Salem Township, Allegan County, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Salem Township, Michigan
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Township
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 Salem Township, Allegan County, Michigan
Location in Michigan
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| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Allegan |
| Area | |
| • Total | 36.0 sq mi (93.3 km2) |
| • Land | 35.7 sq mi (92.5 km2) |
| • Water | 0.3 sq mi (0.9 km2) |
| Elevation | 666 ft (203 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 5,156 |
| • Density | 144.4/sq mi (55.76/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| FIPS code | 26-71100 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1627034 |
Salem Township is a special kind of local government area called a civil township. It is located in Allegan County, which is in the U.S. state of Michigan. In 2020, about 5,156 people lived there. This was a big jump from the 3,486 people who lived there in 2000.
Contents
What Communities Make Up Salem Township?
Salem Township is home to a few smaller communities. These places are not officially separate towns but are well-known areas where people live and gather.
Burnips: A Historic Community Center
Burnips is a community located near the middle of Salem Township. It was first known as Salem Center. A man named James Burnips owned land here and built the very first store in 1856. He started selling plots of land for people to build homes in 1858. A post office opened in 1868, first called "Burnip's Corners." Its name was later shortened to "Burnips" in 1915. The special mail code, or ZIP code, for Burnips is 49314.
Diamond Springs: A Riverside Spot
Diamond Springs is another community found in the southwest part of the township. It sits right by the Rabbit River. People first started settling here in 1867. It had its own post office from 1871 to 1875. The post office reopened for a short time but closed permanently in 1905.
New Salem: Home to a Historic Church
New Salem is a community in the northeast corner of the township. A post office first opened here in 1857. It opened and closed a few times before staying open from 1865 until 1905. New Salem is famous for St. Mary's Visitation Catholic Church. This church celebrated its 150th birthday in 2016, showing how long it has been a part of the community!
Where is Salem Township Located?
Salem Township covers a total area of about 36.0 square miles (93.3 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 35.7 square miles (92.5 square kilometers), is land. A small part, about 0.3 square miles (0.9 square kilometers), is water. This means about 0.92% of the township is covered by water.
How Many People Live in Salem Township?
The number of people living in Salem Township has grown over the years.
- 1960: 1,459 people
- 1970: 1,744 people
- 1980: 2,183 people
- 1990: 2,708 people
- 2000: 3,474 people
- 2010: 4,446 people
- 2020: 5,156 people
In 2000, there were 3,486 people living in the township. There were 1,151 households, which are groups of people living together in one home. Out of these, 941 were families. The population was spread out, with many young people. About 31.8% of the people were under 18 years old. The average age was 32 years old.
Most people in Salem Township in 2000 were White (96.99%). There were also small numbers of African American, Native American, and Asian residents. About 1.84% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
The average income for a household in the township was $48,203. For families, the average income was $54,625. A small number of people, about 3.3% of the population, lived below the poverty line.
Who Are Some Famous People From Salem Township?
Salem Township has been home to some interesting people throughout history.
Francis Adam Goodman: A Civil War Veteran and Politician
Francis Adam Goodman was a veteran of the Civil War. After the war, he lived in Salem Township. He was important because he represented the town in the State Legislature from 1881 to 1883. This means he helped make laws for the state of Michigan on behalf of the people in Salem Township.
