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According to the United States Census Bureau,
the township has a total area of 93.7 km˛ (36.2 mi˛). 88.3 km˛ (34.1 mi˛)
of it is land and 5.4 km˛ (2.1 mi˛) of it is water. The total area is 5.72%
water.
As of the census of 2000, there are 94 people,
36 households, and 24 families residing in the township. The population
density is 1.1/km˛ (2.8/mi˛). There are 94 housing units at an average density
of 1.1/km˛ (2.8/mi˛). The racial makeup of the township is 90.43% White,
0.00% African American, 5.32% Native American, 1.06% Asian, 0.00% Pacific
Islander, 2.13% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races. 0.00%
of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race. There are 36 households
out of which 33.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.9%
are married couples living together, 0.0% have a female householder with
no husband present, and 30.6% are non-families. 22.2% of all households
are made up of individuals and 13.9% have someone living alone who is 65
years of age or older. The average household size is 2.61 and the average
family size is 3.16. In the township the population is spread out with 26.6%
under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from
45 to 64, and 21.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is
41 years. For every 100 females there are 113.6 males. For every 100 females
age 18 and over, there are 109.1 males. The median income for a household
in the township is $32,500, and the median income for a family is $33,125.
Males have a median income of $28,000 versus $41,250 for females. The per
capita income for the township is $14,794. 5.5% of the population and 7.1%
of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in
poverty, 12.1% are under the age of 18 and 0.0% are 65 or older.
Wirt Township was named by O. E. Walley, its first settler,
probably for a township in New York or a county in West Virginia, where
the name was given in honor of William Wirt (1772-1834), who was the attorney
general of the United States, 1817-29. The village in sections 10 and 15
was established as a logging supply station on the Minneapolis and Rainy
River Railway; its post office began in 1874 and was changed to a community
post office in 1974. Elias O. Walley was the first settler, opening a store
and becoming the first postmaster. The first site was on the north side
of the Big Fork River with a store, a post office, and a hotel; the present
community is across the river on the site of a former logging town, called
Stanley by the railroad.
Part of Deer River Independent
School District 317
Elementary students attend North
Elementary School (11 miles)
High school students attend Deer
River High School (35 miles)
Noma Lake Campground is located two
miles northwest of Wirt, Minnesota on County Road 31. This campground
has 14 sites surrounded by a beautiful stand of paper birch.
Noma Lake offers good fishing for bass, northern pike, and panfish.
A boat ramp is located at the south end of Noma Lake. A fish
cleaning station and firewood are also available.
Sure Game Wilderness Resort is nestled
on the south shore of sparkling Clear Lake. Low pressure and plenty
of fish make Clear Lake a perfect destination. Clear Lake is 50
miles north of Grand Rapids, Minnesota and offers good fishing &
hunting as well as solitude. Lying in the Chippewa National Forest,
Clear Lakes' undeveloped shores consist of only one resort, two
cabins and one home. This makes our lake a perfect Minnesota vacation
destination.
Aerial
Photo: [click photo to enlarge,
zoom in or zoom out]
Aerial photo is courtesy of the Minnesota DNR
-
click map to zoom or enlarge
Topographic Map:
[click image to enlarge, zoom in or zoom out]
Noma Lake Campground is located two
miles northwest of Wirt, Minnesota on County Road 31. This campground
has 14 sites surrounded by a beautiful stand of paper birch.
Noma Lake offers good fishing for bass, northern pike, and panfish.
A boat ramp is located at the south end of Noma Lake. A fish
cleaning station and firewood are also available.
