Eaton Rapids is on the northward course of the Grand River as it flows from Jackson to Lansing. There it turns westward at its confluence in the tell of the Spring Brook.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.51 square miles (9.09 square kilometers), of which 3.39 square miles (8.78 km) is estate and 0.12 square miles (0.31 km2) is water.
As of the census of 2010, there were 5,214 people, 2,092 households, and 1,345 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,538.1 inhabitants per square mile (593.9/km2). There were 2,387 housing units at an average density of 704.1 per square mile (271.9/km). The racial makeup of the city was 95.1% White, 0.7% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.8% from supplementary races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.4% of the population.
There were 2,092 households, of which 36.9% had children under the age of 18 living once them, 42.1% were married couples lively together, 15.3% had a female householder gone no husband present, 6.8% had a male householder in the same way as no wife present, and 35.7% were non-families. Of whatever households, 30.0% were made taking place of individuals, and 11% had someone booming alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average intimates size was 3.09.
The median age in the city was 34.8 years. 27.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.3% were amongst the ages of 18 and 24; 26.7% were from 25 to 44; 25.2% were from 45 to 64; and 11.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.3% male and 51.7% female.
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,330 people, 2,067 households, and 1,399 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,576.9 inhabitants per square mile (608.8/km2). There were 2,168 housing units at an average density of 641.4 per square mile (247.6/km). The racial makeup of the city was 96.12% White, 0.38% African American, 0.45% Native American, 0.54% Asian, 1.01% from other races, and 1.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.93% of the population.
There were 2,067 households, out of which 39.7% had kids under the age of 18 living taking into account them, 47.8% were married couples busy together, 13.9% had a female householder afterward no husband present, and 32.3% were non-families. Of everything households 27.4% were made happening of individuals, and 12.2% had someone energetic alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the city, the population was progress out, with 31.0% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 18.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For all 100 females, there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $39,769, and the median income for a relations was $48,239. Males had a median pension of $37,582 versus $29,440 for females. The per capita pension for the city was $18,446. About 3.2% of families and 5.9% of the population were under the poverty line, including 6.3% of those under age 18 and 2.1% of those age 65 or over.
The Potawatomi people time-honored a village in the area of what is now Eaton Rapids in very nearly 1774. This was allocation of their wide territory in historic times.
The Place constituting Eaton Rapids was first fixed by Euro-Americans on the order of the year 1835, who were drawn there because of the timber and water facility in the area. It became a center of industry. The later year, a sawmill was build up near Spring Brook in Spicerville; it provided the lumber settlers used to construct Eaton Rapids. In 1837, the Old Red Mill was constructed by the mill company; it used waterpower from the stream to grind corn. The mill company later used wood from Spicerville to build their own sawmill along the Grand River, as skillfully as a wool carding mill.
In 1852, mineral water was first discovered by E. B. Frost, earning Eaton Rapids worldwide fame and the nickname The Saratoga of the West, referring to Saratoga Springs, New York, which had tourism based on such waters. This water was in huge demand, and resulted in many people coming to take mineral water baths, considered to have health benefits, as competently as cures from specific ailments. Fourteen wells were drilled in sum to supply water for the baths. Only three are still operational.
In 1921, John B. Davidson Sr. came to Eaton Rapids from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He started the only textile mill in Michigan that spun its own yarn. The Davidson Mill supplied 95 percent of the wool yarn for major league baseball uniforms, as without difficulty as high-grade yarns for additional applications. After 48 years in business, the mill burned in 1969. John B. Davidson became a politician, elected as mayor of Eaton Rapids, and vanguard representing the area in both the State House and State Senate.
In 1927, Irving Jacob Reuter and his wife Janet built Medovue, a 17-room, 10,000-square foot, Tudor Revival- style mansion, where they lived for nine years. President of the Oldsmobile automobile company, Reuter was after that a financier and inventor. The Reuters donated substantial sums to charity.
Their property was sold to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lansing, and became the private house of its first bishop, the Most Reverend Joseph H. Albers. The diocese sophisticated sold the mansion.
It was purchased by C.J. and Mille Sumner, who adapted it and reopened it to accomplishment as an Adult Foster Care Home. They furnished it gone antiques and named it "Ivy Manor". The home was sold over in 1990 and was renovated for use as a bed and breakfast, known as the English Inn. In 1991 it was credited and listed in the declare List of Registered Historic Places in Michigan. The indigenous 10,000-square-foot (930-square-meter) building, complete in the appearance of many of the indigenous antique furnishings, has 15 acres (61,000 square meters) of gardens and pastoral countryside located upon the river. It was purchased by Gary and Donna Nelson in 1996, who along with developed a restaurant and pub on the property. It is retrieve to the public for viewing. Their son Erik Nelson has taken higher than operations.