Bedford Township, Monroe County, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bedford Township, Michigan
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Bedford Township Government Center
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 Bedford Township, Monroe County, Michigan
Location in Michigan
Bedford Township, Monroe County, Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Monroe |
| Organized | 1836 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 39.36 sq mi (101.9 km2) |
| • Land | 39.20 sq mi (101.5 km2) |
| • Water | 0.16 sq mi (0.4 km2) |
| Elevation | 650 ft (198 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 31,813 |
| • Density | 811.5/sq mi (313.3/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Codes |
48182 (Temperance)
48144 (Lambertville) 48177 (Samaria) 48133 (Erie) 49270 (Petersburg) 49267 (Ottawa Lake) |
| Area code(s) | 734 |
| FIPS code | 26-115-06740 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1625906 |
Bedford Township is a type of local government area called a civil township. It is located in Monroe County in the U.S. state of Michigan. In 2020, about 31,813 people lived there.
Bedford Township was started in 1836. It shares its southern border with the city of Toledo, Ohio. The township is about 50 miles southwest of Detroit. It is part of the larger Metro Detroit area. Bedford Township is the biggest town in Monroe County by population. It is also the second biggest township in Michigan, after Macomb Township.
Contents
Exploring Bedford's Communities
Bedford Township is made up of several smaller communities. These places each have their own unique feel.
What are the Main Communities?
- Lambertville is a community in the southwest part of the township. It is an area that is not officially a city or town, but it is recognized for counting people in the census. The ZIP Code 48144 serves this part of Bedford Township.
- Samaria is another community in the northern part of the township. The Samaria 48177 ZIP Code provides P.O. box service for people living there.
- Temperance is a community near the center of the township. Like Lambertville, it is also a census-designated place. The Temperance 48182 ZIP Code covers most of Bedford Township, except for the Lambertville area.
Understanding Bedford's Geography
Bedford Township is in Monroe County, right on Michigan's southern border. It touches the city of Toledo, Ohio to the south.
How Big is Bedford Township?
The township covers about 39.36 square miles in total. Most of this area, about 39.20 square miles, is land. A small part, about 0.16 square miles, is water. Water from the township flows into Lake Erie. This happens through several small streams like Halfway Creek, Flat Creek, Little Lake Creek, and Bay Creek.
Important Roads in Bedford
Several main roads help people travel through Bedford Township.
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US 24, also known as Telegraph Road, crosses a small part of the southeast township.US 24 highway shield
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M-125, or S. Dixie Highway, runs very close to US 24 in the southeast corner.M-125 highway shield
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M-151 (Samaria Road) used to be a state highway. Now, local authorities manage this road.M-151 highway shield
People Living in Bedford Township
The number of people living in Bedford Township has grown a lot over the years.
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1850 | 888 | — | |
| 1860 | 1,239 | 39.5% | |
| 1870 | 1,459 | 17.8% | |
| 1880 | 1,835 | 25.8% | |
| 1890 | 1,837 | 0.1% | |
| 1900 | 2,179 | 18.6% | |
| 1910 | 2,213 | 1.6% | |
| 1920 | 2,689 | 21.5% | |
| 1930 | 4,578 | 70.2% | |
| 1940 | 5,487 | 19.9% | |
| 1950 | 7,918 | 44.3% | |
| 1960 | 14,353 | 81.3% | |
| 1970 | 20,875 | 45.4% | |
| 1980 | 22,902 | 9.7% | |
| 1990 | 23,748 | 3.7% | |
| 2000 | 28,606 | 20.5% | |
| 2010 | 31,085 | 8.7% | |
| 2020 | 31,813 | 2.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were about 28,606 people living in the township. There were 10,327 households, which are groups of people living together. Most people were White (97.56%). A small number were African American (0.40%), Native American (0.20%), or Asian (0.51%). About 1.93% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
Many households (38.0%) had children under 18 living with them. The average household had 2.76 people. The average family had 3.15 people.
The population was spread out by age. About 28.1% were under 18. About 10.9% were 65 or older. The average age was 38 years.
The median income for a household was $59,835. This means half of the households earned more than this, and half earned less. For families, the median income was $67,239. A small number of families (2.7%) and people (4.5%) lived below the poverty line.
Learning in Bedford Township
Bedford Township has several schools and colleges.
Local Schools and Colleges
Bedford Public Schools serves students in the township. This school district includes:
- Douglas Road Elementary
- Jackman Road Elementary
- Monroe Road Elementary
- Bedford Junior High School
- Bedford Senior High School
Between 2010 and 2012, some elementary schools closed. This was due to fewer students and budget problems. Students from Smith Road Elementary and Temperance Road Elementary moved to other schools.
New Bedford Academy is a special public school called a charter school. It teaches students from kindergarten to 8th grade.
For older students, Spring Arbor University has a location in Lambertville. It is designed for adult learners. Monroe County Community College also has a branch in Bedford Township called the Whitman Center.
News and Media in Bedford
Bedford Township has its own local newspapers. These papers share news about the community.
Local News Sources
- Bedford Now
- Bedford Press
The Toledo Blade is a daily newspaper from nearby Toledo, Ohio. It also covers news from Bedford Township. The township also has local radio stations, including WMLZ-LP.
Famous People from Bedford
- Mat Kerekes is a singer and songwriter. He was born and grew up in Bedford Township.
Images for kids
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Bedford Township Government Center
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Location within Monroe County
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US 24 (MI).svg
US 24 highway shield
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M-125 (MI).svg
M-125 highway shield
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M-151 (MI).svg
M-151 highway shield
