Pearl Beach is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in St. Clair County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population of the CDP was 4,698 at the 2020 census. The community is located within Clay Township.
History
This area along the North Channel connecting Anchor Bay to the Saint Clair River was settled as early as 1796 when a dozen private land claims were made by the French. A now-defunct post office began operating here under the name Pearlbeach on August 2, 1898. Harry Bryant, who was an agent for the Detroit and St. Clair Railroad, served as the first postmaster.
The Colony Tower Complex was built in Pearl Beach along the North Channel in 1925. The site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is also a designated Michigan State Historic Site.
Geography
thumb|left|250px|Looking east along [[M-29 (Michigan highway)|M-29 toward the ferry service to Harsens Island and M-154]]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of , of which is land and (14.87%) is water.
The CDP also contains the unincorporated community of Pointe aux Tremble, which was settled in 1904 as a station along the railway about west of Algonac. The St. John's Marsh State Wildlife Area is a state wildlife area that has small portions within Pearl Beach.
Ferry service
- Harsens Island Ferry Landing is located in the eastern portion of the Pearl Beach CDP. The ferry service crosses the North Channel and connects to M-154 on Harsens Island.
Major highways
- runs west–east through the community along the northern shores of the North Channel.
Demographics
As of the census