Somerset Township, Michigan

Coordinates: 42°03′03″N 84°25′09″W / 42.05083°N 84.41917°W / 42.05083; -84.41917
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Somerset Township, Michigan
Somerset Township Hall and Fire Department
Somerset Township Hall and Fire Department
Location within Hillsdale County
Location within Hillsdale County
Somerset Township is located in Michigan
Somerset Township
Somerset Township
Location within the state of Michigan
Somerset Township is located in the United States
Somerset Township
Somerset Township
Location within the United States
Coordinates: 42°03′03″N 84°25′09″W / 42.05083°N 84.41917°W / 42.05083; -84.41917
CountryUnited States
StateMichigan
CountyHillsdale
Established1837
Government
 • SupervisorTimothy Shaw
 • ClerkMike Bohnet
Area
 • Total35.56 sq mi (92.10 km2)
 • Land33.41 sq mi (86.53 km2)
 • Water2.15 sq mi (5.57 km2)
Elevation
1,070 ft (326 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total4,532
 • Density135.6/sq mi (52.4/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code(s)
49220 (Addison)
49233 (Cement City)
49249 (Jerome)
49281 (Somerset)
49282 (Somerset Center)
Area code517
FIPS code26-74560[2]
GNIS feature ID1627090[3]
WebsiteOfficial website

Somerset Township is a civil township of Hillsdale County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,532 at the 2020 census.

Communities[edit]

Geography[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 35.56 square miles (92.10 km2), of which 33.41 square miles (86.53 km2) is land and 2.15 square miles (5.57 km2) (6.05%) is water.

The township contains numerous small lakes, as well as the 748-acre (303 ha) Somerset State Game Area.[11] The Grand River, which is the state's longest river, has its source within the township.

Major highways[edit]

  • US 12 (E. Chicago Road) runs east–west through the northern portion of the township.
  • US 127 runs briefly through the township in the northeast corner.

Demographics[edit]

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 4,277 people, 1,687 households, and 1,312 families residing in the township. The population density was 128.2 inhabitants per square mile (49.5/km2). There were 2,161 housing units at an average density of 64.8 per square mile (25.0/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 97.90% White, 0.37% African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.44% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.38% of the population.

There were 1,687 households, out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.9% were married couples living together, 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.2% were non-families. 18.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the township the population was spread out, with 23.0% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 30.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.8 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $48,529, and the median income for a family was $51,278. Males had a median income of $43,973 versus $29,244 for females. The per capita income for the township was $22,462. About 2.8% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.8% of those under age 18 and 2.8% of those age 65 or over.

Education[edit]

The township is served by four separate public school districts. The western portion of the township is served by North Adams-Jerome Schools, while the eastern portion is served by Addison Community Schools in Lenawee County. A very small portion of the northern edge of the township surrounding parts of Lake LeAnn are served by Hanover-Horton Schools to the north in Jackson County. Another very small portion of the northeast corner of the township is served by Columbia School District in Jackson County.[12]

Notable people[edit]

Images[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Michigan Townships Association (2022). "Somerset Township, Hillsdale County, Michigan". Retrieved December 26, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  3. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Somerset Township, Michigan
  4. ^ Romig 1986, p. 40.
  5. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Jerome, Michigan
  6. ^ Romig 1986, p. 292.
  7. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Lake LeAnn, Michigan
  8. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Somerset
  9. ^ a b Romig 1986, p. 522.
  10. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Somerset Center, Michigan
  11. ^ Michigan Department of Natural Resources (March 25, 2016). "Somerset State Game Area" (PDF). Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  12. ^ Michigan Geographic Framework (November 15, 2013). "Hillsdale County School Districts" (PDF). Retrieved December 26, 2022.
  13. ^ Michigan Historical Commission (1924). Michigan Biographies: Including Members of Congress, Elective State Officers, Justices of the Supreme Court, Members of the Michigan Legislature, Board of Regents of the University of Michigan, State Board of Agriculture and State Board of Education, Volume 2. p. 300.

Sources[edit]

  • Romig, Walter (October 1, 1986) [1973]. Michigan Place Names: The History of the Founding and the Naming of More Than Five Thousand Past and Present Michigan Communities (Paperback). Detroit, Michigan: Wayne State University Press. pp. 40, 292, 522. ISBN 978-0-8143-1838-6.

External links[edit]