Northville Township Real Estate and Community Information

The Northville Township was created in 1827 by early settlers and incorporated in 1829. It covers 16.6 square miles and is considered a suburb of metro Detroit, although it has its own governing entity. The population according to the 2000 census was just over 21,000.

The township is located next to the city of Northville and shares many common areas, including parks and schools. However, the township has its own charming features, including local coffee shops, jewelry galleries and historical landmarks. Shoppers and diners are also attracted to the larger businesses such as Trader Joe's and P.F. Chang's China Bistro. The Middle Rouge River runs through the eastern section of the township and provides open space, wildlife and recreational opportunities for residents to enjoy. Northville Township real estate includes Victorian-era charmers as well as more traditional farm houses, many carefully restored.

Shopping and Dining

Although the area was originally inhabited by Native Americans, there weren't many trails since the land was covered by a dense forest and hills that were difficult to traverse. In fact, the township has the highest elevation in Wayne County. The earliest European settlers arrived by steamship from Lake Erie or came through Canada by land. Many recorded the hardships they and their animals endured as they crossed the rugged landscape.

Once settlers arrived in the late 1700s, the heavily wooded land was quickly turned into farmland. One notable landowner, Rufus Thayer Jr., purchased more than 300 acres of land in the 1820s and 1830s along Napier Road and Six Mile Road. This land became known as "Thayer's Corners" and is home to a historical site today. Many settlers became very successful at farming, but there was also a blacksmith shop, gristmill, sawmill, dairy and a furniture company. Most residents were active in churches as well as fraternal organizations. The one-room Thayer Schoolhouse was built in 1877, followed by the Thayer cemetery that includes 300 graves in the original section and an additional 150 more from a 1931 addition. By the mid 1900s, farmland in the township began being replaced by subdivisions.

Parks and Recreation

Northville Township has four distinct seasons that allow residents to hike, bike and swim in warmer months and ski and ice skate when it is colder. Many participate in sporting clubs such as basketball, softball and volleyball. The township often hosts fun runs and other outdoor events, and it also has indoor recreational areas with swimming pools, fitness centers and gymnasiums. Others enjoy the quiet atmosphere found along much of the Rouge River, where birdwatching and looking for other wildlife is an enjoyable pastime.

Nearly 50 percent of all township adult residents have a bachelor's degree or higher and the estimated median income is more than $80,000. Northville Township real estate had an estimated median value of more than $350,000 in 2008. Many residents are employed in the transportation equipment, scientific and technical services, education and health care industries. While many bike or walk to work, others often have less than a 20-minute commute. Northville Township real estate offers everything from renovated, turn-of-the-century estates to cozy farm cottages to modern condominiums.

Living

Northville Township shares parks with city of Northville. There are 12 parks in the city and township within easy access of most Northville Township’s real estate, including Fish Hatchery park, Veteran's Memorial and Thayer's Corner Nature Area. The Recreation Center at Hillside offers gymnasiums and an indoor swimming pool, while the Community Senior Center features a gymnasium and meeting rooms. The township recently completed work on the Bennet Arboretum Pathway, a non-motorized asphalt path connecting the city of Northville to Northville Township. The path allows an environment away from roadways for hikers and bikers to enjoy. There are also plans underway for the 7 Mile Road property redevelopment, which will become an open space for residents to enjoy the Rouge River, old rail line and wildlife.

Schools, Health, Transportation

There are several public and private schools shared between the city of Northville and Northville Township. Private schools include the Metropolitan Junior Academy and Tanger Center, which helps those with disabilities learn to live independently. Northville Township is served by both the Northville Public School system as well as Plymouth-Canton Community Schools. There are 21 students per teacher in Northville Township, and public schools in the area spend approximately $5,506 per student on average.

For immediate health care and emergency services, St. Mary Mercy Hospital, Botsford Hospital and Henry Ford West Bloomfield are all within 15 miles. Northville also is within 20 minutes of three Amtrak stations and has a charter and tour bus company. Most residents commute less than 30 minutes to work, and many are able to walk or ride their bikes. The community enjoys easy access to Interstates 275 and 96 and Michigan highway 14.

If you are thinking about buying or selling a home, give us a call at (248) 912-9799 or send us an email to explore your options and to find out when is the best time for you to make a move.