Bear Lake Township is a township located in Kalkaska County, Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township had a total population of 746.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 187.5 km² (72.4 mi²). 185.3 km² (71.5 mi²) of it is land and 2.2 km² (0.9 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.19% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 746 people, 340 households, and 227 families residing in the township. The population density is 4.0/km² (10.4/mi²). There are 1,072 housing units at an average density of 5.8/km² (15.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the township is 97.45% White, 0.13% African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.27% Pacific Islander, 0.00% from other races, and 1.74% from two or more races. 0.27% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 340 households out of which 18.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.8% are married couples living together, 4.4% have a female householder with no husband present, and 33.2% are non-families. 25.9% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.5% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.19 and the average family size is 2.60.

In the township the population is spread out with 17.0% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 31.8% from 45 to 64, and 22.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 48 years. For every 100 females there are 101.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 101.6 males.

The median income for a household in the township is $36,875, and the median income for a family is $38,289. Males have a median income of $29,821 versus $21,339 for females. The per capita income for the township is $17,570. 8.9% of the population and 8.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 11.9% of those under the age of 18 and 6.4% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.