I’ve lived in Port Huron over thirty-five years. Wonderful people, great location, with exceptional parks and evening activities. Many outsiders consider the city to be a good tourist attraction for day trips. As for schools, the high schools are surprising really good. Due to declining enrollment, the schools have really stepped up their game. Police and fire, while still having bloated staffing, have downsized. Thirty years ago young people left perceiving themselves to be in a heightened police state. The big negative, has always been the city government, even when no real newspaper exists to broadcast their misdeeds. Port Huron was once jammed full with good paying industry jobs. Most of the good paying commercial employers relocated having had bad experiences with the city. Real estate interests can be traced back as the major cause of the decline. Historically, two-thirds of the city’s elected officials are heavy real estate investors or financially participate in some form or fashion with the real estate market. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent by the city on the latest project – all connected to real estate. Many who participate in the local government are just waiting to pounce on the next land deal as their winning lottery ticket. Lately that winning ticket has been selling off the cities assets. Housing stock, some of it very unique is the only thing left. Code Enforcement, (at every level) carry themselves like thugs “really.” Many will not even knock on doors, but walk right in your house unannounced. Local courts just play stupid. Director of the planning department (a burnt out real estate agent) is trying to convert the city into a giant HOA. So far, it has created a lot of churning, but hey the real estate agents are making lots of money when citizens with financial means relocate. Code enforcement plays games as a matter of job security. Good-luck trying to find a contractor to renovate your home once they find out your address is in the city limits. Many have realized the optimal strategy is to move just outside the city limits. Where one can still enjoy the city’s amenities, without having to hold their nose to city hall.
Cass | Port Huron, MI | Report Abuse

I too was born in Port Huron, raised in the 60's, educated by the school system to be a blue collar worker either directly for the big three auto makers or working for one of their numerous suppliers. True, the middle class has shrunk there as it has across the country, and probably more due the area's high job multiplier related to the Automotive Industry. However, the so-called "rich" love any place where they can find a bargain, same as anyone with disposable income would, and I can't think of any place where the extremely poor enjoy their lot. All socioeconomic class disparity comments aside, I generally agree that Port Huron has suffered economic malaise since the 70's as it's business and civic leaders were not able to quickly adapt to technology advances and simultaneously avoid the downward pressure from the hit that Detroit took from the global competition. Port Huron was damaged in much the same way as Flint and many other nearby suburbs built on supplying parts to the Big Three were. A couple of specific examples of this was the demise of Mueller Brass in Port Huron; another was the double hit that Grand Trunk Railroad took - one from the US government takeover of it's passenger service by Amtrak and then the freight line being absorbed back into Canadian National. It seems a significant majority of the residential areas are rife for urban renewal as homes have deteriorated while owners cannot afford, or decide it isn't worth the money to invest in maintaining property. It is truly sad to see, and especially if it happens to a home one was raised in. (You have my sympathy)
mywon | Virginia Beach, VA | Report Abuse