St. Clair County, Michigan

St. Clair County, Michigan
David Benbennick · Public domain · source
County	St. Clair County
State	Michigan
Founded	1820
Seat	Port Huron
Largest city	Port Huron
Area total sq mi	837
Area land sq mi	721
Area water sq mi	116
Population as of	2020
Population total	86311
Population density sq mi	120

St. Clair County, Michigan is a county located in the Eastern Time Zone of the United States, bordering Lake Huron and Canada. The county seat is Port Huron, which is also the largest city in the county, and is situated near the Blue Water Bridge, connecting it to Sarnia, Ontario. The county is part of the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI Metropolitan Statistical Area and is home to several notable institutions, including St. Clair County Community College and the Port Huron Hospital.

History

The area that is now St. Clair County was originally inhabited by the Ojibwe and Ottawa tribes, and was later settled by French colonists in the early 18th century, including René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle and Étienne Brûlé. The county was officially established in 1820 and was named after Arthur St. Clair, a American Revolutionary War general and governor of the Northwest Territory. The county played a significant role in the War of 1812, with the Battle of Lake Erie taking place nearby, and was also an important stop on the Underground Railroad, with notable abolitionists such as Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass passing through the area. The county is also home to the Port Huron Lightship, a historic United States Coast Guard vessel that is now a museum, and the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse, which was built in 1829 and is one of the oldest lighthouses in the United States.

Geography

St. Clair County is located in the eastern part of the Michigan Basin, and is bordered by Sanilac County, Michigan to the north, Lapeer County, Michigan to the west, and Macomb County, Michigan to the south. The county is situated on the western shore of Lake Huron, and is also home to several smaller lakes, including Lake St. Clair and Goose Lake. The county's terrain is generally flat, with some rolling hills and wooded areas, and is drained by several rivers, including the St. Clair River and the Black River. The county is also home to several parks and nature reserves, including the Algonac State Park and the Wales Township Park, which offer opportunities for outdoor recreation, such as hiking, fishing, and boating, and are managed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population of St. Clair County was 86,311, with a population density of 120 people per square mile. The county has a diverse population, with a mix of urban and rural areas, and is home to several notable communities, including Port Huron, Marysville, Michigan, and St. Clair, Michigan. The county is also home to a significant number of Native American residents, including members of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Nation and the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians. The county has a strong sense of community, with several annual festivals and events, including the Port Huron to Mackinac Boat Race and the Blue Water Festival, which are sponsored by organizations such as the Port Huron Yacht Club and the St. Clair County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Government

St. Clair County is governed by a Board of Commissioners, which is composed of seven members elected by district. The county is also home to several other government agencies, including the St. Clair County Sheriff's Office and the Port Huron Police Department, which are responsible for law enforcement and public safety. The county is part of the Michigan 10th congressional district and is represented in the United States House of Representatives by Lisa McClain. The county is also home to several notable politicians, including Candice Miller, a former United States Representative and Macomb County Public Works Commissioner, and Pete Hoekstra, a former United States Representative and United States Ambassador to the Netherlands.

Economy

The economy of St. Clair County is diverse, with a mix of manufacturing, healthcare, and tourism. The county is home to several major employers, including SEMI, a global industry association for the semiconductor industry, and Lake Huron Medical Center, a hospital that is part of the McLaren Health Care system. The county is also a major center for agriculture, with several farms and agricultural businesses, including Dow AgroSciences and Pioneer Hi-Bred International, which are subsidiaries of Dow Inc. and Corteva Agriscience, respectively. The county is also home to several notable companies, including Xerox, General Motors, and Ford Motor Company, which have facilities in the area, and is served by the St. Clair County International Airport.

Communities

St. Clair County is home to several communities, including Port Huron, Marysville, Michigan, and St. Clair, Michigan. The county is also home to several townships, including Algonac Township, Michigan and Wales Township, Michigan, which offer a range of amenities and services, including parks, libraries, and community centers. The county is also home to several notable landmarks, including the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse and the Port Huron Lightship, which are popular tourist attractions, and the St. Clair River, which offers opportunities for boating and fishing, and is managed by the United States Coast Guard and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The county is served by several transportation routes, including Interstate 69 and Interstate 94, which connect it to other parts of the state and the country, and is also home to the Blue Water Bridge, which connects it to Sarnia, Ontario in Canada.