Community & Economic Profiles
City of Sault Ste. Marie
The Sault is the oldest community in Michigan and one of the earliest settlements in the Midwest with a storied past populated by the earliest French missionaries to the continent and an even deeper Native America history. Against this historical backdrop, Sault Ste. Marie is a modern community, home to the highly respected Lake Superior State University on a lovely historic campus, a dynamic and fast-growing regional medical center in the heart of the City’s attractive downtown, and modern and growing shopping facilities. Located on the northern end of Interstate I-75, we are strategically located at the nexus of rail, highway, air and water transportation systems, as well as the gateway to Ontario Canada just across the International Bridge.
Explore the possibilities. YOUR VISIT – pick your outdoors activity and then pack your bags. Every season offers an array of activities from boating to x-country skiing. YOUR BUSINESS – from tourism to international trade, Sault Ste. Marie economy encompasses a diversity of products and services. We are truly your multi-modal community from rail to shipping to air to highways provides your business with efficient access to not only national markets but also global markets. YOUR LIFE – whether you’re a young family just starting out of a business seeking to expand, there’s room to grow in Sault Ste. Marie. A four-year university, high-quality health care, rich history and beautiful natural assets complete the package.
The City of Sault Ste. Marie understands that even a historic community needs a modern infrastructure to serve its citizens and prepare the way fro the future. The Sault has risen to the challenge! Over the last 10 years alone, the City has expended over $55 million in public works improvements including roads, sewers, water mains, an extensive downtown street project, a downtown marina, and a new 400 space parking structure. The City has also upgraded our 35 City Parks on over 400 acres of land. Our 100 acres of waterfront walkways and dedicated bicycle and snowmobile trails are currently being planned and developed, in addition to the many historic landmark restoration projects underway.
| CENSUS | 2000 | 2010 |
| Population | 14,451 | 14,144 |
Chippewa County
Chippewa County is located on the southern shore of Lake Superior and includes 1 City, 1 Village and 15 Townships. Chippewa County has strong service/government sector employment base and growing manufacturing base. The largest employer is the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. The County covers 2,698 square miles, has 456 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, 34 inland lakes over 50 acres in size, and nearly 458,000 acres of public recreation land. FOR MORE DETAIL CLICK HERE (go to attached County Information
| CENSUS | 2000 | 2010 |
| Population | 38,543 |
38,520 |
| LABOR FORCE (2010) | |
| Total Labor Force | 16,600 |
| Employed | 14,450 |
| Unemployed | 13.0% |
| COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES | |
| Lake Superior State University | 2,750 |
| Bay Mills Community College | 591 |
| HEALTHCARE & EMERGENCE SERVICES | |
| War Memorial Hospital | |
| Sault Tribe Health Center | |
| VA Clinic | |
| Nursing Homes | 1 |
| Assisted Living Facilities | 3 |
| Home Health Providers | 5 |
Mackinac County
Mackinac County is located on the northern shore of Lake Huron and Michigan and encompasses 2 Cities and 11 Townships. The largest employer is the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, the largest year round employer is the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians. The growing tourism industry is currently built around the many attractions in St. Ignace and on Mackinac Island, National Forests, Lake Huron and Michigan, numerous rivers, streams, inland lakes, public and private campgrounds ad the rapidly growing snowmobile tourist season.
| CENSUS | 2000 | 2010 |
| Population | 11,941 |
11,113 |
| LABOR FORCE (2010) | |
| Total Labor Force | 4,975 |
| Employed | 3,875 |
| Unemployed | 21.9% |
| COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES | |
| Lake Superior State University | 2,750 |
| Bay Mills Community College | 591 |
| HEALTHCARE & EMERGENCE SERVICES | |
| Straits Area Hospital | |
| Basic Care | |
| Long Term Care | 99 beds |
Luce County
Luce County is located in Michigan’s Eastern Upper Peninsula. The County is a 4-seasons recreational mecca with over 300,00 acres of public access land, 15,000 cres of inland lakes, 658 miles of rivers and streams, 31 miles of Lake Superior shoreline, and Tahquamenon Falls. The County’s economy is primarily based on forest products and tourism.
| CENSUS | 2000 | 2010 |
| Population | 7,028 |
6,631 |
| LABOR FORCE (2010) | |
| Total Labor Force | 2,575 |
| Employed | 2,255 |
| Unemployed | 14.2% |
| HEALTHCARE & EMERGENCE SERVICES | |
| Helen Newberry Joy Hospital | |
| Walk-in Clinic and Wellness Center | |
| Assisted Living Facilities | 1 |
| Home Health Providers | 2 |