Buchanan Township, Michigan

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Buchanan Township, Michigan
settlement_type = Township
nickname =
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pushpin_label_position =left
pushpin_map_caption =Location within the state of Michigan
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Michigan
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Berrien

government_footnotes =
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unit_pref = Imperial
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area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 86.1
area_land_km2 = 83.6
area_water_km2 = 2.4
area_total_sq_mi = 33.2
area_land_sq_mi = 32.3
area_water_sq_mi = 0.9

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 3510
population_density_km2 = 42.0
population_density_sq_mi = 108.7

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 239
elevation_ft = 784
latd = 41 |latm = 50 |lats = 57 |latNS = N
longd = 86 |longm = 23 |longs = 41 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 49107
area_code = 269
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 26-11420GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1625997 [gnis|1625997]
website =
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Buchanan Township is a civil township of Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 3,510. The city of Buchanan borders the southeast portion of the township.

The city of Niles and Niles Township are to the east. Berrien Charter Township and Berrien Springs is to the northeast, Oronoko Charter Township to the north, and Baroda Township to the northwest. Weesaw Township is to the west, Galien Township and Galien is to the southwest, and Bertrand Township to the south and southeast.

No major highways pass through the township, although U.S. 12 passes along the southern edge and U.S. 31 passes on the east.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 33.2 square miles (86.0 km²), of which, 32.3 square miles (83.6 km²) of it is land and 0.9 square miles (2.5 km²) of it (2.86%) is water.

The St. Joseph River enters the township from the southeast, bends north by the city of Buchanan, and then flows mostly north through the eastern portion of the township.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 3,510 people, 1,317 households, and 1,023 families residing in the township. The population density was 108.7 per square mile (42.0/km²). There were 1,554 housing units at an average density of 48.1/sq mi (18.6/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 96.18% White, 1.20% African American, 0.48% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.43% from other races, and 1.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.25% of the population.

There were 1,317 households out of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.4% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.3% were non-families. 18.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the township the population was spread out with 25.5% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 106.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.9 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $40,503, and the median income for a family was $46,797. Males had a median income of $35,000 versus $24,274 for females. The per capita income for the township was $19,572. About 4.6% of families and 5.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.8% of those under age 18 and 1.0% of those age 65 or over.

Attractions

Bear Cave is a camping resort in the northern part of the township featuring a cave which was once a stop along the Underground Railroad, assisting freed and escaped slaves from southern states to reach freedom in the northern states or Canada. The resort is on the St. Joseph River and offers canoeing and boating.

Nearby is [http://www.redbudmx.com/ Redbud Track 'N' Trail] , an event site featuring professional as well as amateur motocross racing, known mostly for hosting a professional national on or near the 4th of July. Attendance regularly reaches 30,000 for this weekend.

The 105-acre Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve is located on the eastern bank of the St. Joseph River in the northeast corner of the township and is open year round.

References