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Hamburg Township, Michigan facts for kids

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Hamburg Township, Michigan
Hamburg Township Hall
Hamburg Township Hall
Motto(s): 
"A Great Place To Grow!"
Location within Livingston County
Location within Livingston County
Hamburg Township, Michigan is located in Michigan
Hamburg Township, Michigan
Hamburg Township, Michigan
Location in Michigan
Hamburg Township, Michigan is located in the United States
Hamburg Township, Michigan
Hamburg Township, Michigan
Location in the United States
Country United States
State Michigan
County Livingston
Established 1835
Area
 • Civil township 36.0 sq mi (93.3 km2)
 • Land 32.2 sq mi (83.5 km2)
 • Water 3.8 sq mi (9.8 km2)
Elevation
853 ft (260 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Civil township 21,259
 • Density 590.1/sq mi (227.86/km2)
 • Metro
4,296,250 (Metro Detroit)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code(s)
48116 (Brighton)
48139 (Hamburg)
48143 (Lakeland)
48169 (Pinckney)
48189 (Whitmore Lake)
48843 (Howell)
Area code(s) 810
FIPS code 26-36100
GNIS feature ID 1626420

Hamburg Township is a special kind of local government area called a civil township. It's located in Livingston County in the state of Michigan, United States. In 2020, about 21,259 people lived here. This makes Hamburg Township the most populated area in Livingston County!

Communities in Hamburg Township

Hamburg Township is home to a few smaller communities. These places are not officially separate towns but are important parts of the township.

Hamburg: The Original Settlement

The community of Hamburg is in the southeast part of the township. It's located along M-36 and Hamburg Road. The story of Hamburg began in 1835 when a merchant named E.F. Gay bought land here. He built a dam and a sawmill.

In 1837, three German men bought the land and added a grist mill, a store, and a hotel. When it was time to name the new settlement, 19 men met. The three German owners couldn't vote at first. The others were stuck between "Steuben" and "Knox." Finally, they let the German owners decide. They chose "Hamburg," named after their hometown in Hamburg, Germany. The ZIP code for Hamburg is 48139.

Lakeland: Named for its Lakes

Lakeland is another community located near the center of the township, also on M-36. This area got its name because it's surrounded by many beautiful lakes. A post office was opened in Lakeland in May 1903. The Lakeland ZIP code is 48143, mainly used for P.O. Box services.

Pettysville: A Smaller Spot

You can find Pettysville at the intersection of Pettysville and Rush Lake roads. It's a smaller community within the township.

Nearby Towns and ZIP Codes

Parts of Hamburg Township also use ZIP Codes from neighboring towns. For example:

  • The 48116 ZIP code for Brighton covers some areas in northeastern Hamburg Township.
  • The 48843 ZIP code for Howell serves parts of the northwestern township.
  • Much of the western part of Hamburg Township uses the 48169 ZIP code for Pinckney.
  • Some southeastern areas use the 48189 ZIP code for Whitmore Lake.

Geography and Natural Beauty

Hamburg Township is in the southeastern part of Livingston County. To its south is Washtenaw County. The state highway M-36 runs through the township, connecting Lakeland and Hamburg. This highway also leads to Whitmore Lake and Pinckney.

The township covers about 93.3 square kilometers (about 36 square miles). A large part of this area, about 9.8 square kilometers (3.8 square miles), is water! This is because Hamburg Township has 32 named lakes, plus many smaller ponds, marshes, and streams.

All this water is part of the Huron River watershed. The Huron River flows through the eastern and southern parts of the township on its way to Lake Erie.

Parks and Outdoor Fun

Hamburg Township offers many great places for outdoor activities and sports.

Local Parks for Sports

  • East and West Bennett Parks are located off Merrill Road. These parks are perfect for kids who love sports. They have fields for soccer, football, cheerleading, and softball.

Lakelands Trail State Park

  • About five miles of the Lakelands Trail State Park run through Hamburg Township. This trail is paved with asphalt and goes alongside M-36. It's a very popular spot for walking and bicycling. Remember, no motorized vehicles are allowed on the Lakelands Trail, making it safe for everyone to enjoy.

Brighton State Recreation Area

  • A big part of the Brighton State Recreation Area is located within Hamburg Township. This area is great for camping, with both rustic (simple) and modern campsites available. You can also find a swimming beach and a boat launch at Bishop Lake. There are many picnic areas, barbecue spots, and hiking trails for you to explore.

People of Hamburg Township

Hamburg Township is a growing community. According to the 2000 census, there were 20,627 people living here. Many families call Hamburg Township home. In fact, about 43.8% of households had children under 18 living with them. The average household had about 2.88 people.

The township is a place where people of all ages live. In 2000, about 29.6% of the population was under 18 years old. The average age was 36 years. This shows that Hamburg Township is a great place for families and people of all generations.

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