residing in the city.  The [[population density]] was {{convert|1,894.5|PD/sqmi|PD/sqkm}}.  There were 4,529 housing units at an average density of {{convert|760.3|/sqmi|/sqkm}}.  As of 2000, the racial makeup of the city was 91% [[White (U.S. census)|White]], 1% [[African American (U.S. census)|African American]], 0.2% [[Native American (U.S. census)|Native American]], 1.4% [[Asian (U.S. census)|Asian]], 4.4% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.0% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. census)|Latino]] of any race were 20% of the population.<ref name="wwwcensusgov" />

There were 4,293 households, out of which 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.5% were non-families.  30.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.6% 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 3.20.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 28.2% under the age of 18, 11.5% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 17.7% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older.  The median age was 32 years.  For every 100 females, there were 92.5 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,838, and the median income for a family was $43,381. Males had a median income of $29,508 versus $21,810 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $15,990.  About 11.2% of families and 16.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 23.5% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.

==Notable people==
* [[Tom Bodett]], author, voice actor, and radio host and spokesperson for Motel 6, was born in Illinois, raised in Sturgis.
* [[Cameron S. Brown]], former [[Michigan Senate|state senator]] of the 16th Senate District of Michigan, is from Sturgis.
* [[Mattie A. Freeman]], freethinker, abolitionist, writer, and lecturer, was born in Sturgis.
* [[Walter T. Kelley]], innovator of [[Beekeeping]] methods and materials.
* [[June MacCloy]], actress, was born in Sturgis.
* [[Perle Mesta]], socialite and Ambassador to Luxembourg, was born in Sturgis.
* [[Frank W. Parker]], New Mexico Supreme Court justice, was born in Sturgis.
* [[William Balser Skirvin]], business executive and oilman, was born in Sturgis.
* [[Marlin Stutzman]], Current congressman for Indiana's 3rd district, was born in Sturgis.
* [[Verne Troyer]], actor, was born in Sturgis, but grew up in the nearby town of [[Centreville, Michigan]].
* [[Paul Weatherwax]], film editor, two-time Academy Award winner, was born in Sturgis.

==See also==
* {{section link|2022 United States infant formula shortage|Recall and plant shutdown}}<!-- Abbott could be mentioned/WLed in the body -->

==References==
{{Reflist}}
22. ^https://www.michigan.gov/ag/news/press-releases/2023/06/02/sturgis-man-sentenced-to-decades-in-prison-for-murder

==External links==
{{Commons category}}

* [http://www.sturgismi.gov/ City of Sturgis, Michigan]
* [http://www.sturgischamber.com/ Sturgis Chamber of Commerce]
* [https://www.sturgismuseum.org/ Sturgis Historical Society]
* [http://www.sturgis247.com Sturgis247.com]
* [http://rivercountry.com/ River Country Tourism]
* [http://stjoeh2o.com/ St. Joe H2O (County Tourism)]

{{Coord|41|47|57|N|85|25|09|W|type:city_region:US-MI|display=title}}

{{St. Joseph County, Michigan}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1827 establishments in Michigan Territory]]
[[Category:Cities in St. Joseph County, Michigan]]
[[Category:Micropolitan areas of Michigan]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1827]]