Middle Branch Township is a township located in Osceola County, Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township had a total population of 858.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 92.0 km² (35.5 mi²). 92.0 km² (35.5 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.08% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 858 people, 344 households, and 250 families residing in the township. The population density is 9.3/km² (24.2/mi²). There are 553 housing units at an average density of 6.0/km² (15.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the township is 97.79% White, 0.12% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.00% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.00% from other races, and 1.86% from two or more races. 1.40% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 344 households out of which 31.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.9% are married couples living together, 7.8% have a female householder with no husband present, and 27.3% are non-families. 23.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.48 and the average family size is 2.89.

In the township the population is spread out with 24.6% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 40 years. For every 100 females there are 98.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 92.0 males.

The median income for a household in the township is $27,014, and the median income for a family is $32,000. Males have a median income of $30,703 versus $22,031 for females. The per capita income for the township is $13,448. 18.9% of the population and 19.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 22.9% of those under the age of 18 and 16.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Facts

The remains of labor leader Jimmy Hoffa are believed by many to have been buried in Middle Branch Township near the Michigan Department of Transportation building on the intersection of M-61 and M-66.