Ten Things about Port Huron

Like many of us, I live in the town I was raised in. If you asked me a few years ago, the chances of that happening would seem slim to none. I moved down South for close to twenty years, but the combination of family, friends and opportunity brought me back home.

I’ve been asked by many out-of-town friends what are the positive aspects of Port Huron, and what are the opportunities there? Below are some interesting facts and tidbits about the city that I call home:

1. It’s a border city with Sarnia, Ontario, connected by the Blue Water Bridge, which is a twin-span international bridge across the St Clair River.

2. The Blue Water Bridge is one of the busiest border crossings in the United States for both trucks and cars, with over $38 billion in goods (over $100 million per day) crossing yearly.

3. It’s the end of the NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) Superhighway, which connects Canada to Mexico. This brings a huge amount of trucking and infrastructure to the area.

4. Port Huron is the biggest city in the ‘Thumb’ of Michigan, with a population of approximately 30,000 people.

5. The Fort Gratiot Lighthouse is the oldest operating lighthouse in Michigan, established in 1825.

6. Canadians spend, on average, $250 million annually in St Clair County, with the majority of that in Port Huron and neighboring Fort Gratiot Township.

7. In the years following the Civil War, Port Huron was the second largest immigration point in the United States, trailing only New York City.

8. The Port Huron to Mackinac Boat Race is one of the longest fresh-water races in the world, with over 200 boats entering each year. The night before the race is called ‘Boat Night’, and has been a huge gathering each year, with tens of thousands of spectators coming out to enjoy the festivities.

9. The Port Huron Float Down is a yearly tradition that sees thousands of tubers floating down the St Clair River in between the US and Canada. In 2016, almost 1,500 floaters ended up in Canada due to heavy winds!

10. Lofts have been booming in the Historic Downtown District of Port Huron, with over 100 units developed and filled, with another 50 in the pipeline.

Port Huron is a great place to visit, start a business or raise a family. The beaches on Lake Huron can’t be beat, and our historic downtown district is experiencing a renaissance, with new lofts, hotels, theaters and restaurants lining the streets. Come visit us soon and see what we have to offer!