The first permanent European-American settlers in the township arrived in 1845. The first settler in the community of Dorr came in 1856, and arranged for the town to be platted in 1869. It received a United States post office in 1870.
First known as "Dorr Centre", the community is believed to have been named for Thomas Wilson Dorr, a state legislator and leader of the Dorr Rebellion in Rhode Island that sought a broader franchise of universal male suffrage in the 1840s.[5]
It has four elementary schools, including two public: Sycamore Elementary, which is part of the Hopkins school district, and Dorr Elementary, which is part of Wayland Union Schools. The two private schools are Saint Stanislaus Catholic School near Hilliards, and Moline Christian School.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 36.2 square miles (93.7 km2), of which 36.1 square miles (93.6 km2) is land and 0.039 square miles (0.1 km2), or 0.07%, is water.[3]
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 6,579 people, 2,100 households, and 1,768 families residing in the township. The population density was 182.0 inhabitants per square mile (70.3/km2). There were 2,135 housing units at an average density of 59.1 per square mile (22.8/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 96.93% White, 0.52% African American, 0.46% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.90% from other races, and 0.94% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.08% of the population.
There were 2,100 households, out of which 47.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.5% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.8% were non-families. 12.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.13 and the average family size was 3.43.
In the township the population was spread out, with 33.7% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 33.9% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 5.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.0 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $60,446, and the median income for a family was $62,313. Males had a median income of $43,150 versus $26,510 for females. The per capita income for the township was $18,756. About 3.5% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.8% of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over.
Notable people
Owen Bieber — former president of the United Auto Workers, was born in North Dorr
Stubby Overmire — former professional baseball player, was born in Moline
Bob Senneker — former professional stock car racer, was born in Dorr