Metro Detroit Macomb County City
New Baltimore
A small-town downtown on Anchor Bay, with Michigan's tallest flagpole
- People (2025 estimate)
- 12,123
- Land area
- 4.6 sq mi · 11.9 km²
- From downtown
- 29.1 miles · 47 km · northeast
- Incorporated
- 1931
Nothing on our calendar here this week yet.
01 / Why it matters
Why New Baltimore matters
New Baltimore sits on Anchor Bay, the northernmost arm of Lake St. Clair, on Macomb County's eastern edge. The little downtown has boutiques and lakeside patios, the waterfront has a public beach and kayaking, and the Social District lets you stroll the shore with a drink in hand.
In 1845 Mount Clemens businessman Alfred Ashley platted land on both sides of Washington Street, and the village went by Ashley until 1867. Between 1860 and 1880 the port town became a popular resort with an opera house, hotels, salt baths, saloons and a brewery, with guests arriving by the Detroit to Port Huron railroad and later the interurban.
The old water tower came down in 2015, and in 2016 donations led by the Lions Club put up Michigan's tallest flagpole in its place: 160 feet tall, flying a 30-by-60-foot flag, meant as a landmark for boaters. In June, the Bay-Rama Fishfly Festival brings fireworks to the bay.
02 / Known for
What New Baltimore is known for
Michigan's tallest flagpole, 160 feet high, standing in Walter and Mary Burke Park since 2016.
The resort era of 1860 to 1880, with an opera house, hotels and salt baths.
The Bay-Rama Fishfly Festival every June, with fireworks on Anchor Bay.
Many ancient Indigenous burial mounds and earthworks were recorded along the shore in the 1800s; most have since been destroyed.
It was once split between Macomb and St. Clair counties, until the county line was moved in the 1970s to match the city's eastern border.
03 / What’s on
What’s on in New Baltimore
Nothing on our calendar in New Baltimore right now. Try the neighbors:
04 / Places
1 places on our site in New Baltimore
05 / What to do
If you’re in New Baltimore
Walter and Mary Burke Park
The lakefront park at the foot of downtown on Anchor Bay, with a public beach, kayaking and Michigan's tallest flagpole.
Official site ↗Downtown New Baltimore
Boutiques, local restaurants with lakeside patios and free parking, plus free midweek concerts in summer, Countryfest in September and Winterfest with a polar plunge in February.
Official site ↗New Baltimore Farmers Market
A farmers market on Sundays from May through October, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Official site ↗
06 / History
New Baltimore through the years
- 1845
Alfred Ashley plats 60 acres on both sides of Washington Street, founding the village of Ashley.
- 1851
On September 20 the Ashleyville post office opens, with Ashley as postmaster.
- 1867
The village incorporates and is renamed New Baltimore.
- 1931
New Baltimore becomes a city.
- 2015
The historic water tower is torn down over the summer.
- 2016
Michigan's tallest flagpole is dedicated in October.
08 / People
Famous names from here
- Butch Hartman The creator of The Fairly OddParents spent his teenage years in New Baltimore and graduated from Anchor Bay High School in 1983.
Sources
Population and area are Census Bureau figures (New Baltimore city).
- 2020 Census, Michigan (PL 94-171)
- Census Bureau population estimates: cities and towns
- cityofnewbaltimore.org/203/History-of-New-Baltimore
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Baltimore,_Michigan
- newbaltimoredowntown.com
- cityofnewbaltimore.org
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butch_Hartman
Change since 2020, per the Census Bureau estimate: +0.1 percent.
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