Demographics Historical populationĪs of the census of 2000, there were 39,116 people, 16,414 households, and 9,782 families residing in the township. GeographyĪccording to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 31.5 square miles (82 km 2), of which 30.5 square miles (79 km 2) is land and 1.1 square miles (2.8 km 2) (3.4%) is water. A local organization, the Friends of Historic Meridian, has an archive of local historic information and also maintains the historic buildings in the Meridian Historical Village. The Township is rich with history and one resident, Joseph Kilbourne, had a major role in the decision in 1847 to relocate the state capitol from Detroit to Lansing (then Lansing Township). In 1857 the Michigan Legislature changed the name of the village officially to Okemos to honor the old chief. The village area was one of his primary camping areas and he traveled frequently between the village and another campsite near present-day Portland, Michigan. Kilbourne was the first postmaster.Ī local Native American, Chief John Okemos, was well known throughout the area. The village was first known as Hamilton.Ī post-office called Sanford was established in the spring of 1840. It was Bray who platted out the southeast corner of his land and sold the lots to newcomers traveling into the mid-state wilderness. They were soon followed by Joseph Kilbourne, who took out land for his brother-in-law, Freeman Bray. The Treasurer's Office is located in the Municipal Building.The first settlers near the current Village of Okemos (to the south of the former Pine Lake) were Sanford Marsh and his wife who built their cabin in 1839. Temporary surplus funds are invested prudently with the emphasis on the safety of the principal as required by state law. Here is a graph showing how your tax dollars are distributed: Where Do My Taxes Go? Many residents ask what their Meridian Township taxes are for. Other governmental units also receive tax money from Meridian Township, according to the district’s tax rate. In Meridian Township, these include Okemos, Haslett, East Lansing, Williamston, Ingham Intermediate Schools, and Lansing Community College.

The Treasurer is also required to pay out funds to local school districts. Included in this responsibility is the accurate accounting of all funds. These funds are primarily real estate and personal property taxes, but also include fines, licenses, permits, deposits, bonds, and fees. The Treasurer’s Office is required by law to receive and take charge of all funds belonging to the Township and those which are required by law to be paid into the Township Treasury.

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