Berrien Township is a civil township of Berrien County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the township population was 4,868. Berrien Township was established in 1832, taking its name from Berrien County.

Communities

The township is in the southeast portion of the county. The western boundary with Oronoko Charter Township is the St. Joseph River. Berrien Springs also lies to the west, with a small portion east of the river annexed by the village. Sodus Township lies to the northwest, while Pipestone Township and Eau Claire are to the north. Pokagon Township in Cass County lies to the east. Niles Township and Niles are to the south, and Buchanan Township is to the southwest. US 31 cuts across the southwest corner of the township. M-140 runs north and south through the center of the township.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 95.3 km2, of which 90.8 km2 is land and 4.4 km2, or 4.66%, is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 5,075 people, 1,664 households, and 1,331 families residing in the township. The population density was 143.7 PD/sqmi. There were 1,840 housing units at an average density of 52.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 88.00% White, 5.44% African American, 0.67% Native American, 1.71% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.95% from other races, and 2.17% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.68% of the population. There were 1,664 households, out of which 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.2% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.0% were non-families. 16.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.11. In the township the population was spread out, with 26.9% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.6 males. The median income for a household in the township was $46,293, and the median income for a family was $49,390. Males had a median income of $35,500 versus $25,603 for females. The per capita income for the township was $18,448. About 5.0% of families and 7.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.1% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.

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