Columbus Township, Michigan | |
---|---|
Township | |
Location within the state of Michigan | |
Coordinates: 42°51′16″N 82°40′57″W / 42.85444°N 82.68250°WCoordinates: 42°51′16″N 82°40′57″W / 42.85444°N 82.68250°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Michigan |
County | St. Clair |
Area | |
• Total | 37.2 sq mi (96.4 km2) |
• Land | 37.1 sq mi (96.1 km2) |
• Water | 0.1 sq mi (0.4 km2) |
Elevation | 669 ft (204 m) |
Population (2000) | |
• Total | 4,615 |
• Density | 124.4/sq mi (48.0/km2) |
Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
• Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
FIPS code | 26-17520 |
GNIS feature ID | 1626123 |
Columbus Township is a civil township of St. Clair County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,615 at the 2000 census.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 37.2 square miles (96 km2), of which 37.1 square miles (96 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) (0.38%) is water. The Belle River passes through the township and has two tributaries: Gillett Drain and Dawson Drain.
The creation of the Fort Gratiot Turnpike, now known as Gratiot Road, in 1832 led to the settlement of Columbus Township. Columbus Township was organized as a township on March 11, 1837. The Township was named for explorer Christopher Columbus, and Theodore Bethey served as the Township's first supervisor. In 1839 the Grand Trunk Western Railroad opened a small train station. In 1859, a 12-year-old Thomas Edison was given his first job, as a newsboy on the Grand Trunk Western Railroad line between Port Huron and Detroit. In 1992, the Richmond Area Historical and Genealogical Society moved the 1900-era Grand Trunk Railroad Depot located in Hickey to the nearby community of Richmond.
In 1845 the population was 315. In 1880, the township's population increased to 1,327, and by 2000 the population had grown to 4,615.
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,615 people, 1,533 households, and 1,266 families residing in the township. The population density was 124.4 per square mile (48.0/km²). There were 1,595 housing units at an average density of 43.0 per square mile (16.6/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 97.01% White, 0.09% African American, 0.56% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.69% from other races, and 1.26% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.30% of the population.