Indian Trail Road-Belle River Bridge · National Register of Historic Places
China’s story
China in pictures
1 places on the National Register of Historic Places.
Explore the history →ChinaMI
A town of 3,502. Public schools that outperform most of Michigan.
Population
3,502
−1.2% since 2010
Typical home
$392K
+5.7% in a year
Household income
$99K
median
Median age
42.8
years
Jobs based here
2,289
Balanced
What makes China stand out
The 3 things China does most differently from other towns.
China’s report card
Now in China
Be the first to start the conversation.
Residents weigh in
China is #3 of 719 in MI for “Longest growing season”. Fair?
Your answer becomes a post in China’s Town Square.
Start a conversation
The data
Ordered by what stands out in China. Another town gets a different order.
Schools
China’s public schools outperform 73% of Michigan districts
The public schools China’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, outperform 73% of Michigan’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they sit near the middle.
B+School Grade
| School | Grades | Students | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pine River Elementary School | K–4 | 335 | B− |
NCES · EDFacts · graded within MI on state tests and graduationAll 1 schools →
Health
Healthier than 58% of U.S. towns
China beats the Michigan average on 8 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 2.
BHealth Grade
32 measures vs. Michigan
8 better22 too close to call2 worse
| What stands out | China | MI |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer adults facing a utility shut-off | 5.9% | 8.7% |
| Fewer adults facing food insecurity | 10.5% | 15.4% |
| More adults who have had cancer | 11.5% | 8.9% |
Ascension River District Hospital
4.4 mi away · emergency room
3 of 3
care shortages: primary care, dental, mental health
72nd
percentile among MI towns
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSAFull health report →
Housing
A typical China home is worth about $392K
The typical China home is worth about $392,000, up 5.7% in a year, 47% above the Michigan typical home.
$392KZillow home value
Typical home value
China$392K
Michigan$266K
+5.7%
value change, 1 year
Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →
Climate
Four seasons, pleasant summers
China has chilly, snowy winters and pleasant summers. A typical July afternoon reaches 83°, a January night drops to 19°, and about 36 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
36″snow a winter
Typical low → high °F
Winter21–34°
Spring37–56°
Summer61–80°
Fall44–61°
Nov 3
typical first frost
Apr 19
typical last frost
+1.7°
vs. the 20th-century average
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Full climate →
Work & commute
Most working residents commute out of China
Most working residents leave China for work: only 5% work in town. The top destinations are Detroit (7%), St. Clair (5%) and Marine City (4%). Half commute less than 26 miles.
5%work in town
Where working residents work
In China5%
Detroit7%
St. Clair5%
Marine City4%
Port Huron4%
26 mi
median commute distance
2,289
jobs based in China
Balanced
jobs vs. working residents
Census LEHD 2021 · ACSCommute map →
Natural hazards
Moderate risk, with inland flooding at the top
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 46% of U.S. communities.
46risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
Inland floodingCold wavesTornadoes
11
paid flood claims since 1978
1
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMANatural hazards →
Outdoors
2.7% of China is conserved land
1.0 miles of trails across 0 parks and preserves.
2.7%conserved
2.7%
conserved · 579 of 21,851 acres
1.0 mi
of trails · 0 per sq mi
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-USParks & trails →
About China
Charter township in Michigan, United States
China Township is a charter township of St. Clair County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,509 at the 2020 Census. It is named after China, Maine.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Population
- 3,509
- Area
- 34 sq mi
- Elevation
- 620 ft
China’s neighbors
6 towns share a border with China.
East ChinaCascoSt. ClairSt. ClairMarine CityCottrellvilleChina