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Charlton Township, Michigan facts for kids

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Charlton Township, Michigan
Charlton Township Offices and Johannesburg Branch Library
Charlton Township Offices and Johannesburg Branch Library
Location within Otsego County
Location within Otsego County
Charlton Township, Michigan is located in Michigan
Charlton Township, Michigan
Charlton Township, Michigan
Location in Michigan
Charlton Township, Michigan is located in the United States
Charlton Township, Michigan
Charlton Township, Michigan
Location in the United States
Country United States
State Michigan
County Otsego
Established 1875
Area
 • Total 102.20 sq mi (264.70 km2)
 • Land 100.37 sq mi (259.96 km2)
 • Water 1.83 sq mi (4.74 km2)
Elevation
1,371 ft (418 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 1,350
 • Density 13.5/sq mi (5.2/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code(s)
49735 (Gaylord)
49751 (Johannesburg)
49756 (Lewiston)
Area code(s) 989
FIPS code 26-14840
GNIS feature ID 1626063

Charlton Township is a community located in Otsego County, in the state of Michigan, USA. It's a place with a fascinating past, especially linked to the lumber industry. In 2020, about 1,350 people lived in Charlton Township. It's known for its natural beauty and quiet, rural feel.

About Charlton Township

Charlton Township is a civil township, which is a type of local government area. It's part of Otsego County in Michigan. The township was officially established in 1875.

Who Leads Charlton Township?

The township has leaders who help run the community. The main leaders are the Supervisor, Matthew Nowak, and the Clerk, George Pewinski. They help manage local services and make decisions for the township.

Where is Charlton Township Located?

Charlton Township is in the northern part of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. It covers an area of about 102 square miles (264 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, but about 1.8 square miles (4.7 square kilometers) is water. The township is about 1,371 feet (418 meters) above sea level.

Small Towns and Places

Charlton Township is home to a few smaller communities. These places have their own unique stories and histories.

Hetherton

Hetherton is a small, unincorporated community within the township. It's located near the border with Montmorency County. This community was first settled in 1881 under the name Briley. It later became known as Hetherton. A post office served the area from 1885 to 1923.

Johannesburg

Johannesburg is another unincorporated community in Charlton Township. It's centered along the M-32 highway. This community started as a stop on the Michigan Central Railroad. It grew around the Johannesburg Manufacturing Company sawmill.

A post office opened in Johannesburg on January 7, 1901. The 49751 ZIP Code for Johannesburg serves most of Charlton Township. The old Johannesburg Manufacturing Company Store, built in 1901, is still standing. It was even added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2009.

Vienna Corners

Vienna Corners is a small community on the western edge of the township. It's also on the county line with Montmorency County. This place once had a post office called Vienna, which operated from 1887 to 1913.

A Look Back in Time

Charlton Township has a rich history, especially linked to the lumber industry.

How Charlton Township Began

The township was founded in 1875. It grew because of the many lumbering and milling operations in the area. Trees were a very important resource back then.

The Story of Johannesburg

Johannesburg became an important town in 1901. It was home to the Johannesburg Manufacturing Company. This company was run by the Sailing, Hanson, and Michelson families. The town was actually named after Johanna Hanson, who was the wife of the company's president.

The company helped build much of the town. They even developed a special railroad line. This railroad was very important for connecting the town to other places. At its busiest, Johannesburg had about 700 people living there. However, by 1929, most of the lumbering operations had stopped.

People of Charlton Township

Let's look at some facts about the people who live in Charlton Township.

Population and Homes

According to the 2020 census, there were 1,350 people living in the township. In 2000, there were 1,330 people and 552 households. A household means all the people living in one home. Most households were made up of married couples.

Age and Income

In 2000, about 21.5% of the people were under 18 years old. The average age was 44 years. The median income for a household was about $36,536. This means half of the households earned more than this, and half earned less.

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