Reading Township, Michigan

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Reading Township, Michigan
Township
Reading Township, Michigan is located in Michigan
Reading Township, Michigan
Location within the state of Michigan
Coordinates: 41°51′49″N 84°46′36″W / 41.86361°N 84.77667°W / 41.86361; -84.77667Coordinates: 41°51′49″N 84°46′36″W / 41.86361°N 84.77667°W / 41.86361; -84.77667
Country United States
State Michigan
County Hillsdale
Area
 • Total 35.1 sq mi (90.8 km2)
 • Land 34.1 sq mi (88.3 km2)
 • Water 1.0 sq mi (2.6 km2)
Elevation 1,155 ft (352 m)
Population (2000)
 • Total 1,781
 • Density 52.3/sq mi (20.2/km2)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 49274
Area code(s) 517
FIPS code 26-67520[1]
GNIS feature ID 1626957[2]

Reading Township is a civil township of Hillsdale County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,781 at the 2000 census.

The City of Reading is situated within the township on M-49, but is administratively autonomous.

Geography[edit]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 35.1 square miles (91 km2), of which, 34.1 square miles (88 km2) of it is land and 1.0 square mile (2.6 km2) of it (2.82%) is water. Part of that water mass includes Helmlock Lake, Carpenter Lake, Long Lake, Round Lake, Berry Lake, PawPaw Lake, Allen Lake, Loon Lake, Turner Lake, Mead Lake, Rebeck Lake, and a few more.

Demographics[edit]

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 1,781 people, 711 households, and 524 families residing in the township. The population density was 52.3 per square mile (20.2/km²). There were 1,147 housing units at an average density of 33.7 per square mile (13.0/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 98.15% White, 0.17% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.34% from other races, and 1.07% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.07% of the population.

There were 711 households out of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.1% were married couples living together, 5.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.2% were non-families. 21.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the township the population was spread out with 23.9% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 28.4% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 106.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.8 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $40,938, and the median income for a family was $46,696. Males had a median income of $34,453 versus $22,500 for females. The per capita income for the township was $19,625. About 5.4% of families and 8.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.0% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.

Wind Farm Controversy[edit]

Between 2010 and 2012, Reading Township was the site of a proposed wind farm, creating controversy within the area between supporters[citation needed] and opponents[3] of the Duke Energy project.[4] In October 2012, Duke Energy announced that it was indefinitely suspending the project, with no turbines constructed. [5]

References[edit]