West Branch Township, Missaukee County, Michigan

{{Hatnote|There are other West Branch Townships in Michigan.}} {{Use American English|date=January 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}} {{Infobox settlement |official_name = West Branch Township, Michigan |settlement_type = Civil township |nickname = |motto =

|government_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web|last=Michigan Townships Association|url=https://michigantownships.org/find-a-township/?fips=85560|title=West Branch Township, Missaukee County, Michigan|date=2026|accessdate=April 5, 2026}}</ref> |government_type = |leader_title = Supervisor |leader_name = Kevin Travelbee |leader_title1 = Clerk |leader_name1 = Yvonne Ahrens |established_title = Established |established_date = 1880

|area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2023">{{cite web |title=2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Michigan |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2023_Gazetteer/2023_gaz_cousubs_26.txt |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=October 25, 2023}}</ref> |area_total_km2 = 92.28 |area_land_km2 = 92.07 |area_water_km2 = 0.21 |area_total_sq_mi = 35.63 |area_land_sq_mi = 35.55 |area_water_sq_mi = 0.08

|population_as_of = 2020 |population_footnotes = <ref name="Census 2020">{{Cite web| url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=&g=0600000US2611385560&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P1| title=P1. Race – West Branch township, Missaukee County, Michigan: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| access-date=October 25, 2023}}</ref> |population_total = 452 |population_density_km2 = |population_density_sq_mi = 12.7

|timezone = Eastern (EST) |utc_offset = -5 |timezone_DST = EDT |utc_offset_DST = -4 |elevation_footnotes = |elevation_m = 362 |elevation_ft = 1188 |coordinates = {{coord|44|22|46|N|85|02|04|W|region:US-MI_type:adm3rd_source:GNIS|display=inline,title}}

|postal_code_type = ZIP code(s) |postal_code = 49651 (Lake City)<br>49667 (Merritt) |area_code = 231 |blank_name = FIPS code |blank_info = 26-85560<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> |blank1_name = GNIS feature ID |blank1_info = 1627247<ref>{{GNIS|1627247}}</ref> |website = {{URL|https://www.missaukee.org/government/local_governments/west_branch_township/index.php|Official website}} |footnotes = }} '''West Branch Township''' is a civil township of Missaukee County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 452 at the 2020 census.<ref name="Census 2020"/>

== Communities == * '''Star City''' is an unincorporated community in the township at {{Coord|44|22|16|N|84|59|06|W|region:US-MI_type:city_scale:30000_source:GNIS|name=Star City}}.<ref>{{gnis|1617867|Star City, Michigan}}</ref> The settlement dates from approximately 1872. A post office named "Roy" opened February 27, 1880, with Chauncey Brace as the first postmaster. The name changed to "Putnam" on June 6, 1883, with Elizabeth Putnam as postmaster. The name changed again to "Star City" on February 13, 1885, and was discontinued on December 15, 1923.<ref>{{gnis|2501836|Star City Post Office (historical)}}</ref> <ref name="Romig">{{cite book | last = Romig | first = Walter | year = 1986 | title = Michigan Place Names | orig-year= 1973 | publisher = Wayne State University Press | location = Detroit, Michigan | isbn = 0-8143-1838-X}}</ref> * '''Keelans Corner''' is a small community in the township at {{Coord|44|20|16|N|85|04|32|W|region:US-MI_type:city_scale:30000_source:GNIS|name=Keelans Corner}} near the southern boundary with Aetna Township.<ref>{{gnis|1617652|Keelans Corner, Michigan}}</ref> * '''Missaukee''' {{coord|44|21|05|N|85|03|20|W}} was a rural post office approximately {{convert|8|mi|0}} northeast of Lake City. The post office operated from June 6, 1901, until June 15, 1921.<ref>{{gnis|2501845|Missaukee Post Office (historical)}}</ref> <ref name="Romig" />

==Geography== The township is in central Missaukee County, with the township center about {{convert|12|mi}} northeast of Lake City. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township has a total area of {{convert|35.63|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|35.55|sqmi|sqkm|2}} are land and {{convert|0.08|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, or 023%, are water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2023"/> The West Branch of the Muskegon River flows from west to east across the township.

==Demographics== {{US Census population |1870= |1880= 65 |1890= 230 |1900= 315 |1910= 426 |1920= 330 |1930= 299 |1940= 318 |1950= 264 |1960= 218 |1970= 234 |1980= 371 |1990= 473 |2000= 532 |2010= 466 |2020= 452 |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade/decennial-publications.html|title=Decennial Census Official Publications|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=October 25, 2023}}</ref> }} As of the census<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 532 people, 182 households, and 137 families residing in the township. The population density was 14.9 per square mile (5.8/km{{sup|2}}). There were 316 housing units at an average density of 8.9 per square mile (3.4/km{{sup|2}}). The racial makeup of the township was 95.86% White, 0.19% African American, 1.13% Native American, 0.56% from other races, and 2.26% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.94% of the population.

There were 182 households, out of which 36.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.1% were married couples living together, 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.7% were non-families. 20.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.85 and the average family size was 3.23.

In the township the population was spread out, with 29.3% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 104.3 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $36,161, and the median income for a family was $41,042. Males had a median income of $31,667 versus $21,667 for females. The per capita income for the township was $14,057. About 4.5% of families and 12.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.4% of those under age 18 and 12.3% of those age 65 or over.

==References== {{reflist}}

Category:Townships in Missaukee County, Michigan Category:Townships in Michigan Category:Populated places in the United States established in 1880 Category:1880 establishments in Michigan