Township Data

While the Township did experience a population increase from 1960 to 1980, a decline of 306 persons occurred from 1980 to 1990. The 2000 Census recorded a growth of 225 persons from the 1990 Census. Similar population declines and increases have occurred for the county overall, as well as the Village of Powers. This information is presented in Table 2-1.

Spalding Township’s population is considerable younger than that of the Village of Powers. This is due to the presence of the Pinecrest Medical Care Facility located in the Village. The median age for the Township in 1980 was 29.8; in 1990 it rose to 34.5, and by 2000 rose again to 43.0. By comparison, the state as a whole recorded a median age of 33.6 in 1990 and 35.5 in 2000.

2000 Census information reveals that 12.2 percent of Township residents reported mobility and/or self-care limitations, while 11.1 of the employed Township residents, age 16 to 64, reported work disabilities.

The Township population is overwhelmingly white. 2000 Census information shows ten persons identified as American Indians, one as Asian Pacific Islanders and two as being of Hispanic origin. The total nonwhite population of 13 persons represents about 1 percent of the Township population total.

According to the 2000 Census females outnumbered males by 905 to 856, or roughly 5.7 percent.
The 2000 Census counted 625 households, of which 371 were family households. On average, there were 2.5 persons per household in the Township.

Persons 65 years of age and older numbered 408, or 23.1 percent of the Township’s population in 2000.

Employment Trends
Employment statistics are compiled at the county level by the Michigan Employment Security Agency. Menominee County’s unemployment rates have typically been lower than other Upper Michigan counties. Annual unemployment rates for the past ten years are presented in Table 2-3.

Land Use Patterns and Zoning
There’s no zoning in Spalding while Village of Powers has adopted zoning ordinances.

With the exception of the Village of Powers with a population density of 271 persons per square mile, the Township is sparsely populated with an overall population per square mile of 9.5 persons. Commercial development is nearly all located along the US-2141 corridor in the Township’s southern portion. The majority of land, or about 91 percent, is forested. Approximately 8 percent is used for agricultural purposes, and about 1 percent devoted to residential, commercial and industrial use.

Physical Features
The Township has a generally rolling terrain, the result of glacial deposition. Clay and loam soils of the Onaway series are predominant. They are generally well drained, moderately permeable soils on drumlins and moraines. The soil associations are mostly Onaway-Lupton and Onaway-Lupton-Rousseau.

Several streams flow through the Township, the most significant being the Big Cedar River that empties into Green Bay.

With an abundance of natural habitat, wildlife thrives within the area. Whitetail deer, ruffed grouse, sharptail grouse, black bear, fox and coyote are common throughout the area. Bass and pike are found in the Township’s streams.

Precipitation in the area is well distributed throughout the year and averages about 30 inches. Annual snowfall averages about 65 inches. During much of the year, Lake Michigan has a major effect on the Township’s weather. The climate is humid continental with a short summer.

Transportation
Spalding Township contains the U.S. 41 and U.S. 2 junction, located in the Village of Powers. U.S. 41 links the Township to the City of Menominee to the south, U.S. 2 links the Township to the City of Iron Mountain to the northwest, and U.S. 2&41 connects the Township to the City of Escanaba to the northeast. These highways are important for hauling raw materials and finished products by truck for businesses in the U.P. and northeastern Wisconsin. They also serve as the main commuting route for Township residents that work in Menominee, Escanaba, or Iron Mountain. In addition to US-2/41, County Road 69 runs east-west through the northern part of the Township. Currently, there is no local public transportation system serving the area.

Administrative
Policy and funding matters regarding parks and recreation in Spalding Township are determined by the Township Board.

Community Resources
Local service organizations and businesses have given major support for Township recreational projects. The support has been both financial and in the form of volunteer time. The community takes pride in the involvement of private citizens, businesses and groups that give so freely of their time and financial resources for the betterment of the Township’s recreational facilities and programs.

Planning
This Recreation plan is designed to provide for the development of recreation activities, programs, and facilities within Spalding Township.

Staff of the CUPPAD Regional Commission were approached by Township officials to draft an update to the current recreation plan. Meetings were arranged with members of the Township Board to discuss recreation planning within Spalding Township. These discussions, held in February 2006, resulted in the updated text of the Recreation Plan by CUPPAD staff members under the direction of the Township Board. Members encouraged all interested parties to offer suggestions for recreational improvements that might be included in the new plan.
The revised recreation plan was reviewed and adopted by the Township at meetings in June, 2006.

The plan outlines the facilities and programs to be developed in Spalding Township during the next five years. The Township Board will continually examined the recreational needs of the community and amend the plan as needed. This plan will hopefully provide a foundation for Township action to improve the quality and quantity of recreation opportunities in the Township.