Gaines Township, Genesee County, Michigan

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There is also Gaines Charter Township in Kent County.

Area
Township of Gaines
Location of Gaines Township within Genesee County, Michigan.
Country	United States of America
State	Michigan
County	Genesee
settled	1836
Government Organized	1842^[2]
Government type	Supervisor-board
Supervisor	Paul J. Fortino II
Clerk	Michael Dowler
Treasurer	Diane M. Hyrman
Trustee	Lee Purdy, Susan Somers^[1]
- City	91.4 km² (35.3 sq mi)
- Land	91.2 km² (35.2 sq mi)
- Water	0.2 km² (0.1 sq mi) 0.20%
Population
- City (2000)	6,491
Time zone	EST (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code	48473, 48436

Gaines Township is a township in Genesee County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 6,491 at the 2000 census. The Village of Gaines is located within the township.

1 Government
2 History
3 Geography
4 Demographics
5 Reference

[edit] Government

As most civil township in Michigan do, Gaines Township in Genesee County has a Supervisor-Board form of government. In this form of government, three members of the Board of Trustee are executives: Supervisor (being the township's chief executive), Clerk and Treasurer. There are additional 2 trustees elect to the Board.

[edit] History

The first settler, Hartford Cargill, moved into the township section 36. Other early settlers settled in an area called Fletcher's Corners. Philander McLain's family and the Joshua Dart family were other early settlers. The Village of Gaines did not see a settler until 1856. The first passenger train passed through the future village site on July 4, 1856. A post office was established that same year.

Ephraim Fletcher was given the honor of naming the township upon its organization as he was the oldest township male resident; he thusly named it after General Gaines, an acquaintance. Twenty-one votes were polled in the organization meeting at Ephraim Fletcher's house that saw William B. Young elected supervisor; Martin Dart, Township Clerk; and Ephraim Fletcher, Treasurer.

A school was started around 1845 by the Van Fleet and Cargill areas.^[3]

[edit] Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 91.4 km² (35.3 mi²). 91.2 km² (35.2 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.20%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census ² of 2000, there were 6,491 people, 2,269 households, and 1,892 families residing in the township. The population density was 71.2/km² (184.4/mi²). There were 2,334 housing units at an average density of 25.6/km² (66.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the township was 96.92% White, 0.34% African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.48% from other races, and 1.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.28% of the population.

There were 2,269 households out of which 37.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 72.2% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.6% were non-families. 13.6% 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 2.85 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the township the population was spread out with 26.5% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 28.5% from 45 to 64, and 7.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 100.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.2 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $66,289, and the median income for a family was $69,649. Males had a median income of $53,547 versus $35,386 for females. The per capita income for the township was $24,816. About 3.1% of families and 3.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.6% of those under age 18 and 2.2% of those age 65 or over.