Shelby Charter Township, officially known as the Charter Township of Shelby, is a charter township in Macomb County, Michigan. It is a wealthy area located north of Detroit. According to the 2020 census, the population was 79,408, which increased from 73,804 in 2010. Shelby Charter Township is one of the fastest-growing areas in Metro Detroit.

History

Shelby Township was established by a law passed by the Michigan Territorial Legislature on April 12, 1827. A government for the township was created the next month, in May. Originally, Shelby Township included the area that is now Sterling Heights. Sterling Heights was separated from Shelby Township on March 17, 1835, and became the township of Jefferson. It was later renamed Sterling on March 6, 1838. Utica, a village located on the southern edge of Shelby Township, was first incorporated as a village on March 9, 1838. However, this incorporation was later canceled. Utica was incorporated again on May 10, 1877.

The village of Disco, located at the current intersection of 24 Mile Road and Van Dyke Road, was planned in 1849. It was never officially incorporated as a village. However, the local high school, Disco Academy, became well-known in the area. A post office named Disco operated from May 5, 1854, until July 31, 1906. Today, only a few homes and a name on old county road maps remain as reminders of this now-forgotten place. For more information, see "The Lost Village of Disco" on the Shelby Township Historical Society website.

Geography

Shelby Township is located in western Macomb County. To the west of the township are the cities of Rochester and Rochester Hills, which are in Oakland County. To the south of Shelby Township are the cities of Utica and Sterling Heights. Mount Clemens, which is the seat of Macomb County, is 11 miles (18 km) to the southeast. Downtown Detroit is 24 miles (39 km) to the south.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Shelby Township covers a total area of 35.2 square miles (91 km²). Of this area, 34.4 square miles (89 km²) are land, and 0.8 square miles (2.1 km²), or 2.31%, are water. The Clinton River flows through the township and is a tributary of Lake St. Clair.

Communities

There are no incorporated villages and four unincorporated communities:

• Preston Corners is located at the corner of 25 Mile and Schoenherr roads at 42°41′58″N 82°59′45″W / 42.69944°N 82.99583°W / 42.69944; -82.99583 (Preston Corners). Ira and Deborah Preston purchased 400 acres (1.6 km²) of land from the United States government in 1826 and settled there the next year. They later built a sawmill and a picket fence factory.
• Shelby is located at the intersection of Shelby and 25 Mile Roads (42°41′51″N 83°04′10″W / 42.69750°N 83.06944°W / 42.69750; -83.06944).
• Shelby Village is located where Auburn and Ryan roads intersect. Housing was built in this area in the 1940s.
• Yates is on the boundary with Rochester and Rochester Hills, Oakland County (42°40′25″N 83°05′45″W / 42.67361°N 83.09583°W / 42.67361; -83.09583; Elevation: 669 ft./204 m).

Main highways

Shelby Charter Township is located along two main roads:

• M-53, also known as Van Dyke Avenue or the Van Dyke Expressway, which goes north toward the Thumb region.
• M-59, often called Hall Road, connects areas from just north of Mount Clemens through Utica as a surface road. After Utica, it becomes a highway with limited access, leading to Pontiac, Michigan. This road serves as the main northern link between Macomb County and Oakland County.

Demographics

According to the 2010 census, Shelby Charter Township had 73,804 people, 28,299 households, and 17,923 families. The racial makeup included 89.4% White, 3.1% African American, 3.3% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino individuals made up 2.4% of the population.

In 2000, the U.S. Census Bureau classified Shelby Charter Township as a census-designated place (CDP) to include it in both lists of places (like cities) and county subdivisions (like townships). The 2000 census showed 65,159 people, 24,486 households, and 17,923 families. The population density was 1,878.7 people per square mile (725.4 per square kilometer). There were 25,265 housing units, with an average density of 728.5 per square mile (281.3 per square kilometer). The racial makeup included 94.95% White, 0.85% African American, 0.24% Native American, 2.11% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.45% from other races, and 1.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino individuals made up 1.71% of the population.

Of the 24,486 households, 33.7% had children under 18, 62.6% were married couples, 7.3% had a female householder without a husband, and 26.8% were non-families. Twenty-one point six percent of households had only one person, and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.65, and the average family size was 3.13.

The population included 24.9% under 18, 8.5% aged 18–24, 31.0% aged 25–44, 25.1% aged 45–64, and 10.5% aged 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.6 males. For every 100 females aged 18 or older, there were 97.7 males.

The median household income was $65,291, and the median family income was $76,312. Men earned a median income of $59,380, while women earned $33,844. The per capita income was $30,131. About 2.7% of families and 3.7% of the population lived below the poverty line, including 4.1% of those under 18 and 5.1% of those aged 65 or older.

Government

Shelby Charter Township uses a Supervisor-Board style government. This includes a supervisor, clerk, treasurer, and four trustees who are chosen by voters. The township manages the Shelby Township Library and operates the Cherry Creek Golf Course.

Education

Most students in the area are assigned to Eisenhower Senior High School, often called "Ike," which is part of Utica Community Schools. This school serves parts of Sterling Heights, Macomb Township, Washington Township, and Ray Township, as well as most of Shelby Charter Township and all of Utica. However, a small number of students are assigned to Romeo Community Schools instead.

Notable people

• Robb Brent, racing driver
• Joe Cada, professional poker player
• Kyle Connor, former hockey player at the University of Michigan and current player for the Winnipeg Jets
• Greg DeLiso, model and actor known for his role on Certain Burton
• John DiGiorgio, linebacker for the Buffalo Bills
• Shawn Fain, president of the United Automobile Workers of America
• Karl Iagnemma, robotics researcher and fiction writer
• John James, U.S. representative for Michigan's 10th congressional district
• Steven Juncaj, soccer player for SK Austria Klagenfurt
• John Mazza, eight-time champion on the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour
• Justin Meram, soccer player who represented the Iraq national team
• Peter Litvin, actor, music producer, filmmaker, audio engineer, composer, songwriter, performer, YouTuber, and multi-instrumentalist
• Lance Long, former NFL wide receiver
• Brad Smith, racing driver
• Jax Taylor, model and actor known for his role on Vanderpump Rules

Notable places

• Stony Creek Metropark is mostly located in Washington Township and Oakland County. A small part of the park is in Shelby Charter Township. The park has two beaches, golf courses, a nature center, a boat launch, picnic areas, basketball courts, a zip-line park (Closed in 2018), and other features.
• Packard Proving Grounds is a National Historic Place.
• Yates Cider Mill and Yates Park is partially located in Shelby Charter Township and mostly located in Rochester Hills and Rochester. The water-powered cider mill near the Clinton River has a confectionery and cider shop, picnic and fishing areas, hiking trails, and other features.
• Macomb Orchard Trail is partially located in Shelby Charter Township. It is a 23.7-mile hiking trail that starts in Shelby Charter Township, where it connects to the Clinton River Trail, and continues through northern Macomb County.
• Riverbend Park is a 600-acre public park. Its main entrance is at 22 Mile Road and Shelby Road. Features include the Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center, an 18-hole disc golf course, walking trails, a barrier-free playground, fishing, picnic areas, and opportunities for sports.