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About Powell Township

Powell Township, established in 1904, welcomes you to our website and community. The most common way to arrive in our township and our town of BIG BAY is to drive to the end of County Road 550 or the Big Bay Road. Powell Township is a great place to live and raise a family with the Powell Township School, which won the 2011 Excellence in Education award, serving grades pre-school through 8th grade. It is a peaceful place to retire and enjoy the beauty and wonders of nature. With the “big” city of Marquette, MI on the other end of 550, only 30 minutes away, its a township removed but so easily connected.

Powell Township has a population of 816 with about 70% being year round residents. This estimate is based on the 2010 Census and Voter Registration files. The Township has several lakes and rivers ideal for recreation and approximately 45 miles of Lake Superior shoreline. It also includes the rural town of Big Bay, that has stores and restaurants like CRAM’S GENERAL STORE & HUNGRY HOLLOW CAFE, THUNDER BAY INN & RESTAURANT, LUMBERJACK TAVERN, BIG BAY POINTE LIGHTHOUSE BED AND BREAKFAST, PICTURE BAY MOTEL, & BIG BAY MOTEL. For camping purposes there is also Perkins Park operated by Marquette County. We have Dock of the Bay, also operated by Marquette County, for access to Lake Superior by boat. Powell Township maintains four parks, DRAVER PARK & BALLFIELD, THOMAS ROCK, BURNS LANDING, and the Halfway Firehall kids park. Powell Township Parks and Recreation also maintains different trails with the Noquemanon Trail Network.

Residents can find information about the township board, copies of board minutes, applications for voting, zoning permits and general questions (when our transfer station is open, when are taxes due, etc.) and more on this website. For assessing and tax information please use the following link. Residents and owners can view their own assessing information for free but there is a fee for others to view.

Powell Township Office hours to serve our citizens are: Monday & Thursday from 9am to Noon. Treasurer hours are Monday & Thursday from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm or by appointment. The Assessor is available on Thursday only. The Zoning Admin is by appointment only.