Community events define small-town life in Fowlerville
The Village of Fowlerville is one of several communities along Interstate 96 in Michigan, roughly midway between Lansing and the Detroit metro area. Although visitors often join the village’s 3,000 residents for its popular events — which include Livingston County’s annual fair — small-town living is the primary draw. “It hasn’t grown as fast as Brighton or Howell ,” says Ron Yarbrough, associate broker and co-owner of Remerica Integrity II Realty, who’s been in local real estate since 2008. “If you’re looking for a slower pace of life, you should move to Fowlerville.”
National, ranch-style and Colonial Revival homes on shaded streets
National builds from the 1920s, midcentury ranch-style homes and newer Colonial Revivals make up Fowlerville’s housing blend. A few manufactured housing communities can be found in the southern part of town. Most residential streets are narrow, and some are bordered by sidewalks and rows of mature trees. Lot sizes near downtown are smaller, with most measuring under 10,000 square feet, but properties can measure up to a full acre farther from town. Many include short paved driveways, and some have attached garages to help protect against vehicle damage from the tornadoes and winter ice storms that are common in this region. Homes tend to sell within 28 days of entering the market, much faster than the national average of 52. National and ranch-style homes typically sell for $200,000 to $400,000, and Colonial Revivals go for $260,000 to $300,000.
New elementary school joins a district with Schools of Choice access
The new Fowlerville Elementary School opened to students in kindergarten through Grade 2 in January 2025. Before the move to the new building, the school was called H.T. Smith Elementary and rated C-plus by Niche. For grades 3 through 5, students move to Natalie Kreeger Elementary, also rated C-plus. Fowlerville Junior High and Fowlerville High are both rated B-minus. High school students can participate in archery, robotics, literature and art clubs. According to Michigan’s Schools of Choice program, students can apply to schools outside their residential district.
Fowlerville Community Park is getting an upgrade
The paved walking path at Centennial Park loops past the playground, basketball courts and picnic pavilion and extends into the downtown area. The centrally located park is dog-friendly, but since there are no fenced areas, paw parents are encouraged to keep their pooches leashed. Fowlerville Community Park, known to locals as “the Big Park,” is currently closed for reconstruction. The project is slated for completion by late December 2025 and includes a new recreation pavilion, pickleball courts, workout and fitness equipment, an updated playground and a splash pad. On Fridays and Saturdays in October, families can explore the Grand River Corn Maze, which hosts a “Slaughterhouse Adventure” for Halloween thrill-seekers.
Fowlerville events light up the village with carnivals and kid stuff
The Fowlerville Family Fair invites residents and visitors to “stirrup some fun” every July with carnival rides and food, livestock shows, demolition derbies, harness racing and a tractor pull. The village also hosts Livingston County’s Fourth of July fireworks display. June’s Fun in the Ville “is mostly for children,” according to Kathy Rajala, manager for the Village of Fowlerville. “The events are free of charge. It’s local businesses that have supported the events.” Kid-friendly activities at the day-long event typically include bounce houses, train rides and a petting zoo. After the village tree lighting during Christmas in the Ville, the Parade of Lights kicks off with lighted floats and hot-air balloon flame jets — but no actual balloons. “We call those the heating stations,” Rajala says.
Community churches host bake sales, luncheons and annual festivals
Several churches host community events throughout the year. Kids gather for Story Stretch at St. John’s Lutheran Church on Sundays, and the First Baptist Church of Fowlerville hosts fellowship luncheons after weekly services. Tri-Festa, held in late August, brings members of Saint Agnes Catholic Parish together with kids’ activities, raffle drawings, a pie contest, a corn hole tournament and live music. First United Methodist Church has a bake sale during Hearse Fest, a Halloween-focused event held at the Fowlerville Fairgrounds on the third Saturday in September.
Cafes, pubs and household essentials in a single-stoplight downtown
Fowlerville’s single-stoplight downtown features coffeehouses, cafes and pubs ensconced in brick row-style buildings. Olden Days Cafe serves breakfast all day, supplemented by hearty sandwiches, burgers and salads at lunchtime. Daily pub grub specials and a generous happy hour draw locals to the Bloated Goat Saloon. Kodet’s True Value Hardware sells home essentials, and groceries are available at Save-On Family Foods. Shoppers will find Walmart Supercenter and a few fast-food chains on the southwestern outskirts of the village near Interstate 96.
Easy access to Lansing, Detroit and Ann Arbor via I-96
Residents are about 30 miles from Lansing and 65 miles from Detroit, and I-96 skims the southern edge of the village to provide access to both. The interstate is also a good starting point for the 40-mile drive to Ann Arbor . Captain Region International Airport in Lansing provides service to hubs like Washington, D.C. and Chicago, but Detroit Metro Airport offers more options. Medical services are about 8 miles away at Howell’s Trinity Health Livingston Hospital, and Livingston Essential Transportation Services offers curb-to-curb service on demand.
