Big Prairie Township, Michigan

Big Prairie Township is a civil township of Newaygo County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 2,465.

Big Prairie Township, Michigan
Township
Big Prairie Township, Michigan
Location within the state of Michigan
Big Prairie Township, Michigan
Big Prairie Township, Michigan (the United States)
Coordinates: 43°30′43″N 85°37′42″W
CountryUnited States
StateMichigan
CountyNewaygo
Area
 • Total36.2 sq mi (93.8 km2)
 • Land31.5 sq mi (81.6 km2)
 • Water4.7 sq mi (12.2 km2)
Elevation
912 ft (278 m)
Population
 (2000)
 • Total2,465
 • Density78.2/sq mi (30.2/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
FIPS code26-08280[1]
GNIS feature ID1625933[2]

History

Big Prairie Township was organized in 1852.[3]

Geography

The Hardy Dam on the Muskegon River is located in the township.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 36.2 square miles (94 km2), of which 31.5 square miles (82 km2) is land and 4.7 square miles (12 km2) (13.03%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 2,465 people, 980 households, and 677 families residing in the township. The population density was 78.2 per square mile (30.2/km2). There were 1,474 housing units at an average density of 46.8 per square mile (18.1/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 96.59% White, 0.45% African American, 0.57% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.69% from other races, and 1.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.74% of the population.

There were 980 households, out of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.3% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.9% were non-families. 23.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the township the population was spread out, with 26.6% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 111.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.0 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $32,879, and the median income for a family was $36,935. Males had a median income of $33,309 versus $21,667 for females. The per capita income for the township was $14,900. About 9.8% of families and 12.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.6% of those under age 18 and 20.9% of those age 65 or over.

References

Notes
  1. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Big Prairie Township, Michigan
  3. Romig 1986, p. 61.

Sources
  • Romig, Walter (October 1, 1986) [1973]. Michigan Place Names: The History of the Founding and the Naming of More Than Five Thousand Past and Present Michigan Communities. Great Lakes Books Series (Paperback). Detroit, Michigan: Wayne State University Press. ISBN 0-8143-1838-X.
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