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Thompson Township, Michigan facts for kids

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Thompson Township, Michigan
Thompson Township Hall
Thompson Township Hall
Location within Schoolcraft County
Location within Schoolcraft County
Thompson Township, Michigan is located in Michigan
Thompson Township, Michigan
Thompson Township, Michigan
Location in Michigan
Thompson Township, Michigan is located in the United States
Thompson Township, Michigan
Thompson Township, Michigan
Location in the United States
Country United States
State Michigan
County Schoolcraft
Established 1882
Area
 • Total 118.33 sq mi (306.5 km2)
 • Land 112.38 sq mi (291.1 km2)
 • Water 5.95 sq mi (15.4 km2)
Elevation
682 ft (208 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 808
 • Density 7.1/sq mi (2.7/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code(s)
49835 (Garden)
49854 (Manistique)
Area code(s) 906
FIPS code 26-79580
GNIS feature ID 1627161
Christmas Tree Ship historic marker
Michigan State Historic Site marker for the Rouse Simmons (Christmas Tree Ship). It sailed from Thompson Township and sank with many Christmas trees.

Thompson Township is a community located in Schoolcraft County, Michigan. It is a type of local government area called a civil township. In 2020, about 808 people lived in Thompson Township.

A Look at Thompson Township's History

After a time when logging was very popular in the late 1800s, Thompson Township became known for its younger trees. These included balsam and aspen trees.

A famous event in the township's history involves a ship called the Rouse Simmons. This schooner was loaded with balsam Christmas trees. It left Thompson Harbor in November 1912, heading for Chicago. Sadly, the ship sank with everyone on board near Two Rivers, Wisconsin. This shipwreck became one of the most well-known in the history of Lake Michigan.

Exploring Thompson Township's Geography

Thompson Township covers a total area of about 118.33 square miles (306.47 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 112.38 square miles (291.06 square kilometers), is land. The remaining 5.95 square miles (15.41 square kilometers) is water.

Natural Features and Parks

The township has beautiful shorelines along Indian Lake and Lake Michigan. It also includes parts of the Hiawatha National Forest. This forest is a large area of trees and nature.

Two state parks are found within Thompson Township:

Major Roads in the Township

Important roads that run through Thompson Township include:

  • U.S. Route 2
  • M-94
  • M-149

Who Lives in Thompson Township?

In 2020, the population of Thompson Township was 808 people. Most residents are non-Hispanic white.

Population Details from 2000

Back in 2000, there were 671 people living in the township. The population density was about 5.9 people per square mile. Most households were married couples living together. About 26.3% of households had children under 18 years old.

The average household had 2.41 people, and the average family had 2.68 people. The median age of residents was 46 years old.

Income and Economy

In 2000, the median income for a household in Thompson Township was $38,750. This means half of the households earned more than this amount, and half earned less. The median income for a family was $41,731.

By 2021, the estimated median household income in the township had increased to $63,625. This shows a growth in the economic well-being of the area.

Getting Around: Transportation

Indian Trails offers daily bus service through Thompson Township. This bus service connects the township to other cities like St. Ignace and Ironwood, Michigan.

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