According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of, of which is land and, or 5.82%, is water. I-94 passes through the south of the township. M-140 touches the northeast corner of the township before bending eastward around Paw Paw Lake. The eastern boundary of the township passes through the center of the lake. The census-designated place of Paw Paw Lake, Michigan, surrounds the lake and extends into Watervliet Township. The Paw Paw River flows through the south part of the township.
Tourism
petting zoo has been a local attraction since 1949. Closed in 2014 and will not reopen.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,217 people, 2,111 households, and 1,481 families residing in the township. The population density was 286.3 per square mile. There were 2,599 housing units at an average density of 142.6 per square mile. The racial makeup of the township was 96.53% White, 0.69% African American, 0.44% Native American, 0.59% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.52% from other races, and 1.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.59% of the population. There were 2,111 households, out of which 29.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.5% were married couplesliving together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.8% were non-families. 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.90. In the township the population was spread out, with 24.2% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.0 males. The median income for a household in the township was $40,029, and the median income for a family was $44,859. Males had a median income of $36,231 versus $21,378 for females. The per capita income for the township was $20,377. About 4.0% of families and 5.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.2% of those under age 18 and 2.7% of those age 65 or over.
