Zeeland ( ) is a city in Ottawa County in the

U.S. state In the United States, a state is a constituent political entity, of which there are 50. Bound together in a political union, each state holds governmental jurisdiction over a separate and defined geographic territory where it shares its so ...

Michigan Michigan ( ) is a peninsular U.S. state, state in the Great Lakes region, Great Lakes region of the Upper Midwest, Upper Midwestern United States. It shares water and land boundaries with Minnesota to the northwest, Wisconsin to the west, ...

. The population was 5,719 at the 2020 census. The city is located at the western edge of Zeeland Charter Township. Its name is taken from the

Dutch Dutch or Nederlands commonly refers to: * Something of, from, or related to the Netherlands ** Dutch people as an ethnic group () ** Dutch nationality law, history and regulations of Dutch citizenship () ** Dutch language () * In specific terms, i ...

province of

Zeeland Zeeland (; ), historically known in English by the Endonym and exonym, exonym Zealand, is the westernmost and least populous province of the Netherlands. The province, located in the southwest of the country, borders North Brabant to the east ...

History

In 1847, nearly 500 Dutch citizens sailed for America ostensibly to achieve

religious freedom Freedom of religion or religious liberty, also known as freedom of religion or belief (FoRB), is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or community, in public or private, to manifest religion or belief in teaching, practice ...

, although their decision to immigrate was probably also influenced by other factors, such as dire economic conditions in their home province of

Netherlands , Terminology of the Low Countries, informally Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with Caribbean Netherlands, overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Nether ...

and their opposition to modern scientific and social advances of the time. The emigrants were led by James Van de Luyster, a wealthy landowner who sold his holdings in the Netherlands to advance money for the members to pay their debts and buy passage to America. Their settlement, some of land once occupied by the

Odawa people The Odawa (also Ottawa or Odaawaa ) are an Indigenous peoples of the Americas, Indigenous North American people who primarily inhabit land in the Indigenous peoples of the Eastern Woodlands, Eastern Woodlands region, now in jurisdictions of th ...

, was named after their home province of

. Van de Luyster arranged for three ships to sail for the United States. He came on the first ship, arriving on June 27, 1847. He was followed by the Steketee group on July 4, and Reverend Van Der Meulen's group on August 1 of that year. The total number of settlers was 457. The first building was a church. The town of Zeeland was

plat In the United States, a plat ( or ) (plan) is a cadastral map, drawn to scale, showing the divisions of a piece of land. United States General Land Office surveyors drafted township plats of Public Lands Survey System, Public Lands Surveys to ...

ted in 1849, and the school district was organized the following year. Within twenty-five years, Zeeland had acquired a sawmill, a wagon factory, blacksmith shops, grocery stores, and a post office. The village officially became a city in 1907. There was a two-story brick kindergarten building, a two-story brick grade school, and a brick house building. The city also had four furniture factories, one large manufacturing plant, and several mills and smaller manufacturing industries.

Geography

According to the

United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the Federal statistical system, U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and American economy, econ ...

, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water. The town itself is located on a hill, giving the city a higher elevation compared to the surrounding township land. Much of the outlying areas contain farmland and forest.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the

census A census (from Latin ''censere'', 'to assess') is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording, and calculating population information about the members of a given Statistical population, population, usually displayed in the form of stati ...

of 2020, there were 5,719 people, 2,421 households, and 1,432 families residing in the city. The

population density Population density (in agriculture: Standing stock (disambiguation), standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geog ...

was . There were 2,472 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 88.4%

White White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no chroma). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully (or almost fully) reflect and scatter all the visible wa ...

, 1.3%

African American African Americans, also known as Black Americans and formerly also called Afro-Americans, are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, American racial and ethnic group that consists of Americans who have total or partial ancestry from an ...

, 0.3% Native American, 1.6% Asian, 3.7% from other races, and 4.5% from two or more races.

Hispanic The term Hispanic () are people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or broadly. In some contexts, Hispanic and Latino Americans, especially within the United States, "Hispanic" is used as an Ethnici ...

or Latino of any race were 7.4% of the population. There were 2,421 households, of which 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.8% were

married couples Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognised union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children (if any), and b ...

living together, 30.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16% had a male householder with no wife present. 43.9% had someone living alone who was 60 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.89. The median age in the city was 39.2 years. 21.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 52.7% were between the age of 18 and 64; and 25.4% were 65 years of age or older.

2010 census

As of the

of 2010, there were 5,504 people, 2,246 households, and 1,426 families residing in the city. The

was . There were 2,446 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 93.8%

, 1.1%

, 0.4% Native American, 1.3% Asian, 1.3% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races.

or Latino of any race were 6.4% of the population. There were 2,246 households, of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.5% were

living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.5% were non-families. 33.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 3.04. The median age in the city was 38.8 years. 25.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.8% were from 25 to 44; 20.6% were from 45 to 64; and 22.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 44.8% male and 55.2% female.

2000 census

As of the

of 2000, there were 5,805 people, 2,283 households, and 1,490 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 2,389 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 93.90%

, 0.59%

, 0.14% Native American, 1.31% Asian, 0.02%

Pacific Islander Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, Pacificans, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the list of islands in the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Islands. As an ethnic group, ethnic/race (human categorization), racial term, it is used to describe th ...

, 2.10% from other races, and 1.95% from two or more races.

or Latino of any race were 4.63% of the population. There were 2,283 households, out of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% were

living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.7% were non-families. 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.13. In the city, ages of the residents spanned a broad range with 26.2% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 16.1% from 45 to 64, and 23.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.9 males. The median income for a household in the city was $45,611, and the median income for a family was $53,227. Males had a median income of $35,288 versus $26,913 for females. The

per capita income Per capita income (PCI) or average income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. In many countries, per capita income is determined using regular population surveys, such ...

for the city was $20,801. About 2.8% of families and 4.6% of the population were below the

poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line, or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...

, including 5.8% of those under age 18 and 3.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education

;K-12 public schools *Roosevelt Elementary School *New Groningen Elementary School *Quincy Elementary School *Adams Elementary School *Woodbridge Elementary School *Lincoln Elementary School *Cityside Middle School *Creekside Middle School *Zeeland East High School *Zeeland West High School *Innocademy Charter School (K-8) *iCademy Global (9-12) *Ottawa Area Intermediate School District *National Heritage Academies (Eagle Crest Charter Academy) ;Private schools * Zeeland Christian School ;School issues *In 2012, Zeeland school district superintendent Dave Barry was accused of plagiarism for using text from a blog post by Mark Rutherford without giving credit. The school board decided to punish Barry by suspending him for two weeks without pay. Barry said he respected the board's decision and promised it would not happen again, saying that he had "fallen short of the mark." Barry also said that this was not the only time he has taken credit for someone's work, but the number of times he has done so has not been released to the public. *Prior to the release of the 1998 album ''Follow the Leader'' by the band

Korn Korn (stylized as KoЯn) is an American nu metal band from Bakersfield, California, originally formed in 1993 by James Shaffer, James "Munky" Shaffer, Reginald Arvizu, Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu and David Silveria, who were members of the band ...

, Gretchen Plewes, a Zeeland high school assistant principal, said in an interview for a Michigan newspaper that the group's music is "indecent, vulgar, obscene and intends to be insulting" after giving a student, Eric VanHoven, a one-day suspension for wearing a shirt with the Korn logo on it. WKLQ was filmed giving away hundreds of free Korn T-shirts, which were donated by the band, outside the school. Ottawa County policemen helped hand out shirts as well. Korn filed a cease and desist order against Plewes and the school district for their comments. They also threatened a multimillion-dollar lawsuit, but both actions were dropped due to the band members' personal lives.

Industry

Zeeland is home to several world-renowned companies. Those in the city of Zeeland include: * Plascore (Honeycomb Manufacturing) *

Herman Miller MillerKnoll, Inc., doing business as Herman Miller, is an American company that produces office furniture, equipment, and home furnishings. Its best known designs include the Aeron chair, Noguchi table, Marshmallow sofa, Mirra chair, and t ...

(Office furnishings/equipment and modern furniture for the home) * Howard Miller (Clocks and furniture) * Gentex (Automotive and aerospace) *

Mead Johnson Mead Johnson & Company, LLC is an American company that is a leading manufacturer of infant formula, both domestically and globally, with its flagship product Enfamil. It operates as an independent subsidiary of Reckitt. The company dates ba ...

(Baby formula) * ITW Drawform *

Tyson Foods Tyson Foods, Inc. is an American multinational corporation based in Springdale, Arkansas that operates in the food industry. The company is the world's second-largest processor and marketer of broiler industry, chicken, beef, and pork after JBS ...

processing plant (Hillshire Farms) *

Reckitt Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC, currently branded as Reckitt, formerly known as Reckitt Benckiser, is a British multinational consumer goods company headquartered in Slough, United Kingdom. It is a producer of health, hygiene and nutrition pro ...

has a manufacturing plant in Zeeland as well (Consumer goods)

Transportation

Along with its surrounding area, Zeeland is served by the MAX (

Macatawa Area Express Macatawa Area Express (MAX) is the public transit operator serving Holland, Michigan, providing the area with fixed-route buses and paratransit services. Founded in 2000, the system takes its name from the Macatawa River and Lake Macatawa. Hist ...

) transportation system, which offers both on-demand and high-speed bus service, linking different parts of the city as well as commercial, medical and government locations outside the city. This service evolved from the former "Dial-A-Ride Transportation" (DART) system.

Media

Newspapers

*'' The Zeeland Record'' - The local newspaper

Radio

WHTC WHTC (1450 AM) is a news/talk radio station in Holland, Michigan. History The station signed on July 31, 1948, at 6:00 p.m. and originally was owned by six Holland-area businessmen: I.H Marsilje, Nelson Bosman (who served as mayor of Ho ...

- Real News Now on 1450 WHTC and The New 99 7 FM *

WYVN WYVN (92.7 FM, "The Van") is a radio station broadcasting a classic hits format licensed to Saugatuck, Michigan, with studios in Holland, Michigan and is owned along with WHTC by Midwest Communications. The station began operations on July 4 ...

- 92 7 The Van - Classic Hits for Holland and the Lakeshore 92.7 FM *

WTHS WTHS-FM (89.9 FM broadcasting, FM) is a Campus radio, college radio Radio station, station Broadcast license, licensed to Hope College in Holland, Michigan. History Carrier current era The station began as WTAS in 1956, when students Richard ...

Hope College Hope College is a private Christian liberal arts college in Holland, Michigan, United States. It was originally opened in 1851 as the Pioneer School by Dutch immigrants four years after the community was first settled. The first freshman coll ...

Radio Station 89.9 FM

Sports achievements

*1987, 1989–1991, 1994 Girl's Class B State Swimming and Diving Champions."Girls Swimming & Diving Team Champions 1925-2012." Michigan High School Athletic Association.
Retrieved 2012-02-23. *2003 Class C State Lacrosse Champions. Zeeland defeated Plymouth-Canton Chiefs 12–9. Mike DeJonge MVP. *2006 Division 4 State Football Champions. Zeeland West Dux defeated the Coopersville Broncos 22–0. - MVP Joe Leal *2006 Christopher Hodge becomes Zeeland's first male competitive cheerleader. He leads the Zeeland East Chix to first Division 2 State Championship *2011 Division 4 State Football Champions. Zeeland West Dux *2013 Division 3 State Football Champions. Zeeland West Dux *2015 Division 3 State Football Champions. Zeeland West Dux *2024 Division 3 State Football Champions. Zeeland West Dux

Notable people

* Kathy Arendsen, softball player and coach * M. R. DeHaan, Bible teacher, founder of the Radio Bible Class. *

Paul de Kruif Paul Henry de Kruif (, rhyming with "life") (March 2, 1890 – February 28, 1971) was an American microbiologist and writer. Publishing as Paul de Kruif, he is known for his 1926 book, ''Microbe Hunters''. This book was not only a bestseller for a ...

, microbiologist and author of popular scientific works, including the best-seller ''Microbe Hunters'' (1926) * D. J. DePree, first president of Herman Miller *

Willard Ames De Pree Willard Ames De Pree (November 1, 1928 – July 2, 2018) was an American career diplomat who served as the United States Ambassador to Bangladesh and Mozambique. Early life De Pree was born on November 1, 1928, in Zeeland, Michigan, United State ...

, career American diplomat and the former United States Ambassador to Bangladesh and Mozambique. *

Anthony Diekema Anthony J. Diekema (born 1933) was the President of Calvin College from 1976 to 1995. Diekema graduated from Calvin College in 1956, where he played on the men's basketball team,Ron Essink of the

Seattle Seahawks The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle. The Seahawks compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC West, West division. The club entered the NFL a ...

went to Zeeland High School and

Grand Valley State University Grand Valley State University (GVSU, GV, or Grand Valley) is a public university in Allendale Charter Township, Michigan, Allendale, Michigan, United States. It was established in 1960 as Grand Valley State College. Its main campus is situated on ...

, in

Allendale, Michigan Allendale is a census-designated place (CDP) in Ottawa County, Michigan, Ottawa County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 27,073 at the United States Census, 2020, 2020 census. It is located within Allendale Charter Township, Mi ...

. He now works for the city of Zeeland. *

Renae Geerlings Renae Geerlings (born November 4, 1974) is an American actress, singer, writer, film producer, and comics editor. She is best known for starring in the 2009 horror remake ''Halloween II (2009 film), Halloween II'' as well as the supernatural th ...

, actress * Hans Andrew Hansen, American plant breeder * Ed Hendricks, pitcher in Major League Baseball. *

Bill Huizenga William Patrick Huizenga ( ; born January 31, 1969) is an American politician serving as a U.S. representative from Michigan since 2011, representing the state's 4th congressional district. A member of the Republican Party, Huizenga served in t ...

, Congressman for the 2nd District of Michigan *

Jim Kaat James Lee Kaat (; born November 7, 1938), nicknamed "Kitty", is an American former professional baseball player and television sports commentator. A left-handed pitcher, he played Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Washington Senators / Minnes ...

, Retired

MLB Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...

pitcher and member of the

baseball Hall of Fame The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is a history museum and hall of fame in Cooperstown, New York, operated by a private foundation. It serves as the central collection and gathering space for the history of baseball in the United S ...

Chris Kapenga Christopher Lee KapengaJesse Garza ''Wisconsin Journal Sentinel'' (August 27, 2010). (born February 19, 1972) is an American businessman and Republican politician from Waukesha County, Wisconsin. He was the president of the Wisconsin Senat ...

, member of the Wisconsin State Senate * Donald Kroodsma, American author and ornithologist, one of the world's leading experts on the science of birdsong. * Tom Meyer, Republican member of the Michigan House of Representatives * Thomas J. Plewes, retired lieutenant general in the United States Army. * Jay Riemersma, former

NFL The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league in the United States. Composed of 32 teams, it is divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC). The N ...

tight end The tight end (TE) is an offense (sports), offensive position in American football, arena football, and Canadian football. It is a hybrid that combines the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a receiver (football), receiv ...

for the

Buffalo Bills The Buffalo Bills are a professional American football team based in the Buffalo–Niagara Falls metropolitan area. The Bills compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC East, East div ...

and the

Pittsburgh Steelers The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional American football team based in Pittsburgh. The Steelers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC North, North division. Founded in 1933 P ...

and former coach for the Zeeland Chix football team. * Ron Schipper, American football coach and college athletics administrator. * George Van Peursem, American politician from the State of Michigan. * Eugene van Tamelen, organic chemist who is especially recognized for his contributions to bioorganic chemistry. * Jan M. Van Tamelen, American art director * Edward Wichers, US chemist and Associate Director of the National Bureau of Standards from 1958-62. * Dylan Graham, Music therapist famous for using the music of Fela Kuti to induce movement in comatose patients

References

External links

City of Zeeland official website
{{Authority control Cities in Ottawa County, Michigan Populated places established in 1847 1847 establishments in Michigan