Highland Township, Oakland County, Michigan
Encyclopedia
Highland Charter Township is a charter township
of north Oakland County
in the U.S. state
of Michigan
. The population was 19,202 at the 2010 census. Highland is a suburb of Detroit.
Highland Township was founded by pioneer families in 1835. A major factor in the development of Highland was the railroad, which allowed lumber to be transported cheaply, and allowed pickles
from the township's early factories to be exported easily. In 2003, in an effort to retain its rural character, as well as preserve its extensive equestrian
heritage, Highland declared itself an "equestrian community" and began active support and encouragement of the equestrian presence and related development in the township. In 2006, thanks in large part to the efforts of the Highland Equestrian Conservancy, Highland Township received official recognition by the State as Michigan's first designated equestrian community.
, the township has a total area of 35.8 square miles (92.7 km²), of which 33.6 square miles (87 km²) is land and 2.2 square miles (5.7 km²), or 6.14%, is water. Nearly 1/4 of the land in Highland Township is owned by the State of Michigan as part of Highland Recreation Area
.
of 2000, there were 19,169 people, 6,786 households, and 5,374 families residing in the township. The population density
was 570.2 per square mile (220.1/km2). There were 7,179 housing units at an average density of 213.5 per square mile (82.4/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 97.42% White, 0.30% African American, 0.46% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races
, and 1.17% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.27% of the population.
There were 6,786 households out of which 41.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.8% were married couples
living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.8% were non-families. 16.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.17.
In the township the population was spread out with 29.0% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 24.7% from 45 to 64, and 7.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 101.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.3 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $62,805, and the median income for a family was $70,286. Males had a median income of $50,944 versus $29,867 for females. The per capita income
for the township was $25,484. About 3.8% of families and 5.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.7% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.
, bordering Livingston County
to the west and Rose Township
to the north, Highland Township lies at the far edge of the greater metropolitan Detroit area
. Long a rural community of lakes, extensive farmland, and state woodlands, Highland is remarkable for its high concentration of horse farms. Highland is also home to Milford High School, where nearly 34 years ago the first high school varsity equestrian team in the United States was started. In 2002 the first Junior Division equestrian team was formed at Highland Middle School. Grassroots community conservancy groups have worked with the township government and planning commission in an effort to retain the township's rural character and equestrian heritage by encouraging developers to maintain green space in plans for new development. Nearly 1/4 of the Highland Township is made up of state land, the 6000 acres (24.3 km²) Highland Recreation Area. Downtown Highland sits immediately adjoining the recreation area, with its nearly 12 miles (19.3 km) of horse trails and overnight camping facility for horses. The downtown is within a 12 miles (19.3 km) radius of easy riding or trailering distance to an extensive nearby horse trail network (including Highland and Pontiac Lake
Michigan State Recreation Areas, as well as Kensington and Indian Springs Metroparks, and the pending Highland Oaks County Park). The community's efforts at revitalization have been rewarded by the development of a horse-friendly downtown, which is to include hitching posts, a stabling facility that will allow riders to literally ride into the horse-friendly town, as well as restaurants and shops in the new Highland Station downtown development.
Charter township
A charter township is a form of local government in the U.S. state of Michigan. Townships in Michigan are organized governments. A charter township is a township that has been granted a charter, which allows it certain rights and responsibilities of home rule that are generally intermediary in...
of north Oakland County
Oakland County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the 2010 Census, there were 1,202,362 people, 471,115 households, and 315,175 families residing in the county. The population density as of the 2000 census was 1,369 people per square mile . There were 492,006 housing units at an average density of 564 per square mile...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. The population was 19,202 at the 2010 census. Highland is a suburb of Detroit.
Highland Township was founded by pioneer families in 1835. A major factor in the development of Highland was the railroad, which allowed lumber to be transported cheaply, and allowed pickles
Pickled cucumber
A pickled cucumber is a cucumber that has been pickled in a brine, vinegar, or other solution and left to ferment for a period of time, by either immersing the cucumbers in an acidic solution or through souring by lacto-fermentation.-Gherkin:A gherkin is not only...
from the township's early factories to be exported easily. In 2003, in an effort to retain its rural character, as well as preserve its extensive equestrian
Equestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
heritage, Highland declared itself an "equestrian community" and began active support and encouragement of the equestrian presence and related development in the township. In 2006, thanks in large part to the efforts of the Highland Equestrian Conservancy, Highland Township received official recognition by the State as Michigan's first designated equestrian community.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the township has a total area of 35.8 square miles (92.7 km²), of which 33.6 square miles (87 km²) is land and 2.2 square miles (5.7 km²), or 6.14%, is water. Nearly 1/4 of the land in Highland Township is owned by the State of Michigan as part of Highland Recreation Area
Highland Recreation Area
Highland Recreation Area is a state recreation area in the southeast part of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located in north Oakland County, west of Pontiac....
.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 19,169 people, 6,786 households, and 5,374 families residing in the township. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 570.2 per square mile (220.1/km2). There were 7,179 housing units at an average density of 213.5 per square mile (82.4/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 97.42% White, 0.30% African American, 0.46% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.17% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.27% of the population.
There were 6,786 households out of which 41.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.8% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.8% were non-families. 16.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.17.
In the township the population was spread out with 29.0% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 24.7% from 45 to 64, and 7.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 101.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.3 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $62,805, and the median income for a family was $70,286. Males had a median income of $50,944 versus $29,867 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the township was $25,484. About 3.8% of families and 5.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.7% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.
Equestrian heritage and related development
Located in Oakland CountyOakland County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the 2010 Census, there were 1,202,362 people, 471,115 households, and 315,175 families residing in the county. The population density as of the 2000 census was 1,369 people per square mile . There were 492,006 housing units at an average density of 564 per square mile...
, bordering Livingston County
Livingston County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 156,951 people, 55,384 households, and 43,531 families residing in the county. The population density was 276 people per square mile . There were 58,919 housing units at an average density of 104 per square mile...
to the west and Rose Township
Rose Township, Oakland County, Michigan
Rose Township is a civil township of Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 6,250 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which is land and , or 3.71%, is water.-Demographics:As of the census of...
to the north, Highland Township lies at the far edge of the greater metropolitan Detroit area
Metro Detroit
The Detroit metropolitan area, often referred to as Metro Detroit, is the metropolitan area located in Southeast Michigan centered on the city of Detroit which shares an international border with Windsor, Ontario. The Detroit metropolitan area is the second largest U.S. metropolitan area...
. Long a rural community of lakes, extensive farmland, and state woodlands, Highland is remarkable for its high concentration of horse farms. Highland is also home to Milford High School, where nearly 34 years ago the first high school varsity equestrian team in the United States was started. In 2002 the first Junior Division equestrian team was formed at Highland Middle School. Grassroots community conservancy groups have worked with the township government and planning commission in an effort to retain the township's rural character and equestrian heritage by encouraging developers to maintain green space in plans for new development. Nearly 1/4 of the Highland Township is made up of state land, the 6000 acres (24.3 km²) Highland Recreation Area. Downtown Highland sits immediately adjoining the recreation area, with its nearly 12 miles (19.3 km) of horse trails and overnight camping facility for horses. The downtown is within a 12 miles (19.3 km) radius of easy riding or trailering distance to an extensive nearby horse trail network (including Highland and Pontiac Lake
Pontiac Lake Recreation Area
Pontiac Lake Recreation Area is located in White Lake Township, Oakland County, Michigan, just west of Waterford, Michigan. It is in size.-Facilities:* Campground - 176 Sites, 24 Equestrian sites* Beach House* Boat Launch* Picnic Area...
Michigan State Recreation Areas, as well as Kensington and Indian Springs Metroparks, and the pending Highland Oaks County Park). The community's efforts at revitalization have been rewarded by the development of a horse-friendly downtown, which is to include hitching posts, a stabling facility that will allow riders to literally ride into the horse-friendly town, as well as restaurants and shops in the new Highland Station downtown development.
External links
- Charter Township of Highland
- Highland Business Association
- Highland Downtown Development Authority
- Highland Conservancy
- Highland Equestrian Conservancy
- Highland Trail Riders Association
- Highland Township Historical Society
- Highland Township Public Library
- Huron Valley Council For The Arts
- Milford Times
- Main Street Oakland County
- Milford High School
- Milford High School Equestrian Team
- Oakland Equestrian Coalition
- Oakland Land Conservancy