Population62,423 (2020 Census)
Follow the Thornapple Through Woods and Towns
Barry County, MichiganBarry County brings together riverfront towns, wooded recreation areas and places to explore Michigan’s past. Spend a morning among historic vehicles at the Gilmore Car Museum, walk the grounds at Charlton Park, or follow a nature trail at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute. Hastings offers shops, restaurants and county services, while surrounding communities provide their own libraries and schools. Use this guide to plan outings and connect with the offices and providers serving your address.
Barry County at a Glance
Population62,423 (2020 Census)
County SeatHastings
Largest MunicipalityThornapple Township (9,331; 2020 population within county)
Established1829; organized in 1839
ZIP Codes16 ZIP codes wholly or partly within the county
Total Area577.0 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesM-37, M-43, M-50, M-66, M-79, M-89 and M-179
Area Codes269, 616 and 517
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Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
Discover Barry County
Barry County
Created in 1829 and organized in 1839, Barry County combines a working county seat with rural communities, inland lakes and the Thornapple River corridor. Its history can be explored through the village and museum collections at Historic Charlton Park and the local history materials held by Hastings Public Library. The Gilmore Car Museum adds a different perspective through vehicles and automotive culture. These places offer complementary ways to understand the area, while the surrounding parks and preserves show how strongly water and woodland still shape its character.
Hastings anchors many everyday errands, but county life extends through Middleville, Delton, Nashville, Freeport and Woodland. Libraries and school districts serve overlapping communities rather than one uniform county service area. Barry County Transit offers a way to arrange local travel, and municipal offices handle water and sewer questions where those services are available. Between appointments and errands, residents can browse downtown shops, visit a park or choose a trail suited to the season and current conditions.
What Shapes Us
Living History
Charlton Park’s historic village and the Gilmore Car Museum offer two different approaches to the past, with collections and events worth checking before your visit.
Woods and Water
Yankee Springs, Pierce Cedar Creek and county parks provide places to explore woodland, lakes and river corridors, with different access rules and seasonal conditions.
Town Connections
Hastings shops and restaurants pair with libraries and services across nearby communities, making it possible to combine practical errands with a relaxed local outing.
Make room for river walks and small town discoveries.
Around Barry County
Around Barry County
Places, landscapes and community stories
Freeport District Library
Fall Kids Create
Starting Thursdays at 2pm, October 15- November 19, kids 6 and up will participate in team activities, learning…
Read the Story Aug 28, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Barry County
Stories from every corner of Barry County.
Fall Kids Create
Starting Thursdays at 2pm, October 15- November 19, kids 6 and up will participate in team activities, learning…
Aug 28, 2026 • 2 min read
Fall Preschool Storytime
On Wednesday mornings at 10 am, October 14-November18, children will learn about the things that make us go…
Aug 28, 2026 • 2 min read
Y on the Fly at the Freeport Park
Fall 2026 Y on the Fly activities for homeschoolers. The YOTF calendar follows the public school calendar.
Aug 28, 2026 • 2 min read
2nd Tuesday Book Club
On the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 2pm, the library's book club gathers to discuss the book…
Jul 2, 2026 • 2 min read
Combined November/December Library Board Meeting-Thursday, December 3, 2026 at 7pm
The library board meeting will be combined for November and December 2026. It will be held Thursday, Dec.…
Jul 2, 2026 • 2 min read
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the right local resource
Use these resources to connect with public offices, essential services and community organizations in Barry County. Visit the linked provider for current details before making a trip.
County Government
Board of Commissioners — Public meetings and county board information.
County Clerk — Vital records, elections and clerk services.
County Treasurer — County tax and payment information.
Register of Deeds — Recorded property documents.
Equalization — Property assessment resources.
Schools and Education
Confirm the district serving your street address; postal and school boundaries differ.
Barry Intermediate School District — District schools, enrollment and family resources.
Hastings Area School System — District schools, enrollment and family resources.
Delton Kellogg Schools — District schools, enrollment and family resources.
Lakewood Public Schools — District schools, enrollment and family resources.
Thornapple Kellogg Schools — District schools, enrollment and family resources.
Hospitals and Regional Care
Call 911 for an emergency. Regional facilities are identified separately from the Hastings hospital.
Corewell Health Pennock Hospital — Hastings; local hospital information.
Bronson Battle Creek Hospital — Battle Creek, outside Barry County.
Bronson Methodist Hospital — Kalamazoo, outside Barry County.
University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Eaton — Charlotte, outside Barry County.
Beacon Plainwell — Plainwell, outside Barry County; select the hospital from the provider’s local locations.
Public Safety
For an emergency, call 911.
Barry County Sheriff — County law enforcement and public safety information.
Barry County Animal Shelter — Animal shelter contacts and local animal assistance.
Hastings Police — City police contacts and services.
Michigan State Police — State police contacts and reporting resources.
Michigan DNR Law Enforcement — Conservation enforcement and outdoor regulations.
Emergency Services
For immediate police, fire or ambulance response, call 911.
Barry County Emergency Management — County preparedness and emergency coordination.
Barry-Eaton District Health Department — Local public health notices and preparedness resources.
Barry County Community Mental Health Authority — Local behavioral health access and crisis contacts.
Michigan emergency preparedness — State emergency management and preparedness resources.
National Weather Service Grand Rapids — Official regional forecasts, watches and warnings.
State Recreation
Yankee Springs Recreation Area — State recreation area; check Recreation Passport requirements and current access notices.
Trails and Nature Walks
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute — Nature trails and visitor center; ordinary admission is free, with fees for some programs.
Historic Charlton Park — Riverfront recreation and trails alongside a historic village; special events may charge admission.
Bailey Nature Preserve — A county preserve with woodland walking trails.
McKeown Bridge Park — Thornapple River park around a historic metal truss bridge.
Yankee Springs Recreation Area — State recreation area; check Recreation Passport requirements and current access notices.
Utilities
Availability depends on your address; rural properties may use private well and septic systems.
Hastings water service — City drinking water system information.
Middleville water and sewer — Village water and sewer contacts.
Consumers Energy — Customer accounts and service requests in its service territory.
MPSC electric service area map — Find the electric utility serving a particular address.
Barry-Eaton well and septic information — Contact Environmental Health about private wells and septic systems.
Public Libraries
Hastings Public Library — Library collections, programs and borrowing information.
Delton District Library — Library collections, programs and borrowing information.
Freeport District Library — Library collections, programs and borrowing information.
Putnam District Library — Library collections, programs and borrowing information.
G. W. Spindler Memorial Library — Library collections, programs and borrowing information.
Courts
Barry County courts — Start with the county court directory for jurisdiction and contacts.
Circuit Court case search — Official MiCOURT lookup for the Fifth Circuit Court.
District Court case search — Official MiCOURT lookup for District Court 56B.
Court payments — County instructions for paying court fines.
Friend of the Court payments — County payment information for Friend of the Court matters.
Driver and Vehicle Services
Official statewide services available to county residents.
Michigan Secretary of State — license and ID renewal — Review renewal options and documents.
Michigan Secretary of State — vehicle tabs — Renew vehicle registration.
Michigan Secretary of State — titles and registration — Prepare for a vehicle transfer.
Michigan Secretary of State — address changes — Update your address with the department.
Michigan Secretary of State — disability parking — Find placard application and renewal information.
Michigan self-service stations — Find a nearby kiosk and check supported transactions.
Transportation
Barry County Transit — Arrange public transportation and confirm booking requirements.
Transit student services — School transportation options and service details.
Transit fares — Current fares and payment information.
Barry County Road Commission — County road projects, maintenance and contacts.
MDOT Mi Drive — State road construction, traffic and travel conditions.
Postal Services
Official USPS tools for local mailing and delivery needs.
USPS Post Office locator — Search your town or ZIP for nearby offices and services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Confirm the mailing ZIP for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold.
USPS Change of Address — Use the official postal address-change service.
USPS PO Boxes — Find and manage a post office box.
USPS package pickup — Check and schedule an eligible pickup.
Veterans Resources
Official statewide services available to county residents.
Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency — Connect with state benefits assistance and local support.
Michigan Veterans Trust Fund — Review emergency-assistance options and eligibility.
VA health care enrollment — Find enrollment guidance.
Veterans education benefits — Explore federal and state education programs.
Veteran Readiness and Employment — Learn about employment and rehabilitation support.
Veterans burial benefits — Find benefit and memorial planning resources.
Employment and Training
Official statewide services available to county residents.
Michigan Works! — Find the workforce agency serving your area.
Michigan Rehabilitation Services — Employment support for eligible people with disabilities.
Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency — Claims, account help and program information.
Michigan Reconnect — Check eligibility for community college tuition support.
Veterans Employment Services — Career assistance for eligible veterans.
Workforce education and training — Explore state training programs and pathways.
Make yourself at home
Practical answers for residents and visitors
County Questions
Know Before You Go
Find answers to common questions about exploring and living in Barry County.
Gilmore Car Museum houses automotive exhibits. Review the museum’s admission details and event calendar before planning your visit.
Ordinary admission to Charlton Park is free, but scheduled special events may charge. Check the park calendar before choosing a date.
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute offers free ordinary trail and visitor-center admission. Organized programs and special events may have separate fees.
Yankee Springs Recreation Area posts current access notices and Recreation Passport requirements. Check these before driving out, particularly if you plan to use a specific launch or campground.
The Wild Wood Books & Music is a downtown option for books, records and gifts. Check the shop’s current opening information before a special trip.
Seasonal Grille and Walldorff BrewPub & Bistro provide downtown dining options. For a meal near Gun Lake, check Bay Pointe Bar & Grille.
The Shack offers free clothing to the community. Its website explains visiting, donating and volunteering.
Barry County Transit is the local public transportation provider. Contact it ahead of time to confirm your trip, booking requirements and fare.
Corewell Health Pennock Hospital is the local Hastings hospital. The hospital panel also identifies regional facilities outside the county. Call 911 for an emergency.
Hastings Public Library maintains local history materials in its Michigan Room. Contact library staff about the records or topic you need.
McKeown Bridge Park centers on a historic metal truss bridge and river setting, while Historic Charlton Park combines recreation with a historic village. Choose according to the kind of outing you want.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Make a day of itExplore places to eat, shop and spend time together.
Kids’ Fun
- Gilmore Car Museum — Automotive exhibits in Hickory Corners; check admission and the event calendar.
- Historic Charlton Park — Riverfront recreation and trails alongside a historic village; special events may charge admission.
- Pierce Cedar Creek Institute — Nature trails and visitor center; ordinary admission is free, with fees for some programs.
Restaurants
- Seasonal Grille — Italian and American dining in downtown Hastings.
- Walldorff BrewPub & Bistro — Hastings dining with a varied menu and wood-fired pizza.
- Bay Pointe Bar & Grille — Dining by Gun Lake; check current reservations and service hours.
Shopping & Retail
- The Wild Wood Books & Music — Browse books, records and gifts in Hastings.
- Hodges Jewelry & Gifts — Jewelry and gifts in downtown Hastings.
- The Clothier — A Hastings shop for contemporary clothing.
Clothing & Boutiques
- The Clothier — A Hastings shop for contemporary clothing.
- The Shack — A Delton community resource offering free clothing; check donation and visiting information.
- Shoe Sensation — Hastings — Footwear for adults and children at the Hastings store.
Outdoor Fun
- Yankee Springs Recreation Area — State recreation area; check Recreation Passport requirements and current access notices.
- Pierce Cedar Creek Institute — Nature trails and visitor center; ordinary admission is free, with fees for some programs.
- Bailey Nature Preserve — A county preserve with woodland walking trails.
Free Things To Do
- Charlton Park grounds — Ordinary park admission is free; scheduled special events can have a fee.
- Pierce Cedar Creek trails and visitor center — Ordinary trail and visitor-center admission is free; paid programs are separate.
- Bay Pointe free concerts — Selected seasonal concerts have free admission; confirm the specific event, with food and drinks extra.
Your next local discovery starts here.Explore the listings