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  • 21 Aug, 2019

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Liberty Corners, Michigan

Bedford Township is a civil township of Monroe County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the township population was 31,813.

Bedford Township was organized in 1836. Sharing a southern border with the city of Toledo, Ohio, about 50 miles (80 km) southwest of the city of Detroit, the township is one of the southernmost areas included in the Detroit–Warren–Ann Arbor Combined Statistical Area (Metro Detroit). Bedford Township is the most populous municipality in Monroe County and the second most populous civil township in the state of Michigan after Macomb Township.

Communities

Geography

Bedford Township is located in Monroe County along the southern border of Michigan. It is bordered to the south by the city of Toledo, Ohio. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 39.36 square miles (101.94 km), of which 39.20 square miles (101.53 km) are land and 0.16 square miles (0.41 km), or 0.40%, are water. The township is drained to the southeast by several direct tributaries of Lake Erie, including, from south to north, Halfway Creek, Flat Creek, Little Lake Creek, and Bay Creek.

Major highways

  • US 24 (Telegraph Road) runs briefly across the southeast part of the township.
  • M-125 (S. Dixie Highway) also runs very briefly parallel to US 24 in the southeast corner of the township.
  • M-151 (Samaria Road) is a former state highway that ran through the township. It is now under local control.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1850888
18601,23939.5%
18701,45917.8%
18801,83525.8%
18901,8370.1%
19002,17918.6%
19102,2131.6%
19202,68921.5%
19304,57870.2%
19405,48719.9%
19507,91844.3%
196014,35381.3%
197020,87545.4%
198022,9029.7%
199023,7483.7%
200028,60620.5%
201031,0858.7%
202031,8132.3%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of the census of 2000, there were 28,606 people, 10,327 households, and 8,086 families residing in the township. The population density was 731.5 inhabitants per square mile (282.4/km). There were 10,659 housing units at an average density of 272.6 per square mile (105.3/km). The racial makeup of the township was 97.56% White, 0.40% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.41% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.93% of the population.

There were 10,327 households, out of which 38.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.5% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.7% were non-families. 18.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the township the population was spread out, with 28.1% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 25.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.1 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $59,835, and the median income for a family was $67,239. Males had a median income of $50,754 versus $31,165 for females. The per capita income for the township was $24,131. About 2.7% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.8% of those under age 18 and 5.0% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Bedford Township and a few surrounding areas are serviced by Bedford Public Schools, which includes Douglas Road, Jackman Road, and Monroe Road Elementary Schools, Bedford Junior High School, and Bedford Senior High School. Between 2010 and 2012, facing budget constraints and a declining enrollment, the school board decided to close Smith Road Elementary and Temperance Road Elementary. Students from both schools were absorbed into the remaining elementary schools. New Bedford Academy is a charter school serving students K-8. It is chartered by Ferris State University.

Spring Arbor University operates a location geared for adults in Lambertville, and Monroe County Community College operates a branch of its college in Bedford Township named the Whitman Center.

Previously St. Anthony School of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit was in Temperance. Its service area included Bedford Township.

Media

Bedford Township contains two local newspapers: Bedford Now and the Bedford Press. In addition, the nearby Toledo Blade daily newspaper covers Bedford Township and the surrounding community. Radio stations within the township include WMLZ-LP and WMLZ-LP.

Notable people

  • Mat Kerekes, singer and songwriter, born and grew up in Bedford Township

References

  1. ^ "2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Michigan". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  2. ^ "P1. Race – Bedford township, Michigan: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  3. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Bedford Township, Monroe County, Michigan
  5. ^ "Some Historical Facts On Bedford Township". Toledo Blade. May 6, 1986. pp. N2. Retrieved May 2, 2015.
  6. ^ Romig, Walter (October 1, 1986) [1973]. Michigan Place Names: The History of the Founding and the Naming of More Than Five Thousand Past and Present Michigan Communities (Paperback). Great Lakes Books Series. Detroit, Michigan: Wayne State University Press. p. 331. ISBN 978-0-8143-1838-6.
  7. ^ Historic Map Works, LLC. (2022). "Bedford Township, Lambertville P.O." Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  8. ^ UnitedStatesZipCodes.org (2020). "ZIP Code 48177". Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  9. ^ "Decennial Census Official Publications". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  10. ^ "St. Anthony Temperance". Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit. May 25, 2006. Archived from the original on May 25, 2006. Retrieved May 2, 2020.