Benton Township, Eaton County, Michigan
Encyclopedia
Benton Township is a civil township
of Eaton County
in the U.S. state
of Michigan
. As of the 2000 census
, the township population was 2,712.
When the township was organized in 1843, the Michigan State Legislature named it "Tom Benton", after Thomas Hart Benton
, the notable U.S. Senator from Missouri. The name was changed to simply "Benton" in 1845.
, the township has a total area of 33.7 square miles (87.3 km²), all land.
of 2000, there were 2,712 people, 991 households, and 814 families residing in the township. The population density
was 80.4 per square mile (31.0/km²). There were 1,018 housing units at an average density of 30.2 per square mile (11.7/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 96.87% White, 0.44% African American, 0.26% Native American, 1.11% from other races
, and 1.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.58% of the population.
There were 991 households out of which 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.0% were married couples
living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.8% were non-families. 13.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the township the population was spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 30.0% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 97.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.3 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $56,815, and the median income for a family was $61,576. Males had a median income of $40,815 versus $31,453 for females. The per capita income
for the township was $23,990. About 0.2% of families and 2.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.3% of those under age 18 and 3.8% of those age 65 or over.
Civil township
A civil township is a widely used unit of local government in the United States, subordinate to, and geographic divisions of, a county. Specific responsibilities and the degree of autonomy vary based on each state. Civil townships are distinct from survey townships, but in states that have both,...
of Eaton County
Eaton County, Michigan
Eaton County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the population was 107,759. The county seat is Charlotte. Eaton County was named for John Eaton, who was Secretary of War under U.S. President Andrew Jackson, making it one of Michigan's Cabinet counties...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. As of the 2000 census
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
, the township population was 2,712.
When the township was organized in 1843, the Michigan State Legislature named it "Tom Benton", after Thomas Hart Benton
Thomas Hart Benton (senator)
Thomas Hart Benton , nicknamed "Old Bullion", was a U.S. Senator from Missouri and a staunch advocate of westward expansion of the United States. He served in the Senate from 1821 to 1851, becoming the first member of that body to serve five terms...
, the notable U.S. Senator from Missouri. The name was changed to simply "Benton" in 1845.
Communities
- The city of PottervillePotterville, MichiganPotterville is a city in Eaton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,168 at the 2000 census.-History:Potterville is named after Linus Potter, who settled his family in the area in November, 1844. Linus was elected supervisor of Benton Township in 1846...
is within the township, but is administratively autonomous. The Potterville ZIP code, 48876 serves areas in the eastern part of Benton Township. - West Benton was a rural post office in the western part part of the township, which operated from January 12, 1855 until October 19, 1860.
- The city of CharlotteCharlotte, MichiganCharlotte is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 9,074. It is the county seat of Eaton County....
is to the southwest, and the Charlotte ZIP code 48813 serves portions of Benton Township. - The city of Grand LedgeGrand Ledge, MichiganGrand Ledge is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city lies mostly within Eaton County, though a small portion extends into Clinton County, and sits above the Grand River 12.7 miles directly west of downtown Lansing. The population was 7,813 at the 2000 census...
is to the north, and the Grand Ledge ZIP code 48837 serves areas in the northern part of Benton Township.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the township has a total area of 33.7 square miles (87.3 km²), all land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 2,712 people, 991 households, and 814 families residing in the township. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 80.4 per square mile (31.0/km²). There were 1,018 housing units at an average density of 30.2 per square mile (11.7/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 96.87% White, 0.44% African American, 0.26% Native American, 1.11% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.58% of the population.
There were 991 households out of which 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.0% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.8% were non-families. 13.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the township the population was spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 30.0% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 97.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.3 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $56,815, and the median income for a family was $61,576. Males had a median income of $40,815 versus $31,453 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the township was $23,990. About 0.2% of families and 2.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.3% of those under age 18 and 3.8% of those age 65 or over.