Garfield Township, Grand Traverse County, Michigan

Garfield Township, officially the Charter Township of Garfield, is a charter township of Grand Traverse County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the township had a total population of 16,256. This makes it the most populous municipality in Northern Michigan.

There are five other Garfield Townships in Michigan.
Garfield Township, Michigan
Charter township
Charter Township of Garfield
Location within Grand Traverse County
Garfield Township
Location within the state of Michigan
Coordinates: 44°43′17″N 85°38′28″W
CountryUnited States
StateMichigan
CountyGrand Traverse
Established1882
Government
 • SupervisorChuck Korn
 • ClerkLanie McManus
Area
 • Total27.7 sq mi (71.7 km2)
 • Land26.7 sq mi (69.1 km2)
 • Water1.0 sq mi (2.5 km2)
Elevation
702 ft (214 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total16,256
 • Density609/sq mi (235/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code(s)
49684, 49685, 49686, 49696
Area code(s)231
FIPS code26-31580[1]
GNIS feature ID1626337[2]

Due to its location adjacent to Traverse City, the township is largely urbanized. It is one of two charter townships in Grand Traverse County, the other being East Bay Township.

History

Garfield Township was organized in January 1882 as Traverse Township. When Grand Traverse County was first organized, it comprised two townships: The Old Mission Peninsula was Peninsula Township, with its present boundaries, and the remainder of the county, including what is now Garfield Township was included in Traverse Township.[3] It is one of six townships named Garfield in Michigan, but the only one that is a charter township.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 27.7 square miles (72 km2), of which 26.7 square miles (69 km2) is land and 1.0 square mile (2.6 km2) (3.54%) is water.

Highways

Communities

Demographics

As of the census[1] of 2010, there were 16,256 people, 7,367 households, and 4,040 families residing in the township. The population density was 609 per square mile (235/km2). There were 8,194 housing units at an average density of 307 per square mile (119/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 93.87% White, 0.80% African American, 1.18% Native American, 1.06% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.67% from other races, and 2.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.45% of the population.

There were 7,367 households, out of which 22.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.8% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.2% were non-families. 37.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the township the population was spread out, with 20.1% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 23.1% from 25 to 44, 27.3% from 45 to 64, and 20.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.7 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $41,712, and the median income for a family was $55,977. Males had a median income of $30,167 versus $23,672 for females. The per capita income for the township was $26,390. About 10.1% of families and 14.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.9% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.

Traverse City West Senior High School

Education

Traverse City Area Public Schools serves the entirety of Garfield Township. The district operates two high schools, with one, Traverse City West Senior High School, located within the township.

References
  1. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2014-08-24.
  2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Garfield Township, Grand Traverse County, Michigan
  3. Sprague, Elvin L.; Smith, Mrs. George N. (1903). "Organized Townships in Grand Traverse County". Sprague's History of Grand Traverse and Leelanaw Counties, Michigan Embracing a Concise Review of Their Early Settlement, Industrial Development and Present Conditions. [Indianapolis]: B.F. Bowen. p. 308. Retrieved July 12, 2007 – via University of Michigan Libraries.
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