Royalton Township, Michigan
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Royalton Township is a township located in central Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan, a few miles southeast of the city of St. Joseph. As of the 2000 census, the township had a total population of 3,888. There are no incorporated municipalities in the township, but portions are considered to be part of the Benton Harbor/St. Joseph urban area. The unincorporated communities of Hollywood, Scottdale, and Buckthorn are within the township.
Royalton township was organized in 1835 and originally included portions of Lincoln Charter Township, Sodus Township, and St. Joseph Charter Township.
Geography
Lincoln Charter Township lies directly to the west. St. Joseph Charter Township is to the northwest. The St. Joseph River forms the eastern boundary of the township. Sodus Township lies across the river. Oronoko Charter Township lies to the south and Baroda Township to the southwest.
Michigan State Highway 139, which had been designated as U.S. Highway 31 until August 2003 runs northwest-southeast through the township. US 31 is still accessible from the southern terminus of M-139, now a junction with US 31. Interstate 94 and Michigan State Highway 63 are accessible in the northwest of the township.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 47.9 km² (18.5 mi²). 46.8 km² (18.1 mi²) of it is land and 1.1 km² (0.4 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 2.38% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 3,888 people, 1,299 households, and 1,084 families residing in the township. The population density is 83.1/km² (215.2/mi²). There are 1,366 housing units at an average density of 29.2/km² (75.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the township is 93.29% White, 2.03% African American, 0.15% Native American, 2.44% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 1.34% from other races, and 0.75% from two or more races. 3.42% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 1,299 households out of which 41.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 75.8% are married couples living together, 5.8% have a female householder with no husband present, and 16.5% are non-families. 14.1% of all households are made up of individuals and 6.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.86 and the average family size is 3.16.
In the township the population is spread out with 28.5% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 40 years. For every 100 females there are 98.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 95.4 males.
The median income for a household in the township is $69,375, and the median income for a family is $76,295. Males have a median income of $50,833 versus $28,750 for females. The per capita income for the township is $26,926. 9.4% of the population and 7.6% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 9.4% of those under the age of 18 and 27.5% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.