Ira Township is a type of township in St. Clair County, Michigan. According to the 2020 Census, the population was 4,967.

Communities

Four unincorporated communities are located within the township:

• Anchorville is on M-29, located on the northern shore of Lake St. Clair at 42°41′28″N 82°41′19″W (42.69111°N 82.68861°W). The ZIP code for Anchorville is 48004, which provides P.O. Box service. Rev. Charles Chambille arrived in 1853 to serve the French people living in the area, which was then called the "Swan Creek Settlement." Chambille built a church in 1854, which became the center of a village. In 1876, the village was renamed to reflect its location on Anchor Bay. A post office was established in December 1885.

• Copeland Corner is on M-29 at Perch Road (42°40′21″N 82°37′21″W / 42.67250°N 82.62250°W). The elevation is 577 feet (176 meters).

• Fair Haven is about one and a half miles east-southeast of Anchorville on M-29 at 42°40′45″N 82°39′14″W (42.67917°N 82.65389°W). The ZIP code for Fair Haven is 48023, which serves most of Ira Township. The community was the site of a French-speaking Metis settlement established before 1837 and named after a nearby stream called Rivière des Cygnes. American settlers later translated this name to "Swan Creek," and a post office was established with that name in October 1857. In February 1862, the community was renamed Fair Haven.

• Perch Point is on M-29 at the southeast corner of Ira Township, on the boundary with Clay Township, at 42°39′54″N 82°37′13″W (42.66500°N 82.62028°W).

History

The township was formed in 1837 and named after Ira Marks, an early settler. A post office called Ira was set up in May 1851 at a settlement on the north shore of Lake St. Clair. It operated until June 1853.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township covers a total area of 21.6 square miles (56 km²), including 17.0 square miles (44 km²) of land and 4.6 square miles (12 km²) (21.42%) of water. Ira Township is mostly flat and has a gentle slope near the shoreline of Lake Saint Clair. Most of the area is rural, with forests, open fields, and farmland. Along the shoreline, the Dixie Hwy runs close to the lake, and there are small groups of homes in Fair Haven and Anchorville. A small industrial area is located in the northwest part of the township. Swan Creek, which is located in the center of the township, splits into two directions—east and west—extending north beyond the township’s borders. These creeks have a small drainage area but cover most of the township’s watershed. The shoreline near private homes often has sandy beaches or seawalls, and the water is shallow close to the land. Marshes are found along the lake and creeks throughout the township.

Demographics

As of the 2000 census, the township had 6,966 people, 2,677 households, and 1,833 families. The population density was 411.0 people per square mile (158.7 per square kilometer). There were 2,871 housing units, with an average density of 169.4 units per square mile (65.4 per square kilometer). The racial makeup of the township included 96.87% White, 0.82% African American, 0.63% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race made up 1.26% of the population.

Out of the 2,677 households, 35.8% had children under 18 living with them, 51.5% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female head of household without a husband, and 31.5% were non-families. Twenty-five point three percent of all households included only one person, and 7.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years or older. The average household size was 2.60 people, and the average family size was 3.12 people.

The population was divided into age groups: 27.8% were under 18, 7.9% were 18 to 24, 33.5% were 25 to 44, 21.2% were 45 to 64, and 9.6% were 65 or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.6 males. For every 100 females aged 18 or older, there were 100.6 males.

The median income for a household was $45,525, and the median income for a family was $49,741. Males had a median income of $43,472, while females had a median income of $27,383. The per capita income for the township was $22,115. Approximately 7.8% of families and 9.4% of the population lived below the poverty line, including 11.5% of those under 18 and 8.6% of those 65 or older.