Rural living with city conveniences just a few miles away
Emmett Township is a Calhoun County community of about 12,000 that offers a rural lifestyle without sacrificing convenience. Retailers and restaurants can be found within the township. Anything more is about 5 miles away in bustling Battle Creek. People also choose this community for its desirable schools, newer homes on bigger lots and some of the best outdoor recreation in Southwest Michigan.
Mix of ranch-style, split-level and farmhouse homes on large lots
Homes in Emmett Township are a mix of styles, including ranch, New Traditional, split-level and farmhouses. They sit on landscaped lawns, some spanning over an acre. Many houses around Beadle Lake have boat docks and enjoy private access to the water. Prices usually start around $100,000 and climb to around $500,000. Higher priced homes are usually over 2,000 square feet and sit on bigger lots.
Kids can attend Harper Creek Community Schools
Harper Creek Community Schools serves the area and earns a B-minus on Niche. Families can apply for the Harper Creek’s Schools of Choice program, which allows out-of-district transfers within the district. Acceptance hinges on grade-level openings, and when demand exceeds supply, placement is determined by district policy rather than lottery or timing.
Kids can start school at B-minus-rated Wattles Park Elementary, then head to C-plus-rated Harper Creek Middle and B-minus-rated Harper Creek High. Students at Harper Creek High can take advantage of the school’s Harper Creek Center for Academic Achievement (HCCAA), an alternative educational program offering a more flexible learning environment. Multiple faith-based private schools are also available nearby.
Kalamazoo River and local parks support year-round activity
The Kalamazoo River is one of the main sources for outdoor recreation. Several green spaces in the township offer kayak launches, including Paddlers Grove Park and Historic Bridge Park. The latter is popular for picnics and fishing. Kimball Pines Park has a disc golf course, a hiking and biking path and is a go-to for cross-country skiing in the winter. Ott Biological Preserve offers rustic trails through natural habitats and along two lakes. Golfers tee off at nearby Binder Park Golf Course, a semi-private facility with a 27-hole layout divided into three nine-hole tracks. Wattles Park Men’s Club offers youth soccer, baseball, softball, basketball and volleyball.
Major retailers and restaurants within the community
Stimac’s Grocery and Dollar Tree are located on the north side. A hub of shopping centers and big box stores are on the south side near Interstate 94 and Michigan County-66, including Meijer, Aldi, Sam’s Club, Target and Walmart. “There is no shortage of stores in Emmett Township,” says Bethany Boyce, a Realtor with eXp Realty who sells throughout Western Michigan. “If someone needed to head into the city limits of Battle Creek, it would probably be due to a specific restaurant choice or destination, not due to lack of options.”
Firekeeper’s Casino has 2,100-seat event venue where locals can catch live entertainment. The casino also features several restaurants like Dacey’s Sportsbook & Taphouse, which serves pizza, burgers and other American fare. Other dining options include local favorite Moonraker, a laid-back spot with a wide-ranging menu and a dog-friendly patio. Bronson Battle Creek is the closest hospital and is about 5 miles away via Wattles Road.
Field of Flight is a nearby signature event with sky-high thrills
Battle Creek offers regular events that bring locals together, including Field of Flight, which takes place every July. The four-day event features an air show with U.S. Air Force pilots, a fireworks display and regular hot air balloon flights. “Tons of residents make it a family affair to ‘balloon chase’ and help pilots land,” Boyce says. One actually landed in our front yard. It’s a pretty awesome event.”
Major highways run through the community for easy travel
Residents get around by car, since Emmett Township does not have a fixed bus line. Multiple major highways are within the community, including Interstates 194 and 94, C-66 and M-311. Kalamazoo-Battle Creek International is the closest major airport with commercial flights, located about 30 miles away via I-94.
Past ice storms have led to outages and property damage
While snow is common in the winter, severe ice storms happen occasionally. In early 2025, a state of emergency was called when a major ice storm caused widespread power outages and property damage from fallen trees.
