Sebewa Township, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sebewa Township, Michigan
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Township
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 Sebewa Township, Michigan
Location in Michigan
Sebewa Township, Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Ionia |
| Area | |
| • Total | 35.8 sq mi (92.8 km2) |
| • Land | 35.8 sq mi (92.8 km2) |
| • Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2) |
| Elevation | 830 ft (253 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,124 |
| • Density | 31.40/sq mi (12.112/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| FIPS code | 26-72120 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1627054 |
Sebewa Township is a special kind of local government area called a civil township in Ionia County, Michigan. Think of it as a small community with its own local rules and services.
In 2010, about 1,171 people lived here. By 2020, the population was 1,124. This means a few less people live there now.
Contents
Communities in Sebewa Township
What is Sebewa Corners?
The main community in the area is called Sebewa, or sometimes Sebewa Corners. It's not a city or town with its own official government. It sits right on the edge of Sebewa Township and another area called Danby Township.
Long ago, in 1867, a part of this community in Danby Township was planned out and named Cornell. But over time, the whole area became known as Sebewa.
History of Sebewa Township
Who Were the First Settlers?
The first people from Europe to settle permanently in Sebewa Township arrived in 1838. They were John F. Terrill, Charles W. Ingalls, and John Brown, all from Vermont. Before them, a person named Jones came in 1836 but didn't stay.
Terrill settled in one part of the land, and Ingalls and Brown settled in another. In 1843, Terrill and Anson W. Halbert built a sawmill. This mill was on Sebewa Creek, near a spot called "The Corners." Halbert had arrived in 1841 and married one of Terrill's daughters. He also traded goods at The Corners.
Jacob Showerman visited the area in 1836 looking for land. He only found Mr. Jones living there at the time. Showerman claimed 160 acres (about 0.65 square kilometers) of land. He returned in 1839 with Eleazer Brown and their families. They all stayed in Terrill's small cabin for about a month. This was until a path could be made to Showerman's property. Eleazer Brown bought land nearby.
Rufus Goddard came to the area in 1837 from Livingston County, New York. He found land in Sebewa, but his family stayed in Lenawee County for a while. Benjamin D. Weld was supposed to help Goddard, but Weld wasn't ready to move. Both families stayed in Lenawee. Weld finally moved to Sebewa in 1843. Goddard followed in 1844 and worked to pay Weld back. Then he settled on 80 acres (about 32 hectares) of land.
How Sebewa Township Was Formed
Sebewa Township used to be part of Berlin Township. But on March 19, 1845, it became its own separate township.
People suggested names like "Charlestown" (after Charles W. Ingalls) or "Liberia." But Rufus Goddard suggested "Sebewa," which means little river in a local Native American language, named after Sebewa Creek. The first meeting for the new township was held at Jacob Showerman's home.
Post Offices in Sebewa Township
A post office is where mail is handled. The first post office in Sebewa was opened on January 24, 1851. Benjamin Weld was the first postmaster, meaning he was in charge of the mail.
On April 14, 1854, the post office moved to the Showerman settlement. Lucius Showerman became the new postmaster. In 1857, it moved again to "The Corners." The name of the post office changed to "Cornell" in 1861, but it changed back to Sebewa in 1881. The post office finally closed on November 15, 1913.
Geography of Sebewa Township
What is the Land Like?
Sebewa Township covers about 35.8 square miles (92.8 square kilometers) of land. Almost all of this area is land, with only a tiny bit (0.03%) being water.
Population and People
Who Lives in Sebewa Township?
In 2000, there were 1,202 people living in Sebewa Township. These people lived in 406 households, and 332 of those were families. The population density was about 33.6 people per square mile (13 people per square kilometer).
Most of the people living in the township (98.34%) were White. A small number were Native American, Asian, or from other backgrounds. About 0.92% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
Families and Age Groups
Many households (40.4%) had children under 18 living with them. Most households (73.2%) were married couples living together.
The people in Sebewa Township were of different ages:
- 29.9% were under 18 years old.
- 8.3% were between 18 and 24.
- 31.3% were between 25 and 44.
- 20.1% were between 45 and 64.
- 10.4% were 65 years or older.
The average age of people in the township was 34 years old. For every 100 females, there were about 101 males.
Income in Sebewa Township
In 2000, the average income for a household in the township was $47,065 per year. For families, the average income was $52,125 per year. Men generally earned more than women. The average income per person in the township was $17,774.
About 6.1% of all people and 5.1% of families lived below the poverty line. This included 7.2% of those under 18 and 3.9% of those 65 or older.
