Kenockee Township offers rural living outside Port Huron
With gravel roads and open farmland, Kenockee Township is true rural living. It’s a place where locals own horses, and you'll see signs advertising sweet corn produce stands in the summer. You actually aren’t that far from major cities, just one hour north of Detroit and about 20 miles from Port Huron. But if you’re considering Kenockee for its peaceful atmosphere, low taxes and huge yards, be prepared — there’s not much here except natural land and quiet forest. Internet coverage can be spotty, and it’s several miles to the nearest large grocery store.
Low property taxes and homes with several acres
Unless you live in the small community of Avoca, you probably won't see your neighbors much in Kenockee Township. Yards are typically larger than 2 acres, and open lots are available for those looking to build a custom home. “You’ve got to like the peace and the quiet acreage — you're not going to be in a subdivision,” says Shelley Watters with Sine & Monaghan Realtors, who has over 10 years of experience in the area. “It’s a great place to raise a child. You can let your kid go out and play in the backyard instead of on the iPad.”
Smaller homes start in the mid-$100,000s, and newer properties can reach the low $400,000s. Most houses date from the 1930s to the early 2000s. According to Watters, township property taxes are significantly lower than in cities like Port Huron or Marysville.
What to know about land zoning restrictions
Like most townships in the area, Kenockee’s land zoning restrictions are primarily intended to keep the community rural. It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the regulations, especially if you are interested in building your own home, adding outbuildings or owning animals. Examples of land zoning regulations include:
- Outside of Avoca, many residential homes must have a 5-acre minimum yard size.
- Buildings must be set back from the road, anywhere from 20 to 100 feet based on zoning.
- In most areas, accessory buildings can only be built in the backyard.
- Large animals, including horses, cattle and goats, are only permitted in areas zoned as agricultural land.
Yale Public Schools are rated some of the best in St. Clair County
The majority of Kenockee Township is part of Yale Public Schools, which is typically rated as the best public school district in St. Clair County. But that doesn’t mean you have to attend Yale schools. All districts in the county participate in Michigan’s Schools of Choice program, which allows students to apply outside of their home boundaries.
A guide to Kenockee Township utilities and services
In Kenockee Township, municipal services and utility coverage are limited. Here’s what to know about setting up services in this rural area:
- Water and sewer: Outside of Avoca and the immediate surrounding area, most homes have wells and private septic tanks.
- Trash: You will have to set up service with a private trash company or self-haul to a nearby landfill.
- Electricity and gas: Consumers Energy is the primary provider for electricity, and SEMCO Energy handles gas for most of St. Clair County. Many homes use propane rather than natural gas.
- Internet: There are fixed wireless providers, limited DSL and fiber, as well as satellite options in the most rural areas. Coverage can be spotty.
Kenockee Township is very rural, but cities are within reach
With a sparse population of about 2,500 people, Kenockee Township is primarily a farming community. “It’s a very, very rural area,” Watters says. “This is the country.” The small community of Avoca does have a post office, an elementary school, a diner and the Avoca Market, which carries a small selection of groceries. Locals also enjoy access to the Wadhams to Avoca trail, which runs for 10 miles, and there are plenty of spots to go hunting or fishing within a short drive.
Port Huron is the closest large city, located 20 miles away on the banks of the St. Clair River and Lake Huron. However, Watters says that people don’t have to go that far for errand runs. “You're really not far from civilization,” Watters says. “You can go into Port Huron, but you could also go to Yale or Fort Gratiot — that’s maybe 15 minutes.”
Commute on the interstate to Port Huron or Detroit
It takes about an hour to make it to downtown Detroit on Interstate 94. While some locals take that drive regularly, many also commute to Port Huron, about a 25-minute drive on Interstate 69. Commutes to Detroit or Port Huron are relatively smooth, with minimal traffic outside the city centers. However, many of the roads in Kenockee Township are gravel, and snowplows can be slower to reach rural areas in the wintertime.
![Catherine Lashley]()
Written By
Catherine Lashley
