Rives Township, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rives Township, Michigan
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![]() Location within Jackson County
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Country | United States |
State | Michigan |
County | Jackson |
Established | 1837 |
Area | |
• Total | 36.28 sq mi (94.0 km2) |
• Land | 35.79 sq mi (92.7 km2) |
• Water | 0.49 sq mi (1.3 km2) |
Elevation | 978 ft (298 m) |
Population
(2020)
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• Total | 4,750 |
• Density | 130.93/sq mi (50.55/km2) |
Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
ZIP code(s) | |
Area code(s) | 517 |
FIPS code | 26-68920 |
GNIS feature ID | 1626987 |
Rives Township is a community located in Jackson County, in the state of Michigan. It's a type of local government area called a civil township. In 2020, about 4,750 people lived here.
Contents
Exploring Rives Township
Rives Township is home to a few interesting places and has a unique history. Let's learn more about what makes this area special!
Communities in Rives Township
- Rives Junction is a small, unincorporated community within the township. This means it's not a separate town with its own government, but it's a recognized place where people live.
- ==== History of Rives Junction ====
Rives Junction was started way back in 1834 by two people named Samuel Prescott and Henry Fifield. It first had a post office in 1839, which was called "West Rives." The post office was run by Samuel Prescott from his home.
- ==== Name Changes and Railroads ====
Over time, the community grew, especially near the Michigan Central Railroad tracks. Its name changed a couple of times, first to "Eaton Rapids Junction" and then to "Rives Junction" in 1866. The name "Junction" comes from the fact that it was a meeting point for different railroad lines, connecting to places like Saginaw and Grand Rapids. Today, the Rives Junction post office still serves many parts of Rives Township.
Geography and Nature
Rives Township covers an area of about 36.28 square miles (93.96 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
Location and Nearby Areas
Rives Township is in the northern part of Jackson County. To its north, it shares a border with Ingham County. A major road, U.S. Route 127, goes right through the middle of the township. This road can take you north to Lansing, which is about 28 miles away, or south to Jackson, which is about 10 miles away.
Rivers and Parks
The Grand River flows through Rives Township, starting from the southern border and moving towards the northwest. This river is an important natural feature of the area. You can also find a part of Meridian-Baseline State Park within Rives Township, offering a place for outdoor activities and enjoying nature.
People of Rives Township
In 2000, there were 4,725 people living in Rives Township. These people lived in 1,677 households, and most of these were families.
Who Lives Here?
Most of the people in Rives Township are White. A small number of people are from other backgrounds, including African American, Native American, and Asian. About 1.76% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
Families and Age Groups
Many households in Rives Township have children under 18 living with them. Most families are married couples living together, but there are also many single-parent households and individuals living alone.
The population includes people of all ages. About 28.6% of the people were under 18 years old, and about 9.4% were 65 years or older. The average age in the township was 36 years old.
Income and Living
In 2000, the average income for a household in Rives Township was about $53,819 per year. For families, the average income was around $58,897. A small percentage of families and individuals lived with lower incomes.