St. James Michigan Map

About St. James, Michigan

St. James is a locality in Charlevoix County, Michigan, United States. It is a small community with a population of 269. The population density is 97.2 people per km². St. James is located at 45.7454°N, 85.5226°W. It observes the Eastern Time (America/Detroit) timezone. ZIP code: 49782.

St. James breathes the crisp, clean air of the northern Michigan shoreline, a small harbor village where the land meets the vast, shimmering expanse of Lake Michigan. It lies 85.9 miles east-north-east of Door, WI (from Door, WI: bearing 59°T), and is situated 7.0 miles north-north-east of Beaver Island. Gentle slopes, carpeted in deep green pine and hardwood, tumble down towards the water's edge, their roots gripping the sandy soil that characterizes this coastal terrain. The houses, painted in muted blues, grays, and whites, seem to huddle together against the prevailing winds, their porches often adorned with fishing nets and weathered lobster traps, testaments to the ever-present influence of the lake. Sunlight, when it breaks through the often-cloudy skies, has a peculiar, diffused quality here, bathing the landscape in a soft, silvery glow that can make even the most ordinary scene feel touched by a quiet magic. The distant cry of gulls, a constant companion, underscores the elemental nature of this place, a place where the rhythm of the tides dictates much of the day's unfolding. The history of St. James is as deeply entwined with the water as the roots of the ancient cedars that cling to the bluffs. For generations, this harbor has been a vital lifeline, its economy built on the bounty of Lake Michigan, from the bustling days of commercial fishing that once defined its shores to the more recent surge of summer tourism drawn by its picturesque charm and pristine beaches. Remnants of its maritime past are visible in the sturdy, utilitarian architecture of the docks and the weathered timbers of the old cannery, now a quaint shop selling local crafts and preserves. The spirit of self-reliance, forged in the often-harsh winters and demanding summers, still permeates the character of St. James, fostering a deep sense of community and a quiet pride in the enduring traditions that have shaped its unique identity. The ferry, a constant shuttle between the mainland and this island sanctuary, serves not just as a mode of transport but as a symbol of the island's enduring connection to the world beyond, while its isolation has preserved a way of life that feels wonderfully, defiantly its own.

About This St. James Map Page

This page provides an embedded street and satellite map of St. James, Michigan — switch between views using the small square in the bottom left-hand corner of the map. Coordinates: 45.745356, -85.522615. Live weather conditions are sourced directly from the National Weather Service, with current observations and a 7-day forecast also powered by Open-Meteo. Real-time local news and world news feeds keep the page current, while a Wikipedia summary or an editorially written description provides background on St. James and Charlevoix County.

Detailed location data for St. James includes the ZIP code (49782), telephone area code (906), county seat of Charlevoix County (Charlevoix), and school district assignment (Beaver Island Community School). These are among the most commonly searched location details for any US city or town.

Location data is drawn from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and cross-verified against 2020 US Census records by coordinate proximity — ensuring the correct St. James is identified even where the name is shared across multiple counties or states. Population figures are sourced from the 2020 US Census.