About Us

Known as the "Cereal Capital of the World," Battle Creek is a lively and diverse city with nearly 53,000 people, located in Southwest Michigan.

As the main city in Calhoun County, Battle Creek provides full city services with a focus on the future. Major employers like DENSO, Duncan Aviation, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation help support the local economy. The city also has Michigan’s largest connected industrial park and a strong military presence.

With more than 30 parks, beautiful trails, family-friendly places like Binder Park Zoo, and big events like the Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival, Battle Creek is a great place to live, work, and visit. It’s a city where people and opportunities grow together.

Demographics

The City of Battle Creek, incorporated as a city in 1859 and as a Home Rule City in 1913, is located in southwest Michigan, approximately 115 miles west of Detroit and 160 miles northeast of Chicago. It is the largest city in Calhoun County, encompassing an area of 44 square miles, with a current estimated population of 52,347. The city is well-known as the breakfast food capital of the world.

Local Government

The city has operated under the commission-manager form of government since 1961. Policy making and legislative authorities are vested in the City Commission, which is comprised of nine members.

The commission is responsible, among other things, for passing ordinances and resolutions, making public policy decisions, adopting the budget, appointing boards, commissions and committees, approving contracts, authorizing real estate transactions, awarding bids, selling property, and hiring the city manager and attorney.

Four commissioners are elected at-large for two-year terms, and five commissioners are elected from each of the five wards in the city, also serving two-year terms. The City Commission elects a mayor and vice mayor from among its members.