Au Sable Township, Michigan | |
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Charter Township of Au Sable | |
![]() Location within Iosco County (red) and the administered CDP of Au Sable (pink) | |
Coordinates: 44°23′26″N83°20′42″W / 44.39056°N 83.34500°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Michigan |
County | Iosco |
Established | 1848 |
Government | |
• Supervisor | Kevin Beliveau |
• Clerk | Kelly Graham |
Area | |
• Total | 21.12 sq mi (54.70 km2) |
• Land | 20.63 sq mi (53.43 km2) |
• Water | 0.49 sq mi (1.27 km2) |
Elevation | 610 ft (186 m) |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 2,206 |
• Density | 99.2/sq mi (38.3/km2) |
Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
ZIP code(s) | |
Area code | 989 |
FIPS code | 26-04300 [1] |
GNIS feature ID | 1625865 [2] |
Website | Official website |
Au Sable Township is a charter township of Iosco County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,206 at the 2020 census.
The area was originally inhabited by the Chippewa Native Americans, who used the area for hunting and fishing. They ceded the area to the federal government under the Treaty of Saginaw in 1819. The first European settler to claim land was French-Canadian fur trader Louis Chevalier, and he established a trading post slightly upstream along the Au Sable River, which was translated from the French language "river of sand." The area became popular for hunters, fishermen, and trappers. In 1848, the township was established, and the community of Au Sable was platted in 1849 at the river mouth along Lake Huron. The township was later organized in 1857 under the name Sable when Iosco County was formally organized, and the township name was changed to AuSable in 1877. [5] [6]
The community of Au Sable became the center of population and incorporated as an autonomous city in 1889. The new city had a population of 4,828 at the 1890 census, while Au Sable Township remained sparsely populated and only had a population of 170. Along with neighboring Oscoda, the area became part of the thriving lumber region. After the lumber industry declined, the population dwindled, and Au Sable and Oscoda suffered a devastating fire in 1911. The city of Au Sable never recovered and surrendered its city charter in 1931 and returned to township control. [5] [6]
Due to its location along the Au Sable River and Lake Huron coastline, a lighthouse was established at the river mouth to aid ships that were used to transport the large lumber supplies. The Au Sable Pierhead Lighthouse was commissioned in 1873. The lighthouse survived the devastating 1911 fire, but the surrounding area was destroyed. A newer skeletal tower was constructed in 1912 and later automated in 1940. The tower was deactivated and removed in 1957. It then sat on the grounds of the Oscoda Yacht Club and fell into desrepair. It was eventually restored and erected near U.S. Route 23 at the Huron Shores Artisan Hall just to the north in Oscoda Township. [7]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 21.12 square miles (54.70 km2), of which 20.63 square miles (53.43 km2) is land and 0.49 square miles (1.27 km2) (2.32%) is water.
The Au Sable River runs through the northeast boundary and has its river mouth at Lake Huron within the township.
As of the census [1] of 2000, there were 2,230 people, 956 households, and 636 families residing in the township. The population density was 108.2 inhabitants per square mile (41.8/km2). There were 1,498 housing units at an average density of 72.7 per square mile (28.1/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 96.50% White, 0.85% African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.31% from other races, and 1.79% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.30% of the population.
There were 956 households, out of which 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.3% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.4% were non-families. 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.81.
In the township the population was spread out, with 23.5% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 19.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.1 males.
The median income for a household in the township was $34,570, and the median income for a family was $38,462. Males had a median income of $27,415 versus $19,216 for females. The per capita income for the township was $20,025. About 9.3% of families and 12.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.0% of those under age 18 and 10.3% of those age 65 or over.
Au Sable Township is served by two separate public school districts. The majority of the township is served by Oscoda Area Schools to the north in Oscoda, while the southwest corner of the township is served by Tawas Area Schools in Tawas City. [8]
Oscoda is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Iosco County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The CDP had a population of 916 at the 2020 census. The community is located within Au Sable Township and Oscoda Township at the mouth of the Au Sable River along Lake Huron.
The Au Sable River in Michigan, United States runs approximately 138 miles (222 km) through the northern Lower Peninsula, through the towns of Grayling and Mio, and enters Lake Huron at the town of Oscoda. It is considered one of the best brown trout fisheries east of the Rockies and has been designated a blue ribbon trout stream by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. A map from 1795 located in the United States Gazetteer calls it the Beauais River. In French, the river is called the Rivière au sable, literally "Sand River".
Oscoda County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the population was 8,219, making it the least populous county in the Lower Peninsula, and the sixth-least populous county in the entire state. The county seat is Mio, an unincorporated community near the center of the county.
Iosco County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan; its eastern border is formed by Lake Huron. As of the 2020 census, the population was 25,237. The county seat is Tawas City.
Crawford County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. Its population was 12,988 as of the 2020 census. The county seat of Crawford County is Grayling, the county's only incorporated community.
Arenac County is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 15,002. The county seat is Standish.
Alcona County is a county of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the population was 10,167. Its county seat is Harrisville. Alphabetically it is the first county in Michigan; as its flag states, it is the "First of 83".
Curtis Township is a civil township of Alcona County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,236 at the 2010 census.
Greenbush Township is a civil township of Alcona County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,275 at the 2020 census. The population in 2021 is estimated to be 1,281.
Grayling is a city and the county seat of Crawford County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the only incorporated community in Crawford County. The population was 1,884 at the 2010 census. The city is surrounded by Grayling Charter Township, but the two are administered autonomously.
South Branch Township is a civil township of Crawford County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,007 at the 2010 census.
Au Sable is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population of the CDP was 1,453 at the 2020 census. The community is located within Au Sable Township at the mouth of the Au Sable River along Lake Huron.
Oscoda Township is a charter township of Iosco County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 6,788 at the 2020 census. The Wurtsmith Air Force Base is located within the township.
Plainfield Township is a civil township of Iosco County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,799 at the 2010 census, down from 4,292 at the 2000 census.
Tawas City is a city in and county seat of Iosco County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,834 at the 2020 census. The city is mostly surrounded by Tawas Township, but the two areas are administered autonomously.
Iosco Township is a civil township of Livingston County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,801 at the 2010 census, up from 3,039 at the 2000 census.
Mentor Township is a civil township of Oscoda County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,073 at the 2020 census.
Mio is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Oscoda County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the county seat of Oscoda County. The population of the CDP was 1,690 at the 2020 census.
Lumberman's Monument is a monument dedicated to the workers of the early logging industry in Michigan. Standing at 14 feet (4.27 m), the bronze statue features a log surrounded by three figures: a timber cruiser holding a compass, a sawyer with his saw slung over his shoulder, and a river rat resting his peavey on the ground. The granite base of the statue is engraved with a memorial that reads "Erected to perpetuate the memory of the pioneer lumbermen of Michigan through whose labors was made possible the development of the prairie states." It is also inscribed with the names of the logging families who dedicated their time and efforts to the industry in the area. It was built in 1931, dedicated in 1932 and is managed by the USDA Forest Service. It is located in the northeastern part of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan along the Au Sable River within Huron-Manistee National Forests. Access to the park is on River Road, which intersects M-65 west of Oscoda, Michigan. Monument Road, from East Tawas, also leads directly to the monument, which is in Oscoda Township in Iosco County. The monument is part of the River Road Scenic Byway, a 22-mile (35 km) drive between Oscoda and South Branch that runs parallel with the beautiful Au Sable River. It is a designated National Scenic Byway.
Fairview is an unincorporated community in Oscoda County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located within Comins Township at the intersection of highways M-33 and M-72 at 44°43′30″N84°03′04″W.