South Haven Charter Township, Michigan

The northern portion of the township is drained by the Black River, which has its mouth at South Haven. The southern portion is drained by Deerlick Creek and other unnamed creeks.

Interstate 196/U.S. Highway 31 (I-196/US 31) runs mostly north–south through the township, roughly parallel with the Lake Michigan shore and skirting the east side of South Haven. M-140 runs due north–south through the township into South Haven. M-43 runs southeast–northwest through Maple Grove Corners into South Haven.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 17.5 square miles (45.4 km²), all land.

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 4,046 people, 1,645 households, and 1,092 families residing in the township. The population density was 230.7 inhabitants per square mile (89.1/km²). There were 1,890 housing units at an average density of 107.8 per square mile (41.6/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 82.11% White, 12.61% African American, 0.72% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 1.93% from other races, and 2.22% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.34% of the population.

There were 1,645 households, out of which 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.8% were married couples living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.6% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the township the population was spread out, with 27.2% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.9 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $35,000, and the median income for a family was $38,922. Males had a median income of $31,754 versus $22,363 for females. The per capita income for the township was $17,097. About 9.1% of families and 11.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.0% of those under age 18 and 10.2% of those age 65 or over.