Sumpter Township, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sumpter Township, Michigan
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Township Municipal Building on Sumpter Road
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Location within Wayne County
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 Sumpter Township, Michigan
Location in Michigan
Sumpter Township, Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Wayne |
| Established | 1840 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 37.44 sq mi (96.97 km2) |
| • Land | 37.36 sq mi (96.76 km2) |
| • Water | 0.08 sq mi (0.21 km2) |
| Elevation | 663 ft (202 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 9,660 |
| • Density | 258.6/sq mi (99.8/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code(s) | |
| Area code(s) | 734 |
| FIPS code | 26-77360 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1627138 |
Sumpter Township is a community in Wayne County, in the state of Michigan, USA. It's a place where about 9,660 people lived in 2020. This area is known as a "civil township," which is a type of local government in some states.
Contents
Exploring Sumpter Township's Communities
Sumpter Township is home to a few smaller communities, each with its own story.
Ellisville: A Glimpse into the Past
- Ellisville was a small community back in the 1870s. Not much is known about it today, but it was once a part of the township's early life.
Martinsville: A Historic Spot
- Martinsville is a community within the township that doesn't have its own separate government. It started around 1840. For a short time, it was part of another township called Van Buren Township. But then, Sumpter Township was officially created in the same year, and Martinsville became part of it.
- This community even had its own post office from 1866 to 1906. Today, the Martinsville Cemetery is still active there.
Smithsville: A Changing Name
- Smithsville was another community located in the eastern part of the township. It had a post office that changed its name a few times!
- First, it was called Woodville in 1852. Then, it became Smithville in 1858. Finally, in 1872, the post office moved and was renamed for the nearby town of Waltz.
West Sumpter: The First Settlement
- West Sumpter is an unincorporated community found where Karr Road and Wear Road meet. It was one of the very first places settled in the township.
- The community was named after Thomas Sumter, a hero from the Revolutionary War. Interestingly, the township's name, Sumpter, has an extra "p" that was added by mistake a long time ago.
- West Sumpter also had a post office, which operated from 1874 to 1902.
The Story of Sumpter Township
Sumpter Township has a rich history, officially starting in 1840.
How Sumpter Township Began
Sumpter Township was first marked out as "Township 4 South in Range 8 East" in Wayne County. This survey was approved way back on November 5, 1819. People started buying land here from the government in the 1830s. One of the first land sales was to Arthur Fuller on April 4, 1833.
From West Huron to Sumpter
On April 6, 1840, Sumpter Township was created from a larger area called Huron Township. It was first named West Huron. Later, the name was changed to Sumter, to honor General Thomas Sumter, a hero from the Revolutionary War. However, when the name was written down, a clerk accidentally added an extra "p," making it "Sumpter." That spelling has stayed ever since!
Early Settlers and Leaders
Some of the first people to settle in this area arrived even before Sumpter Township was officially formed. George Jewett, who was one of the first tax assessors for Huron Township, actually lived in what is now Sumpter. When Sumpter Township was created, Ira P. Beach was elected as its very first supervisor, a leader for the community.
Sumpter Township's Location and Size
Sumpter Township is located in Michigan and covers a specific area of land and water.
Area and Water
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Sumpter Township covers a total area of about 37.44 square miles (96.97 square kilometers). Most of this is land, about 37.36 square miles (96.76 square kilometers). There's also a small amount of water, about 0.08 square miles (0.21 square kilometers), within the township.
Who Lives in Sumpter Township?
Let's look at the people who call Sumpter Township home.
Population Overview
In 2010, Sumpter Township had a population of 9,549 people. By 2020, the population had grown slightly to 9,660.
Diversity in the Community
The community is made up of people from different backgrounds. In 2010, about 82.1% of the people were non-Hispanic white. About 12.0% were African American, and smaller percentages were Native American, Asian, or from other races. About 2.6% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
Households and Families
In 2000, there were 4,110 households in the township. Many of these, about 56.1%, were married couples living together. About 39.4% of households had children under 18 living with them. The average household had about 2.88 people.
Age Groups
The population in Sumpter Township includes people of all ages. In 2000, about 29.8% of the people were under 18 years old. About 7.4% were 65 years or older. The average age in the township was 33 years old.
Learning in Sumpter Township
While Sumpter Township doesn't have its own public school buildings anymore, students living there attend schools in nearby districts.
School Districts Serving the Township
Students in Sumpter Township go to one of four different school districts:
- The western part of the township is served by Lincoln Consolidated School District.
- The north-central part is served by Van Buren Public Schools.
- The southwestern part is served by Airport Community Schools.
- A small eastern part is served by Huron School District.
Former School Building
Sumpter Township used to have its own public school building called Bessie Hoffman Elementary. It was built in 1965. However, it closed at the end of the 2009–2010 school year and has been empty since then.
See also
In Spanish: Municipio de Sumpter (Míchigan) para niños
