Ada, also known as Ada Village, is an unincorporated community within the township of the same name. It is located on M-21, east of Grand Rapids. European American Rix Robinson built a trading post near present-day Ada in 1821 to trade for furs with the local Native Americans. He made the first land purchase here in 1833, and a settlement developed along the Thornapple River. A post office was established in 1837. Both the township and village settlement were named for Ada Smith, the daughter of the first postmaster. The settlement was given a station on the Detroit and Milwaukee Railroad. A plat was recorded in 1857.
Zip codes
The Ada ZIP code, 49301, serves most of the township, as well as much of eastern Cascade Township to the south, the northwest corner of Lowell Township to the southeast, small areas of western Vergennes Township to the east, the southwest corner of Grattan Township to the northeast, much of southern Cannon Township to the north, and a small area of eastern Grand Rapids Charter Township to the west. In addition to 49301, the Ada ZIP codes 49355, 49356, 49357 are assigned to specific organizations. The city of Grand Rapids is to the west, and the 49525 ZIP code for Grand Rapids serves a small area in the northwest corner of the township. The 49546 ZIP code for Grand Rapids serves the southwestern portion of the township. Lowell is to the east, and the 49331 ZIP code for Lowell serves a small area in the eastern part of the township. All but the northeastern corner of the township is part of the Forest Hillscensus-designated place, an area compiled for statistical purposes. This extends south into Cascade Township. in the village, which crosses the Thornapple River, dates to the 1860s.
History
The township traces its history to 1821, when Rix Robinson purchased a former French-Canadian trading post at the junction of the Grand and Thornapple rivers from Madeline La Framboise, on behalf of John Jacob Astor's American Fur Company. Land north of the Grand River was not available for purchase by European-American settlers until after the United States signed the 1836 Treaty of Washington with regional tribes. There are conflicting reports concerning when the township was organized. Information provided by the township website indicates that Robinson was elected as the township's first Supervisor. However, other sources indicate it was organized on April 2, 1838, and that Sydney Smith was elected the first Supervisor and that Robinson was the second, elected in 1841 and again in 1844. A village was platted in 1858 at the mouth of the Thornapple River, but it developed slowly and never incorporated. The Ada Covered Bridge was constructed across the Thornapple in 1867. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it is one of nine covered bridges that remain standing in the state.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of, of which are land and, or 2.90%, are water. In addition to its two rivers, numerous streams and meadows, Ada Township is known for its lush, rolling, woodland terrain. It had been a rural area that was developed as a wealthy residential suburb of Grand Rapids since the late 20th century. The local school district is Forest Hills Public Schools.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,882 people, 3,263 households, and 2,802 families residing in the township. The population density was 273.9 per square mile. There were 3,384 housing units at an average density of 93.8 per square mile. The racial makeup of the township was 95.57% White, 0.47% African American, 0.16% Native American, 2.35% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.51% from other races, and 0.94% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.07% of the population. There were 3,263 households, out of which 47.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 78.7% were married couples living together, 5.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 14.1% were non-families. 11.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.03 and the average family size was 3.30. In the township the population was spread out, with 32.6% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 27.3% from 45 to 64, and 7.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.1 males. The median income for a household in the township was $83,357, and the median income for a family was $87,972. Males had a median income of $61,795 versus $36,288 for females. The per capita income for the township was $37,840. About 1.1% of families and 1.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.6% of those under age 18 and 2.8% of those age 65 or over.
