Deerfield Township is a quiet rural community outside of Detroit
Among the quiet rural landscapes between Lansing and Detroit, Deerfield Township offers quintessential country living, complete with lakes, winding roads and expansive farms. "We have quite a bit of farming, a lot of historic farmhouses and a lot of cows," says Jen Petersen, associate broker and owner of Red Door Realty Group. "You can smell the fresh air, the outdoors. There's no city, nothing. Just clean, crisp, fresh air. It's just the best drive heading to my barn, it puts me in my happy place." The township has a substantial farming community, but residents also use their sizable properties for hunting. "We hunt right in our backyard," Petersen says. "As a matter of fact, we own 60 acres of purely recreational land." The township is near Howell, Brighton and Fenton, offering numerous nearby shopping and dining options.
A mix of historic farmhouses and midcentury ranch-styles on large lots
Much of Deerfield Township's roads are undeveloped and gravelly, cutting through dense woodlands and winding around sizable crop fields. Petersen adds that there's not a lot of traffic. Most properties measure at least an acre, but a few span upwards of 80. Folks moving to the area are generally looking for some land for farming; Deerfield Township is home to a diverse mix of farms, from honey to dairy farms. Several farmhouses and colonials are scattered throughout the community, alongside hundreds of mid-20th-century split-levels and ranch-style homes. The township also has a decent number of recently constructed contemporary homes. A few homes overlook the community's lakes, from Lake Shannon to Bennett Lake. Housing prices vary widely, ranging anywhere from around $225,000 to $1.5 million. Newer homes that are near or along a lake tend to list above $800,000, while large inland homes on at least a few acres can list from $500,000 to $800,000.
Local schools earn high remarks on Niche
Several school districts serve the community, including Hartland Consolidated Schools, which earns an overall A-minus on Niche. Village Elementary School receives a B, and Hartland Farms Intermediate School has an A-minus. Hartland Middle School at Ore Creek scores an A-minus, and Hartland High School earns a B-plus. The high school partners with the University of Michigan-Flint to offer the Dual Enrollment Enrichment Partnership (DEEP) program. This enrolls students in college courses specialized in fields such as medical science, engineering, and business. Linden Community Schools also serve the area, which has an A-minus on Niche.
Local natural areas welcome hiking, hunting and nonmotorized boating
Deerfield Township's natural areas and lakes encourage an outdoorsy lifestyle. Deerfield Hills Nature Area spans 365 acres of woodlands, featuring nature trails and providing access to Howe Lake. "It has really well-maintained trails throughout that you can take your dog," Petersen says. "There are also some lookout points. When COVID hit, that was our place to go to get out of the house." The park's nearly 4-mile nature trail is suitable for cyclists and hikers, with plenty of markers for easy navigation. There's also an accessible dock on the lake, and nonmotorized boats are permitted. Many residents enjoy bow hunting in the nature area, but Oak Grove State Game Area offers more space for hunting. The game area allows seasonal hunts across its 1,000 acres. Locals enjoy passive recreation at Lutz County Park, which features a trail and picnic areas. The township is also a popular spot for camping, and the family-owned Hide Away Campgrounds manages quiet lots overlooking Louise Lake.
Locals head to nearby towns for most shopping and dining needs
The township's commercial infrastructure is limited to a convenience store and a few sporadic locally owned businesses. Venture Corners, situated at the corner of Faussett Road and Argentine Road, has ice chests, firewood and a beer cave. The convenience market also offers a small selection of grocery essentials and snacks. Locals typically head into Fenton or Howell for shopping. Fenton has a Walmart Supercenter, Aldi and VG's Grocery, along with popular retailers like T.J. Maxx and Target. Most Fenton stores are about 11 miles from central Deerfield Township. Howell has Kroger and Jonna's Market, about 10 miles south of the community. Argentine, just north of Deerfield Township, has a couple of locally owned restaurants. Cancun Mexican Restaurant offers traditional Mexican fare, while Hungry Howie's serves subs, breadsticks and Detroit-style pizza.
Navigating Livingston County
Residents rely on cars to get around the community. U.S. Route 23 is accessible a few miles east of the community, and Interstate 96 runs through Howell, about 10 miles south. Trinity Health Livingston Hospital is one of the nearest medical facilities, about 11 miles from central Deerfield Township. Flint Bishop International Airport is a 25-mile trip northeast, and Detroit is about 60 miles southeast.
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Written By
Brennen Martin
