Attica is an unincorporated community north of the center of the township at In 1851, William Williams from New York state built a sawmill here, and most of the settlement developed on his land. I. N. Jenness, a lumberman and also from New York, is considered as co-founder of the community. A post office named "Mill Station" was established on October 9, 1867, with Oscar A. Williams as the first postmaster. The office was renamed "Elk Lake" on September 12, 1870, and became "Attica", after the township, on February 1, 1871. The Attica post office, with ZIP code 48412, serves most of northern and western Attica Township, as well as much of Arcadia Township to the north.
The city ofImlay City is to the east in Imlay Township, and the Imlay post office, with ZIP code 48444, also serves portions of eastern Attica Township.
The village of Metamora is to the southwest in Metamora Township, and the Metamora post office, with ZIP code 48455, also serves portions of southwest Attica Township.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of, of which is land and is water. It is located at latitude 43°1'49" North, longitude 83°9'58" West.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,678 people, 1,602 households, and 1,291 families residing in the township. The population density was 130.8 per square mile. There were 1,789 housing units at an average density of 50.0 per square mile. The racial makeup of the township was 96.86% White, 0.13% African American, 0.58% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.18% from other races, and 0.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.65% of the population. There were 1,602 households, out of which 38.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.5% were married couplesliving together, 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.4% were non-families. 15.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.89 and the average family size was 3.21. In the township the population was spread out, with 29.1% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 31.7% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.5 males. The median income for a household in the township was $50,392, and the median income for a family was $56,463. Males had a median income of $53,438 versus $25,594 for females. The per capita income for the township was $22,226. About 1.7% of families and 3.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.1% of those under age 18 and 3.6% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Attica is locally governed by a five-member township board, consisting of a supervisor, a clerk, a treasurer, and two trustees. All five members serve four year terms. The township also has a planning commission and a zoning board of appeals, both of which are appointed by the elected township board. Attica belongs to the 6th county commission district for Lapeer County, the 82nd district for the Michigan State House of Representatives, and the 10th district Michigan for the United States House of Representatives.
