Clearwater Township, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Clearwater Township, Michigan
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Clearwater Township Hall
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Location within Kalkaska County (red) and the administered community of Rapid City (pink)
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 Clearwater Township, Michigan
Location in Michigan
Clearwater Township, Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Kalkaska |
| Organized | 1867 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 33.79 sq mi (87.5 km2) |
| • Land | 31.17 sq mi (80.7 km2) |
| • Water | 2.62 sq mi (6.8 km2) |
| Elevation | 650 ft (198 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,497 |
| • Density | 78.4/sq mi (30.3/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code(s) | |
| Area code(s) | 231 |
| FIPS code | 26-16340 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1626094 |
Clearwater Township is a community in Kalkaska County, in the state of Michigan. It is a type of local government area called a civil township. In 2020, about 2,497 people lived here.
Contents
Communities in Clearwater Township
Clearwater Township is home to a few smaller communities. These places are not officially separate towns but are recognized areas.
Barker Creek
Barker Creek is an unincorporated community. It is located on M-72. This community is about seven miles northwest of Kalkaska.
Rapid City
Rapid City is another unincorporated community. It is also a census-designated place, which means the U.S. Census Bureau tracks its population. Rapid City is located near the Rapid River.
Torch River
Torch River is an unincorporated community. It is found at the southern end of Torch Lake. The Torch River flows out of Torch Lake here. Part of this community is in Antrim County.
History of Clearwater Township
The first permanent white settler in what is now Kalkaska County was William George Copeland. He was a farmer from England. He moved to the area in the fall of 1855. For 12 years, he and his wife were the only permanent white residents.
Early Settlers
William H. Bockes was another early resident. He was a veteran of the American Civil War. In 1866, he bought land near Barker Creek. He and his wife moved there right after they got married. John H.F. Letherby, who was from England, also settled near Barker Creek in 1866.
Township Organization
Clearwater Township was officially organized in 1867. This meant it could have its own local government. D.P. Beebe and A.C. Beebe, both Civil War veterans, settled in the township in 1867 and 1868. Norman Ross, D.P. Beebe's father-in-law, became the first township supervisor.
The area was first called "Round Lake" when it was organized in 1871. It was renamed Clearwater Township in January 1873. A post office called "Clear Water" opened in 1869. It was renamed "Clearwater" in 1873. There was also a post office at Barker Creek from 1874 to 1937. Barker Creek was a stop on a railway line.
Geography of Clearwater Township
Clearwater Township covers about 33.79 square miles (87.52 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, about 31.17 square miles (80.73 square kilometers). The rest, about 2.62 square miles (6.79 square kilometers), is water.
Lakes and Rivers
Torch Lake touches the northern part of the township. Lake Skegemog is in the western part. The Rapid River flows through the middle of the township.
Location
Clearwater Township is in the northwest corner of Kalkaska County. It shares borders with both Antrim County and Grand Traverse County.
Major Highway
M-72 is an important east-west highway. It runs through the southwest part of the township. This highway connects Clearwater Township to Grand Traverse County and Kalkaska Township.
Population and People
As of the census in 2000, there were 2,382 people living in Clearwater Township. There were 944 households, with 681 of them being families.
Population Details
The population density was about 76.5 people per square mile. Most residents, about 97.52%, identified as White. About 0.67% were Native American.
Many households, 30.4%, had children under 18 living with them. About 61.3% of households were married couples. The average household had 2.52 people.
The population was spread out by age:
- 24.5% were under 18 years old.
- 29.7% were between 25 and 44 years old.
- 12.5% were 65 years or older.
The median age in the township was 39 years.
