Made up of sprawling farms, lakes and forests, about 50% of Dexter Township is preserved natural land. This Washtenaw County township is just outside the city of Dexter, at the edges of the growing Ann Arbor area. In a region with a high demand for housing, open land is a valuable resource — one the township aims to protect. “There’s a lot of respect for farmers and open land preservation here,” says Michelle Stamboulellis, the township clerk and lifelong resident. “We want farmers to be able to choose what happens to their land.” So, Dexter Township continues to have a rural feel and a quiet pace of life. “Neighbors support each other, and there’s a genuine sense of community,” Stamboulellis says. Dexter Township’s CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4.
Dexter Township is made up of sprawling farms, lakes and forests.
While driving through Dexter Township, drivers can spot hunting blinds in farm fields.
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Low taxes, large lots
Dexter Township has slowly seen development from 1900 to 2024, so a large variety of homes are available here. Property prices typically range from $350,000 to $800,000, depending on size, age and location. Communities around Dexter Township’s five lakes are some of the most expensive, with private docks and direct lake access. Some luxury estates can get up to $1.2 million. Outside of the developed lakeshore, most properties have more than an acre of land. Empty plots of land range from $70,000 for 2 acres to $300,000 for 20 acres. Some of the land, particularly the lakeshore, is part of a floodplain, but most properties are unaffected.
“Ten years ago, this was the place to find a deal,” says Kim Johnson, a former realtor and Dexter area resident for over 30 years. “But people discovered it, and now it’s rising in price just like Ann Arbor.” Although home prices can be high, taxes are significantly lower in the township than in the city of Dexter or Ann Arbor. “Plus,” Johnson says, “you can still get more space and larger lots for your money in Dexter Township.”
Colonial-style homes stand out in Dexter Township.
Some newer homes in Dexter Township feature contemporary styling with gently sloped rooflines.
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International learning and electives at Dexter Schools
Dexter Community Schools serves most of the township with students starting at Dexter Elementary Complex for kindergarten through second grade. Niche grades the school B-plus. Then it’s on to Wylie Elementary, rated A, for third and fourth grade and Creekside Intermediate, rated A-minus, for fifth and sixth. Mill Creek Middle School and Dexter High School are both graded A. Dexter High School has AP courses and an International Baccalaureate program. Since the high school is part of the South and West Washtenaw Consortium, Dexter students can take electives, from culinary classes to engineering labs, at other high schools throughout Washtenaw County.
Wylie Elementary has been part of Dexter's Community Schools program since 1964.
Dexter High School
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Lakes, trails and farms in Washtenaw County
Dexter Township is home to several lakes and a portion of the Huron River. The township's Pinckney Recreation Area is 11,000 acres with camping and trails for mountain biking, hiking and horseback riding. The lakes are open for boating and fishing in the summertime. In the winter, trails are used for cross-country skiing. Along the Huron River, the Washtenaw Border-to-Border Trail runs 15 miles and connects to the city of Dexter. The county plans to continue the trail to Ann Arbor, but there is no official construction date yet.
The farms of Dexter Township are open in the summer for blueberry or raspberry picking, and in the fall, some offer pumpkin patches and cider. Residents who don’t want to drive into Dexter for the farmers market can stop by local farm stands and markets.
Large and small farms dominate the landscape in Dexter Township.
Dexter Township runners use the Border-to-Border Trail through the township.
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The small city of Dexter
Dexter Township itself has no commercial hubs, but the city is directly southeast. “Dexter is our city,” Stamboulellis says. “I used to think of Ann Arbor as our closest city, but Dexter has really grown over the years.” Dexter has a Busch’s Fresh Food Market, a regular farmers market, and a quaint, walkable downtown. Most businesses are locally owned, like Dexter Bakery, which opened in 1915. Downtown Dexter hosts holiday events and outdoor summer concerts and, in general, is the hub to meet neighbors. “Sometimes it takes me forever to walk through the grocery store because I keep seeing people I want to say hi to,” Johnson says.
Many locals from Dexter Township visit Jenny's Farm Stand for local produce.
Dexter Township locals have been heading to the Dexter Bakery, serving clients since 1915.
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Traffic builds up along Island Lake Road
The most direct route to Ann Arbor, about 15 miles away, is typically via Island Lake Road. But the road slows as it passes through the city of Dexter, thanks to several traffic lights and an old rail underpass that only admits one car at a time. “When they built that underpass, it was for covered wagons to go through,” says David Anderson, a Realtor with Howard Hanna who has experience all over the Ann Arbor area. “So, it’s a problem with modern-day cars. Mornings can be insane with traffic.” The Ann Arbor commute should take about 20 minutes, but it often gets up to 40 minutes during rush hour.
The fastest route to Interstate 94 involves driving through Dexter under the same underpass. I-94 heads to Ypsilanti and the Detroit Metropolitan Airport, 40 miles away. The closest hospital is in downtown Ann Arbor.
Photography Contributed By
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Video By
Jacob Branchaud
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