Benton Township, Eaton County, Michigan
Benton Township is a civil township of Eaton County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the township population was 2,796. When the township was organized in 1843, the Michigan State Legislature named it "Tom Benton", after Thomas Hart Benton, the notable U.S. Senator from Missouri. The name was changed to simply "Benton" in 1845. Geography. According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , all land. Demographics. As of the census of 2000, there were 2,712 people, 991 households, and 814 families residing in the  township. The population density was 80.4 per square mile (31.0/km). There were 1,018 housing units at an average density of 30.2 per square mile (11.7/km). The racial makeup of the township was 96.87% White, 0.44% African American, 0.26% Native American, 1.11% from other races, and 1.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.58% of the population. There were 991 households, out of which 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.0% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.8% were  non-families. 13.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 2.96. In the township the population was spread out, with 24.7% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 30.0% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over , there were 98.3 males. The median income for a household in the township was $56,815, and the median income for a family was $61,576. Males had a median income of $40,815 versus $31,453 for females. The per capita income for the township was $23,990. About 0.2% of families and 2.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.3% of those under age 18 and 3.8% of those age 65 or over.