Sodus Township, Michigan
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Sodus Township is a township located in central Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township had a total population of 2,139. There are no incorporated municipalities in the township. The unincorporated community of Sodus in the northwest of the township is its main settlement, and is considered to be a part of the Benton Harbor/St. Joseph urban area.
The township was organized on October 11, 1859.
Geography
The St. Joseph River forms most of the western boundary of the township, with Royalton Township on the other side of the river. The township shares a short western border with the community of Fair Plain in St. Joseph Charter Township north of the St. Joseph river. Benton Charter Township lies to the north, Bainbridge Township to the northeast, Pipestone Township to the east, Berrien Charter Township to the southeast, and Oronoko Charter Township to the southwest. A new segment of U.S. Highway 31 was completed in August 2003 that re-routed the highway through the township. Interstate 94 crosses the northwest corner of the township with two interchanges located nearby.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 52.0 km² (20.1 mi²). 50.6 km² (19.5 mi²) of it is land and 1.4 km² (0.5 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 2.69% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 2,139 people, 884 households, and 570 families residing in the township. The population density is 42.3/km² (109.5/mi²). There are 957 housing units at an average density of 18.9/km² (49.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the township is 87.19% White, 8.37% African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.05% Asian, 0.23% Pacific Islander, 1.26% from other races, and 2.62% from two or more races. 8.74% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 884 households out of which 24.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.0% are married couples living together, 8.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 35.5% are non-families. 31.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 14.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.29 and the average family size is 2.86.
In the township the population is spread out with 22.5% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 25.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 41 years. For every 100 females there are 102.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 101.3 males.
The median income for a household in the township is $33,804, and the median income for a family is $42,250. Males have a median income of $34,018 versus $22,824 for females. The per capita income for the township is $17,646. 13.6% of the population and 6.6% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 12.6% of those under the age of 18 and 12.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.