According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 58.0 square miles (150 km2), of which 21.1 square miles (55 km2) is land and 37.0 square miles (96 km2) (63.67%) is water.
Fairhaven Township also contains several uninhabited islands in Saginaw Bay, which are mostly contained within Wildfowl Bay State Wildlife Area. These islands include Defoe Island, Duck Island, Heisterman Island, Lone Tree Island, North Island, Maisou Island, Middle Grounds Island, and Pitchers Reef.[9]
Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 1,259 people, 537 households, and 353 families residing in the township. The population density was 59.7 inhabitants per square mile (23.1/km2). There were 770 housing units at an average density of 36.5 per square mile (14.1/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 98.17% White, 0.32% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.79% from other races, and 0.48% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.14% of the population.
There were 537 households, out of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.9% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.1% were non-families. 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.90.
In the township the population was spread out, with 23.7% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.9 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $33,500, and the median income for a family was $37,813. Males had a median income of $31,958 versus $20,313 for females. The per capita income for the township was $16,689. About 8.6% of families and 11.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.9% of those under age 18 and 13.2% of those age 65 or over.
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. ISBN978-0-8143-1838-6.
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