Green Lake Township is a civil township of Grand Traverse County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 6,703 at the 2020 census, an increase from 5,784 at the 2010 census. The township is named after Green Lake, one of two large lakes in the township (the other being Duck Lake).
Green Lake Township, Michigan | |
|---|---|
 Kresge Auditorium at Interlochen Center for the Arts | |
 Location within Grand Traverse County | |
  Green Lake Township Location within the state of Michigan  Green Lake Township Green Lake Township (the United States) | |
| Coordinates: 44°38′37″N 85°45′56″W / 44.64361°N 85.76556°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Michigan |
| County |  Grand Traverse |
| Organized | 1883 |
| Government | |
| • Supervisor | Marvin Radtke Jr. |
| Area | |
| • Total | 36.3 sq mi (94.1 km2) |
| • Land | 29.4 sq mi (76.1 km2) |
| • Water | 6.9 sq mi (18.0 km2) |
| Elevation | 840 ft (256 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 6,703 |
| • Estimate (2023) | 6,763 |
| • Density | 184.7/sq mi (71.3/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code(s) | |
| Area code | 231 |
| FIPS code | 26-34960[1] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1626397[2] |
The township is the home of Interlochen Center for the Arts, a prestigious arts boarding school. Interlochen State Park is also within the township.
History
editGreen Lake Township was organized in 1883, from part of Blair Township. This makes it the newest township in Grand Traverse County.[3]
Interlochen Center for the Arts was established in Green Lake Township in 1928 by Joseph E. Maddy.[4]
Geography
editAccording to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 36.3 square miles (94 km2), of which 29.4 square miles (76 km2) is land and 6.9 square miles (18 km2) (19.10%) is water. The township is located in the west of Grand Traverse County, sharing a boundary with Benzie County.
Green Lake Township's most notable features are the two large lakes within its borders, Green Lake and Duck Lake. Interlochen Center for the Arts and Interlochen State Park are located on the isthmus between these two lakes. Additionally, a small portion of Long Lake extends into Green Lake Township from the north. The headwaters of the Platte River at Long Lake are within the township.
The Green Lake Airport is a small, unpaved airport located in the south of the township.
Adjacent townships
edit- Long Lake Township (north)
- Garfield Township (northeast)
- Blair Township (east)
- Mayfield Township (southeast)
- Grant Township (south)
- Colfax Township, Benzie County (southwest)
- Inland Township, Benzie County (west)
- Almira Township, Benzie County (northwest)
Major highways
edit
US 31 runs east–west through the township. To the west, the highway enters Benzie County, and runs south along Lake Michigan. To the east, the highway turns northbound, and runs through Traverse City. Further north, the highway runs north, again along Lake Michigan, to Mackinaw City via Charlevoix and Petoskey.
M-137 is a former highway that ran entirely within Green Lake Township. A north–south highway, it connected US 31 to Interlochen Center for the Arts and Interlochen State Park, along a road now known as J. Maddy Parkway.[5]
Communities
edit- Diamond Park is a small resort community on the western shores of Green Lake (44°37′40.3″N 85°47′16.6″W / 44.627861°N 85.787944°W).
- Duck Lake Park is a small community on the southeastern shore of Duck Lake (44°37′07.9″N 85°43′40.4″W / 44.618861°N 85.727889°W).
- Duck Lake Peninsula is a residential community on the peninsula in Duck Lake (44°37′45.8″N 85°44′20.7″W / 44.629389°N 85.739083°W).
- Interlochen is a census-designated place within the township known for the Interlochen Center for the Arts (44°38′43″N 85°46′02″W / 44.64528°N 85.76722°W).
- Monroe Center is an unincorporated community on the border with Blair Township (44°36′49.1″N 85°41′47.4″W / 44.613639°N 85.696500°W)
- Peninsula Resort is a ghost town and residential community on the peninsula in Green Lake (44°37′07.2″N 85°46′42.8″W / 44.618667°N 85.778556°W)
- Wylie is a ghost town that has been enveloped by the Interlochen Center for the Arts (44°38′02″N 85°45′58.9″W / 44.63389°N 85.766361°W).
Demographics
editAs of the census[1] of 2020, there were 6,703 people, 2,437 households, residing in the township. The population density was 184.7 inhabitants per square mile (71.3/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 93.2% White, 0.8% African American, 0.7% Native American, 0% Asian, 0.5% Pacific Islander,and 2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.8% of the population.
There were 2,437 households, out of which 16% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 15.2% had someone living in the dwelling who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.5.
In the township the population was not very spread out, with 16% under the age of 18, and 15.2% who were 65 years of age or older. 68.8% of the township fell into the 18-65 age range. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 males, there were 96.8 females.
The median income for a household in the township was $72,656, and the per capita income was $35,652. About 6.9% of the population were below the poverty line.
References
edit- ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Green Lake Township, Michigan
- ^ "History in Grand Traverse County, Michigan". genealogytrails.com. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
- ^ "History". www.interlochen.org. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
- ^ "Interlochen and Green Lake Township to dedicate newly named J. Maddy Parkway". www.interlochen.org. Retrieved January 9, 2023.