Living in Portage, Michigan

New Resident/Relocation Information

Welcome! On behalf of the City of Portage, we would like to extend a cordial greeting to you as a new or prospective member of our community.

Portage residents have access to a variety of outstanding cultural, educational, recreational and employment opportunities.

These qualities, along with one of the lowest property tax rates in southwest Michigan combine to make Portage a great place to live, work and learn. We think you will agree.

Here you will find information about city services, a directory of city departments and other materials to help you and your family become familiar with Portage. For even more information, review the entire city website at www.portagemi.com. Once again, welcome to the City of Portage!

Portage History

Long before the earliest settlers arrived in the early 1800s, Potowatami Indians inhabited the area. The Indians hunted, fished, grew corn, dwelt in conical shaped wigwams, and greeted the early settlers in peace. A more ancient race dwelt in the area before them,although there is little remaining physical evidence save mysterious mounds and earthworks resembling symmetrical garden beds.

The lush land of Portage had been largely ignored by the early westerly migration of settlers due to the mistaken belief that it was an uninhabitable swamp, unfit for cultivation. Surprisingly, later settlers discovered the rich soil made a perfect growing environment for celery. By the 1880s, Portage had earned the distinction of “Celery City” of the nation. The area remained prolific in celery production until the middle of the twentieth century.

The City of Portage began its rapid transformation to its modern form during the post World War II era. But this modern city has a past,preserved in architecture at Bicentennial Park and celebrated in history at Celery Flats Interpretive Center.

The City of Portage also has a Historic District Commission (HDC) to recognize and help preserve some of the older architectural beauty and diversity in the city. There are currently 31 registered historic properties in Portage. Anyone interested is welcome to join HDC meetings that take place during the first Wednesday of each month in City Hall.

Publications

• " Where the Trails Crossed ," a 67-page book describing 42 of the oldest properties in the City of Portage that is available at Portage City Hall and local bookstores. Proceeds from the sale of the book benefit the Historic District Commission.
• " This Place Called Portage, " produced by Michigan historians Larry and Priscilla Massie - also available at City Hall and local bookstores, includes more than 200 historically significantillustrations in color and black and white.

Demographics

The city of Portage has a strong ranking in four key census categories
when compared to Kalamazoo County, the State of Michigan and the
United States. During June of 2002, the U.S. Census Bureau released
data for demographic characteristics for the 2000 Census. Among
numerous areas of measurement, four key measures of the census
are educational attainment, per capita income, poverty status and
median home value. The 2003 population estimate for the city of
Portage is 45,679 according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

	Educational Attainment (BA or Higher)	Per Capita Income	Poverty Status	Median Home Value
City of Portage	36.8%	$25,414	4.8%	$120,800
Kalamazoo County	31.2%	$21,739	12.0%	$108,000
State of Michigan	21.8%	$22,168	10.5%	$115,600
United States	24.4%	$21,587	12.4%	$119,600

Recreation & Cultural Programs in Portage

Nearby beautiful Portage Central Park, overlooking Portage Creek, is a popular site for passive recreation and cultural activities. Central Park is home to the well-attended Summer Entertainment Series, which draws tens of thousands of guests each season.

Whether your seasonal favorite is listening to a summer starlight symphony with friends and family, or ice skating with the kids in winter, the City of Portage has opportunities throughout the year.

Parks in Portage

The City of Portage supports numerous traditional recreational venues, including modern softball diamonds at South Westnedge Park forover 160 registered league softball teams and numerous community parks that provide playgrounds for city children as well as facilities for tennis, basketball, volleyball, in-line skating and swimming.Renting acanoe for a peaceful trip down Portage Creek or renting a bicycle surrey to ridetheBicentennial ParkTrail are great ways to spend a leisurelysummer afternoon.

Breathe deeply. Listen quietly. A proud component of the City of Portage Parks program is the continued development and protection of precious natural resources, and measures to ensure responsible public utilization of these areas. Providing recreational opportunities while preserving natural resources illustrates by example the possibility of transforming an outstanding natural resource into a community asset to be enjoyed today and for generations to come.

Park Hours
8 a.m. until sunset (except as posted)

• Alcoholic beverages prohibited in Ramona Park, Westfield Park and all parking areas.
• Pets must be restrained on a six-foot leash and kept away from high use and/or picnic areas.
• General Park rules posted at all parks.
• For facility rental opportunities, or to reserve park facilities, call (269) 329-4522.

Public School Systems of Portage

Children of the residents of Portage enjoy one of four excellent school
systems, including Vicksburg, Comstock, Schoolcraft and the
Portage Public SchoolSystem. Portage Public Schools serve most of the
residents of the community, and are distinguished both locally and on a
statewide basis for performance and innovation. The Portage Public
Schools are exemplary in both the region and in the state, excelling
academically, providing an extraordinary arts program, distinguished by
advanced technology, and the proud home to 40 varsity state
championships since 1932. It enrolls more than 9,000 students in 8
elementary schools, 3 middle schools, 2 high schools and a community
education center.

Technology is state-of-the-art with Parent Internet Viewer (parent
password-protected access to grades) and wireless infrastructure
throughout the district to support portable technology resources. It is
the goal of Portage schools to "Shape the future by empowering every
student to contribute intelligently and ethically in an information rich,
global society."

Portage schools have distinguished themselves as accountable,
focused on student achievement, offering a competitive curriculum,
and continuing to increase the number and quality of collaborative
partnerships between the school district and the business community.
As a result, Portage children are better educated and prepared to
contribute to life in the community, and in concert with their vision,
“to contribute intelligently and ethically in an information rich, global
society.”

Community Learning Resources in Portage

Portage has resources to stimulate, enrich, challenge, provoke, and inspire continued learning and development. Some of the most interesting ways the city enriches the lives of its citizens never happen in a classroom.

The Portage District Library is a very special place. In addition to maintaining and creating a dynamic library with traditional resources, best sellers, classics and reference material, this library is an online, interactive powerhouse. Harnessing the technological power of the Internet is an important way this library stays relevant, including online databases and resources for kids, teens, and business people in the area.

The Portage Senior Center is often a gathering place, a warm community of 55+ citizens who enjoy each other's company. But it is more often a launchpad than a resting place. Dynamic programs of biking and group travel abroad are for the more ambitious. Recently groups have toured Italy, cruised the Greek Islands, enjoyed Rhine Wine on a Danube cruise, eaten baggettes in the French Provinces, and witnessed a spectacular glacial calving in Alaska.

The Portage Senior Center is also a place to celebrate life's maturity and wisdom in verse, art, poetry and the like. Current events classes, history classes, and writing classes refresh and renew minds and create friendships for a lifetime.

Portage Cable Accessoffers awindow to your community, your schools, and your government. It's important to use it; it's the people's voice and the people's choice. Equipment and facilities areavailabe to assist you in bringing your communication goals to our community. Check out the Access web site for equipment usage and programming rules, broadcast schedules, volunteer opportunities and more.

Watch streaming video of Cable channel 19 and channel 20.

The Portage Community Outreach Center (PCOC) is a private, non-profit organization that has been providing human services in the Portage community since 1976.The City of Portage helps to fund the PCOC which offers community services such as youth development, emergency assistance, hosted services for other organizations, volunteer opportunities and affordable housing help. Population (year 2000): 44,897. Estimated population in July 2006: 45,236 (+0.8% change) Males: 21,528 (47.9%) Females: 23,369 (52.1%) Kalamazoo County Median resident age: 35.8 years Michigan median age: 35.5 years Zip codes: 49002, 49024. Estimated median household income in 2005: $51,900 (it was $49,410 in 2000) Portage $51,900 Michigan: $46,039 Estimated median house/condo value in 2005: $154,400 (it was $120,800 in 2000) Portage $154,400 Michigan: $149,300 For population 25 years and over in Portage High school or higher: 92.6% Bachelor's degree or higher: 36.8% Graduate or professional degree: 13.5% Unemployed: 3.7% Mean travel time to work: 19.6 minutes For population 15 years and over in Portage city Never married: 24.3% Now married: 58.7% Separated: 0.9% Widowed: 6.1% Divorced: 9.9% 2,147 residents are foreign born (1.9% Asia, 1.3% Europe, 0.7% North America, 0.7% Latin America). This city: 4.8% Michigan: 5.3% Hospitals/medical centers near Portage: KALAMOZOO REGIONAL PSYCHIATRIC HOSP (about 5 miles; KALAMAZOO, MI) BRONSON METHODIST HOSPITAL (about 7 miles; KALAMAZOO, MI) BRONSON VICKSBURG HOSPITAL (about 9 miles; VICKSBURG, MI) Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Portage: KALAMAZOO/BATTLE CREEK INTERNATIONAL (about 4 miles; KALAMAZOO, MI; ID: AZO) W K KELLOGG (about 25 miles; BATTLE CREEK, MI; ID: BTL) ELKHART MUNI (about 45 miles; ELKHART, IN; ID: EKM) Other public-use airports nearest to Portage: TRIPLE H (about 11 miles; PARCHMENT, MI; ID: 2H4) PRAIRIE RONDE (about 11 miles; SCHOOLCRAFT, MI; ID: P97) NEWMAN'S (about 13 miles; KALAMAZOO, MI; ID: 4N0) Amtrak station near Portage: 6 miles: KALAMAZOO (459 N. BURDICK ST.). Services: ticket office, fully wheelchair accessible, enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, snack bar, paid short-term parking, paid long-term parking, call for car rental service, taxi stand, intercity bus service. Colleges/Universities in Portage: CHIC UNIVERSITY OF COSMETOLOGY (Full-time enrollment: 55; Location: 6136 S WESTNEDGE AVE; Private, for-profit; Website: WWW.CHICUNIVERSITY.COM) KALAMAZOO BEAUTY ACADEMY DBA WRIGHT BEAUTY ACADEMY (FT enrollment: 35; Location: 6666 LOVERS LN; Private, for-profit) KAL-AERO (Location: 5605 PORTAGE RD; Private, for-profit) Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Portage: WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY (about 5 miles; KALAMAZOO, MI; Full-time enrollment: 23,132) KALAMAZOO VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 9 miles; KALAMAZOO, MI; FT enrollment: 5,017) KELLOGG COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 29 miles; BATTLE CREEK, MI; FT enrollment: 2,824) CALVIN COLLEGE (about 50 miles; GRAND RAPIDS, MI; FT enrollment: 4,148) AQUINAS COLLEGE (about 51 miles; GRAND RAPIDS, MI; FT enrollment: 2,022) GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 53 miles; GRAND RAPIDS, MI; FT enrollment: 7,590) HOPE COLLEGE (about 53 miles; HOLLAND, MI; FT enrollment: 2,918) Public high schools in Portage: PORTAGE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,499; Location: 8135 S. WESTNEDGE AVENUE; Grades: 09 - 12) PORTAGE NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,354; Location: 1000 IDAHO AVENUE; Grades: 09 - 12) Biggest public elementary/middle schools in Portage: PORTAGE WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 747; Location: 7145 MOORSBRIDGE ROAD; Grades: 06 - 08) PORTAGE CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 739; Location: 8305 S. WESTNEDGE AVENUE; Grades: 06 - 08) AMBERLY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 618; Location: 6637 AMBERLY STREET; Grades: PK - 05) PORTAGE NORTH MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 611; Location: 5808 OREGON AVENUE; Grades: 06 - 08) MOORSBRIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 600; Location: 7361 MOORSBRIDGE ROAD; Grades: KG - 05) LAKE CENTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 537; Location: 10011 PORTAGE ROAD; Grades: KG - 05) WOODLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 472; Location: 1401 WOODLAND DRIVE; Grades: KG - 05) HAVERHILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 452; Location: 6633 HAVERHILL AVENUE; Grades: KG - 05) WAYLEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 440; Location: 8106 WAYLEE STREET; Grades: KG - 05) ANGLING ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 434; Location: 5340 ANGLING ROAD; Grades: KG - 05) Private elementary/middle school in Portage: OTIS MONTESSORI ACADEMY (Students: 123; Location: 810 EAST CENTRE AVENUE; Grades: PK - KG) Library in Portage: PORTAGE DISTRICT LIBRARY (Operating income: $2,742,721; Location: 300 LIBRARY LANE; 127,030 books; 5,636 audio materials; 3,172 video materials; 204 serial subscriptions) Strongest AM radio stations in Portage: WKLZ (1470 AM; 10 kW; KALAMAZOO, MI; Owner: FAIRFIELD BROADCASTING COMPANY) WQSN (1660 AM; 10 kW; KALAMAZOO, MI; Owner: FAIRFIELD BROADCASTING COMPANY) WNWN (1560 AM; daytime; 4 kW; PORTAGE, MI; Owner: MIDWEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC) WKZO (590 AM; 5 kW; KALAMAZOO, MI; Owner: FAIRFIELD BROADCASTING COMPANY) WKMI (1360 AM; 5 kW; KALAMAZOO, MI) WKPR (1420 AM; 1 kW; KALAMAZOO, MI) WOOD (1300 AM; 20 kW; GRAND RAPIDS, MI; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.) WBCK (930 AM; 5 kW; BATTLE CREEK, MI; Owner: CAPSTAR TX LIMITED PARTNERSHIP) WOWO (1190 AM; 50 kW; FORT WAYNE, IN; Owner: PATHFINDER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION) WMSH-FM (99 AM; 1 kW; STURGIS, MI; Owner: LAKE CITIES BROADCASTING CORPORATION) WOAP (1080 AM; 50 kW; OWOSSO, MI) WPNW (1260 AM; 10 kW; ZEELAND, MI; Owner: LANSER BROADCASTING CORPORATION) WAKV (980 AM; 1 kW; OTSEGO, MI; Owner: VINTAGE RADIO ENTERPRISES, L.L.C.) Strongest FM radio stations in Portage: WFAT (96.5 FM; PORTAGE, MI; Owner: MIDWEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC) WKDS (89.9 FM; KALAMAZOO, MI; Owner: BD OF EDUC SCHOOL DISTR OF CITY) W247AM (97.3 FM; KALAMAZOO, MI; Owner: CSN INTERNATIONAL) WAYK (88.3 FM; KALAMAZOO, MI; Owner: CORNERSTONE UNIVERSITY) W258AH (99.5 FM; KALAMAZOO, MI; Owner: SPRING ARBOR UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.) WIDR (89.1 FM; KALAMAZOO, MI; Owner: WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY) W262AF (100.3 FM; PARCHMENT, MI; Owner: FRIENDS OF CHRISTIAN RADIO, INC.) WMUK (102.1 FM; KALAMAZOO, MI; Owner: WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY) WQLR (106.5 FM; KALAMAZOO, MI; Owner: FAIRFIELD BROADCASTING COMPANY) WRKR (107.7 FM; PORTAGE, MI; Owner: CUMULUS LICENSING CORP.) WOFR (89.5 FM; SCHOOLCRAFT, MI; Owner: FAMILY STATIONS, INC.) WKFR-FM (103.3 FM; BATTLE CREEK, MI; Owner: CUMULUS LICENSING CORP.) WBCT (93.7 FM; GRAND RAPIDS, MI; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.) WZUU (92.3 FM; ALLEGAN, MI; Owner: FORUM COMMUNICATIONS, INC.) WVGR (104.1 FM; GRAND RAPIDS, MI; Owner: REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN) WLKM-FM (95.9 FM; THREE RIVERS, MI; Owner: IMPACT RADIO, LLC) WQXC-FM (100.9 FM; OTSEGO, MI; Owner: FORUM COMMUNICATIONS, INC.) W219CA (91.7 FM; KALAMAZOO, MI; Owner: PENSACOLA CHRISTIAN COLLEGE, INC.) TV broadcast stations around Portage: WGVK (Channel 52; KALAMAZOO, MI; Owner: GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY) WWMT (Channel 3; KALAMAZOO, MI; Owner: FREEDOM BROADCASTING OF MICHIGAN, INC.) WLLA (Channel 64; KALAMAZOO, MI; Owner: CHRISTIAN FAITH BROADCAST, INC.) WOTV (Channel 41; BATTLE CREEK, MI; Owner: WOOD LICENSE COMPANY, LLC) WOKZ-CA (Channel 50; KALAMAZOO, MI; Owner: WOOD LICENSE COMPANY, LLC) WXMI (Channel 17; GRAND RAPIDS, MI; Owner: TRIBUNE TELEVISION HOLDINGS, INC.) W26BX (Channel 26; KALAMAZOO, MI; Owner: TCT OF MICHIGAN, INC.) WOOD-TV (Channel 8; GRAND RAPIDS, MI; Owner: WOOD LICENSE COMPANY, LLC)