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List of populated islands of the Great Lakes

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A map showing the Great Lakes
Populated islands are most commonly accessed by bridge or ferry boat, although some islands also have airports to facilitate air travel.
Tourism has helped the downtown sector of many island communities, such as the business district of La Pointe, Wisconsin, on Madeline Island.

The following is a list of populated islands of the Great Lakes and connecting rivers. The islands listed have a specified year-round population of over 50 residents.

Many islands are popular tourist destinations, and experience a sharp population increase during peak travel seasons.

In 2017, the Great Lakes Island Coalition was founded, a group dedicated to representing the interests of Great Lakes island residents.[1] At an annual summit, related issues of discussion include environmental issues facing the Great Lakes island inhabitants, such as water levels and quality, invasive species, and even government policy topics, such as nuclear water storage and shipment in the Great Lakes region.[2]

Island Name Lake/River State/Province Country Population Notes
Algonquin Island Lake Ontario Ontario Canada 224 Part of the city of Toronto, this is one of the Toronto Islands, an archipelago in Toronto Harbour. Unlike most of the archipelago, which is made up of parkland and amusement facilities, this island is residential.
Amherst Island Lake Ontario Ontario Canada 450 At 70 square kilometers, the largest island wholly within Lake Ontario (Wolfe Island is larger, but the eastern end of the island is in the St. Lawrence River). The island, which is served by a ferry out of Millhaven, is entirely rural, and is located in Loyalist Township, Lennox and Addington County.
Barrie Island Lake Huron Ontario Canada 613 It is connected to Manitoulin Island by Highway 540A, which crosses the water via a causeway at the narrowest part of the strait.[3]
Beaver Island Lake Michigan Michigan United States 616 The largest island in Lake Michigan and part of the Beaver Island archipelago of Michigan.[4] It lies about 32 miles (50 km) from the city of Charlevoix on the mainland, and can be reached by air or boat. St. James is the name of the unincorporated community on the island.[5]
Bois Blanc Island (Michigan) Lake Huron Michigan United States 100 Southeast of Mackinac Island and almost due north of the city of Cheboygan, Michigan. Plaunt Transportation is the sole provider of ferry services for the island.[6]
Bois Blanc Island (Ontario) Detroit River Ontario Canada 60 Previously the site of the Boblo Island Amusement Park. It is accessed by private ferry from Amherstburg, Ontario[7]
Cayuga Island Niagara River New York United States 1,000 Part of the city of Niagara Falls, New York, several miles upstream of the falls themselves. Part of the LaSalle neighborhood, the island contains a mix of parkland and middle-class housing.
Centre Island Lake Ontario Ontario Canada 356 The largest of the Toronto Islands, an archipelago located in Toronto's harbour. Most of the island's residences and businesses were demolished beginning in 1955 in favor of parkland and other recreational facilities. [8]
Drummond Island Lake Huron Michigan United States 973 Consists of Drummond Township, Michigan.[9] The island lies along the Canada–US border, and is adjacent to Manitoulin Island.
Grand Island Niagara River New York United States 21,389 A suburb of the city of Buffalo
Grosse Ile Detroit River Michigan United States 10,777 The largest island in the Detroit River, it can be reached by two bridges or a small airport.
Harsens Island St. Clair River Michigan United States 900 Opposite Canada's Walpole Island. It is served by Champion's Auto Ferry.
Kelleys Island Lake Erie Ohio United States 256 Consists of the village of Kelleys Island, in Erie County
Mackinac Island Lake Huron Michigan United States 583 An island and resort area, located between Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas[10]
Madeline Island Lake Superior Wisconsin United States 302 Contains the town of La Pointe. The island has a rich history and was once the home of a French fur trading post.[11]
Manitoulin Island Lake Huron Ontario Canada 13,255 The largest island in a freshwater lake in the world. It has two incorporated towns and eight townships.[12]
Neebish Island St. Marys River Michigan United States 89 There is one store and one church on the island, and a car ferry service operates April 1 to January 15.[13]
Pelee Island Lake Erie Ontario Canada 230 The largest island in Lake Erie,[14] and is the southernmost populated place in Canada.[15]
South Bass Island Lake Erie Ohio United States 631 Part of Ottawa County, it contains the village of Put-in-Bay. Ferry service connects the community with Catawba Island, Kelleys Island, Port Clinton, and Sandusky.[16]
St. Joseph Island Lake Huron Ontario Canada 2,320 The second largest island in Lake Huron. It is connected to the mainland by the Bernt Gilbertson Bridge spanning the North Channel of Lake Huron along Highway 548.[17]
Sugar Island St. Marys River Michigan United States 2,000 The entire island constitutes Sugar Island Township in Chippewa County at the eastern tip of the Upper Peninsula. [18]
Walpole Island St. Clair River Ontario Canada 1,878 Also known as Bkejwanong, it is the main part of Walpole Island 46 Indian reserve. It neighbors the U.S. Harsens Island. It is accessible by bridge from the Canadian mainland and ferry from the U.S.
Washington Island Lake Michigan Wisconsin United States 708 Located about 7 miles northeast of the tip of Door Peninsula in Door County, Wisconsin. The unincorporated community of Detroit Harbor is located on the island.
Wolfe Island Lake Ontario Ontario Canada 1,400 Located at the entrance to the Saint Lawrence River in Lake Ontario near Kingston, Ontario. The resident population is approximately 1400 people, but this number can double or triple during the summer months.[19]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Wksu.org/". Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  2. ^ "Manitoulin.ca/". Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  3. ^ "Barrie Island Website". Website.
  4. ^ "Beaver Island Website". Website.
  5. ^ Beaver Island: Peaine township and Saint James township Blocks 1009 through 1048, Blocks 1079 through 1083, Block 1996, Census Tract 9805, Charlevoix County, Michigan United States Census Bureau
  6. ^ "Bois Blanc Island Website". Website.
  7. ^ More Single Family Houses To Be Built On Bob-Lo Island, CBS Detroit, May 20, 2012
  8. ^ "Toronto Island Community: The Place of My Dreams". Website.
  9. ^ "Drummond Island Website". Website.
  10. ^ "Mackinac.Com". Website.
  11. ^ "MadelineIsland.Com". Website.
  12. ^ "Manitoulin Island Website". Website.
  13. ^ "Neebish Island Website". Website.
  14. ^ "Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island website". Website.
  15. ^ Residents protest Pelee Island health care access, CBC
  16. ^ "Put-in-Bay Website". Website.
  17. ^ "St. Joseph Island Website". Website.
  18. ^ Sugar Island Township, Chippewa County United States Census Bureau
  19. ^ "Wolfe Island Website". Website.
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