Greenbush Township, Alcona County, Michigan

Communities

Greenbush is an unincorporated community on US 23 a few miles south of Harrisville on the shores of Lake Huron at 44°35′16″N 83°18′59″W. In 1847-48, Crosier Davison of Detroit built a fishery and cooperage at what was then known as the Sliding Banks of the Au Sable. In 1862, Morris & McDougal, of New York state, bought government pine timber land and set up lumber operations. The area became known as "McDougal's Landing". Later, William Conklin built a sawmill here, and in about 1867, at the suggestion of an employee from Greenbush, New York, the name was changed. A post office named "Greenbush" opened on May 16, 1870, with James Burton as postmaster. The name of the office was changed to "Perfection" on June 6, 1917, and changed back to Greenbush on January 8, 1921. The Greenbush ZIP code 48738 serves the eastern portion of Greenbush Township, as well as a narrow band between US 23 and Lake Huron in southern Harrisville Township and northern Oscoda Township down to Lake to Lake Road.

Mikado is to the west, and the Mikado ZIP code 48745 serves the western portion of Greenbush Township.

Oscoda is to the south, and the Oscoda ZIP code 48750 also serves areas in southern Greenbush Township.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 26.2 square miles (67.8 km²), of which 24.9 square miles (64.5 km²) is land and 1.2 square miles (3.2 km²), or 4.68%, is water.

Greenbush Township is part of the eastern edge of Huron National Forest, which offers outdoor recreational opportunities such as hunting, swimming, cross-country skiing and trout fishing. The forest contains 330 miles (530 km) of hiking trails. The Huron and Manistee National Forests were separately designated, but were combined in 1945 for administrative purposes.

The Lake Huron beaches in and around Greenbush Township (north from Oscoda, including state parks) have been recognized as being among the top ten in Michigan. "Old-fashioned lake vacations abound on this pretty stretch of Lake Huron."

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,499 people, 685 households, and 474 families residing in the township. The population density was 60.2 per square mile (23.2/km²). There were 1,453 housing units at an average density of 58.3 per square mile (22.5/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 98.00% White, 0.40% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.07% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.53% of the population.

There were 685 households out of which 17.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.3% were married couples living together, 4.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.8% were non-families. 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.60.

In the township the population was spread out with 17.5% under the age of 18, 3.3% from 18 to 24, 19.5% from 25 to 44, 32.8% from 45 to 64, and 26.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 52 years. For every 100 females there were 104.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.0 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $32,823, and the median income for a family was $35,789. Males had a median income of $29,625 versus $20,385 for females. The per capita income for the township was $18,248. About 8.7% of families and 11.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.9% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.

Greenbush Township elected officials

Meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at Greenbush Township Hall, 3029 Campbell Road. (information as of Nov 2012)