Saint Clair Shores, Michigan is in southeast Macomb County, and is a northern suburb of the Detroit Metro Region.

The city abuts the cities of Roseville and Eastpointe to the west, Harper Woods and Grosse Pointe Woods to the south, Grosse Pointe Shores to the southeast, and Clinton and Harrison townships to the north. Lake Saint Clair borders the city to the east.

The city includes fourteen miles of canals in what is known as the Nautical Mile, along Jefferson Avenue, between Mile 9 and Mile 10. The Nautical Mile features a nautical-themed streetscape, retail establishments, restaurants, boat dealers, and marinas.

The chief route to and from the city is I-94, which forms a portion of its western boundary. Mile 8 Road, Mile 9 Road, Mile 10 Road, Mile 11 Road, Mile 12 Road, Mile 13 Road, and Mile 14 Road lead west from St. Clair Shores.

Besides Roseville, Grosse Pointe Shores, Grosse Pointe Woods, Eastpointe, and Harper Woods, which abut Saint Clair Shores, other cities and villages within twenty miles include Fraser, Warren, Grosse Pointe Farms, Center Line, Mount Clemens, Grosse Pointe, Grosse Pointe Park, Madison Heights, Sterling Heights, Hazel Park, Pleasant Ridge, Royal Oak, Ferndale, Hamtramck, Huntington Woods, Oak Park, Berkley, Clawson, Highland Park, Utica, Detroit, Lathrup Village, New Baltimore, Southfield, Birmingham, and Troy.

Due to its location along the shores of Lake Saint Clair, Saint Clair Shores grew rapidly after World War II, transitioning from a resort community to a suburban city. Between 1930 and 1960, its population grew from 6,745 to its peak of 88,093 in 1970. Since then, however, its population has declined each decade. As of the 2020 census, the population was 58,874.

Although its population has declined considerably, St. Clair Shores is still a bustling city, due, in large part, to its location on Lake Saint Clair, its park system, and recreational sports programs. The city is served by three public school districts: South Lake Public Schools, Lakeview Public Schools, and Lake Shore Public Schools.

The area was settled by European-Americans as early as 1710 when French settlers referred to it as L'Anse Creuse, although the area remained agricultural until it was populated by French and German immigrants in the early 1900s.

In 1835, the area became part of Orange Township, one of the first townships in Michigan. Orange Township was renamed Erin Township in 1843. It was separated from Erin Township in 1911, and became Lake Township.

In 1925, the community was incorporated as a village, at which time it took its current name. In 2009, Grosse Pointe Shores was incorporated as a city, and the Village of St. Clair Shores remained part of Lake Township until it was incorporated as a city in 1951. A post office was established in St. Clair Shores on February 15, 1927, with Russell W. Swhier as postmaster.

Around the time of World War I, the community became popular as a resort area and as a playground for gamblers. During Prohibition, the community became a haven for rum runners due to its proximity to Canada.

From 1927 to 1959, St. Clair Shores was home to the Jefferson Beach Amusement Park, a major lakefront attraction for a time. At the time of its opening, its roller coaster was the longest in the United States. After some of the attractions were destroyed in a 1955 fire, its attraction diminished, and the remaining amusement facilities were dismantled in 1959 to make room for the Jefferson Beach Marina.

Today, the city operates ten major buildings and several parks and recreation facilities, including the city hall building, the public works building, fire station, police station, court building, and a library. The Blossom Heath Inn served as the original village hall, then became a recreation and teen center, and now serves as a banquet facility.

A United States Coast Guard Station opened in Saint Clair Shores in 1962, and was rebuilt and expanded in 1990.

The city owns about 240 acres of parkland, including fourteen parks, which include three waterfront parks, two large community parks, five neighborhood parks, and several pocket parks, as well as the Civic Arena and the Country Club.

The focus of this portion of our guide is on the City of Saint Clair Shores, Michigan. Appropriate resources for this category would include those pertaining to the municipality, as well as local businesses, industries, schools, places of worship, organizations, attractions, events, entertainment venues, and recreational opportunities.

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