West Branch Township, Dickinson County, Michigan: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 46°08′54″N 87°43′30″W / 46.14833°N 87.72500°W / 46.14833; -87.72500
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'''West Branch Township''' is a [[civil township]] of [[Dickinson County, Michigan|Dickinson County]] in the U.S. state of [[Michigan]]. The population was 51 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].
'''West Branch Township''' is a [[civil township]] of [[Dickinson County, Michigan|Dickinson County]] in the U.S. state of [[Michigan]]. The population was 51 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].


With a population density of only {{Pop density|51|111.46|sqmi|km2|prec=3}}, the township ranks as the [[List of municipalities in Michigan|least-densely populated municipality]] in the state of Michigan.
With a population density of only {{Pop density|51|111.46|sqmi|km2|prec=3}}, the township ranks as the [[List of municipalities in Michigan|least-densely populated municipality]] in the state of Michigan. It is also the third least-populated after [[Pointe Aux Barques Township, Michigan|Pointe Aux Barques Township]] (15) and [[Grand Island Township, Michigan|Grand Island Township]] (35).


==Communities==
==Communities==
*'''Alfred''' is an unincorporated community within the township at {{Coord|46|05|02|N|87|37|57|W}}.<ref>{{GNIS|1617410|Alfred, Michigan}}</ref> It lis located near where the north branch of the [[Ford River (Michigan)|Ford River]] joins the main branch. Alfred was settled around 1903 as a station along the [[Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railroad|Chicago, Minneapolis, and St. Paul Railroad]]. A post office operated here from December 8, 1903 until November 15, 1910.{{sfn|Romig|1986|page=16}}
There are no incorporated municipalities in the township.
*'''Ralph''' is an unincorporated community within the township at {{Coord|46|06|31|N|87|47|01|W}}.<ref>{{GNIS|635613|Ralph, Michigan}}</ref> The community as settled in 1901 as a station along the [[Escanaba and Lake Superior Railroad]]. It was named for Ralph Wells, who was the son of lumberman J. W. Wells from [[Menominee, Michigan|Menominee]]. A post office opened on January 17, 1901 with the name Bryden, and it was renamed Ralph on June 6, 1904.{{sfn|Romig|1986|page=464–465}} The Ralph post office remains in operation and uses the 49877 ZIP Code, which serves a large portion of the township and parts of [[Felch Township, Michigan|Felch Township]] to the west.<ref>{{google maps |url = https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ralph,+MI+49877/@46.1683534,-87.9073865,11z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x4d521ef00615c631:0xe7480464b20b227b!8m2!3d46.1775728!4d-87.7530709!16s%2Fm%2F03ds6vr?entry=ttu |title = 49877 ZIP Code map |access-date = October 24, 2023 }}</ref>
*'''Alfred''' is a tiny locale at {{Coord|46|05|02|N|87|37|57|W|}} near where the north branch of the Ford River joins the main branch. It was a stop on the [[Escanaba and Lake Superior Railway (1898–1901)|Escanaba and Lake Superior Railway]]. A post office operated there from 1903 until 1910.<ref name="Romig">{{cite book | last = Romig | first = Walter | year = 1986 | title = Michigan Place Names | origyear= 1973 | publisher = Wayne State University Press | location = Detroit, Michigan | isbn = 0-8143-1838-X}}</ref>
*'''Ralph''' is an [[unincorporated community]] in the township on the [[Ford River (Michigan)|Ford River]] at {{Coord|46|06|31|N|87|47|01|W|}}.


==Geography==
==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], the township has a total area of {{convert|111.85|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|111.46|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.39|sqmi|sqkm|2}} (0.35%) is water.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/cph-2-24.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019111423/http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/cph-2-24.pdf |archive-date=2012-10-19 |url-status=live|format=PDF |title=Michigan: 2010 Population and Housing Unit Counts 2010 Census of Population and Housing | date = September 2012|publisher = [[United States Census Bureau]]| work = [[2010 United States census]]| accessdate = October 13, 2023|page=20 Michigan}}</ref>
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the township has a total area of 111.8 square miles (289.7&nbsp;km{{sup|2}}), of which, 111.5 square miles (288.7&nbsp;km{{sup|2}}) of it is land and 0.4 square miles (1.0&nbsp;km{{sup|2}}) of it (0.35%) is water.

The north and main branches of the [[Ford River (Michigan)|Ford River]] flow through the township, as does the west branch of the [[Escanaba River]].

The township is served by [[North Dickinson County Schools]] to the southwest in the community of [[Felch, Michigan|Felch]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Michigan Geographic Framework|url=http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/mgdl/pdfmaps/CountySchools/SD_BYCO_esize_DICKINSON%20COUNTY.pdf|title=Dickinson County School Districts|date=15 November 2013|accessdate=October 28, 2023}}</ref>


==Demographics==
==Demographics==

Revision as of 17:02, 31 October 2023

There are other West Branch Townships in Michigan.
West Branch Township, Michigan
Civil township
Location within Dickinson County
Location within Dickinson County
West Branch Township is located in Michigan
West Branch Township
West Branch Township
Location within the state of Michigan
West Branch Township is located in the United States
West Branch Township
West Branch Township
West Branch Township (the United States)
Coordinates: 46°08′54″N 87°43′30″W / 46.14833°N 87.72500°W / 46.14833; -87.72500
CountryUnited States
StateMichigan
CountyDickinson
Government
[1]
 • SupervisorPenny Skogman
 • ClerkLisa Jacobsen
Area
 • Total111.85 sq mi (289.69 km2)
 • Land111.46 sq mi (288.68 km2)
 • Water0.39 sq mi (1.01 km2)
Elevation
1,158 ft (353 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total51
 • Density0.46/sq mi (0.18/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code(s)
49831 (Felch)
49841 (Gwinn)
49877 (Ralph)
Area code906
FIPS code26-85520[2]
GNIS feature ID1627245[3]

West Branch Township is a civil township of Dickinson County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 51 at the 2020 census.

With a population density of only 0.458/sq mi (0.177/km2), the township ranks as the least-densely populated municipality in the state of Michigan. It is also the third least-populated after Pointe Aux Barques Township (15) and Grand Island Township (35).

Communities

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 111.85 square miles (289.69 km2), of which 111.46 square miles (288.68 km2) is land and 0.39 square miles (1.01 km2) (0.35%) is water.[9]

The north and main branches of the Ford River flow through the township, as does the west branch of the Escanaba River.

The township is served by North Dickinson County Schools to the southwest in the community of Felch.[10]

Demographics

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 67 people, 29 households, and 18 families residing in the township. The population density was 0.6 per square mile (0.2/km2). There were 150 housing units at an average density of 1.3 per square mile (0.5/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 89.55% White, 5.97% Native American, and 4.48% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.48% of the population. 16.1% were of Finnish, 10.7% English, 10.7% Swedish, 8.9% French, 8.9% Polish, 7.1% American, 5.4% Dutch and 5.4% German ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 29 households, out of which 20.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.7% were married couples living together, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.9% were non-families. 24.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.78.

In the township the population was spread out, with 16.4% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 13.4% from 25 to 44, 44.8% from 45 to 64, and 19.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49 years. For every 100 females, there were 123.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 124.0 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $21,875, and the median income for a family was $19,583. Males had a median income of $33,750 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income for the township was $12,286. There were 11.1% of families and 11.4% of the population living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 20.0% of those over 64.

References

  1. ^ Michigan Townships Association (2023). "West Branch Township, Dickinson County, Michigan". Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  2. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  3. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: West Branch Township, Dickinson County, Michigan
  4. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Alfred, Michigan
  5. ^ Romig 1986, p. 16.
  6. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Ralph, Michigan
  7. ^ Romig 1986, p. 464–465.
  8. ^ Google (October 24, 2023). "49877 ZIP Code map" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  9. ^ "Michigan: 2010 Population and Housing Unit Counts 2010 Census of Population and Housing" (PDF). 2010 United States census. United States Census Bureau. September 2012. p. 20 Michigan. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 19, 2012. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  10. ^ Michigan Geographic Framework (November 15, 2013). "Dickinson County School Districts" (PDF). Retrieved October 28, 2023.
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