Eckert is a historic community within the township and was named for local grocer Frederick Eckert. The community had a rural post office October 7, 1893 until August 31, 1901.[4]
Fredonia is a former settlement in the center of the township. It had a rural post office from July 11, 1838 until July 31, 1901.[5]
Freedom is a historic community that is located within township. James Hill settled in the area in 1831, and a town meeting was first held here when Freedom Township was organized in 1834. A post office named Freedom operated briefly from May 21, 1867 until March 27, 1869.[5]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 35.85 square miles (92.85 km2), of which 35.46 square miles (91.84 km2) is land and 0.39 square miles (1.01 km2) (1.09%) is water.
The largest body of water in the township is Pleasant Lake.[7]
Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 1,562 people, 561 households, and 417 families residing in the township. The population density was 44.0 inhabitants per square mile (17.0/km2). There were 612 housing units at an average density of 17.3 per square mile (6.7/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 93.15% White, 0.26% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 5.31% from other races, and 0.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.77% of the population.
There were 561 households, out of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.4% were married couples living together, 3.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.5% were non-families. 20.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 2.96.
The township's population was spread out, with 26.4% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 30.5% from 45 to 64, and 9.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 107.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.2 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $62,321, and the median income for a family was $73,235. Males had a median income of $45,139 versus $37,188 for females. The per capita income for the township was $26,397. About 1.2% of families and 5.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.1% of those under age 18 and 3.9% 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. pp. 175, 211. ISBN978-0-8143-1838-6.
