With more than 80,000 residents, Farmington Hills is the second-largest community in Oakland County. It’s also one of the most diverse, with more than 20% of its population being foreign-born. Despite its size, it maintains a close-knit feel. Mayor Theresa Rich says she officiated 17 weddings in her first 107 days in office; they included 50-year residents of the Michigan city, as well as citizens who immigrated from China, Ukraine and South Africa.
While Farmington Hills is technically separate from the neighboring city of Farmington, “If you asked nine out of 10 residents of Farmington or Farmington Hills, I don’t know if they’d be able to tell you where the borders are,” Rich says.
The primary difference between the two is the atmosphere. While the city of Farmington is a bit more urban, Farmington Hills is an upscale suburb. Farmington also has a much smaller population than Farmington Hills, as about 12,000 people call it home. Although Farmington and Farmington Hills are separate municipalities, they share a school district and public services.
Downtown Farmington offers a great shopping experience for Farmington Hills locals.
Farmington Hills offers an ideal blend of recreation, shopping, and suburban living.
Farmington Hills is renowned for its residential appeal as a suburb of Detroit.
For an exceptional shopping experience, visit Orchard Lake Road in Farmington Hills.
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More than 20 parks and recreation areas
There are more than 20 parks and recreation buildings within Farmington Hills. Heritage Park, which spans over 210 acres, is one of the most visited spaces. It offers hiking and cross-country skiing trails, picnic areas, a splash pad and more. There are also several golf courses and country clubs, including the public Farmington Hills Golf Club.
The Hawk is a 245,000-square-foot community center that was once an abandoned high school. Inside, there’s a swimming pool, a 766-seat performing arts theater and a maker space. In 2024, The Hawk hosted the NFL Draft’s “On the Clock” Tour, which brought games, inflatables and the Detroit Lions mascot to the area ahead of the NFL Draft in Detroit.
The Farmington Hills Golf Club is a great public course in the city.
The Hawk, a former high school, was purchased by Farmington Hills as a recreation center.
Heritage Park, located in Farmington Hills, has cross-country skiing in the winter.
Glen Oaks Golf Course is a 18-hole, par 70 public course in Farmington Hills.
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Highly rated Farmington primary schools
Farmington Public Schools has an A-minus rating on Niche and ranks in metro Detroit's top 20 school districts. It operates 16 campuses and serves about 8,800 students. Oakland Community College is based in Auburn Hills but its Orchard Ridge Campus is located in Farmington Hills. It has a C-plus rating.
The parking lot and football field are conveniently located right outside Farmington High.
East Middle School offers students a dynamic learning environment.
Hillside Elementary School is the home of the Huskies.
Oakland Community College - Orchard Ridge Campus opened in Farmington Hills in 1964.
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Fast-selling homes through varied subdivisions
Single-family homes are the primary makeup of the residential landscape. It has an upscale suburban layout, but enough green space surrounds the community that deer are common guests. Lots vary by subdivision, but they generally feature more yard space than cities such as Livonia while offering less than many lots in Bloomfield Hills. While residents have a little extra elbow room, Debby Brauer, co-president of Glen Orchard Civic Association, says it’s still the kind of place where neighbors greet each other at the bus stop each morning and mingle at the annual September picnic. “My husband asks when we’re moving out, and I say, ‘We’re not,’” Brauer says. “They’re going to have to carry us out.”
The median sale price is about $355,000, making this community slightly more expensive than Farmington. Home values are well above Michigan’s median, which was $260,000 in October 2024. On average, homes sell after 22 days on the market compared to the national average of 44 days.
You can occasionally find new-build homes in established neighborhoods in Farmington Hills.
Farmington Hills neighborhoods include many architectural styles, including contemporary.
This row of homes sits on a quiet street in the heart of Farmington Hills.
The majority of homes in Farmington Hills sit on large lots.
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Shopping and dining on main roads, Farmington and Twelve Oaks
Shopping and dining options are concentrated along main roads, including Orchard Lake, West 12 Mile and Grand River. The compact city of Farmington acts as the community’s downtown, with locally run bars, boutiques and cafes. Twelve Oaks Mall is a 10-minute drive west of Farmington Hills in Novi. The sprawling shopping center is home to over 180 retailers and 20 restaurants. During the holiday season, it also offers photos with Santa.
Downtown Farmington has a variety of retail and restaurant options that are local favorites.
Major retailers and big box stores are located along Orchard Lake Rd. in Farmington Hills.
Twelve Oaks Mall is an upscale shopping mall in Novi, close to Farmington Hills.
Grand River Ave. is one of several retail hubs in Farmington Hills.
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Transportation and major employers
Interstate 696 cuts Farmington Hills in half and runs west and east. An interchange on the city’s west side connects I-696 with interstates 96, 275 and Michigan Highway 5. Detroit is 20 miles south, while Ann Arbor is 30 miles west. The Detroit Metro Airport is less than 30 miles southwest, in Romulus.
The city’s biggest employers include Corewell Health, a full-service hospital with 24-hour medical care. Farmington School District, Oakland County and the state of Michigan are also significant employers. However, many people commute to Detroit, Southfield or Ann Arbor for work.
Events throughout the year
The annual Farm Family Picnic, or September Picnic, offers fun for the whole family, including live music, scavenger hunts and Storytime. One of the marquee community events is June’s Art on the Grand. Attendees stroll down Grand River Avenue, flanked by tents of artists selling their ceramics, photography and other works. The 150-year-old Longacre House hosts weddings and other private events. On Valentine’s Day 2024, the community started a new annual tradition at the house. Rich officiated 44 couples with 1,000 years of marriage between them as they renewed their vows.
Art on the Grand features a dedicated section of the market for kids.
Art on the Grand has something for all ages.
On Valentine's Day the Longacre House hosts a vow renewal event each year.
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Lower-than-average crime rates
In 2023, Farmington Hills reported a violent crime rate that was 54% less than the Michigan average and 34% less than the U.S. average. Property crime counts were also lower, reporting a rate of 35% less than the Michigan average and 53% less than the U.S. average.
Written By
Kaitlin Davis
Photography Contributed By
Christopher Shires
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Steve Mann,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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