Welcome to Byron Center, also known as Byron Township. Located 13 miles south of Grand Rapids, Byron Center is a community-oriented township undergoing major growth as folks move away from the city for more elbow room. “People want to get around easier,” says Peggy Sattler, the Township Clerk and Byron resident of 28 years. “It’s not as congested here. We’ve got a lot of outdoor recreation. I love the parks. They’re a huge draw. Another draw is our low taxes. We’re blessed. We have some of the lowest taxes in Kent County.” Low on taxes, low on traffic and well-connected to major highways and thoroughfares, it makes sense that new construction is cropping up all over Byron Center. Still, the township maintains its small-town feel. From full stands at high school football games to packed church parking lots, a sense of togetherness is, perhaps, the biggest appeal of all in Byron Township. This is especially clear during the final full weekend of August when the Byron Days Festival takes the township by storm.
There are many new home subdivisions found throughout Byron Center.
There are several new communities of townhomes under construction in and around Byron Center.
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Byron Days Festival
“The Byron Days Festival has been going on for almost 90 years now,” Sattler says. “It’s one of the longest-running festivals in the state.” This three-day festival is an explosion of family fun. “On Friday, we’ll start the rides; churches do fun runs for kids; the library has a book sale… things like that,” Sattler says. “Saturday morning, we have a race, parade, more rides and music. Saturday night, there’s a big band playing live music and fireworks. Food trucks and vendors are everywhere, too.” The festival ends on Sunday with a community church service involving several local churches.
From midcentury to New Traditional
Quite a variety of homes can be found throughout Byron Center. The median year built is 2014, so many homes on the market joined the community in the early 2000s and later. These newer single-family homes typically have four to six bedrooms, a driveway and a two-car garage. They also adhere to New Traditional or Minimal Traditional architecture, costing upwards of the mid $600,000s. Streamlined midcentury ranch-style homes, on average, are smaller than their newly constructed neighbors, typically featuring two to three bedrooms. Prices for these properties start around the mid $200,000s. Townhouses can also be found in Byron Center, ranging from $200,000 to over $500,000, depending on the year built and square footage.
Byron Center has numerous newer communities of larger traditional style homes.
The older homes around downtown Byron Center are mostly ranch style homes.
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Byron Center Public Schools
Byron Center Public Schools and each school within it have an A-rating on Niche. Additionally, this district is ranked No. 5 on Niche’s list of best school districts in the Grand Rapids area. Students can begin their studies at one of the district’s elementary schools, such as Brown Elementary, before going to Nickels Intermediate for grades 5 and 6. They can then attend Byron Center West Middle before finishing up their K-12 journeys at Byron Center High. “School sports are huge here,” Sattler says. “There’s hockey, lacrosse, football. They’re even pushing to try and get pickleball as a school sport. Kids don’t even have to play through the school; the recreation center has a lot of youth athletic programs, too.”
Byron Center High School in Byron Center.
Brown Elementary School in Byron Center.
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Byron Center has parks galore
Folks can catch a baseball or softball game at Whistlestop Park, home to several ballfields and athletic amenities. Those who prefer a more serene afternoon may enjoy the park’s 2.5-acre catch-and-release fishing pond. Bicentennial Park is the place to break out a racket and practice serving aces on tennis or pickleball courts. Natural ambiance awaits at Douglas Walker Park and the nearby Kent Trails, a 15-mile regional trail system built along an abandoned railway.
Bicentennial Park has new tennis and pickleball courts that are always busy.
Whistle Stop park in Byron Center has a several dog parks for small and larger dogs.
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Tanger Outlets
Byron Center’s proximity to the popular Tanger Outlets is another draw. It’s about 3 miles outside Byron Center, with over 80 shops and outlets, including Fossil, Nike and Ralph Lauren. However, folks don’t have to leave Byron Center to run errands or even find a good restaurant. Family Fare is right in the township. Byron Family Restaurant is a tried-and-true staple for breakfast and lunch. One block over, Pete's Grill & Tavern is a low-key dinner spot with good drinks and good company.
Right along highway 131 you can find Tanger Outlet to do some shopping.
Just a few minutes east of Byron Center is Tanger Outlets, a popular shopping destination.
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U.S. 131 and the M-6
Easily accessible from major expressways, U.S. 131 and the M-6, and located about 14 miles from Downtown Grand Rapids, Byron Center keeps residents well-connected.
Written By
Michelle Goshen
Video By
Brandon Flash Craigie
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Cory Maguire,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Byron Center, MI sell after 38 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Byron Center, MI over the last 12 months is $474,250, up 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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Stunning 4-bed, 4-bath two-story home with 3,070 sq ft of stylish, functional space! Enjoy a grand foyer, mudroom off the garage, den/office, formal dining, and powder room. The kitchen features quartz counters, castled cabinets, tile backsplash, slate appliances, large island, and breakfast nook, all tied together with wood laminate flooring. The great room is perfect for entertaining. Upstairs
Clean lines and open-concept designs are what make our one-bedroom apartments in the heart of Byron Center stand out from the rest. Designed to adapt to the on-the-go lifestyle of the savvy urban dweller, living at The Place on Woodhaven means having the perks of an excellent address and the comforts of a proper home all for yourself.Each unit has a contemporary style decor in combination
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