Harbor Beach is a city in Huron County, which is in the U.S. state of Michigan. According to the 2020 census, the population was 1,604.

History

The first people to live in this area came in 1837 and built a sawmill to cut and process wood. The settlement was named Barnettsville in 1855. As the town grew, it was later renamed Sand Beach. In 1899, the village changed its name to Harbor Beach because people thought the area had only sand. In 1910, the town officially became a city.

Harbor Beach is located on the eastern shore of Lake Huron in the Thumb region of Michigan. It is known for having the world's largest man-made freshwater harbor. The town also has a fishing pier that is accessible to people with disabilities. The public marina offers services for visitors and provides shuttle rides to the downtown area, which has kept its historic charm.

A group called HBRA was started in 1896 as a summer vacation spot in Harbor Beach. The resort is about three hours north of Detroit, Michigan. Today, it is still operated and visited by the fifth and sixth generations of the families who originally founded it.

Harbor Beach won the Division 8 State Football Championships in 2012 and 2025.

Geography

• The United States Census Bureau reports that the city covers a total area of 2.09 square miles (5.41 square kilometers). Of this area, 1.75 square miles (4.53 square kilometers) is land, and 0.34 square miles (0.88 square kilometers) is water.
• The world’s largest man-made freshwater harbor provides a safe place for ships traveling between Port Huron and Pointe Aux Barques.
• The city is part of the Thumb region in Michigan, which is a subregion of the larger Flint/Tri-Cities area.
• The two main state highways in the area are M-25 and M-142.

Demographics

As of the 2010 census, the city had 1,703 people, 774 households, and 454 families. The population density was 973.1 people per square mile (375.7/km²). There were 975 housing units, with an average density of 557.1 per square mile (215.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.4% White, 0.2% African American, 0.4% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino individuals of any race made up 0.6% of the population.

Of the 774 households, 24.0% had children under 18 living with them. Forty-three point eight percent were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder without a husband, 3.6% had a male householder without a wife, and 41.3% were non-families. Thirty-seven point nine percent of all households included only one person, and 22.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years or older. The average household size was 2.14 people, and the average family size was 2.80 people.

The median age in the city was 47.7 years. Twenty point four percent of residents were under 18, 7.4% were between 18 and 24, 19.5% were aged 25 to 44, 29.9% were aged 45 to 64, and 22.7% were 65 or older. The gender distribution was 47.5% male and 52.5% female.

As of the 2000 census, the city had 1,837 people, 774 households, and 503 families. The population density was 1,036.3 people per square mile (400.1/km²). There were 928 housing units, with an average density of 523.5 per square mile (202.1/km²). The racial makeup was 96.35% White, 0.11% African American, 0.49% Native American, 1.36% Asian, 0.38% from other races, and 1.31% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino individuals of any race made up 0.93% of the population.

Of the 774 households, 29.5% had children under 18 living with them. Fifty-one point four percent were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder without a husband, and 34.9% were non-families. Thirty-two point three percent of all households included only one person, and 16.8% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.31 people, and the average family size was 2.92 people.

In 2000, the population was distributed as follows: 24.5% under 18, 6.8% aged 18 to 24, 23.8% aged 25 to 44, 22.9% aged 45 to 64, and 22.1% aged 65 or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 86.9 males.

The median household income in the city was $29,469, and the median family income was $35,263. Males had a median income of $29,938, while females had a median income of $18,864. The per capita income was $14,917. About 11.2% of families and 15.1% of the population lived below the poverty line, including 24.8% of those under 18 and 12.2% of those aged 65 or older.

Notable people

• Frank Murphy, governor of Michigan, U.S. attorney general, and associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court
• Dick Lange, Major League Baseball pitcher for the California Angels
• James H. Lincoln, judge, author, and member of the Detroit City Council
• Louis J. Sebille, World War II and Korean War pilot, Medal of Honor recipient

Government

The government of Harbor Beach follows the City Charter of 1965 and uses a Mayor/Council system. The City Council includes the Mayor, who is elected every two years, and four Council members, who are elected for four-year terms.

• Mayor Kevin Guitar
• Mayor Pro-Temp Sam Capling
• Council member Adam Wood
• Council member Matt Woodke
• Council member Will Woodward
• Harbor Beach has a sister city in Canada:

Attractions

• The Harbor Beach Light is at the end of the north breakwater entrance to the harbor of refuge, built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to protect the harbor in Harbor Beach, Michigan. Tours are available on Saturdays during the summer.
• The Harbor Beach Community House is at the main intersection in Harbor Beach. A mural on the west side of the building shows local historical scenes and figures, such as agriculture, Frank Murphy, shipwrecks, locomotives, and other details.
• The Grice House Museum provides a look at life in the past and helps preserve history for future generations.
• Frank Murphy Memorial Museum and home is the birthplace of Frank Murphy and the law office of his father.
• The Harbor Beach open-air Farmers Market is held on the grounds of the historic Frank Murphy Museum from 2:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. every Friday during the summer until October 7.
• James H. Lincoln Park hosts "Music on the Beach" every Friday night from mid-June to mid-August.

Education

• Harbor Beach Community School District
• Harbor Beach Elementary School
• Harbor Beach Middle School
• Harbor Beach High School
• Lucille H. McCollough graduated from this school
• Our Lady Of Lake Huron School
• Zion Lutheran School