ST. CLAIR SHORES, MICHIGAN

'St. Clair Shores' is a city in Macomb County of the U.S. state of Michigan. It forms a part of the Metro Detroit area, and is located approximately 13 miles (21 km) northeast of downtown Detroit. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 63,096. The current mayor is Robert A. Hison (R).

Contents

Geography

History and culture

Demographics

Education

See also

External links

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 36.9 km² (14.2 mi²). 29.9 km² (11.5 mi²) of it is land and 7.0 km² (2.7 mi²) of it (19.09%) is water. A notable feature of St. Clair Shores is its 14 miles (22 km) of canals.

History and culture

The area was inhabited by French settlers as early as 1710, at which time it was called ''L'anse Creuse''. (L'anse Creuse was also the name of a stop on the now-defunct interurban railroad off of Jefferson Ave near Nine Mile Road, and the name lives on today in the L'anse Creuse High School in Harrison Twp.)
From 1843 until 1911, St. Clair Shores was a part of Erin Township, parts of which make up today's Eastpointe, the Grosse Pointes and St. Clair Shores. In 1911, the township's name changed to Lake Township. Lake Township still exists, although greatly reduced in area. It now represents only the small portion of the village of Grosse Pointe Shores that lies within Macomb County.
The city once was home to an amusement park named Jefferson Beach. Built in 1927, it featured the longest roller coaster in the United States. In 1955, a fire destroyed several buildings in the park. While Jefferson Beach attempted to rebuild, its owners slowly converted the park to a marina. In 1959, the remaining amusement park buildings were destroyed to make room for the marina.
With help from its location along the shores of Lake Saint Clair, St. Clair Shores grew from a resort community to a suburban city rapidly after World War II. Prior to the city's incorporation in 1951, St. Clair Shores was recognized as the largest village in the United States.
The tallest building in St. Clair Shores is the 26-story Shore Club Highrise, known locally as "9 Mile Tower", located near Nine Mile Road and Jefferson Avenue on Lake Saint Clair.
Each year, St. Clair Shores hosts a popular Memorial Day Parade. The city is also known for its "Nautical Mile" - a strip of Jefferson Avenue between Nine Mile and 10 Mile roads featuring many retail establishments, boat dealers, and marinas.
St. Clair Shores is home to one of the longest running local pageants as a member of the Miss America Organization. The Miss St. Clair Shores program offers scholarships to young women in the community ages 17-24. Miss St. Clair Shores volunteers and serves her city during her preparation to compete at the Miss Michigan Pageant.
The city is also known for its connection to Detroit's musical history. Notable locations include Car City Records on Harper between 8 and 9 Mile roads (whose employees have included many from the Detroit music scene) and the Crows Nest East, a popular music venue in the 1960's which was located on Harper and 13 Mile Road.
Notable former residents include actor Dave Coulier [1], Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame singer Patti Smith (and her late husband, Fred 'Sonic' Smith of the MC5), rapper Eminem (who worked as a cook at Gilbert's Lodge on Harper Ave. near 9 Mile Road from 1996 to 1998) and Mark Wells of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 63,096 people, 27,434 households, and 17,283 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,112.9/km² (5,472.3/mi²). There were 28,208 housing units at an average density of 944.6/km² (2,446.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.89% White, 0.69% African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.84% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 1.10% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.18% of the population.
There were 27,434 households out of which 24.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.5% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.0% were non-families. 32.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the city the population was spread out with 20.2% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 21.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $49,047, and the median income for a family was $59,245. Males had a median income of $46,614 versus $31,192 for females. The per capita income for the city was $25,009. About 2.6% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.4% of those under age 18 and 4.9% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Located in St. Clair Shores are the South Lake, Lakeview and Lake Shore public school districts; each of which includes a high school of the same name as the district. Private schools include St. Germaine, St. Isaac Jogues and St. Joan of Arc.

See also

★ Grosse Pointe

★ Lake Saint Clair (North America)

External links

★ Official Website of the City of St. Clair Shores

★ 1875 Map of Macomb County, including Erin Township

★ MapQuest map of St. Clair Shores

★ Macomb County Extinct Towns, Railroad Stops and Place Names

★ St. Clair Shores Public Library

★ Nautical Mile