Alpine Township, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alpine Township, Michigan
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Location within Kent County (red) and an administered portion of the Comstock Park CDP (pink)
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 Alpine Township, Michigan
Location in Michigan
Alpine Township, Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Kent |
| Established | 1847 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 36.21 sq mi (93.78 km2) |
| • Land | 35.90 sq mi (92.98 km2) |
| • Water | 0.31 sq mi (0.80 km2) |
| Elevation | 843 ft (257 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 14,079 |
| • Density | 388.82/sq mi (150.128/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code(s) | |
| Area code(s) | 616 |
| FIPS code | 26-081-01840 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1625834 |
Alpine Township is a community located in Kent County, Michigan. It's a type of local government area called a civil township. In 2020, about 14,079 people lived here.
Alpine Township is part of the larger Grand Rapids metropolitan area. It sits just northwest of the big city of Grand Rapids.
Contents
Communities in Alpine Township
Alpine Township is home to a few different communities. Each has its own unique feel.
Alpine Community
- Alpine is a small, unincorporated community. This means it doesn't have its own separate local government. It's located along M-37.
Comstock Park Community
- Comstock Park is a "census-designated place." This is a special area defined for gathering census data. It covers the southeast part of Alpine Township. It also stretches east into Plainfield Charter Township.
Englishville Community
- Englishville is another unincorporated community. You can find it along the northern border with Sparta Township. It was started a long time ago, in 1845. A school was built there in 1852. It even had its own post office starting in 1856.
History of Alpine Township
Let's learn about how Alpine Township came to be!
Early Settlers and Naming
The land where Alpine Township is now was first home to the Ottawa people. They had several camps in the area. Alpine Township was officially created in 1847. It was formed from the northern half of Walker Township. The township got its name because there were so many pine trees around. It became a busy place for cutting down trees, with many sawmills.
Important Events
In 1965, a strong tornado hit the township. This happened during the 1965 Palm Sunday tornado outbreak. In 1979, Alpine Township changed its government type to a "charter township." This gives it more powers, like a city. But in 1996, it changed back to a regular civil township.
Geography of Alpine Township
Alpine Township covers a specific area of land and water.
Land and Water Area
The township has a total area of about 36.21 square miles (93.78 square kilometers). Most of this is land, about 35.90 square miles (92.98 square kilometers). A smaller part, about 0.31 square miles (0.80 square kilometers), is water.
Location and Borders
Alpine Township is located northwest of Grand Rapids. It shares borders with several other townships:
- To the west is Wright Township in Ottawa County.
- To the north is Sparta Township.
- To the east is Plainfield Charter Township.
- To the south is the city of Walker.
Major Roads and Highways
Several important roads run near or through Alpine Township, making it easy to get around:
I-96 is a major highway that runs east–west. It passes just south of the township's border.
US 131 is another big highway. It runs south–north just outside the southeast edge of the township.
M-37 (Alpine Avenue) goes south–north right through the eastern part of Alpine Township.
Population and People
Learning about the people who live in Alpine Township!
2020 Census Information
According to the 2020 United States census, Alpine Township had a population of 14,079 people. The census also collects information about the different groups of people living there. Most residents were White. There were also people who identified as Black or African American, Asian, Native American, or from two or more races. About 15% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
Education in Alpine Township
Alpine Township has several schools and a library, serving its young people.
School Districts Serving Alpine Township
Different parts of Alpine Township are served by three main school districts:
- Kenowa Hills Public Schools: This district has its main office right in Alpine Township. Schools within the township limits include Alpine Elementary School, Kenowa Hills Middle School, and Kenowa Hills High School.
- Comstock Park Public Schools: Some areas of the township are part of this district. Greenridge Elementary School (for preschool, kindergarten, and PPI) and Stoney Creek Elementary School (for grades 1 and 2) are located within Alpine Township. Other schools in this district, like Pine Island Elementary, Mill Creek Middle School, and Comstock Park High School, are nearby.
- Sparta Area School District: This district also serves parts of Alpine Township. Ridgeview Elementary School, Appleview Elementary School, Sparta Middle School, and Sparta Senior High School are part of this district. The Englishville School, which is an alternative high school for grades 9 through 12, is the only school from this district located within Alpine Township.
Library Services
The Kent District Library provides library services to the township. The Alpine Branch Library is located near the Comstock Park CDP, making it easy for residents to access books and resources.
See Also
