Where Lake Huron meets the St. Clair River and Canada sits across the waters from the United States, the Michigan city of Port Huron holds historic museums, natural beauty and a downtown district attracting a growing number of local shops and restaurants. Originally a territory of the Ojibwa people, the area was invaded by French colonists in the 17th century and permanently occupied by the 19th century. After the city was incorporated in 1857, its population grew rapidly thanks to Michigan’s booming shipbuilding and lumber industries. Today, the city is home to nearly 29,000 people and boasts major employers like St. Clair County Community Mental Health and the McMorran Place Sports and Entertainment Center. “It’s a well-mannered kind of community,” says Port Huron Mayor Anita Ashford. “We come together for our city in all of our non-profits, our schools, everything we do.”
Port Huron features a bustling downtown shopping area.
Residents of Port Huron enjoy living in close proximity to Lake Michigan and St. Clair River.
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Suburban bungalows and lakeside estates
Port Huron’s mix of Dutch colonial, bungalow and ranch-style homes can start around $50,000 for homes under 1,000 square feet and surpass $1 million for waterfront homes with nearly 5,000 square feet. Condos and townhomes start at around $60,000 and reach as high as $800,000 for luxury units on the water. The median home price in 2024 was $159,900, a 7% increase from the previous year. Homes typically sit along streets laid out in a grid across the city, and single-family homes can come on small lots with trim, green lawns and mature trees or larger lots that overlook the river or Lake Huron.
Large historical homes provide plenty of room for entertaining guests and family.
Bungalow style homes in Port Huron are ideal choices for first time homebuyers.
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Green spaces near Lake Huron and Saint Clair River
Port Huron Parks and Recreation manages 24 parks and public spaces throughout the city. Many of the parks offer unique playgrounds, like dinosaur-themed equipment at Mansfield Park or the playground with masts and sails at Lincoln Park. At Palmer Park, kids have a tiny model town to explore, complete with a bank and a supermarket where they can pick up toy groceries. On the water, Lighthouse Beach offers a place to lounge in the sand, Kiefer Park holds open green space where live music and annual events merge with scenic views and the Blue Water River Walk offers nearly a mile of paved trail along the St. Clair River. “People come from all over the region to enjoy our beaches,” says Mayor Ashford. “We invest a lot into the maintenance of our beaches.”
Kiefer Park and Port Huron's waterfront is located just minutes from home.
Walk, jog, or bike through natural surroundings along the Blue Water River Walk.
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Port Huron Area School District
Students attend the Port Huron Area School District, which Mayor Ashford says is one of the city’s largest employers. The district earns a B-minus on Niche and holds nine elementary schools, three middle schools and three high schools. With 7,257 students, the district maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20:1. For higher education, St. Clair Community College is in the downtown area and offers two-year associate programs.
Port Huron Northern High School is well rated, offering small class sizes.
Blue Water Middle College Academy offers a variety of challenging courses for young adults.
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Movies and more in downtown Port Huron
Downtown Port Huron has entertainment options like Sperry’s Moviehouse, McMorran Place Theatre and the McMorran Place Sports and Entertainment Center, which hosts national music acts and ice-skating performances. Families can enjoy the Discovery City Children’s Museum and peruse the district’s local shops and restaurants. Sitting on the shores of the St. Clair River, just east of downtown, the Easternmost Point of Michigan is a popular spot for photos of the Canadian shoreline. Museum lovers can enjoy the Huron Lightship Museum, the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse and the Port Huron Museum, commemorating the city’s longstanding maritime and developmental history. The city’s religious offering is just as diverse as its businesses, says Mayor Ashford. “We have churches of all denominations, and that’s front and center of Port Huron,” she says. “We’re all able to worship together.” Houses of worship include spaces for Buddhist, Christian, Islamic faiths and more.
Bring your children to visit one of the many historical landmarks in Port Huron.
Visit the McMorran Place Theatre in Port Huron for a live show or performance.
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Blue Water Area Transit and options for interstate travel
Blue Water Area Transit offers 11 fixed bus routes with regular service six days a week. Drivers can make local trips via larger roads like 10th Avenue or Huron Avenue, which run north and south throughout most of the city. To cross the Blue Water Bridge into Canada or make the 63-mile journey southwest to downtown Detroit, drivers can take Interstate 94. To reach western Michigan, Interstate 69 lies just west of the city. The nearby St. Clair County International Airport offers service for small flights, but the Detroit Metro Airport is just under 80 miles southwest, offering connections to major airports worldwide.
Celebrating maritime heritage
Community events in Port Huron include the annual Blue Water Festival, a week of maritime celebrations with live music, a family night, a Rotary International Day Parade and a boat race that’s going more than 100 years strong. “People come from all over the world just to be here for the Mackinac Race,” says Mayor Ashford. “Last year we had more than 300 boats, and to have that many people and have no major incidents, that’s no small feat. So when we do things, we do them in a big way and we want to make sure everyone feels safe and welcome here.” This popular summertime event can bring thousands of participants to the city annually. In February, the city holds its annual Chilly Fest. This winter festival features ice sculptures, a chili competition and a penguin race in which contestants adorn their most creative costumes and sled their way through an obstacle course.
Crime trends on par with the rest of the state
Data from the FBI indicates property and violent crime rates vary due to occasional spikes. The overall trends remained relatively consistent from 2015 to 2024, and on average, rates tend to follow closely with averages for the state of Michigan, which track consistently above national averages. Environmental data from First Street indicates that 37% of Port Huron properties are at significant risk of impact from flooding over the next 30 years. In emergencies, the Lake Huron Medical Center on Electric Avenue and McLaren Port Huron on Pine Grove Avenue serve as the area’s Level III Trauma Centers.
Hello, I'm Rachelle Bayliss, a dedicated and experienced real estate agent with 29 years of combined Real Estate and Title Industry expertise. I specialize in helping clients buy, sell and invest in residential and commercial properties in St. Clair, Sanilac, Macomb, Oakland, Wayne and Genesee Counties. With a passion for real estate and a commitment to providing exceptional service, I strive to make the buying and selling process as smooth and stress-free as possible for my clients. I understand that buying or selling a home is a significant decision, and I am here to guide you every step of the way. I believe in building long-lasting relationships with my clients, based on trust, integrity, and open communication. I take the the time to listen to your needs and understand your preferences, so I can find the perfect property or Buyer for you. My goal is to exceed your expectations and deliver exceptional results.
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