Harrison Township, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Harrison Township, Michigan
|
|
|---|---|
|
Charter township
|
|
| Harrison Charter Township | |
Location within Macomb County
|
|
 Harrison Township, Michigan
Location in Michigan
Harrison Township, Michigan
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Macomb |
| Established | 1827 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 23.76 sq mi (61.5 km2) |
| • Land | 14.25 sq mi (36.9 km2) |
| • Water | 9.51 sq mi (24.6 km2) |
| Elevation | 577 ft (176 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 24,314 |
| • Density | 1,706.5/sq mi (658.9/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Code |
48045
|
| Area code(s) | 586 |
| FIPS code | 26-36820 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1626439 |
Harrison Charter Township is a special kind of town in Macomb County, Michigan. It's located right by the beautiful Lake St. Clair. In 2020, about 24,314 people lived here. This township was first created way back in 1827, when Michigan was still a territory. It became a "charter township" in 1978, which means it has a bit more power to govern itself.
Contents
Geography of Harrison Township
Harrison Township is in the southeastern part of Macomb County. It sits along the northwestern shores of Lake St. Clair. The Clinton River flows into the lake right here. You can also find Lake St. Clair Metropark within the township, which is a great spot along the lake. To the west, Harrison Township shares a border with the city of Mount Clemens. Mount Clemens is the main city for Macomb County.
The U.S. Census Bureau says the township covers about 23.76 square miles. A big part of this area, about 9.51 square miles (or 40%), is water!
Selfridge Air National Guard Base
A large military base called Selfridge Air National Guard Base is in the northern part of the township. It's an important Air National Guard site that was first built in 1917.
Communities in Harrison Township
Harrison Township has several smaller communities, each with its own history.
Historic Settlements
- Belvidere: This place was first called Huron Point. It was started in 1835 by David and James Conger. They bought land near where the Clinton River meets the lake. A post office opened here in 1837. Many people bought land, but the area had to be left empty in 1838 because of floods.
- Harrison: This was another historic settlement. It was first recorded in 1859.
- Liverpool: This was a former community along L'Anse Creuse Bay. It began in 1856 when Edward Shook tried to make it like Liverpool, England. He built a hotel and a dock, but the project didn't work out.
Current Communities
- Lakeside: This is a community in the southern part of the township. It was settled around 1900 by people from Pittsburgh. They hoped to create a big city by the coast. However, it mostly grew because it was close to Mount Clemens.
- Saint Clair Haven: This community is right on the shores of Lake St. Clair.
Major Roads
Two important highways pass through or near Harrison Township:
- I-94 runs from south to north along the western edge of the township.
- M-59 briefly enters the northwest corner of the township. It ends when it meets I-94.
Population and People
In 2000, about 24,461 people lived in Harrison Township. There were 10,720 households, and 6,421 of those were families. The average household had about 2.28 people.
About 21.9% of the people were under 18 years old. The median age was 38 years old. This means half the people were younger than 38, and half were older.
Education
All the schools in Harrison Township are part of the L'Anse Creuse Public Schools district. The main office for this school district is in Clinton Township, which is to the west.
Famous People from Harrison Township
Some well-known people have lived in Harrison Township:
- Dino Ciccarelli: A retired professional ice hockey player.
- Uncle Kracker: A famous singer and musician.
- David Legwand: A retired professional ice hockey player.
- Candice Miller: A politician who has served in county and state government.
- Angela Ruggiero: A retired professional ice hockey player and an Olympian.
