Green Charter Township, Michigan
Green Charter Township | |
|---|---|
  Green Charter Township  Green Charter Township | |
| Coordinates: 43°46′21″N 85°30′14″W / 43.77250°N 85.50389°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Mecosta |
| Area | |
• Total | 37.57 sq mi (97.3 km2) |
| • Land | 36.97 sq mi (95.8 km2) |
| • Water | 0.59 sq mi (1.5 km2) |
| Elevation | 951 ft (290 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 3,219 |
| • Density | 87.1/sq mi (33.6/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes | |
| FIPS code | 26-107-34760[3] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1626393[4] |
| Website | www |
Green Charter Township is a charter township of Mecosta County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the township population was 3,219.[2] The township was organized in 1858, before Mecosta County was detached from Newaygo County.
Communities
[edit]Paris is an unincorporated community and the largest settlement within the township. It is located at 43°46′24″N 85°30′09″W / 43.77333°N 85.50250°W on the Muskegon River about 5 miles (8 km) north of Big Rapids.[5]
Geography
[edit]Green Township is in the northwest corner of Mecosta County, bordered to the north by Osceola County, to the west by Newaygo County, and at its northwest corner by Lake County. U.S. Route 131 crosses the west side of the township, leading south to Big Rapids and Grand Rapids, and north to Reed City and Cadillac.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 37.6 square miles (97 km2), of which 37.0 square miles (96 km2) are land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km2), or 1.58%, are water.[1] The Muskegon River, a tributary of Lake Michigan, flows southward through the eastern part of the township. The river forms the township's northeast border with Grant Township.
Demographics
[edit] | This section needs to be updated. The reason given is: Newer information is available from the 2020 census. (March 2024) |
As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 3,209 people, 1,247 households, and 864 families residing in the township. The population density was 86.9 inhabitants per square mile (33.6/km2). There were 1,414 housing units at an average density of 38.3 per square mile (14.8/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 97.20% White, 0.87% African American, 0.47% Native American, 0.03% Asian, 0.22% from other races, and 1.22% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.03% of the population.
There were 1,247 households, out of which 34.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.0% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.7% were non-families. 23.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the township the population was spread out, with 26.7% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.7 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $39,036, and the median income for a family was $43,884. Males had a median income of $36,970 versus $25,036 for females. The per capita income for the township was $18,212. About 11.1% of families and 10.6% 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.
Factory controversy
[edit]In 2023, plans to build a battery factory by China-based manufacturer Gotion have been met with resistance with some local residents because of Gotion's connection to the Chinese government.[6][7] This controversy resulted in the entire town board being recalled.[8][9] On November 7, 2023 and following two earlier resignations, the remaining five members of the Green Charter Township board were recalled.[10] Before the recall, the board had unanimously approved a property tax abatement initiative to attract the Gotion plant to Mecosta County.[11]
Construction for the plant began in February of 2024.[12] In March of 2024, Gotion filed a federal lawsuit against the township for breach of contract regarding the connection of the plan to the township's water system.[13]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "2022 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Michigan". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
- ^ a b "P1. Race – Green charter township, Michigan: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
- ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2021-07-09. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Green Charter Township, Michigan
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Paris, Michigan
- ^ Rappeport, Alan (October 3, 2023). "A Rural Michigan Town Is the Latest Battleground in the U.S.-China Fight". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 9, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
- ^ "6 township officials in Big Rapids area recalled over support for Gotion battery plant". The Detroit News. Archived from the original on 2023-11-11. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
- ^ White, Rose (November 8, 2023). "Michigan township board recalled for backing Gotion battery plant". Archived from the original on 2023-11-08. Retrieved 2023-11-08 – via mLive.com.
- ^ "How a tiny town sent a big message to China — and Biden". POLITICO. 2023-11-08. Archived from the original on 2023-11-11. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
- ^ Long, Nicole (2023-11-08). "Massive shake-up in Green Charter Township: Five board members recalled over Gotion battery plant proposal". WPBN. Archived from the original on 2023-11-11. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
- ^ "Mecosta County voters oust township board over their support for Gotion battery plant". WZZM. November 7, 2023. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
- ^ White, Rose (2024-02-16). "Gotion begins cutting trees to prep site for $2.4B battery plant". mlive.com. Archived from the original on 2024-03-19. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
- ^ "China's Gotion sues US township for breach of contract over $2.4 billion plant". 2024-03-16. Archived from the original on 2024-04-04. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
External links
[edit]Municipalities and communities of Mecosta County, Michigan, United States | ||
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| City |  | |
| Villages | ||
| Charter townships | ||
| General law townships | ||
| CDPs | ||
| Other communities | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |