Sodus Township, Michigan

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Sodus 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
area_footnotes =
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area_total_km2 = 52.0
area_land_km2 = 50.6
area_water_km2 = 1.4
area_total_sq_mi = 20.1
area_land_sq_mi = 19.5
area_water_sq_mi = 0.5

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 2139
population_density_km2 = 42.3
population_density_sq_mi = 109.5

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 208
elevation_ft = 682
latd = 42 |latm = 2 |lats = 39 |latNS = N
longd = 86 |longm = 22 |longs = 54 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 49126
area_code = 269
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 26-74440GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1627087 [gnis|1627087]
website =
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Sodus Township is a civil township of Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,139 at the 2000 census. There are no incorporated municipalities in the township. The unincorporated community of Sodus in the northwest of the township is its main settlement, and is considered to be a part of the Benton Harbor/St. Joseph urban area.

History

The area was first settled about 1836, when James B. Larue began building a sawmill on Pipestone Creek. In 1853, Joab Enos built a flour mill, also on Pipestone Creek. [Cowles, Edward B. (1871). "Berrien County Directory and History", p. 213. Buchanan, Michigan: Record Steam Printing House.]

The township was organized on October 11, 1859.

Sodus is the birthplace of Basketball Hall of Fame referee James Enright.

Geography

The St. Joseph River forms most of the western boundary of the township, with Royalton Township on the other side of the river. The township shares a short western border with the community of Fair Plain in St. Joseph Charter Township north of the St. Joseph river. Benton Charter Township lies to the north, Bainbridge Township to the northeast, Pipestone Township to the east, Berrien Charter Township to the southeast, and Oronoko Charter Township to the southwest. A new segment of U.S. Highway 31 was completed in August 2003 that re-routed the highway through the township. Interstate 94 crosses the northwest corner of the township with two interchanges located nearby.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 20.1 square miles (52.0 km²), of which, 19.5 square miles (50.6 km²) of it is land and 0.5 square miles (1.4 km²) of it (2.69%) is water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 2,139 people, 884 households, and 570 families residing in the township. The population density was 109.5 per square mile (42.3/km²). There were 957 housing units at an average density of 49.0/sq mi (18.9/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 87.19% White, 8.37% African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.05% Asian, 0.23% Pacific Islander, 1.26% from other races, and 2.62% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.74% of the population.

There were 884 households out of which 24.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.0% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.5% were non-families. 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the township the population was spread out with 22.5% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 25.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 102.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.3 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $33,804, and the median income for a family was $42,250. Males had a median income of $34,018 versus $22,824 for females. The per capita income for the township was $17,646. About 6.6% of families and 13.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.6% of those under age 18 and 12.3% of those age 65 or over.

References