RANK #270 / 996 · POP 160,257 · MI
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.7%
St. Clair County, Michigan, is defined by its abundant freshwater resources, often called the "Blue Water Area." Located northeast of Detroit, the county seat, Port Huron, sits at the northern end of the St. Clair River where it meets Lake Huron. The St. Clair River forms an international border with Ontario, Canada. Commuting to Detroit is common, and local public transit, Blue Water Area Transit, serves Port Huron and surrounding townships. The community offers a blend of charming downtowns and rural landscapes, with extensive opportunities for boating, fishing, kayaking, and freighter-watching along its 50 miles of waterfront.
Life in St. Clair County offers a mix of small-town environments and access to natural amenities. The public schools are above average, with options including traditional districts and career-focused technical education at St. Clair County TEC. The economy is seeing recent developments, including a $44.5 million investment across two companies in Midland and St. Clair counties, creating over 100 jobs in advanced manufacturing for EV materials and food-grade packaging. The Economic Development Alliance of St. Clair County also secured a grant to build a business center in Port Huron, supporting small businesses and acting as a hub for technology companies.
Above national median (4.7x)
Well below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.4x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
St. Clair County has a Boom Town Index score of 73/100, ranking #270 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.9% and a median household income of $66,887, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in St. Clair County is $197,300 with median rent at $982/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.339, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.1% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.9%. Home values changed +4.2% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.77% of St. Clair County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.