Estimates Shows Hartland Township Population Tops 14,000

Hartland Township's population is above 14,000 people, according to the latest population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau released Tuesday.

If the soon-to-be released 2010 census is similar, the numbers would translate into anywhere between $100,000 to $200,000 more a year in additional state revenue, said Hartland Township Manager James Wickman.

Hartland Township's population was 10,996 in the 2000 census and it receives about $690,000 a year in state shared revenue based on that, he said. The new money would go into the township's general fund, which is projecting a $273,000 surplus for the current fiscal year, he said. The current budget is $1.89 million.

The money would help the township financially as it looks for ways to make bond payments in the coming years for sewer improvements that were built expecting even more growth in population, Wickman said. Township officials also are in the midst of a strategic planning process that would identify other priorities, he said.

The 30 percent jump in population from 2000 would not be a surprise. Hoping to capture more dollars sooner, officials paid for a mid-decade census that showed 14,153, Wickman said. But the updated information didn't translate into additional state aid, he said. This latest estimate was 14,274.

"We've been 14,000 since 2005 and we've had to provide services to a population on 60 percent of that size," he said. "It's a challenge."

The new numbers are based on five years of estimates collected in the annual American Community Survey. The survey provides the more detailed information about smaller communities, such as Hartland Township, than previous estimates. Other findings in the wide-ranging report included:

• The median income of households was $82,646. In 2000, it was $75,908.
• 4 percent of people were in poverty. In 2000, it was 1.7 percent.
• About 89 percent of workers had to drive to work alone, 6 percent carpooled, 0.5 percent used public transportation and 1 percent used other means while 4 percent worked from home. For those commuting, the average drive was 31.9 minutes. In 2000, 89 percent of workers drove alone, 6.9 percent carpooled, 0.3 used public transportation, 0.4 percent walked while 3.5 percent worked from home. The average drive was 33.3 minutes.
• The median monthly housing costs for mortgaged owners was $1,808. In 2000, it was $1,332. 

To look at the findings for Hartland Township, click here.

Other neighboring municipality population numbers included (Click on the link for the data):

• Brighton Township: 18,610
• Oceola Township: 11,218.
• Tyrone Township: 10,395.