Howard Township offers lakefront views and rural living
From lakefront communities to rural farms, Howard Township has a lot of variety to offer— all close to the City of Niles. “In my over 70 years living in the area, I have always felt safe, comfortable and grateful to live in the city and the community,” says Jan Luke, a Realtor with Red Shoe Realty and Niles resident. The community has a population of just under 6,500 people and is part of two different school districts. Outdoor amenities are a big draw to the area, whether it’s well-maintained parks or larger lots for houses to sit on.
Howard blends residential neighborhoods with lakeside recreation, retail, and dining.
Howard Township is home to 6,500 people and is near Niles and South Bend.
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Prices vary widely based on size, age and lake access
Housing styles vary from Italianate Victorian to Ranch-style homes. Some properties around Barron Lake have views of the water. Most homes built between the early 1900s and the ‘70s range from $45,000 to just under $330,000, with the occasional renovated home going as high as $600,000. Homes built from the 1980s to 2025 are around $185,000 to $750 for under 3,000 square feet and $375,000 to around $1.7 million for over 3,000 square feet.
“Currently, there are several new homes being built, which is exciting for our area,” Luke says. A private lakefront development is currently underway on Moose Lake, and lots are selling for $149,000 to $225,000.
Ranch-style homes are prominent throughout Howard.
Homes with Craftsman touches are a common sight in Howard.
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Homes may be zoned for two school districts
Niles Community Schools gets a B-minus grade from Niche. The district has two elementary schools, a middle school, a high school and a K-8 magnet school. Upper-level students at B-minus-rated Niles Senior High can apply to take dual enrollment courses at Southwestern Michigan College.
Some homes may be zoned for Edwardsburg Public Schools, which receives a B-plus grade. Students can attend B-rated Edwardsburg Primary School for kindergarten through first grade, and B-plus-rated Eagle Lake Elementary for second through third grade. Fourth and fifth graders can go to Edwardsburg Intermediate, then Edwardsburg Middle for sixth through eighth grade. Both Schools get an A-minus rating, while Edwardsburg High is graded a B-plus.
Edwardsburg Primary School has 331 students with a student-teacher ratio of 19 to 1.
Niles Senior High School has 827 students with a student-teacher ratio of 20 to 1.
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Tennis courts, roller skating and fishing are all nearby
“Barron Lake is an all-sports lake with boating, fishing and skiing,” Luke says. The lake has a public boat launch, but homes along the water often have private access through the Barron Lake Association. The township maintains five parks, including Jones Memorial Park, which has tennis and basketball courts. The Jones Park Disc Golf Community plays on the 9-hole course there. The annual Four Flags Apple Festival is a four-day event that started in 1972. The festivities include a two-hour parade, carnival rides, live music and all things apple-related. For indoor fun, there’s the Skate-A-Rama, a family-owned roller rink.
Jones Memorial Park features a family playground, basketball courts, and a pavilion.
Skate-A-Rama offers roller skating, arcade games, and family-friendly events.
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family-owned dining, local produce and everyday shopping nearby
Barron Lakeside Bar & Grill has daily specials and outdoor seating with views of the water. Rise and Shine is a family-owned favorite among locals that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Eckler's Produce & Greenhouse is a small farm that sells in-season fruits and vegetables. “Howard Township is a great farming community, and we have several local fruit stands,” Luke says. Nearby in Niles, there’s a Harding’s Grocery Store, Walmart and several Dollar Generals.
Barron Lakeside Bar & Grill features lake views, casual dining, and outdoor seating.
Harding’s Grocery provides fresh produce, deli items, and everyday essentials.
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Airport and train stations are within 20 miles of Howard Township
The many miles of open land in Howard Township mean that it’s a car-dependent area with little walkability and no public transportation. M-60 runs from east to west and ends in Jackson County. The Amtrak Station in Niles is about 6 miles west. The South Shore Line commuter rail station is another travel option, and South Bend International Airport is around 20 miles southwest.
The Niles Amtrak station is located in the historic Michigan Central Railroad Station.
South Bend International Airport handles roughly 40,000 aircraft operations per year.
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Written By
Joyelle Ronan
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Tammy Anders,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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Lake Home built in 2023 on the caribbean blue new development that is Moose Lake. Just 20 min to ND, 1hr 40 min to Chicago. Enjoy 3/4 acre, 150ft of lakefront and a spectacular 3503 sqft 3 level home w/lake views from nearly every room! Bathed in sunlight, soaring ceilings & wall of windows highlight lake views. Modern open floor plan, 5BRs 3.5 baths. Spacious main floor primary suite w/balcony
Build your dream lake home on spectacular Moose Lake. A private lakefront development. The water is truly a Caribbean blue with a fantastic sandy beach and bottom. It is amazing. The lake is approximately 150 plus acres and is just under 40 feet deep at the deepest point. As you are in the beginning phase of this extraordinary development, the opportunities are immense. Building your home now not
Build your dream lake home on spectacular Moose Lake. A private lakefront development. The water is truly a Caribbean blue with a fantastic sandy beach and bottom. It is amazing. The lake is approximately 150 plus acres and is just under 40 feet deep at the deepest point. As you are in the beginning phase of this extraordinary development, the opportunities are immense. Building your home now not
Build your dream lake home on spectacular Moose Lake. A private lakefront development. The water is truly a Caribbean blue with a fantastic sandy beach and bottom. It is amazing. The lake is approximately 150 plus acres and is just under 40 feet deep at the deepest point. As you are in the beginning phase of this extraordinary development, the opportunities are immense. Building your home now not
Build your dream lake home on spectacular Moose Lake. A private lakefront development. The water is truly a Caribbean blue with a fantastic sandy beach and bottom. It is amazing. The lake is approximately 150 plus acres and is just under 40 feet deep at the deepest point. As you are in the beginning phase of this extraordinary development, the opportunities are immense. Building your home now not
Build your dream lake home on spectacular Moose Lake. A private lakefront development. The water is truly a Caribbean blue with a fantastic sandy beach and bottom. It is amazing. The lake is approximately 150 plus acres and is just under 40 feet deep at the deepest point. As you are in the beginning phase of this extraordinary development, the opportunities are immense. Building your home now not
Build your dream lake home on spectacular Moose Lake. A private lakefront development. The water is truly a Caribbean blue with a fantastic sandy beach and bottom. It is amazing. The lake is approximately 150 plus acres and is just under 40 feet deep at the deepest point. As you are in the beginning phase of this extraordinary development, the opportunities are immense. Building your home now not
Build your dream lake home on spectacular Moose Lake. A private lakefront development. The water is truly a Caribbean blue with a fantastic sandy beach and bottom. It is amazing. The lake is approximately 150 plus acres and is just under 40 feet deep at the deepest point. As you are in the beginning phase of this extraordinary development, the opportunities are immense. Building your home now not
Build your dream lake home on spectacular Moose Lake. A private lakefront development. The water is truly a Caribbean blue with a fantastic sandy beach and bottom. It is amazing. The lake is approximately 150 plus acres and is just under 40 feet deep at the deepest point. As you are in the beginning phase of this extraordinary development, the opportunities are immense. Building your home now not
Build your dream lake home on spectacular Moose Lake. A private lakefront development. The water is truly a Caribbean blue with a fantastic sandy beach and bottom. It is amazing. The lake is approximately 150 plus acres and is just under 40 feet deep at the deepest point. As you are in the beginning phase of this extraordinary development, the opportunities are immense. Building your home now not
Build your dream lake home on spectacular Moose Lake. A private lakefront development. The water is truly a Caribbean blue with a fantastic sandy beach and bottom. It is amazing. The lake is approximately 150 plus acres and is just under 40 feet deep at the deepest point. As you are in the beginning phase of this extraordinary development, the opportunities are immense. Building your home now not
Build your dream lake home on spectacular Moose Lake. A private lakefront development. The water is truly a Caribbean blue with a fantastic sandy beach and bottom. It is amazing. The lake is approximately 150 plus acres and is just under 40 feet deep at the deepest point. As you are in the beginning phase of this extraordinary development, the opportunities are immense. Building your home now not
Our community features spacious 1 and 2 bedroom apartments. Our apartment homes feature modern conveniences such as time saving dishwashers & energy efficient electric stoves; in building laundry facilities; and off street parking. Enjoy the comfort of individual apartment climate controls; air conditioning options to keep you cool and forced air furnace heat to keep you warm. Ideal location for
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