Plainfield Township, Kent County, Michigan
Encyclopedia
Plainfield Charter Township is a charter township
of Kent County
in the U.S. state
of Michigan
. According to the 2000 census, the population was 30,195 . The township forms part of the metro Grand Rapids
area. It derives its name from the extinct lumbertown of Plainfield founded in 1838 by Andrew Stout at the intersection of the Rogue
and Grand Rivers
. The town name was eventually changed to Austerlitz before its eventual dissolution. Plainfield township is borderd by Alpine Township
to the west, Algoma Township
to the north, Cannon Township
to the east, and Grand Rapids Township
to the south.
, the township has a total area of 36.5 square miles (94.6 km²), of which, 35.1 square miles (91.0 km²) of it is land and 1.4 square miles (3.6 km²) of it (3.78%) is water. The dominant geographical feature of the township is the Grand River
, which has many parks along its banks with available swimming and boating.
Zip Codes
School Districts
of 2000, there were 30,195 people, 11,038 households, and 8,168 families residing in the township. The population density
was 859.2 per square mile (331.8/km²). There were 11,456 housing units at an average density of 326.0 per square mile (125.9/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 95.68% White, 1.22% African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.93% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.61% from other races
, and 1.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.75% of the population.
There were 11,038 households out of which 39.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.3% were married couples
living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.0% were non-families. 21.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.22.
In the township the population was spread out with 30.0% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 9.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 98.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.1 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $55,181, and the median income for a family was $62,241. Males had a median income of $45,757 versus $30,122 for females. The per capita income
for the township was $23,753. About 3.3% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.1% of those under age 18 and 5.1% of those age 65 or over.
Most of the southern region of the township is served by the 49505 (Grand Rapids) and 49525 zip codes. Northern areas of the township are served by the 49341 (Rockford) code, western parts are served by 49321 (Comstock Park), and central portions are served by 49306 (Belmont).
Public education in the southern region of the township is provided by Northview Public Schools. Students in the western portion attend Comstock Park Public Schools, and those residents of the northern regions of Plainfield Township are served by Rockford Public Schools.
near the point where it crosses the Grand River. US-131
runs southwest-northeast through the western half of the township and is a major route carrying traffic to and from points north of Grand Rapids.
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 Kent County
Kent County, Michigan
-Air Service:*Commercial air service to Grand Rapids is provided by Gerald R. Ford International Airport . Previously named Kent County International Airport, it holds Grand Rapids' mark in modern history with the United States' first regularly scheduled airline service, beginning July 31, 1926,...
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"....
. According to the 2000 census, the population was 30,195 . The township forms part of the metro Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located on the Grand River about 40 miles east of Lake Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 188,040. In 2010, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had a population of 774,160 and a combined statistical area, Grand...
area. It derives its name from the extinct lumbertown of Plainfield founded in 1838 by Andrew Stout at the intersection of the Rogue
Rogue River (Michigan)
The Rogue River is a river in the U.S. state of Michigan. It runs through Kent and Newaygo counties and through the Rogue River State Game Area. It is long and has a drainage basin of ....
and Grand Rivers
Grand River (Michigan)
The Grand River is the longest river in the U.S. state of Michigan. It runs through the cities of Jackson, Eaton Rapids, Lansing, Grand Rapids, and Grand Haven.-Description:...
. The town name was eventually changed to Austerlitz before its eventual dissolution. Plainfield township is borderd by Alpine Township
Alpine Township, Michigan
Alpine Township is a civil township of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The township became a charter township in 1979, but in 1996, the township de-chartered and returned to general law status. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 13,976...
to the west, Algoma Township
Algoma Township, Michigan
Algoma Township is a civil township of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 7,596.Algoma was originally settled in 1843...
to the north, Cannon Township
Cannon Township, Michigan
Cannon Township is a civil township of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township population was 12,075.- Communities :* Cannonsburg is an unincorporated community in the township....
to the east, and Grand Rapids Township
Grand Rapids Charter Township, Michigan
Grand Rapids Charter Township is a charter township of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 14,056 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
to the south.
Communities
- NorthviewNorthview, MichiganNorthview is an unincorporated community in Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is defined as a census-designated place for statistical purposes and does not have any legal status as an incorporated municipality...
is a census-designatedCensus-designated placeA census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
unincorporated community within the township, defined for statistical purposes. It's located between the boundaries with Grand RapidsGrand Rapids, MichiganGrand Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located on the Grand River about 40 miles east of Lake Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 188,040. In 2010, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had a population of 774,160 and a combined statistical area, Grand...
, Grand Rapids Township, Comstock Park, and Belmont. - Comstock ParkComstock Park, MichiganComstock Park is a prosperous suburban community in the northern part of Metropolitan Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States, that comprises parts of three neighboring townships:* Plainfield Township* Alpine Township* Algoma Township...
is a census-designatedCensus-designated placeA census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
unincorporated community within the township, defined for statistical purposes. It's the part of Plainfield Township that is located on the west side of the Grand River. - Belmont is an unincorporated community in the township, situated on the North side at exit 95 off U.S. Highway 131 close to where the Rogue RiverRogue River (Michigan)The Rogue River is a river in the U.S. state of Michigan. It runs through Kent and Newaygo counties and through the Rogue River State Game Area. It is long and has a drainage basin of ....
joins the Grand River. Belmont is at 43°04′32"N 85°36′33"W. The ZIP codeZIP CodeZIP codes are a system of postal codes used by the United States Postal Service since 1963. The term ZIP, an acronym for Zone Improvement Plan, is properly written in capital letters and was chosen to suggest that the mail travels more efficiently, and therefore more quickly, when senders use the...
is 49306. - Childsdale (historic) was a small unincorporated community within the township located where Childsdale avenue crosses the Rogue River on the north eastern boundary with RockfordRockford, MichiganRockford is a city in Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 5,719. It is on the Rogue River and is only a few miles north of Grand Rapids.- History :...
. The small community was the site of a lumber and paper mill and a stop on the Grand Rapids and Indiana RailroadGrand Rapids and Indiana RailroadThe Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad at its height provided passenger and freight railroad services between Cincinnati, Ohio and the Straits of Mackinac in Michigan, USA...
. - Chauncey (also known as Buena Vista and Imperial Mills) is an unincorporated, also mostly historical settlement on the eastern boundary with Cannon Township where Bear Creek enters the Grand RiverGrand River (Michigan)The Grand River is the longest river in the U.S. state of Michigan. It runs through the cities of Jackson, Eaton Rapids, Lansing, Grand Rapids, and Grand Haven.-Description:...
.
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 36.5 square miles (94.6 km²), of which, 35.1 square miles (91.0 km²) of it is land and 1.4 square miles (3.6 km²) of it (3.78%) is water. The dominant geographical feature of the township is the Grand River
Grand River (Michigan)
The Grand River is the longest river in the U.S. state of Michigan. It runs through the cities of Jackson, Eaton Rapids, Lansing, Grand Rapids, and Grand Haven.-Description:...
, which has many parks along its banks with available swimming and boating.
Zip Codes
- Grand Rapids- 49525
- Comstock Park- 49321
- Belmont- 49306
- Rockford- 49341
School Districts
- Northview Public Schools
- Comstock Park Public Schools
- Rockford Public Schools
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 30,195 people, 11,038 households, and 8,168 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 859.2 per square mile (331.8/km²). There were 11,456 housing units at an average density of 326.0 per square mile (125.9/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 95.68% White, 1.22% African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.93% Asian, 0.04% 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 1.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.75% of the population.
There were 11,038 households out of which 39.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.3% 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, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.0% were non-families. 21.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.22.
In the township the population was spread out with 30.0% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 9.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 98.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.1 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $55,181, and the median income for a family was $62,241. Males had a median income of $45,757 versus $30,122 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 $23,753. About 3.3% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.1% of those under age 18 and 5.1% of those age 65 or over.
Most of the southern region of the township is served by the 49505 (Grand Rapids) and 49525 zip codes. Northern areas of the township are served by the 49341 (Rockford) code, western parts are served by 49321 (Comstock Park), and central portions are served by 49306 (Belmont).
Public education in the southern region of the township is provided by Northview Public Schools. Students in the western portion attend Comstock Park Public Schools, and those residents of the northern regions of Plainfield Township are served by Rockford Public Schools.
Major roadways
A major roadway within the township is Plainfield Avenue, which is a state highway with the designation M-44 Connector. This highway intersects with M-44M-44 (Michigan highway)
M-44 is a state trunkline highway in the western region of the US state of Michigan. It runs northward from the intersection of M-11 and M-37 toward the Rockford area. The highway then turns eastward to Belding, and it ends six miles north of Ionia at M-66...
near the point where it crosses the Grand River. US-131
U.S. Route 131
US Highway 131 is a north–south United States Highway, of which all but 0.67 miles of its 266.82 miles are within the state of Michigan. The highway starts in rural Indiana south of the state line as a state road connection to the Indiana Toll Road...
runs southwest-northeast through the western half of the township and is a major route carrying traffic to and from points north of Grand Rapids.
External links
- Plainfield Avenue Community Website
- Plainfield Township official website
- TheRockfordNetwork.com Community Website
- Plainfield Township Chapter XII in Grand Rapids and Kent County, Michigan : historical account of their progress from first settlement to the present time / Ernest B. Fisher, editor. Chicago [Ill.]: Robert O. Law Company, 1918.