Leoni Township, Michigan

Leoni Township, Michigan
Township
Leoni Township, Michigan Location within the state of Michigan
Coordinates: 42°15′17″N 84°18′43″W
Country	United States
State	Michigan
County	Jackson
Area
• Total	51.2 sq mi (132.6 km2)
• Land	49.1 sq mi (127.2 km2)
• Water	2.1 sq mi (5.5 km2)
Elevation	991 ft (302 m)
Population  (2000)
• Total	13,663
• Density	274.1/sq mi (105.8/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
FIPS code	26-46980
GNIS feature ID	1626605
Website	Leoni Township, Michigan

Leoni Township is a civil township of Jackson County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 13,459 at the 2000 census According the Census Bureau data released in July 2016, Leoni township had a population of 13,663, a slight increase from 2000.

Communities

• Leoni is a small, unincorporated community within the township, several miles east of Jackson.
• Michigan Center is an unincorporated community and a census-designated place within the township.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 51.2 square miles (133 km²), of which 49.1 square miles (127 km²) is land and 2.1 square miles (5.4 km²) (4.14%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 13,459 people, 5,240 households, and 3,825 families residing in the township. The population density was 274.1 per square mile (105.8/km²). There were 5,568 housing units at an average density of 113.4 per square mile (43.8/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 97.04% White, 0.82% African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.31% from other races, and 1.17% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.62% of the population.

There were 5,240 households out of which 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.7% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.0% were non-families. 21.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the township the population was spread out with 25.9% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 98.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.7 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $43,551, and the median income for a family was $47,032. Males had a median income of $38,306 versus $27,870 for females. The per capita income for the township was $19,329. About 6.5% of families and 7.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.6% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.

Public school districts

Leoni Township has three school districts that fall inside at least part of its borders. The first is Michigan Center Public School District. The second is East Jackson Public School District. The third is Grass Lake Public School District that has a small portion of its district that lies inside Leoni Township's borders although the majority of the district is in the village of Grass Lake. All three districts have K through 12 educational programs and operate multiple facilities. All three also participate in athletics in the Cascades Conference.

Local government

Leoni Township has a board of trustees that is the responsible governing body for the township. The board is composed of seven elected officials with a township supervisor, clerk, treasurer, and then four trustees. Each elected official serves a four-year term. There are no term limits. The supervisor, clerk, and treasurer can also appoint a full-time deputy and the township office also has other positions such as a book keeper, zoning enforcement officer, etc... Township issues are discussed amongst the board and there is a monthly township meeting on the second Tuesday of each month. At these meetings residents can voice opinions, concerns, etc... The county commissioner that is responsible for most of Leoni Township is at these meetings and gives a brief assessment of Jackson county issues that effect Leoni Township. After public comment and the county commissioner's briefing the board then discusses pressing township issues and votes on them. Only the seven elected officials on the board can vote. A majority vote is necessary for a motion to pass.

The township hall is located in downtown Michigan Center inside of Leoni Township. Its address is 915 Fifth Street Michigan Center, MI 49254. The hall is open to the public Monday through Thursday 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM and until 7PM on Wednesdays. It is closed on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The supervisor, clerk, and treasurer or one of their deputies are there each day the hall is open to collect taxes, payments, and answer resident's questions.

The current board is Township Supervisor Howard Linnabary, Clerk Michele Manke, Treasurer Lori Stack, Trustee Jerry Cox, Trustee Michale Villareal, Trustee Kurt Cole, and Trustee Corey Kennedy. Their terms expire November 20, 2020 when another board will be elected for a four-year term.

Leoni's police and fire department dissolved in 2010 when the former board voted to merge with nearby Blackman Township's police and fire services. Leoni now partners with Blackman township for their law enforcement and fire department needs for an annual cost. The police and fire force is called Blackman Leoni Public Safety and is available 24 hours to residents of both townships.

Recreational activities

Leoni Township is home to two water front parks. Both have a playground and swimming area for residents and visitors to use. The first is a park on Gilletts Lake that is operated by the county. The second is located on 5th Street in Michigan Center on Center Lake. It is operated by Leoni Township and the park there hosts the annual Carp Carnival as well as other community events. It also has a public boat launch and docking area. In addition to the two water front parks Leoni is also home to several other lakes and is destination for water recreation activities. Some of these lakes are outside of Leoni Township but most can be reached by putting a boat in at the public boat launch in Michigan Center. In addition to these lakes there are others in the township that are not connected to the chain. Some popular ones are Portage Lake, Goose Lake, and Brills Lake.

Events

Michigan Center hosts the annual Carp Carnival at Leoni Township Park in June. The Festival features a parade, fishing contest, midway games and rides, chicken barbecue dinners and beer tent.