Thumb Change

Growth Of Michigan’s Thumb – Watch A Time Lapse of Over 37 Years Of Change

Sunrise on Michigan's Thumb on the Beach
Sunrise on Michigan’s Thumb

Amazingly you can now see how the growth of Michigan’s Thumb region has changed in the past 30 years. Google’s Earth Engine gives a global time-lapse view built from annual composites of Landsat satellite images. Watch the growth of Michigan’s Thumb across Huron County’s landscape beginning as early as 1984.


Zoom In For Detail and See Changing Landscape

Growth of Michigan's Thumb with Sunflowers
Watch 35+ Years of Growth

Once you click on and view the map you can zoom in to any specific area growth of Michigan’s Thumb. Watch trees disappear and new buildings appear. I was amazed at the increase in tree cover at Sleeper State Park and the growth of Caseville.

Time Lapse Video of Huron County Michigan


Watch Huron County’s Change 1984-2020


You can change the view to any part of the world. The Engine does show startling changes in building and growth in Southeast Michigan and near our major cities.


About the Michigan Thumb Region

  • Estimated population of Huron County 2019: 33,116
  • Median Household Income of Huron County 2017 $45,191
  • Households with a computer, percent, 2013-2017: 79.8%
  • Persons over 65 years of age in household: 25.1%


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Michael Hardy

Mike Hardy is the owner of Thumbwind Publications LLC. It started in 2009 as a fun-loving site covering Michigan's Upper Thumb. Since then, he has authored a vast range of content and established a loyal base of 75,000 visitors per month.

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