St. James Township, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
St. James Township, Michigan
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Location within Charlevoix County (red) and the administered CDP of St. James (pink)
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 St. James Township, Michigan
Location in Michigan
St. James Township, Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Charlevoix |
| Area | |
| • Total | 315.90 sq mi (818.18 km2) |
| • Land | 20.35 sq mi (52.71 km2) |
| • Water | 295.55 sq mi (765.47 km2) |
| Elevation | 581 ft (177 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 259 |
| • Density | 0.8199/sq mi (0.3166/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code(s) |
49782 (Beaver Island)
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| Area code(s) | 231 |
| FIPS code | 26-70920 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1627029 |
St. James Township is a small community in Charlevoix County, Michigan, USA. It is known as a civil township. In 2020, about 259 people lived there.
Contents
Island Communities
St. James Township includes several island communities. Most of the people live on Beaver Island.
Beaver Island Community
- Beaver Island is a community located on the northern part of Beaver Island. The island got its name because many beavers used to live there. A post office opened here in 1849. The ZIP code for the entire island, including St. James Township, is 49782.
High Island Community
- High Island used to be a community on High Island, which is west of Beaver Island. A post office opened there in 1913. Today, no one lives on High Island.
St. James Community
- St. James is a community and a census-designated place on the northern end of Beaver Island.
History of St. James Township
The township was named after James Strang. He was a leader of a group of Mormon settlers who came to Beaver Island in 1848. Strang claimed he found special brass plates and received messages from God. He started a colony on Beaver Island in 1848 and called it St. James, after himself. James Strang led the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite) from 1844 to 1856.
Geography and Islands
St. James Township is unique because it is made up entirely of islands. It is one of only seven places in Michigan that are only islands. The township covers the northern part of Beaver Island and shares the island with another township called Peaine Township.
Most of the people in St. James Township live in the community of St. James on the northeastern part of Beaver Island. The total area of the township is about 315.90 square miles (818.18 square kilometers). However, most of this area, about 295.55 square miles (765.47 square kilometers), is water. Only about 20.35 square miles (52.71 square kilometers) is land.
Islands in St. James Township
St. James Township includes many islands in Lake Michigan. Only Beaver Island has people living on it all the time.
- Beaver Island
- Garden Island
- Gull Island
- Hat Island
- High Island
- Hog Island
- Horseshoe Island
- Little Island
- Pismire Island
- Shoe Island
- Squaw Island
- Trout Island
- Whiskey Island
Population and People
In 2000, there were 307 people living in St. James Township. The population density was about 15.4 people per square mile. Most of the people were White (98.70%).
There were 138 households. About 24.6% of these households had children under 18. Many households (55.1%) were married couples. The average household had 2.22 people. The average family had 2.93 people.
The population included people of all ages. About 24.4% were under 18, and 22.5% were 65 or older. The average age was 46 years.
Education
All students in St. James Township attend the Beaver Island Community School. This school is located within St. James Township and serves the entire area. It is one of only four school districts in Michigan that are located on islands.
