Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
Name	Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
Settlement type	City
Coordinates	46.4953°N 84.3453°W
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	United States
Subdivision type1	State
Subdivision name1	Michigan
Subdivision type2	County
Subdivision name2	Chippewa
Leader title	Mayor
Population as of	2020
Population total	13634
Timezone	Eastern
Utc offset	-5
Timezone DST	EDT
Utc offset DST	-4
Postal code type	ZIP code
Postal code	49783

Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan is a city located in the eastern part of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, situated on the St. Marys River and near the Soo Locks, a set of locks that enable ships to pass between Lake Superior and the other Great Lakes. The city is home to Lake Superior State University, a public university that offers a range of academic programs, including those in engineering, business, and the liberal arts. Sault Ste. Marie is also close to the Tahquamenon Falls State Park, a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful waterfalls and hiking trails, as well as the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, a United States National Lakeshore located on the shores of Lake Superior. The city has a rich history, with evidence of human habitation dating back to the Ojibwe people and the French colonization of the Americas, including the establishment of the Mission of St. Ignace by Jacques Marquette.

Geography

Sault Ste. Marie is situated in the eastern part of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, near the Canada–United States border and the St. Marys River, which connects Lake Superior to the other Great Lakes. The city is close to the Soo Locks, a set of locks that enable ships to pass between Lake Superior and the other Great Lakes, and is also near the Tahquamenon Falls State Park, a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful waterfalls and hiking trails, as well as the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, a United States National Lakeshore located on the shores of Lake Superior. The city's geography is characterized by its location on the St. Marys River, which provides access to the Great Lakes and has played an important role in the city's history and economy, with the Soo Locks being a critical component of the Great Lakes shipping industry, including companies such as Cleveland-Cliffs and ArcelorMittal. The city is also close to the Hiawatha National Forest, a United States National Forest that offers opportunities for outdoor recreation, including hiking, camping, and fishing, as well as the Seney National Wildlife Refuge, a United States National Wildlife Refuge that provides a habitat for a variety of wildlife, including bald eagles, osprey, and beavers.

History

The history of Sault Ste. Marie dates back to the Ojibwe people, who were the first inhabitants of the area, and the French colonization of the Americas, including the establishment of the Mission of St. Ignace by Jacques Marquette and the construction of Fort St. Joseph (Michigan), a French fort that played an important role in the French and Indian War. The city was also an important location during the American Revolutionary War, with the British Army capturing the city in 1761 and the United States Army recapturing it in 1812 during the War of 1812. The city's history is also closely tied to the Soo Locks, which were constructed in the 19th century and have played a critical role in the city's economy, with the Soo Locks being a key component of the Great Lakes shipping industry, including companies such as Cleveland-Cliffs and ArcelorMittal. The city is also home to the Sault Ste. Marie Museum, a museum that showcases the city's history and culture, including its indigenous peoples, French colonization, and lumber industry, as well as the Tower of History, a historical museum that offers a panoramic view of the city and the surrounding area.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population of Sault Ste. Marie was 13,634, with a population density of 1,300 people per square mile, and a median household income of $43,419, according to data from the United States Census Bureau. The city's population is diverse, with a mix of European Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, and Native Americans, including the Ojibwe people and the Chippewa people. The city is also home to a number of cultural festivals, including the Sault Ste. Marie Winter Festival, which celebrates the city's winter culture, and the Soo Locks Engineers Day, which celebrates the city's engineering heritage, including the Soo Locks and the Great Lakes shipping industry. The city's demographics are also influenced by its location near the Canada–United States border, with many residents commuting to work in Ontario, Canada, including cities such as Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and Toronto.

Economy

The economy of Sault Ste. Marie is diverse, with a mix of industries, including manufacturing, health care, and tourism, with the Soo Locks being a critical component of the Great Lakes shipping industry, including companies such as Cleveland-Cliffs and ArcelorMittal. The city is also home to a number of small businesses, including restaurants, retail stores, and service providers, as well as a number of major employers, including Lake Superior State University, War Memorial Hospital, and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. The city's economy is also influenced by its location near the Canada–United States border, with many residents commuting to work in Ontario, Canada, including cities such as Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and Toronto. The city is also close to the Tahquamenon Falls State Park, a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful waterfalls and hiking trails, as well as the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, a United States National Lakeshore located on the shores of Lake Superior.

Education

Sault Ste. Marie is home to a number of educational institutions, including Lake Superior State University, a public university that offers a range of academic programs, including those in engineering, business, and the liberal arts. The city is also home to a number of primary and secondary schools, including Sault Area Public Schools and JKL Bahweting Anishnabe School, a Bureau of Indian Education school that serves the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. The city's education system is also influenced by its location near the Canada–United States border, with many residents attending school in Ontario, Canada, including universities such as Algoma University and Lakehead University. The city is also close to the Michigan Technological University, a public research university located in Houghton, Michigan, and the Northern Michigan University, a public university located in Marquette, Michigan.

Culture

Sault Ste. Marie has a rich cultural scene, with a mix of indigenous culture, French-Canadian culture, and American culture, including the Ojibwe people and the Chippewa people. The city is home to a number of cultural festivals, including the Sault Ste. Marie Winter Festival, which celebrates the city's winter culture, and the Soo Locks Engineers Day, which celebrates the city's engineering heritage, including the Soo Locks and the Great Lakes shipping industry. The city is also home to a number of museums, including the Sault Ste. Marie Museum, a museum that showcases the city's history and culture, and the Tower of History, a historical museum that offers a panoramic view of the city and the surrounding area. The city's culture is also influenced by its location near the Canada–United States border, with many residents commuting to work in Ontario, Canada, including cities such as Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and Toronto, and attending cultural events such as the Toronto International Film Festival and the Canadian National Exhibition.

Category:Cities in Michigan