White Lake Township, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
White Lake Township, Michigan
|
|
|---|---|
|
Charter township
|
|
| Charter Township of White Lake | |
Highland Road (M-59) west toward Porter Road
|
|
Location within Oakland County
|
|
 White Lake Township, Michigan
Location in Michigan
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Oakland |
| Area | |
| • Charter township | 37.2 sq mi (96.3 km2) |
| • Land | 33.7 sq mi (87.2 km2) |
| • Water | 3.5 sq mi (9.1 km2) |
| Elevation | 958 ft (292 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Charter township | 30,950 |
| • Density | 832.0/sq mi (321.39/km2) |
| • Metro | 4,296,250 (Metro Detroit) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code(s) |
48327, 48383, 48386
|
| Area code(s) | 248 |
| FIPS code | 26-86860 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1627264 |
White Lake Charter Township is a special kind of town called a charter township in Oakland County, Michigan. It's part of the bigger Detroit metropolitan area. In 2020, about 30,950 people lived here.
The Huron River actually starts right here in White Lake Township!
Contents
Communities in White Lake Township
White Lake Township has three smaller areas that are not officially separate towns. They are:
- East White Lake: This area used to have a post office a long time ago, from 1846 to 1850.
- Oxbow: You can find Oxbow where Union Lake and Elizabeth Lake Roads meet. It's about 945 feet (288 meters) above sea level. This place also had a post office that opened in 1873, changing its name a couple of times before closing in 1901.
- White Lake: This area is located at Ormond and White Lake Roads, about 1037 feet (316 meters) high. It's well-known because it's home to a National Weather Service office. This spot had a post office too, first called Plainville in 1838, then renamed White Lake in 1841.
Geography and Nature
White Lake Township covers about 37.2 square miles (96.3 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 33.7 square miles (87.2 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 3.5 square miles (9.1 square kilometers), is water.
This township is special because it has 21 lakes! Many large areas here have been kept as state parks and county parks. This means there's lots of nature to enjoy. People often live in homes that are spread out or close to the lakes.
A major road called M-59 goes through the township. Most of the shops and businesses are located along this important road. White Lake Township is about 19 miles (30 kilometers) northwest of Detroit and 10 miles (16 kilometers) from downtown Pontiac.
People of White Lake Township
In 2000, there were 28,219 people living in White Lake Township. Many families live here, and about 39% of households had children under 18. Most households were married couples, but there were also many single-parent families and individuals living alone.
The people living in the township are of many different backgrounds. Most residents are White, but there are also people who identify as African American, Native American, Asian, and other races. About 1.81% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
The population includes people of all ages. About 27.7% were under 18, and 7.8% were 65 or older. The average age was 36 years old.
Education in White Lake
Students in White Lake Township go to schools in five different public school districts:
- Clarkston
- Holly
- Huron Valley
- Walled Lake
- Waterford
There is also a private school called St. Patrick Catholic School in White Lake.
Fun Things to Do
White Lake Township and the areas nearby offer many exciting activities!
Highland Recreation Area
The nearby Highland Recreation Area is a great place for outdoor fun. It has trails for horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking, and skiing. There are also picnic areas, places to swim, and spots for horseshoes or volleyball. You can go fishing and boating on four different lakes within the park.
Inside the Highland Recreation Area, you'll find Haven Hill. This used to be the Edsel Ford family's large estate. It was designed by a famous landscape architect named Jens Jensen. Haven Hill is now a Michigan State Historical Landmark and a State Natural Preserve, known for its beautiful mix of trees, plants, and animals.
Alpine Valley Ski Resort
If you love winter sports, you'll be happy to know that Alpine Valley ski resort is in town! It opened in 1961 and is the biggest ski resort in southeast Michigan. It has many ski lifts and different runs for all skill levels, plus terrain parks for tricks.
Other Parks and Lakes
There are many other public and private parks and lakes for everyone to enjoy.
- Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area is mostly within White Lake Township. It has public boat access and is famous for its challenging mountain bike trails. Pontiac Lake also hosts the annual "Quake on the Lake" hydroplane races, which are super exciting to watch!
- White Lake (the lake) also has public access for boating and other water activities.
- The township also has several parks with public golf courses, like White Lake Oaks and Indian Springs Metropark.
Images for kids
-
Township Offices on Highland Road
See also
In Spanish: Municipio de White Lake (Míchigan) para niños
