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Woodbridge Township, Michigan facts for kids

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Woodbridge Township, Michigan
Location within Hillsdale County
Location within Hillsdale County
Woodbridge Township, Michigan is located in Michigan
Woodbridge Township, Michigan
Woodbridge Township, Michigan
Location in Michigan
Woodbridge Township, Michigan is located in the United States
Woodbridge Township, Michigan
Woodbridge Township, Michigan
Location in the United States
Country United States
State Michigan
County Hillsdale
Area
 • Total 30.08 sq mi (77.9 km2)
 • Land 30.05 sq mi (77.8 km2)
 • Water 0.03 sq mi (0.08 km2)
Elevation
1,010 ft (308 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total 1,325
 • Density 44.1/sq mi (17.0/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code(s)
49232 (Camden)
49239 (Frontier)
49242 (Hillsdale)
49274 (Reading)
Area code(s) 517
FIPS code 26-88300
GNIS feature ID 1627286

Woodbridge Township is a civil township of Hillsdale County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The township had a population of 1,325 at the 2010 census.

Communities

  • Frontier is an unincorporated community within the township at 41°46′54″N 84°36′17″W / 41.78167°N 84.60472°W / 41.78167; -84.60472. The FIPS place code is 30880 and the ZIP code is 49239.

History

Woodbridge Township was formed by act of the Legislature of the state of Michigan approved on January 28, 1840 from a portion of Fayette Township. Its original limits and the place designated for holding the first township meeting, were by that act as follows: "All that portion of the county of Hillsdale, designated by the United States survey of townships numbered 7, 8 and fractional township 9 south, of range 3 west, be set off into a separate township, and organized by the name of Woodbridge, and the first township meeting therein shall be held at the house formerly occupied by John McDermaid, in said township." "This act shall not in any wise affect the collection of taxes assessed in the county of Hillsdale for the year 1839, or in any township thereof; but the same shall be collected as if the act had not be passed. This act shall take effect, and be in force, on and after the first Monday of April next."

The first permanent settlement within the present bounds of Woodbridge Township was made by William Saxton, who came from Raisin Township, Lenawee County, Michigan, and settled on the northeast quarter of Section 12, in the winter of 1834-35. He purchased this 160 acres of land from the United States government in 1834 and during the fall of that same year built a log cabin on this site. He was accompanied by his wife and four young sons: Wallace, James, Stephen and John. In order to reach his land it required him to cut his own road in order for his team of oxen and sled to pass. Prior to his move to Woodbridge Township, Mr. Saxon was a veteran of the Black Hawk War and he later settled in Iowa.

The next settler in the township was Jacob Clark, who in December 1836, located upon the north part of Section 13, the present site of the village (unincorporated) of Frontier. This land was purchased from the federal government and he also erected a small log cabin on this site. Accompanying him were his sons, Robert W. and Sylvester, and his daughters Rebecca, Sarah and Eliza. Mr. Clark drove in, and owned, the first span of horses in the township.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 30.1 square miles (78 km2), of which 30.1 square miles (78 km2) is land and 0.03% is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,337 people, 415 households, and 337 families residing in the township. The population density was 44.5 per square mile (17.2/km2). There were 466 housing units at an average density of 15.5 per square mile (6.0/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 96.56% White, 0.37% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.07% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.67% from other races, and 2.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.97% of the population.

There were 415 households, out of which 44.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.6% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.6% were non-families. 15.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.21 and the average family size was 3.57.

In the township the population was spread out, with 35.6% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 18.5% from 45 to 64, and 9.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.8 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $35,294, and the median income for a family was $38,155. Males had a median income of $34,625 versus $25,221 for females. The per capita income for the township was $14,088. About 10.2% of families and 13.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.8% of those under age 18 and 6.6% of those age 65 or over.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Municipio de Woodbridge (Míchigan) para niños

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