New Buffalo, Michigan
New Buffalo is a small city situated along the shores of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the Galien River, in the Berrien County of the US State of Michigan. New Buffalo serves as a popular getaway, with its calm waters and white sandy beaches attracting many tourists to this small city.
Geography Of New Buffalo
The city of New Buffalo covers a total area of 6.55 sq. km, of which 0.08 sq. km is occupied by water and 6.47 sq. km is occupied by land. Located about a 90-minute drive from Chicago Metropolitan Area, the city of New Buffalo serves as the “Gateway to Michigan” and a historic Lake Michigan beach town. The city is the first stop for visitors visiting the State of Michigan from Indiana on eastbound Interstate 94. Due to the city’s proximity to the Chicago Metropolitan Area and its location along the shores of Lake Michigan, the city of New Buffalo serves as a popular resort town attracting a lot of tourists to this small city. Both natural and artificial harbor is located at the mouth of the Galien River, which is used by pleasure boats, and attracts many boaters and summer residents. There are also many shops, boutique stores, restaurants, lodging areas, and ample recreational opportunities in the city’s downtown district.
The city’s long sandy beaches and lakefront parks are situated just across the Galien River Bridge, on the northern end of Whittaker Street. The City Beach Surf Shop offers kayaks and paddleboards on rent at the City Boat Launch to sail into the Galien River. The Galien River County Park is a must-visit for nature lovers who want to admire the native flora and fauna of the unique Great Lakes ecosystem. The park's elevated walkways help explore 0.34 sq. km of wild marshland, and from the 18.28m tall tower, one can get a birds-eye view of this beautiful marshland. The Warren Dunes State Park provides many recreational opportunities, from walkable sands along its 4.82km of shoreline, dunes for climbing and camping at one of its campsites. The 0.18 sq. km Glassman Park stretches along the Galien River and features a zen labyrinth, a kayak launch, many walking trails, and river outlook points. The free-admission New Buffalo Railroad Museum is a perfect place for railroad enthusiasts who wish to know more about the town's history as a rail hub.
Also located in the city of New Buffalo is the Four Winds Casino Resort, which features five restaurants and a luxury hotel. It is also Southwestern Michigan’s first gambling casino that includes more than 100 gambling tables and 3,000 slot machines. The city forms a part of the Midwest’s Napa Valley and contains several wineries. One of the most well-known places to eat in the city is the Beer Church Brewing Company, where craft brews and wood-fired pizza are served inside a building that was once a Methodist church.
Climate
According to Köppen climate classification, the city of New Buffalo experiences a warm and temperate climate, with warm and humid summers and freezing winters. The warm season lasts from May to September, with July being the hottest month, having an average high temperature of 26.6°C and a low temperature of 18.3°C. The cold season lasts from December to March, with January being the coldest month, having an average low temperature of -5.5°C and a high temperature of 0.5°C. The city receives an average of 40 inches of rainfall and 53.9 inches of snowfall per year.
Population Of New Buffalo
In 2019, New Buffalo had a population of 1714 people with a median age of 50.8. The population had decreased from the 2010 census, which showed that the city had a population of 1883. As of 2019, about 229 people (13.4% of the population) of New Buffalo were born outside the country. The most common birthplace of the foreign-born residents of Michigan was Mexico, followed by India and Iraq. The largest ethnic groups in New Buffalo are Non-Hispanic Whites at 86.5%, Hispanic Whites at 5.95%, Asians at 4.26%, other races at 3.09%, and two and more races at 0.23%. As of 2019, the median household income in New Buffalo was $48,102, and the median property value was $223,100. The average car ownership in New Buffalo was two cars per household.
