Community events and small-town living are Fowlerville’s hallmarks
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. If you want to live close to town, there are plenty of options there, but the surrounding countryside offers a rural escape.
Housing styles, property details and what you can expect to spend
Some of Fowlerville’s National and Foursquare homes date to the 1800s. Midcentury ranch-style homes, Colonial Revivals and New Traditionals round out the property blend, and there are a few manufactured housing communities in the southern part of town. Residential streets are narrow, and some are bordered by sidewalks and rows of mature trees. Most downtown lots are under 10,000 square feet, but properties can measure up to 10 acres in surrounding rural areas. Many properties include short paved driveways, and some have attached garages.
National and ranch-style homes sell from the mid-$100,000s to the upper $300,000s. Colonial Revivals, Cape Cods and New Traditionals sell from the mid-$300,000s to the mid-$600,000s. The median home sale price of $325,000 is low when compared to a few nearby cities. “It hasn’t grown as fast as Brighton or Howell,” says Ron Yarbrough, principal broker and owner of Avera 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.”
New elementary school joins a district with Schools of Choice access
Students attend Fowlerville Community Schools, including the new Fowlerville Elementary, which opened to students in kindergarten through Grade 2 in January 2025. Fowlerville High School is highly rated. According to Michigan’s Schools of Choice program, students can apply to schools outside their residential district.
Where Fowlerville residents go to play outside
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 closed for reconstruction and expected to reopen in spring 2026. The project will add 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.” At the day-long event, kids can play around in bounce houses, take a train ride or visit the friendly critters at the 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.
Retail and restaurant options in Fowlerville
Fowlerville’s single-stoplight downtown features coffeehouses, cafes and pubs tucked into brick row-style buildings. Here are a few of the local spots:
- Olden Days Cafe, serving breakfast all day
- Bloated Goat Saloon for pub grub and happy hour specials
- Kodet’s True Value Hardware for home essentials
- Save-On Family Foods, a convenient grocery spot
You'll also find Walmart Supercenter and a few fast-food chains on the southwestern outskirts of the village near Interstate 96.
I-96 offers easy access to Lansing, Detroit and Ann Arbor
Most people who live here work in either Lansing or Detroit, and I-96 skims the southern edge of the village to provide access to both. The 30-mile commute to Lansing takes about half an hour, but the 65-mile drive to Detroit can take up to an hour and a half. 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.
