Howard City offers small-town living near Grand Rapids
Howard City is a rural community in Montcalm County, west-central Michigan, offering a peaceful setting with easy access to larger cities like Grand Rapids and Big Rapids. Dotted with waterways, nature trails and public parks, the area offers plenty of opportunities to get outside. Compared to towns closer to Grand Rapids, Howard City has more affordable homes while offering amenities like schools and proximity to highways, making it a popular choice for families and commuters seeking country living. “Howard City is going to be more rural with less population,” says Jon Stout, owner of Stout Group with over 30 years of experience. “The nice thing is the 131 expressway runs directly to Grand Rapids, so if people want bigger stores or medical care, people have that convenience." The community's CAP Index Crime Score is 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Homes sit on large lots with wooded or water views
The community’s landscape has a mix of wooded terrain and active farmlands, and many houses sit on spacious lots with mature trees and quiet roads. There's a big variety of housing options in the area, with everything from two-story colonials and New Traditional builds to workers cottages. Properties closer to the village are set closer together, while houses out in the countryside are farther apart and can have multiacre lots. Most homes were built in the last hundred years, and prices mostly range from $100,00 to $400,000. Manufactured homes sell between $140,000 and $300,000. “It’s kind of like stepping stones,” Stout says. “The farther north you go from Grand Rapids, property prices go down a bit. Howard City is going to be more affordable than Cedar Springs and Rockford.” Howard City has a median sale price of about $240,000, whereas Cedar Springs has a median sale price of $340,000.
Outdoor recreation at nearby public and state parks
Herbert J Peck Park has sports fields and basketball hoops, while the adjacent Ensley Park offers play equipment and courts for tennis, pickleball and volleyball. The township also has access points to the White Pine Trail, which spans 92 miles and connects Grand Rapids to Cadillac. The trail is open to cycling and hiking, as well as skiing in winter. Locals can also camp, hike or ride their horses at Huron-Manistee National Forest. Farther west, Newaygo State Park offers water recreation and disc golf.
Public schools that serve Howard City
Tri County Area Schools serves the community. Students may begin at Tri County Elementary, which gets a B-minus grade from Niche. Tri County Middle School earns a C-plus and offers STEM classes. With a B-minus, Tri County High School offers career pathway programs in communications, business, engineering, health science and agriscience. Montcalm Community College is approximately 25 miles away.
Local businesses around the village and bigger stores in nearby cities
About a dozen businesses are in the village center. Housed in a historic building, The Forager is a local tap house serving classic American fare. C&J’s Family Restaurant offers homestyle food with a buffet on Sundays. Family Dollar, HomeTown Pharmacy and Leppinks Food Centers cover daily essentials. “If people want to get to a bigger store, they can go to Grand Rapids or Big Rapids, and Cedar Springs and Greenville are also nearby,” Stout says.
Distance to Grand Rapids and nearby hospitals
The township is east of U.S. Route 131, which connects directly to Grand Rapids, the region’s main metropolitan area, about 35 miles away. Corewell Health Greenville Hospital is about 25 miles south in Greenville, and Grand Rapids offers more health care options along the Medical Mile downtown. Gerald R. Ford International Airport is approximately 45 miles south of the community.
Community events in the village
The village hosts the Harvest Festival each year in September, with car and tractor shows, live entertainment, games and activities for children, and a grand parade. In summertime, residents can take their lawn chairs to Veteran’s Memorial Bandshell to catch the community’s Music in the Park concert series.
