Independence Township, Michigan
Encyclopedia
Independence Charter Township is a charter township
of Oakland County
in the U.S. state
of Michigan
. The population was 34,681 at the 2010 census. The township was named by one of its earliest settlers, Joseph Van Sycle, who came to the area in 1834 from Independence, New Jersey.
native, was the first person to settle Independence Township in 1826. Subsequently, settlers from New Jersey
and New York
began to settle the township until by 1834 all sections of land in the southern half of the township was settled. (The northern half was largely unsettled.) The southern half of the township was marked by flat plains that made it suitable for farming, most notably the Sashabaw Plains in the southeast corner of the township. The rest of the township comprised flat plains, rolling hills and lakes, connected by branches of the Clinton River. By 1840 Independence Township's population was 830, but a decade later new construction had boosted the township's population to 1,200. By 1877 Independence Township's swampland was converted to agricultural use. In the late 1800s, E.V. Bailey, a prominent resident, donated to Clarkston
a section of land at what is now Whipple Lake Road and Pine Knob Road. Clarkston, which is located in the heart of Independence Township, used the land to erect the area's first schoolhouse.
While the 19th century saw a primarily agricultural economy, the 20th century saw the completion of a railroad depot and the arrival of the automobile, as a number of visitors from Detroit began to visit the township. Independence Township continued to grow at the same time as cottages were built, farms were subdivided and new houses built, all the way up to the 1930s when the Great Depression
temporarily ended future land developments. After World War II
, the township's population not only rebounded, it has boomed as new shopping centers, new subdivisions, new schools, new churches, several parks and the DTE Energy Music Theatre
have been built over the years, helped by access via I-75
, M-15
and US-23. Independence Township's economy is today service-based.
The DTE Energy Music Theatre shares a complex with Pine Knob Golf and Ski Courses. The township is also home to various parks, the largest of which is Independence Oaks County Park.
, the township has a total area of 36.3 square miles (94 km²), of which 35.2 square miles (91.2 km²) is land and 1.1 square miles (2.8 km²), or 3.03%, is water.
, which has eleven school buildings. Students attend their local elementary school from kindergarten up until fifth grade. They then attend Sashabaw Middle School for grades six and seven, followed by eighth and ninth grade at Clarkston Junior High School. Their final three years are usually completed at Clarkston High School. Alternatively, students may attend Renaissance High School instead, which is intended for students requiring different needs to graduate.
Within Clarkston High School is Clarkston's Science, Math, and Technology Academy, or CSMTech Academy. CSMTech is open to students grades nine through twelve free of charge. Students focus on the areas on mathematics, sciences, and technology beyond average requirements.
of 2000, there were 32,581 people, 11,765 households, and 9,094 families residing in the township. The population density
was 925.6 per square mile (357.4/km²). There were 12,375 housing units at an average density of 351.6 per square mile (135.7/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 95.84% White, 0.84% African American, 0.24% Native American, 1.22% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.61% from other races
, and 1.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.51% of the population.
There were 11,765 households out of which 39.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.5% were married couples
living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.7% were non-families. 17.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the township the population was spread out with 27.7% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 31.7% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 8.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 99.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.9 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $74,993, and the median income for a family was $84,227. Males had a median income of $62,620 versus $36,520 for females. The per capita income
for the township was $33,067. About 1.6% of families and 2.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.4% of those under age 18 and 4.4% of those age 65 or over.
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 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 34,681 at the 2010 census. The township was named by one of its earliest settlers, Joseph Van Sycle, who came to the area in 1834 from Independence, New Jersey.
History
John W. Beardslee, a Sussex County, New JerseySussex County, New Jersey
The County of Sussex is the northernmost county in the State of New Jersey. It is part of the New York City Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 Federal decennial census, 149,265 persons resided in Sussex County...
native, was the first person to settle Independence Township in 1826. Subsequently, settlers from New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
and New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
began to settle the township until by 1834 all sections of land in the southern half of the township was settled. (The northern half was largely unsettled.) The southern half of the township was marked by flat plains that made it suitable for farming, most notably the Sashabaw Plains in the southeast corner of the township. The rest of the township comprised flat plains, rolling hills and lakes, connected by branches of the Clinton River. By 1840 Independence Township's population was 830, but a decade later new construction had boosted the township's population to 1,200. By 1877 Independence Township's swampland was converted to agricultural use. In the late 1800s, E.V. Bailey, a prominent resident, donated to Clarkston
Clarkston, Michigan
Clarkston, known officially by the name City of the Village of Clarkston, is a small city located within Independence Charter Township in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 882 at the 2010 census.-Overview:...
a section of land at what is now Whipple Lake Road and Pine Knob Road. Clarkston, which is located in the heart of Independence Township, used the land to erect the area's first schoolhouse.
While the 19th century saw a primarily agricultural economy, the 20th century saw the completion of a railroad depot and the arrival of the automobile, as a number of visitors from Detroit began to visit the township. Independence Township continued to grow at the same time as cottages were built, farms were subdivided and new houses built, all the way up to the 1930s when the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
temporarily ended future land developments. After World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the township's population not only rebounded, it has boomed as new shopping centers, new subdivisions, new schools, new churches, several parks and the DTE Energy Music Theatre
DTE Energy Music Theatre
Originally built by the Nederlander Organization in the early 1970s, the DTE Energy Music Theatre is a 15,274-seat amphitheater located in Clarkston, Michigan. It was originally known as the Pine Knob Music Theatre, due to its proximity to the nearby Pine Knob ski area and golf course...
have been built over the years, helped by access via I-75
Interstate 75
Interstate 75 is a major north–south Interstate Highway in the Great Lakes and Southeastern regions of the United States. It travels from State Road 826 and State Road 924 in Hialeah, Florida to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, at the Ontario, Canada, border...
, M-15
M-15 (Michigan highway)
M-15 is a north–south state trunkline highway in the US state of Michigan. The southern terminus is a junction with US Highway 24 just south of Clarkston on the northwestern edge of the Detroit metropolitan area. The trunkline is a recreational route running north and northwest to the...
and US-23. Independence Township's economy is today service-based.
The DTE Energy Music Theatre shares a complex with Pine Knob Golf and Ski Courses. The township is also home to various parks, the largest of which is Independence Oaks County Park.
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 36.3 square miles (94 km²), of which 35.2 square miles (91.2 km²) is land and 1.1 square miles (2.8 km²), or 3.03%, is water.
Schools
The primary school district in the township is Clarkston Community SchoolsClarkston Community Schools
Clarkston Community Schools is a school district headquartered in Independence Township, Michigan. It was formed in 1952.-Secondary schools:*Clarkston High School*Clarkston Junior High School*Sashabaw Middle School-Primary schools:...
, which has eleven school buildings. Students attend their local elementary school from kindergarten up until fifth grade. They then attend Sashabaw Middle School for grades six and seven, followed by eighth and ninth grade at Clarkston Junior High School. Their final three years are usually completed at Clarkston High School. Alternatively, students may attend Renaissance High School instead, which is intended for students requiring different needs to graduate.
Within Clarkston High School is Clarkston's Science, Math, and Technology Academy, or CSMTech Academy. CSMTech is open to students grades nine through twelve free of charge. Students focus on the areas on mathematics, sciences, and technology beyond average requirements.
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 32,581 people, 11,765 households, and 9,094 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 925.6 per square mile (357.4/km²). There were 12,375 housing units at an average density of 351.6 per square mile (135.7/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 95.84% White, 0.84% African American, 0.24% Native American, 1.22% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.61% 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 1.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.51% of the population.
There were 11,765 households out of which 39.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.5% 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, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.7% were non-families. 17.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the township the population was spread out with 27.7% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 31.7% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 8.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 99.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.9 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $74,993, and the median income for a family was $84,227. Males had a median income of $62,620 versus $36,520 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 $33,067. About 1.6% of families and 2.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.4% of those under age 18 and 4.4% of those age 65 or over.