Living in Wales Township means getting away from it all
People move to Wales Township to get away from it all. About an hour north of Detroit and 20 minutes outside Port Huron, this is a quiet, rural community made up of more than 85% farmland. For the most part, the locals don’t want that to change. When the township surveyed its residents in 2024, the rural atmosphere ranked as the number one thing residents liked most about where they lived. Out here, taxes are cheaper, land is rolling, and nights are quiet and filled with stars. It’s harder to get a high-speed internet connection, and you’ll likely be heading into Port Huron at least once a week for grocery runs. But for buyers who want space, Wales Township offers immersion into Michigan’s rural wilderness.
Rural homes, large yards and lower property taxes
In Wales Township, it’s rare to see a yard that is smaller than an acre, and most properties are set back from the main road on personal driveways. “It’s safe and spread out,” says Trent Attebury, a principal broker with J. A. Bachler Realtor who has sold all over St. Clair County. “It’s close enough to Port Huron to get there and access all the amenities, but far enough to where you can find houses that are a bit more affordable with acreage.”
Rustic ranch-style homes start in the low $200,000s, and prices can reach the mid-$400,000s for contemporary construction or properties with significant acreage. For buyers looking to build a custom home, land can range from around $30,000 for less than 2 acres to the mid-$200,000s for 30 acres. One major draw of the area is its lower property taxes, which are significantly lower than those in Port Huron or Marysville.
Most kids attend Memphis Community Schools
The township spans four school districts, but most kids attend Memphis Community Schools or Yale Community Schools. Yale is considered one of the top-rated school districts in St. Clair County. There are no schools in the township, so kids typically expect a 15- to 20-minute bus ride to nearby towns. Thanks to Michigan’s Schools of Choice program, students can apply to districts outside their home boundaries. All districts in St. Clair County participate in the program.
Commuting to Detroit and Port Huron
Detroit is just under 60 miles away, about an hour by taking Interstate 94. “I know quite a few people who do that commute,” Attebury says. “The expressways are really close — both Interstate 69 and 94 lead to Port Huron, so they cross by this area.” Port Huron is about 15 minutes away for grocery runs and city amenities. The city has a bridge to Canada and is particularly lively in the summer, since it’s on the shores of the St. Clair River and Lake Huron.
Limited high-speed internet and other utilities
Since Wales Township is such a rural area, some of the biggest drawbacks to living here include slow internet and a lack of municipal services. Here’s what homebuyers should know about utilities and services in the area:
- Water and sewer: All township properties use well water and private septic tanks; there is no municipal water source or sewer system.
- Gas and electric: Electricity is provided by DTE Energy, and gas is provided by SEMCO. Most residents use SEMCO propane.
- Internet and cell service: Most of the township has cable and fixed-wireless internet, with some coverage by Xfinity, and several major providers offer cell service. Slow internet speeds are a common complaint from local residents.
- Trash: Trash pickup is handled by private companies, like Jeff’s Rubbish Disposal, so residents have to set up the service themselves.
- Roads: Many back roads are gravel or dirt, and snowplows can be slow to reach the more rural areas in the wintertime.
Get outdoors with county fairs and country roads
In an otherwise quiet area of the county, Goodells County Park is an unexpected spot of activity. This major green space has walking trails, a BMX track, a summertime splash pad and a historic village. It really comes to life every year with the St. Clair County 4-H & Youth Fair. The event has been going on for more than 85 years, and is a well-loved tradition with all the classic attractions of a county fair — carnival games, rodeos, tractor pulls, fried food and livestock shows.
There are a few other parks in the township, including the wooded trails and exhibits at Pine River Nature Center. But in general, locals can enjoy the outdoors simply by stepping out into their spacious yards or driving through the country roads. “Wales is a bit more scenic compared to the rest of St. Clair County,” Attebury says. “Because there’s a bit more elevation geographically.”
![Catherine Lashley]()
Written By
Catherine Lashley
