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ENERAL PHYSICAL AND DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION <br />ti n <br />The City of South Bend is localcd in St. Joseph County in north central Indiana, approximately 140 miles north <br />of Indianapolis and 90 miles east of Chicago. The Cily borders on the State of Michigan and is commonly <br />known as the "Michiana" area. _ <br />History and eneral Characteristics <br />The City of South Bcnd was incorporalcd in 1865. In the 1800's Potawalomi Indians, lrappcrs and missionaries <br />traveled through sections of South Bcnd on the banks of the St. Joseph-Kankakee River. The Indians and <br />Frenchmen settled in the beautiful area surrounding the southern most lip of the St. Joseph River (to be known <br />as "South Bend"). Through the years many businesses started in South Bcnd including the Sludcbakcr Brothers <br />Manufacturing Company which became the largest wagon maker in the world. In 1842 the Holy Cross Brothers <br />founded Notre Dame University which has grown to over 1,200 acres and 10,000 studcnls. Notre Dame provides <br />a positive impact on South Bend's economy (estimated at $432 million per year pcrUnivcrsity sources) and on <br />the community. <br />The South Bcnd area has a mix of agriculture, manufacturing, commercial and tourism industries. This <br />diversification provides the city with varied employment opportunities and provides for a strong economic future. <br />PoRulation <br />The population for the City o[ South Bcnd and SL Joseph County is provided by the U.S. Bureau of Census. <br /> City of South Bend St .Joseph County <br />• Percentage Percentage <br /> Increase/ Increase/ <br /> ulation <br />P Decrease Population Decrease <br />Year op <br />1940 101,268 (2.$)% 161,823 1.1% <br />_ ....... _ _-_.._- _... __ 1950....... 115,911.... 14.4 % 20S,OS8 26.7% <br />1960 132;445 14.3 % 238,614 16.4% <br />1970 125,580 (5.2)% 244,827 2.6% <br />1980 109,727 (12.6)% 241,617 (1.3)% <br />- 1990 lOS,Sll (3.8)% 247,052 2.2% <br />• A-2 <br />