Croton Township is a civil township of Newaygo County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,042 at the 2000 census. Known as the "Party Capital" of Mid-Michigan, Croton lays on the banks of the majestic Muskegon River. Nestled between the Croton Dam and Hardy Dam, an artificial lake is created which plays hosts to world-class fishing,[3] boating,[4] and natural scenery.[5] Often, referred to as "Michigan's Secret Paradise" Croton is lauded as a quiet get away, especially during the warm summer months.

Croton Township, Michigan
Township
Croton Township, Michigan Location within the state of Michigan Show map of Michigan Croton Township, Michigan Croton Township, Michigan (the United States) Show map of the United States
Coordinates: 43°25′03″N 85°37′25″W
Country	United States
State	Michigan
County	Newaygo
Area
• Total	36.4 sq mi (94.2 km2)
• Land	34.0 sq mi (88.2 km2)
• Water	2.3 sq mi (6.0 km2)
Elevation	906 ft (276 m)
Population  (2000)
• Total	3,042
• Density	89.4/sq mi (34.5/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	49337
Area code(s)	231
FIPS code	26-18980[1]
GNIS feature ID	1626143[2]
Website	Township website

Communities

• Croton is a former village in the township. It was settled in 1840 originally called Muskegeon Forks. It was platted in 1854 and incorporated as a village in 1870. Its post office closed down in 1908.[6] It was named after Croton, New York.[7]
• Riverview is a small unincorporated community situated on the Croton Dam Pond in the Muskegon River where the Little Muskegon River joins the main stream. It is in the midst of the Manistee National Forest at 43°26′53″N 85°39′09″W[8] approximately 35 miles north of Grand Rapids.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 36.4 square miles (94 km²), of which 34.0 square miles (88 km²) is land and 2.3 square miles (6.0 km²) (6.38%) is water.

The Croton Dam on the Muskegon River is located in the township.

Demographics

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 3,042 people, 1,222 households, and 874 families residing in the township. The population density was 89.4 per square mile (34.5/km²). There were 1,696 housing units at an average density of 49.8 per square mile (19.2/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 96.84% White, 0.39% African American, 0.79% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.85% from other races, and 0.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.64% of the population.

There were 1,222 households, out of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.6% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.4% were non-families. 24.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the township the population was spread out, with 25.2% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.0 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $41,596, and the median income for a family was $48,229. Males had a median income of $40,219 versus $22,717 for females. The per capita income for the township was $21,036. About 5.2% of families and 7.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.9% of those under age 18 and 5.0% of those age 65 or over.

References

Notes

Sources

• 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. Great Lakes Books Series (Paperback). Detroit, Michigan: Wayne State University Press. ISBN 0-8143-1838-X.

External links

• Croton Township
• Croton-Hardy Business Alliance