Westport Township, Pope County, Minnesota Explained

Official Name:Westport Township, Minnesota
Settlement Type:Township
Pushpin Map:Minnesota#USA
Pushpin Label Position:left
Pushpin Map Caption:Location within the state of Minnesota
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Minnesota
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Pope
Unit Pref:Imperial
Area Total Km2:91.8
Area Land Km2:89.5
Area Water Km2:2.3
Area Total Sq Mi:35.4
Area Land Sq Mi:34.5
Area Water Sq Mi:0.9
Population As Of:2000
Population Total:279
Population Density Km2:3.1
Population Density Sq Mi:8.1
Timezone:Central (CST)
Utc Offset:-6
Timezone Dst:CDT
Utc Offset Dst:-5
Elevation M:409
Elevation Ft:1342
Coordinates:45.7244°N -95.2017°W
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:27-69646[1]
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank1 Info:0665970[2]

Westport Township is a township in Pope County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 279 at the 2000 census. It contains the village of Westport, Minnesota.

History

The township was surveyed in 1858. The first public building was a tavern on Westport Lake operated by the Drake Family.[3]

The Little Falls and Dakota Railroad (later part of the Northern Pacific Railway) established a depot in 1882.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 35.4 square miles (91.8 km), of which 34.5 square miles (89.5 km) is land and 0.9 square mile (2.3 km) (2.48%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 279 people, 83 households, and 68 families residing in the township. The population density was 8.1 people per square mile (3.1/km). There were 90 housing units at an average density of 2.6/sq mi (1.0/km). The racial makeup of the township was 99.28% White, and 0.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.08% of the population.

There were 83 households, out of which 47.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 78.3% were married couples living together, 2.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.9% were non-families. 13.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.36 and the average family size was 3.72.

In the township the population was spread out, with 35.8% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 7.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 111.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 113.1 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $42,188, and the median income for a family was $44,250. Males had a median income of $31,667 versus $17,750 for females. The per capita income for the township was $14,185. About 13.6% of families and 13.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.6% of those under the age of eighteen and 23.1% of those 65 or over.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: U.S. Census website. United States Census Bureau. 2008-01-31.
  2. Web site: US Board on Geographic Names. 2008-01-31. United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25.
  3. Book: Armstrong, Hart . A Hundred Years of Greatness in Pope County, Minnesota . Pope County Historical Society . 1966 . 7.