Alpine Township is a civil township of Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 14,079 at the 2020 census.

The township is part of the Grand Rapids metropolitan area and is located just northwest of the city of Grand Rapids.

Communities

  • Alpine is an unincorporated community centered along M-37 at .
  • Comstock Park is a census-designated place that occupies the southeast corner of the township and extends east into Plainfield Charter Township.
  • Englishville is an unincorporated community along the northern border with Sparta Township at . It was founded in 1845. A school was built here in 1852, and it received a post office in 1856.

History

The area was originally settled by the Ottawa, who had several camps in the area. Alpine Township was formally organized in 1847 from the northern half of Walker Township. The township was named after the abundance of pine trees in the area. It became a lumbering region with several sawmills. The township was struck by a tornado during the 1965 Palm Sunday tornado outbreak. In 1979, the township became a charter township but relinquished this status and returned to a civil township in 1996.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which is land and (0.86%) is water.

The township is northwest of Grand Rapids and is bordered by Wright Township in Ottawa County to the west, Sparta Township to the north, Plainfield Charter Township to the east, and the city of Walker to the south.

Major highways

  • runs east–west just south of the township boundary.
  • runs south–north just outside of the southeast boundary of the township.
  • runs south–north through the eastern portion of the township.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States census, the township had a population of 14,079 people. The racial makeup was 68.3% Non-Hispanic White, 9.1% Black or African American, 0.9% Asian, 0.1% Native American, and 7.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 14.9% of the population.

2000 census

As of the census which has its headquarters in the township. Schools within the township limits include Alpine Elementary School, Kenowa Hills Middle School, and Kenowa Hills High School.

Portions of the township are in Comstock Park Public Schools. Greenridge Elementary School serves preschool, kindergarten and PPI. Stoney Creek Elementary School has grades 1 and 2. Pine Island Elementary School serves 3 through 5. Mill Creek Middle School has grades 6 through 8. Comstock Park High School serves grades 9 through 12.

Portions of the township are in the Sparta Area Schools. Ridgeview Elementary School serves kindergarten through second grade. Appleview Elementary School serves grades 3 through 5. Sparta Middle School serves grades 6 through 8. Sparta High School serves grades 9 through 12. Englishville School is an alternative high school and serves grades 9 through 12. Englishville School is the only school within the township limits.

Kent District Library serves the township with the Alpine Branch Library. It is near<!--But NOT inside--> the Comstock Park CDP.

References

  • Alpine Township official website