Portage is a city in Kalamazoo County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 46,292 in the 2010 census. It is the smaller of the two main cities included in the Kalamazoo-Portage Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a population of 326,589 as of 2010.
Portage is adjacent to the southern boundary of the City of Kalamazoo. The city was incorporated from the entirety of the former Portage Township on December 31, 1963.
There are two public high schools in Portage, Portage Central and Portage Northern. The pharmaceutical company Pfizer also has manufacturing operations located there, which in recent years has caused much controversy due to layoffs. Stryker Corporation also has a large manufacturing presence in the city and is a worldwide leader in medical equipment, instruments and imaging technologies. Portage is also home to FEMA Corporation, a growing hydraulic valve manufacturing company.
Portage is known for its extensive network of historical parks and trails used for cycling, walking, canoeing, and other recreational activities. Since the creation of the Portage Bikeway system in 1989, the trails have expanded to over 50 miles (80 km), over five times as long as the city’s expressways. Portage is also home to the Kalamazoo Air Zoo.
reviews (4)
Many of the people in Portage are older. Portage is the home of The Upjohn Co. (Now Pfizer) and a significant numer of retirees live in the area. We have a number of very good community programs for activity & education as well as excellent assisted living and hospice care.
People keep to themselves, there's no transportation for those that don't drive, no special activities.The apts are not maintained but they keep raising the rent. If a person dies they could be in their apts for days or weeks before they are found.
I think its a good place to live and retire in, of what I have seen the people are very friendly and respectful. Good Churches, Colleges, and Libraries, etc.
I spent years caring for my mother and my grandmother. I currently care part time for a woman and have for years. I need full time work.