Sandusky is a close-knit community in Michigan's Thumb Region
Sandusky is a small city of about 2,700 in Michigan’s Thumb Region. Above-average schools and popular parks are highlights of this traditional hometown destination. “It’s more of a family community,” says Malinda S. Kelly of Town & Country Realty, who has lived in Sandusky for more than 50 years. “Everybody pitches in.” Sandusky is also the county seat of Sanilac County, which contributes to a diverse economy in an otherwise rural setting. “Aside from the local businesses, we have factories, and this is definitely a farming community,” Kelly says.
Historic homes common; golf course, acreage homes are other option
The Colonial Revival style is prominent among the community’s many historic homes, which come in a variety of sizes and styles. Midcentury ranch-style homes are common as well and can be found mingling with the older homes as well as in other residential pockets. Other housing options include large contemporary homes on oversized lots, golf course homes and acreage homes among the farmland outside the city limits. Most streets are lined with mature trees, and many have sidewalks that offer appealing walkability and allow residents to travel easily by bike. Prices typically range from around $70,000 to $400,000-plus. Residents can expect a climate impacted by nearby Lake Huron, including cooler temperatures in the summer and heavier snowfall in the winter.
Community rallies around the high school football team
Sandusky Community Schools earns a B rating from Niche. The district is made up of only two schools: Sandusky Elementary, also B-rated, and Sandusky Junior/Senior High, rated B-minus. Dual enrollment courses are available to qualified high school students. “People really seem to like the schools and the teachers,” Kelly says. “And the families are very involved.” The high school football team, the Wolves, is a point of community pride. “It’s really packed whenever they play,” Kelly says. “The team is really well-supported.” K-12 students can apply for transfers to schools outside of the district.
Community parks are popular, amenities-filled destinations
Doerr Field, a center of organized youth activity anchored by ballfields, and nearby Diamond Trail Park, a picturesque green space, are featured recreational destinations in the heart of the community. A popular seasonal splash pad is among the children’s playscapes adjacent to the ballfields. George Haupt Memorial Park features a playground structure and basketball court on the community’s east side. The high school’s Key Club was instrumental in raising funds for the pocket park. The community also has its own golf course, Woodland Hills Golf Club, with an 18-hole, par-71 layout. The Sandusky Fairgrounds is a community attraction that hosts the annual Sanilac County 4-H Fair. The annual Thumb Festival and the Country Christmas Lighted Farm Implement Parade are signature community events. Residents also enjoy proximity to waterfront recreation at Port Sanilac, a haven for outdoors enthusiasts on the shores of Lake Huron 15 miles away.
Easy access to a variety of stores, restaurants
Sanilac Road is a convenient commercial corridor that runs directly through the heart of the community. It offers a collection of retail stores that provide a variety of goods, boutique shops, service-oriented businesses, and dining options that range from fast-food chains to popular local dining and drinking establishments.
Community hospital will soon be upgraded
Residents enjoy nearby access to healthcare, as McKenzie Health System hospital is conveniently located just off Sanilac Road in the heart of the community. The city recently received a $74 million government loan to build a replacement hospital that will add 20,000 square feet to the facility. Sanilac Road, also known as State Route 46, provides direct access to Port Sanilac and Saginaw, a regional destination about 55 miles away. Sandusky has a municipal airport, but Saginaw County’s MBS International Airport, more than 70 miles away, is the closest commercial facility.
Written By
Matt Pallister
