Living on Mackinac Island
Around 500-600 people live year-round on Mackinac Island. Most of the Islanders live in the center of the Island in a community called Harrisonville. There is even a school on Mackinac Island that serves students grades kindergarten through high school.
Living on Mackinac Island - Table of Conents
Updated: April 29, 2024
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Mackinac Island Public School
Mackinac Island School serves students grades Pre-K through 12th grade and has an enrollment of 80 students. Home of the “Lakers,” the public school’s class sizes are anywhere from ten students to two students per class. At Mackinac Island School, the classes are divided by every two grade levels.
There is no bus transportation, nor is there horse-drawn carriage transportation. Students either ride their bike, walk, or drive a snowmobile in the winter.
You can learn more about Mackinac Island Public School by visiting their website.
This photo is available for purchase by clicking HERE.
Doud's Market
Doud’s Market has been in business since 1884 and refers to itself as America’s oldest family-operated grocery store. Now owned by fourth-generation owner Andrew Doud, the grocery store is one of the few businesses on Mackinac Island open year round.
In addition to standard grocery items, Doud’s Market has many different snacks and “grab ’n go” style meals. In keeping with the times, Doud’s Market now offers online grocery shopping with delivery to anywhere on Mackinac Island.
To learn more about Doud’s Market, visit their webpage.
Harrisonville
The majority of Mackinac Island’s year-round residents live in the Village of Harrisonville. Located in the interior of the Island, and sometimes referred to as “The Village,” Harrisonville does not have the same touristy feeling as other parts of Mackinac Island.
During a recent trip to Mackinac, I rode my bike through Harrisonville and tried to get some pictures of what it looks like for people living year-round on Mackinac Island.
Great Turtle Park
Located near Harrisonville, Great Turtle Park provides both residents and tourists with soccer fields, a beach volleyball court, a basketball court, a baseball/softball field, and a disc golf course.
There is also a pavilion with a fire pit that can be reserved for special events. If you are near the Harrisonville and looking for a public restroom, Great Turtle Park has very clean bathrooms as well.
Governor's Summer Residence
Originally built in 1902, the Mackinac Island State Park Commission purchased the house that today serves as the Governor of Michigan’s Summer Residence in 1944. In addition to hosting the Governor of Michigan, the house has had significant overnight guests including Harry Truman, Gerald Ford, and George HW Bush.
On Wednesdays, during the summer, the Governor’s Residence is open to tours. The cost of the tour is free and lasts approximately 15 minutes. The Governor’s Summer Residence is located at the top of Fort Street just before Fort Mackinac.
Mackinac Island Post Office
Mackinac Island has a permanent US Post Office that is located on Market Street. The Post Office does not deliver mail to the Island’s residents but does offer PO Boxes. The Post Office is open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 1 pm and then again from 2 pm to 4 pm for retail services. There are also limited Saturday hours from 10 am to 11 am.
The lobby is open seven days a week from 8 am to 8 pm, which includes access to the residents PO Boxes. In addition to the US Post Office, private companies such as UPS also deliver to the Island. These deliveries are done via horse-drawn wagon.
Mackinac Island Medical Center
The Mackinac Island Medical Center has an ambulance, which is one of the only motorized vehicles allowed on the Island. Emergency services are available 24/7 by dialing 9-1-1.
The medical center is equipped to handle everything from the routine health needs of the Island’s residents to emergency care for the Island’s workers and tourists. For non-emergencies, the medical center has regular daily hours of 9 am to 4 pm until the end of October. After October, the medical center is only available for emergencies.
There is a major hospital located in St. Ignace that provides a year-round clinic. For major emergencies, the patient would most likely be transported to St. Ignace. You can visit the Mackinac Island Medical Center’s webpage by clicking HERE.
Mackinac Island Public Library
Located just west of Windermere Point, the Mackinac Island Public Library has served guests in its current location since 1992. The beautiful teal-blue building is easy to spot and is open year round.
In an effort to provide continual library services to the Island’s 500+ year round residents, the library only provides book check out services to Mackinac Island’s year-round and summer residents. Visitors are not allowed to check out books. You can visit the Mackinac Island Public Library’s website by clicking HERE.
One of the best views on Mackinac Island is the back porch of the Mackinac Island Public Library.
Courthouse and Police Station
Mackinac Island’s Court House was built in 1839 and renovated in 1936. During the courthouses early years, a Federal Judge would travel from Washington DC once a year to hear cases. The judge’s journey would take up to six weeks.
Today, the courthouse is home to the Mackinac Island Police Department. During the summer, the officers patrol on bicycles making sure that bikers are riding safely. In the winter, the police patrol using snowmobiles and one SUV. The SUV is sometimes used to transport the Island’s older residents to church, the medical center, and the airport.
In case of an emergency on Mackinac Island dial 9-1-1. For non-emergencies, the police can be reached at (906) 847-3300. You can visit the Mackinac Island Police’s website by clicking HERE.
Mackinac Island Town Crier
The Mackinac Island Town Crier is the Island’s Newspaper, publishing 22 issues a year from May through September, and once a month in October, December, February, and April. The Town Crier can be purchased on the Island for $1. Subscriptions are also available for the following prices:
By Mail: $45 annually within the State of Michigan, $50 outside of Michigan
Online Access: $40 per year
The Town Crier features information on the Island’s year-round residents, the students at the Mackinac Island Public School, improvement projects, tourism, and more. My father has been a subscriber of the Town Crier for over 20 years. You can visit the Mackinac Island Town Crier’s website by clicking HERE.
