St. Clair Shores, Michigan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
St. Clair Shores is a bedroom community of the Metro Detroit area in Macomb County of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is approximately 13 miles 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).
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[edit] 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 of canals.
[edit] 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 9 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 9 Mile Road & 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 9 Mile and 10 Mile roads featuring many retail establishments, boat dealers, and marinas
Notable former residents include actor Dave Coulier [1], former Detroit Red Wings forward Sergei Federov[citation needed],Tomas Holmstrom[citation needed], Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame singer Patti Smith (and her husband, Fred 'Sonic' Smith of the MC5) and rapper Eminem. Mathers worked as a cook at Gilbert's Lodge on 9 Mile Road & Harper Road from 1996 to 1998.[citation needed] And Mark Wells of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey team
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- MapQuest map of St. Clair Shores
- St. Clair Shores Online
- 1875 Map of Macomb County, including Erin Township
- Macomb County Extinct Towns, Railroad Stops and Place Names
- St. Clair Shores Public Library
- Nautical Mile
