There's more room to spread out in Blackman, a short drive from four cities
Blackman is a growing township where new subdivisions are making their way into land once occupied by forest and farmland. The township, directly north of Jackson, is also a reasonable drive from Battle Creek, Lansing and Ann Arbor. Blackman is not just a bedroom community; it has its own employers, industrial corridors, a mall and new restaurants. About 25,000 people have made the area their home thanks to its convenient commuter location, lower property taxes and room to spread out outside of a busy city.
Lower taxes and less expensive homes than in Jackson, Lansing and Ann Arbor
As the area continues to grow, home styles continue to diversify. Bungalows, Cape Cods, ranch-style and New Traditional homes range from $70,000 to $600,000, with a median price of $200,000 – less than half the national median. "Blackman has a wide range of newer construction homes," says Kirsten Knueppel-Mogle, Realtor at Re/Max Mid-Michigan, who has been selling in the area for 28 years. "Being on the border of northwest Jackson, Blackman has less expensive first-time homebuyer homes as well," Knueppel-Mogle adds that townships surrounding Jackson have lower property taxes than the city, and prices are notably lower than in Lansing and Ann Arbor. "Blackman is a good option for people who don't mind the drive." Four manufactured home communities are in the township, with homes selling between $20,000 and $120,000. Parcels of land in expanding subdivisions range from $10,000 to $150,000.
Interstate 94 goes through Blackman's southern end, near Jackson
Jackson is directly south, Ann Arbor is 35 miles east, Battle Creek is 40 miles west and Lansing is 35 miles north. "Most people drive into Jackson for work," Knueppel-Mogle says. "That being said, it's probably only a 10-minute drive." She adds that some people living in the northern end of Blackman commute to Lansing via U.S. Route 127. Interstate 94 goes through the township's southern end, and shopping centers, industrial corridors, hotel strips and apartment complexes are around the interstate. A few Jackson Area Transportation Authority stops are in the area, and Jackson County Airport has domestic flights. Capital Region International Airport in Lansing is the nearest international airport, and the closest hospital, Henry Ford Allegiance Health, is in Jackson.
There is a slight risk of flooding along the Grand River and nearby floodplains. Houses are mostly unaffected as the areas at risk are undeveloped.
The city's main shopping center is just across the border
Meijer, Sam's Club, Lowe's and fast-food chains are in the township. The area's largest shopping center with department stores, grocers and strip malls is just across the border in Jackson. Walmart Supercenter and JCPenney anchor Westwood Mall in Blackman. Most restaurants in the area are national chains, but Knueppel-Mogle notes a local standout. "One North Kitchen and Bar opened somewhat recently, and people really like it," she says. Roadhouse is another local spot, serving Mexican American fusion cuisine with live music on the weekends.
The district has elective classes in sports, music and the arts
Most students living in Blackman Township are zoned to attend Northwest Community Schools. They may attend kindergarten through second grade at Northwest Early Elementary School, rated B by Niche. Northwest Elementary School teaches third, fourth and fifth graders and is rated B-minus. Northwest Middle School and Northwest High School each earn a B-minus. "Northwest schools are strong in the arts, music and sports," Knueppel-Mogle says. Classes for the elective courses include Music of the Movies, sculpture and Future of Gaming: Esports.
Outdoor activities include baseball, soccer and paintball
Youth baseball leagues play at Rod Mills Memorial Park's three diamonds. The park also has a playground, volleyball courts, a large pavilion and a fenced dog area. The Blackman water tower looks over Marino's Park, which has soccer fields of different sizes for various ages and play levels.
Night-Ops Paintball Park uses empty Little League fields as an adventure space with four netted areas for groups and missions. According to its website, the park is frequented for bachelor parties, birthday parties and team-building events.
Correctional facilities are local employers
The Michigan Department of Corrections runs four facilities in the township on the former grounds of Michigan State Prison. The correctional facilities are a significant employer in Jackson County. "It's pretty far north and away from the homes," Knueppel-Mogle says. "People don't even think about it much."
Written By
Heather Haggerty
