Caledonia spouts small-town vibes with a big heart. Like many neighboring communities, Caledonia's roots began with its early settlers' endeavors in the agriculture and grain industries. The community expanded with the introduction of railway lines and the establishment of a train depot. While some rural areas remain, much of the farmlands have been developed into picturesque subdivisions. "It's one of the most popular suburban areas in Grand Rapids," says Mitch Cripe, a Realtor from Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors, who’s been selling the region since 1999. Caledonia's proximity to major highways and expansive parks has contributed to its continued growth.
Caledonia is a quiet and mostly rural city just south of Grand Rapids.
The area surrounding Caledonia is mostly rural farmland.
Caledonia has several large communities of large new homes north-east of downtown.
The Glen Valley Retail center in Caledonia contains most of the retail and eateries in the area.
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Vintage homes and new construction
Emmons Lake is a natural border dividing Caledonia into two distinct neighborhoods. South of the lake, homes are older — dating back to Caledonia's early 1900s roots. Victorian and Craftsman architecture styles are common, and prices range from $150,000 to $300,000. North of the lake is Glen Valley Estates, a uniform neighborhood with contemporary construction from the 1990s to today. Homes here tend to sell between $350,000 and $530,000, and there is a homeowner association.
Homes spend an average of 22 days on the market, and as of September 2024, about 40% were sold above the asking price. "Caledonia is one of the most popular suburban areas in Grand Rapids," says Mitch Cripe, a local Realtor from Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors, with over 20 years of experience in West Michigan. "If you're someone who likes the outdoors, you'll get a lot of that in Caledonia." Many homes back up into protected farmland, and outside the village itself, there's plenty of opportunity to find a property with acreage.
The areas immediately around downtown Caledonia is where you will find the older homes.
Caledonia has several large new home communities north of downtown.
Caledonia has seen several large HOA home communities emerge recently.
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National Blue Ribbon Schools and standout sports at Caledonia High
The village is served by Caledonia Community Schools, which gets an A-minus grade from Niche. Several of the schools have been named National Blue Ribbon Schools, including Dutton Elementary in 2021 and Caledonia Elementary in 2023. The district only has one high school, Caledonia High, located in the village. The high school offers 12 AP courses and dual enrollment opportunities to earn college credit. Standout sports programs at Caledonia High include the football and equestrian teams. The equestrian team won three straight state championships in 2020, 2021, and 2022. Caledonia High is also one of the only schools in Kent County with a ski team.
Paris Ridge Elementary school in Caledonia has overall rating of A- on Niche.com.
Caledonia High School is a public school serving students in grades 9-12 in Caledonia.
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Fishing, hiking and events at the local library
The village's main green space is Caledonia Lakeside Park, which hugs the western banks of Emmons Lake. The 62-acre park has picnic areas, a fish-themed playground, and two baseball fields. Fishing is allowed on Emmons Lake. The park also connects to the Paul Henry Trail, a paved pathway along the Thornapple River. Currently, the trail only connects to the Grand Rapids area, but upcoming additions will extend it south to Middleville and Hastings, eventually covering 42 miles.
The Caledonia Community Green is a common gathering place, offering an amphitheater, seasonal splash pad, pickleball courts and a shaded pavilion. The Caledonia Library also borders the green space and acts as a recreation hub for the village. "The library aims to be a third space after work and home," says Ashley Smolinski, a regional manager with the Caledonia and Cascade branches of the Kent Public Library. "It's nestled in a natural location, right next to the Caledonia Community Green, so you can walk to the park and kids enjoy the splash pad." Among the library's regular events, Smolinski says that the kid's story times, book clubs and craft activities are the most popular. And in the wintertime, a visit from live reindeer always draws crowds.
Caledonia Public Library is a favorite with kids for its daily children story time.
The Caledonia Community Green features a pavilion, amphitheater and pickleball courts.
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Downtown development and shopping locally
Caledonia has a small downtown, just about one city block in length. The retail strip has a few boutiques and restaurants, including the mainstay Family Tavern, which has served the community since 1972—surviving even after the building burned down in 1975. Today, the tavern hosts karaoke nights, car shows and fish fry Fridays. Brink's Ice Cream has a retro feel, and the upscale Italian Rosanna's Table was a new addition in 2024.
The 2022 General Development Plan outlines the village's plans for drawing in new businesses and mixed-use developments to Caledonia's downtown. "Caledonia's development plan is designed to balance economic expansion with a welcoming residential environment, ensuring that Caledonia maintains its small-town charm while adapting to future needs," Spinney says.
The other main retail hub for Caledonia is Cherry Valley Avenue, lined with big-name chain restaurants and has D&W Fresh Market for groceries. One standout business here is Big O Smokehouse, a Caledonia staple for locally sourced smoked fish and handmade dips. First opened by Caledonia locals in 1997, Big O's products now sell in stores across Michigan. For more locally sourced products, residents can visit the weekly Caledonia Farmers Market, which runs from May to October.
Sprinkles Donuts, Interior
The local D&W is the main source of groceries for residents of Caledonia.
Downtown Caledonia is only 2 block and consists of several restaurants and shops.
The Family Tavern in downtown Caledonia is a local staple.
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Holiday celebrations, including the annual Harvest Festival
Caledonia has several community events throughout the year, including outdoor concerts, parades and food truck pop-ups. Main Street gets dressed up for the holidays as locals run the Halloween 5K, march in the Independence Day Parade and take photos with Santa during the winter. One of the village's most popular events is the Harvest Festival in late September. Kids enjoy face painting, hayrides and pumpkin decorating. Families can get their photos taken, and teams compete in a cornhole tournament.
Manufacturing employers and commutes into Grand Rapids
Though farming is still a significant employment sector in Caledonia, the manufacturing industry has grown. A few miles north of the village, an industrial park is home to employers like Amazon, Steelcase and Aspen Surgical Products. Davenport University is also 5 miles north. In addition, many workers commute into Grand Rapids. The large city is 20 miles away, usually about a 30-minute drive. Regional public transit services do not run through Caledonia, making it a car-dependent community. For longer trips, the Gerald R. Ford International Airport is 8 miles away. The airport has 21 main destinations throughout the county, with additional seasonal options.
Davenport University is just a few minutes north of Caledonia.
Amazon has several large distribution centers in the north of Caledonia.
Just north of Caledonia is the M-37 and M-6 intersection giving easy access to Grand Rapids.
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Important to know
Emergency situations are handled by the Kent County Sheriff's Office – KSCO – which serves all non-incorporated areas of the county. The KSCO strives to provide a proactive approach to law enforcement, which includes community engagement, local school resource officers and personal safety classes. The volunteer Caledonia Fire Department is shared between the village and Caledonia Township.
Caledonia has four distinct seasons, with a particularly cold winter. U.S. Climate Data shows temperatures regularly drop below freezing from November to March, and the average annual snowfall is around 68 inches. The village provides a snowplow service in the winter, as well as a fall leaves and yard waste pick-up service.
Written By
Catherine Lashley
Photography Contributed By
Tyler Bolduc
Video By
Francisco de la Vera
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Caledonia, MI sell after 27 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Caledonia, MI over the last 12 months is $429,900, up 8% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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