On December 13, 2004, residents voted to adopt a charter changing the status of the village into a city form of government.

[1] Under Michigan law, cities are independent entities whereas villages are part of the township.

Douglas, originally known as Dudleyville, was first settled by European-Americans in 1851 as a lumber mill town.

Reportedly the name was chosen to honor the American statesman Stephen A. Douglas,[6] but other reports indicate that a relative of the original owner of the land also suggested the name because he came from Douglas, the capital of the Isle of Man.

[7] The city has over 1.5 miles of coastline along the shores of Lake Michigan, and over two miles of frontage along the meandering Kalamazoo River and Lake Kalamazoo Harbor.

46.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 1,214 people, 587 households and 284 families residing in the city of Douglas.

43.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.