Zilwaukee Township is a civil township of Saginaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 62 at the 2020 census, which ranks the township the fourth-least populated municipality in the state of Michigan after Pointe Aux Barques Township, Grand Island Township, and West Branch Township.

The city of Zilwaukee is southwest of the township, but the two are administered separately. The township is home to the Crow Island State Game Area, which covers a large portion of the township's area.

History

Zilwaukee Township was organized on January 20, 1854 and included territory comprising Kochville Township and the northern third of present day Buena Vista Township. In 1864, the Oneida Salt & Lumber Co. built a mill on the Crow Reserve, territory in the township which had been deeded to Ojibwe Chief Kawkawisou in 1819. This land would eventually become the nucleus for the Crow Island State Game Area.

Zilwaukee Township first lost territory when Kochville Township was organized in 1856, losing most of its territory west of the Saginaw River. In 1881 the township again lost territory when Sections in its northern end west of the river were transferred to neighboring Bay County. In 1891, territory east of present-day North Towerline Road was detached and then attached to neighboring Buena Vista Township losing most of its territory east of the river. In 1964, the village of Zilwaukee in the southwestern part of the township incorporated as a city, reducing the township to its present boundaries.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township has a total area of , of which is land and (40.1%) is water.

The Saginaw River flows through the center of the township.

Highways

  • / crosses briefly within two sections of the township. The highway travels through the southwestern portion of the township, and the Zilwaukee Bridge begins within the township and crosses the Saginaw River to the city of Zilwaukee. The highway also passes through the westernmost portion of the township.
  • has a portion of its northern terminus within the township at Interstate 75 / U.S. Route 23.
  • runs north–west through the township along the Saginaw River.

Demographics

As of the census