Clay Township, Michigan Explained

Clay Township, Michigan
Settlement Type:Civil township
Pushpin Map:Michigan#USA
Pushpin Label Position:left
Pushpin Label:Clay Township
Pushpin Map Caption:Location within the state of Michigan##Location within the United States
Mapsize:250
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Michigan
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:St. Clair
Government Footnotes:[1]
Leader Title:Supervisor
Leader Name:Artie Bryson
Leader Title1:Clerk
Leader Name1:Cindy Valentine
Established Title:Settled
Established Date:1805
Established Title1:Established
Established Date1:1826 (Plainfield Township)
1828 (Clay Township)
Unit Pref:Imperial
Area Total Km2:213.60
Area Land Km2:91.48
Area Water Km2:122.12
Area Total Sq Mi:82.47
Area Land Sq Mi:35.32
Area Water Sq Mi:47.15
Population As Of:2020
Population Footnotes:[2]
Population Total:8446
Population Density Sq Mi:102.4
Timezone:Eastern (EST)
Utc Offset:-5
Timezone Dst:EDT
Utc Offset Dst:-4
Elevation M:176
Elevation Ft:577
Coordinates:42.6106°N -82.5919°W
Postal Code Type:ZIP code(s)
Postal Code:48001 (Algonac)
48028 (Harsens Island)
Area Code:810
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:26-16180[3]
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank1 Info:1626090

Clay Township is a civil township of St. Clair County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 8,446 at the 2020 census.[2]

The township is located along the mouth of the St. Clair River at Lake St. Clair. The river delta includes numerous islands, in which Harsens Island is the largest. The township mostly surrounds the city of Algonac, but the two are administered autonomously since Algonac incorporated as a city in 1967. Most of Algonac State Park is located within Clay Township.

Communities

History

The area was first settled by John Martin in 1805, and the area was originally referred to as Pointe du Chene (Oak Point). In 1826, the area was organized as Plainfield Township, which was named by early settler John K. Smith after his hometown of Plainfield, Vermont. A post office named Plainfield began operating here on April 5, 1826 with Smith serving as the first postmaster. In 1828, the township was reorganized and renamed after attorney and statesman Henry Clay, and the post office was later renamed Clay on December 23, 1835; Smith continued serving as postmaster. The post office was renamed Algonac on August 17, 1843. Algonac incorporated as a village within Clay Township in 1867. The village gained autonomy from the township when it incorporated as a city in 1967.

Historic sites

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 82.47sqmi, of which 35.32sqmi is land and 47.15sqmi (57.17%) is water.[9]

The township contains a large portion of water that includes areas along the St. Clair River mouth in the northern Anchor Bay area of Lake St. Clair, which contains numerous channels and canals. Directly across the river is the Walpole Island First Nation in Ontario, which is accessible via the Walpole–Algonac Ferry in downtown Algonac.

The St. Clair Flats State Wildlife Area and the majority of the St. John's Marsh State Wildlife Area are located within Clay Township.[10] [11] Most of Algonac State Park is located within Clay Township with a small portion extending north into Cottrellville Township.

Islands

Transportation

Airport

Ferries

Major highways

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 9,822 people, 3,934 households, and 2,844 families residing in the township. The population density was 277sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 5,325 housing units at an average density of 150.2sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup of the township was 97.92% White, 0.20% African American, 0.68% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.21% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.85% of the population.

There were 3,934 households, out of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.3% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.7% were non-families. 22.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the township the population was spread out, with 22.6% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 28.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.2 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $55,059, and the median income for a family was $63,182. Males had a median income of $48,053 versus $31,923 for females. The per capita income for the township was $27,169. About 2.3% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.7% of those under age 18 and 3.6% of those age 65 or over.

References

Sources

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Michigan Townships Association. Clay Twp., St. Clair Co.. 2022. August 11, 2023.
  2. Web site: United States Census Bureau. Clay township, St. Clair County, Michigan. August 12, 2023.
  3. Web site: U.S. Census website . . 2008-01-31 .
  4. Web site: UnitedStatesZipCodes.org. ZIP Code 48028: Harsens Island. 2022. July 24, 2022.
  5. Web site: St. Clair County MPC. Blueway of St. Clair: Harsen House. August 10, 2023.
  6. Web site: Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Historical Marker - L1488B - North Channel Shooting Club (Marker ID#:L1488B). August 11, 2023.
  7. Web site: MichMarkers.com. St. Clair River: Registered Site S0124. 2023. August 11, 2023.
  8. Web site: MichMarkers.com. Stewart Farm / Memoir of Aura Stewart: Registered Site L2128. 2023. August 11, 2023.
  9. Web site: Michigan: 2010 Population and Housing Unit Counts 2010 Census of Population and Housing . https://web.archive.org/web/20121019111423/http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/cph-2-24.pdf . 2012-10-19 . live. PDF . September 2012. United States Census Bureau. 2010 United States census. August 11, 2023. 40 Michigan.
  10. Web site: Michigan Department of Natural Resources. St. Clair Flats State Wildlife Area. May 2006. August 11, 2023.
  11. Web site: Michigan Department of Natural Resources. St. John's Marsh State Wildlife Area. May 2006. August 11, 2023.
  12. Web site: AirNav, LLC.. Harsens Island Airport. 2023. August 10, 2023.
  13. Web site: Champion's Auto Ferry. Welcome to Champion's Auto Ferry. 2023. August 11, 2023.
  14. Web site: Bowling Green State University. Historical Collections of the Great Lakes: Pride of Lake Huron. August 10, 2023.
  15. Web site: Bridge to Bay Trail. Bridge to Bay Trail: Trail Map. 2023. August 10, 2023.

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