Coloma MI Real Estate
Coloma is a very small city located with Berrien County. Coloma is right along the coast of Lake Michigan and is a city on the shoreline which has some of the most diverse homes in regard to style and price. Additionally, this city has been through a series of name changes and relocations which have helped shape into what it is today.
Coloma, MI Geography
Coloma is well known for its prime agricultural benefits and is even referred to as the ‘Fruit Belt’ because of its fertile lands. This city is laid out on 0.9 square miles – all of which is land and no water.
Coloma, MI Demographics
The city of Coloma is inhabited by about 1600 people living in approximately 626 households – out of which over 70% consist of families with children younger than 18 years old. 96.61% of the Coloma population is Caucasian. There are an equal amount of individuals who classify as more than one race and those who come from Hispanic or Latino backgrounds; each represent 1.32% of the local population. African Americans account for 1.13% of the population, 0.38% is Native American, 0.31% is Asian, and the remaining 0.25% is made up of other ethnicities.
Females represent roughly 17% more of the population than males, and the population figures by age category are as follows:
Under 18:
28.2% | 18-24:
6% | 25-44:
29% | 45-64:
22.7% | over 65:
14.1%.
The median Coloma household income is right at $39K with a median family income of around $46K. Males are estimated to earn an average of $15K more per year than females, and the per capita income is just over $17K.
Coloma, MI History
The very first settlers to this remote area near the Paw Paw River arrived in 1832, acquiring 150 acres and constructing a mill to manufacture wooden shingles. The distribution of these shingles was aided greatly by the passage of the river to the city of St. Joseph. Before this new enterprise completed its first year, however, the wife of the couple who had started the company passed away; and new ownership skyrocketed its success. Both the mill and the town were referred to as Shingle Diggins.
In 1938 this successful company had consumed all the natural local timber and by the 1940’s a new location across the river had begun to flourish. A hotel and convenience store was constructed for passersby to rest and/or stock up on the way to or from St. Joseph. It’s important to remember that paper money was a rarity in the pioneering time of this country, and many would barter, trade, or dicker goods rather than pay with currency. Due to this type of activity, the developing town became known as Dickerville. This name held for about a decade until a post office was to be built and local townspeople didn’t want to be officially recognized as Dickerville. Because of its comparison to the city of Coloma, CA and its population surge during the gold rush this town was renamed Coloma.
Coloma, MI Schools
The Coloma Michigan school system is well connected with its students and their parents, its community, and its citizens. With a consistently updated site, community message boards, and an internal school email system it’s simple for students, parents and community members to stay aware. There are a wide variety of sports offered at Coloma schools, and some are able to boast regional championship.
Coloma, MI Industry
The primary industry in Coloma is still manufacturing, but construction and retail trade are also still major contributors to its economy. Because of its location on the river, lodging and real estate are also responsible for a sizeable portion of the city’s revenue.