Population75,587 (2020 Census)
Lakeshore Days, Maritime Stories and Downtown Discoveries
Van Buren County, MichiganVan Buren County combines Lake Michigan outings with inland communities, trail routes and local services. Explore maritime history in South Haven, browse downtown shops or choose a meal near the waterfront. Paw Paw, Mattawan, Bangor and Decatur add libraries, schools and everyday destinations farther inland. This guide brings those places together with hospitals, county offices and transportation contacts, helping residents and visitors plan practical trips while checking seasonal access, admission and current opening arrangements.
Van Buren County at a Glance
Population75,587 (2020 Census)
County SeatPaw Paw
Largest MunicipalityAntwerp Township (13,425; 2020 population within county)
Established1829; organized in 1837
ZIP Codes21 ZIP codes wholly or partly within the county
Total Area1,089.9 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesI-94, I-196, US-31, M-40, M-43 and M-51
Area Codes269
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.
Discover Van Buren County
Van Buren County
Van Buren County was created in 1829 and organized in 1837. Paw Paw serves as its county seat, while Antwerp Township is the largest municipality by the 2020 Census. The county’s character stretches from Lake Michigan shoreline recreation to inland towns, farms and trail corridors. South Haven’s Michigan Maritime Museum preserves stories of the Great Lakes, while former railroad routes now support outdoor travel. Libraries and community services in Paw Paw, Mattawan, Decatur and Bangor connect those visitor destinations with everyday local life.
Van Buren County residents find services across lakeshore and inland communities. School boundaries, utility providers and transportation coverage vary by address, so confirm the appropriate district or agency directly. Bronson hospitals in South Haven and Paw Paw provide local hospital options, and libraries offer reading spaces and activities around the county. Outdoor plans should account for beach conditions, parking requirements and trail surfaces. Museum visits and on-water experiences have separate schedules and admission arrangements to review before traveling.
What Shapes Us
Maritime Discoveries
The Michigan Maritime Museum connects visitors with Great Lakes history through exhibits and separate on-water experiences, with seasonal hours and admission arrangements to check before visiting.
Trails and Dunes
Van Buren State Park and nearby trail parks offer different outdoor experiences, from shoreline recreation to routes with paved, gravel and unimproved sections to consider.
Local Shopping
South Haven’s Phoenix Street shops offer clothing, surf apparel and gifts, providing useful downtown stops before a meal or after time exploring the shoreline.
Explore the shoreline and discover more beyond the beach.
Around Van Buren County
Around Van Buren County
Places, landscapes and community stories
Van Buren County
Public Hearing on Bella Point Brownfield Plan
The Van Buren County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on a Brownfield Plan for the…
Read the Story Oct 9, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Van Buren County
Stories from every corner of Van Buren County.
Public Hearing on Bella Point Brownfield Plan
The Van Buren County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on a Brownfield Plan for the…
Oct 9, 2026 • 2 min read
From the Desk of Sheriff Abbott – 10/9/2026
Uniform Response handled a Car vs. Tree PIA(Personal Injury Crash) in Hamilton Township The post From the Desk…
Oct 9, 2026 • 2 min read
From the Desk of Sheriff Abbott – 8/2/2026
Canine Handler Deputy Devon Krogel gave a presentation to the Decatur Study Club at the Van Buren County…
Oct 2, 2026 • 2 min read
TWO-VEHICLE CRASH WITH INJURY – ALMENA TOWNSHIP
Sheriff Daniel E. Abbott reports that Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to M-43 near Walden…
Oct 2, 2026 • 2 min read
From the Desk of Sheriff Abbott – 9/25/2026
Uniform Response made a Traffic Stop on a vehicle leaving Casey’s Gas Station in Hartford for an obstructed…
Sep 25, 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 Van Buren County. Visit the linked provider for current details before making a trip.
County Government
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS — Official county office information, contacts and services.
County Clerk Office — Official county office information, contacts and services.
Treasurer — Official county office information, contacts and services.
Register of Deeds — Official county office information, contacts and services.
Drain Commissioner — Official county office information, contacts and services.
Schools and Education
Confirm school assignment with the district serving your street address.
Van Buren ISD — District information, enrollment and family resources.
Paw Paw Public Schools — District information, enrollment and family resources.
South Haven Public Schools — District information, enrollment and family resources.
Mattawan Consolidated School — District information, enrollment and family resources.
Lawton Community Schools — District information, enrollment and family resources.
Hospitals and Regional Care
Call 911 for an emergency. Regional facilities are labeled separately.
Bronson South Haven Hospital — Hospital services in South Haven; consult current provider information.
Bronson LakeView Hospital — Hospital services on Hazen Street in Paw Paw.
Public Safety
Van Buren County Sheriff — County law enforcement information and contacts.
Van Buren Local Emergency Planning Committee — County preparedness and emergency-planning information.
Michigan State Police — State law enforcement contacts and resources.
DNR Law Enforcement — Conservation enforcement and outdoor regulations.
Michigan local emergency management directory — Official county emergency management contacts.
Emergency Services
Call 911 for immediate police, fire or ambulance response.
Van Buren Local Emergency Planning Committee — County preparedness and emergency-planning information.
Van Buren/Cass District Health Department — Public and environmental health services.
Van Buren Community Mental Health — Local behavioral health access and crisis resources.
National Weather Service Grand Rapids — Official forecasts, watches and warnings.
Michigan energy emergency preparedness — Official utility outage preparation and energy emergency resources.
State Parks and Recreation Areas
Van Buren State Park — Lake Michigan shoreline, dunes and camping; check entry requirements and seasonal facilities.
Kal-Haven Trail State Park — Trail between South Haven and Kalamazoo crossing county lines; check route conditions and permitted uses.
Van Buren Trail State Park — Hartford–South Haven trail with paved and unimproved sections; choose suitable equipment and check conditions.
Trails and Outdoor Recreation
Van Buren State Park — Lake Michigan shoreline, dunes and camping; check entry requirements and seasonal facilities.
Kal-Haven Trail State Park — Trail between South Haven and Kalamazoo crossing county lines; check route conditions and permitted uses.
Van Buren Trail State Park — Hartford–South Haven trail with paved and unimproved sections; choose suitable equipment and check conditions.
South Beach — South Haven shoreline outing; check parking requirements, beach flags and seasonal facilities.
North Beach — South Haven beach with recreation facilities; parking charges and water conditions apply.
Utilities
Providers and public water or sewer service vary by address; confirm your service territory.
Consumers Energy — Utility accounts and outages within its service territory.
Indiana Michigan Power — Electric accounts and outages within its service territory.
Van Buren/Cass District Health Department — Public and environmental health services.
MPSC electric service area map — Identify the electric utility serving an address.
Michigan energy emergency preparedness — Official utility outage preparation and energy emergency resources.
Libraries
South Haven Memorial Library — Public reading and family activities in South Haven.
Paw Paw District Library — Public reading and community activities in Paw Paw.
Webster Memorial Branch Library — Collections and programs in Decatur.
Antwerp Sunshine Library — Public reading and programs in Mattawan.
Bangor Branch Library — Public reading and local activities in Bangor.
Courts
7th District Court — Court information, procedures and office contacts.
36th Circuit Court — Court information, procedures and office contacts.
Juvenile Court — Court information, procedures and office contacts.
Probate Court — Court information, procedures and office contacts.
Friend of the Court — Court information, procedures and office contacts.
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
Van Buren Public Transit — County transit information; confirm coverage, fares and advance booking requirements.
Van Buren County Road Commission — County road maintenance and construction information.
MDOT Mi Drive — Road conditions and construction information.
Michigan public transit providers — Official transit agency contacts across Michigan.
Michigan transportation guide — Airports, bus connections and other travel resources.
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 Van Buren County.
Van Buren State Park, South Beach and North Beach provide shoreline options. Check entry or parking requirements and current water conditions.
Michigan Maritime Museum offers exhibits in South Haven. Confirm seasonal hours, admission and any separate on-water experience tickets.
Michigan Maritime Museum states that its research library is closed to the public. Contact the curator about research arrangements.
Van Buren Trail State Park includes paved and unimproved sections. The Hartford section is more suitable for mountain bikes; review the route before choosing equipment.
Kal-Haven Trail State Park links South Haven and Kalamazoo across county lines. Check current access, conditions and permitted uses.
Clementine’s — South Haven, Taste, Kitchen 527 offer downtown dining. Confirm current kitchen hours and reservation policies.
Glik’s — South Haven, SoHa Surf Shop and Renaissance offer different Phoenix Street shopping options.
Decadent Dogs offers dog supplies and related gifts in South Haven. Check current inventory and hours.
South Haven Memorial Library, Paw Paw District Library and Webster Memorial Branch Library provide public reading spaces. Programs and special services may have conditions.
Bronson South Haven Hospital is in South Haven and Bronson LakeView Hospital is in Paw Paw. Consult provider information and call 911 for an emergency.
Van Buren Public Transit provides county transportation information. Confirm your destination, fare and booking arrangements directly.
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
- Michigan Maritime Museum — Maritime exhibits in South Haven; check seasonal admission and separate on-water excursion arrangements.
- South Haven Memorial Library — Public reading and family activities in South Haven.
- Paw Paw District Library — Public reading and community activities in Paw Paw.
Restaurants
- Clementine’s — South Haven — Dining on Phoenix Street in South Haven; select the South Haven location for current information.
- Taste — Small plates and dining on Phoenix Street; confirm reservations directly.
- Kitchen 527 — Downtown South Haven dining; check menus and current kitchen hours.
Shopping & Retail
- Decadent Dogs — Dog supplies and gifts for dog lovers on Phoenix Street in South Haven.
- Renaissance — Clothing, jewelry and gifts on Phoenix Street; confirm current hours.
- SoHa Surf Shop — Surf apparel, swimwear and accessories in South Haven; seasonal hours may vary.
Clothing & Boutiques
- Glik’s — South Haven — Clothing and footwear at the Phoenix Street store.
- SoHa Surf Shop — Surf apparel, swimwear and accessories in South Haven; seasonal hours may vary.
- Renaissance — Clothing, jewelry and gifts on Phoenix Street; confirm current hours.
Outdoor Fun
- Van Buren State Park — Lake Michigan shoreline, dunes and camping; check entry requirements and seasonal facilities.
- Kal-Haven Trail State Park — Trail between South Haven and Kalamazoo crossing county lines; check route conditions and permitted uses.
- Van Buren Trail State Park — Hartford–South Haven trail with paved and unimproved sections; choose suitable equipment and check conditions.
Free Things To Do
- South Haven Memorial Library — Public reading and family activities in South Haven.
- Paw Paw District Library — Public reading and community activities in Paw Paw.
- Webster Memorial Branch Library — Collections and programs in Decatur.
Your next local discovery starts here.Explore the listings