Surrounded by Howell Township, the city of Howell blends history, ruralness and urbanism. While it’s home to just 10,000 residents and covers about 5 square miles, it’s the most populated city in Livingston County. The area was platted in 1835 by settlers from Detroit, which is 55 miles southeast of Howell. It was incorporated as a village in 1863. Since then, it’s grown into a walkable city with historic architecture, ample businesses and an award-winning downtown.
“We still have hometown feel, but we’ve got really everything that you need,” says Jennifer Petersen, Broker Owner of Red Door Realty Group and Howell resident. “You can drive 20 mins and find a dairy farm and drive 20 minutes back and be at Target. You get the best of both worlds.”
In 2024, the city won USA Today’s Best Main Street Readers’ Choice Award, and was awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association in 2019. Despite these accolades and increased value, the cost of living is 4% below the national average, according to The Council for Community and Economic Research. Most people in the area work in manufacturing, retail, and healthcare, such as Trinity Health Livingston Hospital, the city’s primary healthcare facility.
Howell is home to about 10,000 residents and covers almost 5 square miles.
Howell is home to one of the 1,600 Carnegie libraries built in the early 1900s.
There is a wide variety of home styles in Howell.
Trinity Health Livingston Hospital is Howell's primary healthcare facility.
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Antiques, boutiques and outlets
The city is filled with specialized locally owned shops, an outlet center and a variety of restaurants. Nearly two dozen local eateries and national chains are primarily concentrated around Grand River Avenue. Howell’s historic downtown is a five-block commercial district listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s home to the Sunday Farmers’ Market, open from the first Sunday in May through October, where over 100 vendors sell local produce, crafts, jewelry and more. Tanger Outlets, Livingston County’s number one attraction and sole outlet mall in the area, features over 50 brands. The Livingston Antique Outlet is more than 32,000 square feet and houses over 200 small businesses.
The City of Howell has nearly two dozen local eateries, including Cleary's Pub.
Howell’s historic downtown is a five-block commercial district.
Tanger Outlets is Livingston County’s number one attraction and sole outlet mall in Howell.
In Howell, the Livingston Antique Outlet houses over 200 small businesses.
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More than a dozen green spaces
Howell has 13 parks and recreation centers. The newest green space is a pocket park at the corner of Tompkins and Maple Streets. The Howell Nature Center rests on 230 rolling acres with a trail system, adventure courses and gardens and has cared for injured wild birds and orphaned animals for over 40 years. Oceola Community Center, located just outside the city, is also available and puts on seasonal events.
In Howell your kids will love the playground at Don Miller Park.
City Park in Howell was recently renamed Scofield park.
Howell is home to the Howell Nature Center, which covers 230 rolling acres.
The City of Howell supporst the Howell Area Parks and Recreation Center.
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Year-round events in Howell’s historic downtown
While Howell is a smaller city, it has a myriad of arts and culture events and venues. The Michigan Challenge Balloonfest has taken place each June for over 30 years with fireworks and an accompanying carnival. The Howell Melon Festival occurs every August since 1960. It has fun runs, arts and crafts, and many melon-based foods. The Fantasy of Lights starts the holidays on Black Friday with a float-filled parade with marching bands and festively decorated cars. Meanwhile, the Howell Depot Museum, founded in 1968, was the first building listed on the Michigan State Register and the National Register of Historic Places. Originally used by the Ann Arbor Railroad, today it preserves and promotes the history of Howell. The Livingston Arts Council operates the Howell Opera House, a Victorian-style opera from 1881, that hosts various events and performances.
Howell hosts The Michigan Challenge Balloonfest has taken place each June for over 30 years.
The Howell Melon Festival occurs every August since 1960 in downtown Howell.
Trains roll past the Howell Depot Museum in downtown Howell.
Howell Opera House, a Victorian-style opera from 1881, hosts events and performances.
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A wide variety of housing styles one hour from Detroit
Howell has over 5,000 total housing units, including detached single-family homes, apartments, condos and townhouses. Forty-six percent are owner-occupied. Construction was steady from 1950 through 2010, with most houses built around 1975. Apartment complexes slightly outnumber single-family properties in the area, 41% to 40%. Homes in Howell have appreciated 95% in the past 10 years, putting the community among the top 40% of appreciating areas nationally. Almost 700 homes were sold here in 2023, with a median price of $385,000. Most stayed on the market for around 27 days. Home prices range from $38,000 for a manufactured home to $840,000 for a custom ranch-style estate.
Owners take great pride in maintaining their homes in Howell.
Residents of Howell enjoy a quiet neighborhood.
Homes neatly line the streets of Howell.
A variety of condo communities exist in Howell, ranging from townhome options to detached.
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Boots, bikes and buses
Getting around centrally located Howell can take many forms. The community has easy access to Interstate 96, Highway 59, Michigan Avenue and Grand River Avenue. Detroit is 55 miles southeast, while Lansing is 38 miles west. LETS Public Transportation operates fixed bus routes in Howell Township and several surrounding counties, as well as a healthcare transit service in Livingston County. These options combine to help give local commuters a 25-minute daily travel time, around the national average. There’s also a series of hiking and biking trails throughout Livingston County, including the Latson-Chilson-Brighton Road Trail between Howell and Brighton. Livingston County Spencer J. Hardy Airport is nearby but does not offer commercial flights. The nearest commercial airport, Capital Region International Airport, is 40 miles west in Lansing.
Education options from pre-K through graduate school
The Howell Public Schools system earned a B ranking from Niche. It educates nearly 7,000 students across 11 campuses. The district also operates a dual-language Spanish immersion program called the Academia Bilingue at Three Fires Elementary.
High school sports are important to the city. “We have a huge community support of our high school football team, it’s like Friday Night Lights,” Peterson says. “Our school just won a championship, and it was a huge deal. They’re like hometown heroes. The last couple of games, people had their tailgating tents out days in advance.”
Cleary University’s main campus is in Howell and offers dozens of undergraduate and graduate degrees. At the Livingston County Center, Lansing Community College operates over 70 courses for general associate degrees and specialty programs, like phlebotomy.
Students are challenged to excel at Voyager Elementary School.
Spend a Friday night watching Howell High School varsity football before dinner downtown.
Cleary University’s main campus is in Howell and offers dozens of undergraduate degrees.
Lansing Community College operates over 70 courses for general associate degrees.
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Environmental factors and crime
Howell’s crime rate is 52% below the national average, according to statistics released by the FBI in September of 2023. Both violent and property crimes are lower than the average, too. That trend continues when comparing Howell to the rest of Michigan.
Written By
Kaitlin Davis
Photography Contributed By
Scottie Davison
Video By
Max Gilmore
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Howell, MI sell after 34 days on the market compared to the national average of 54 days. The median sale price for homes in Howell, MI over the last 12 months is $382,500, up 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Your new ranch condo is awaiting! Come visit our model Monday & Tuesday 12-7 and Saturday/Sunday 10-2. Grand design throughout, including soaring ceilings from the entrance that carry into the open-concept Great Room. The family chef will be amazed by the kitchen with a large central island that allows for easy access to the covered rear patio for easy grilling in the summertime. Split-bedroom
*Mid-March Completion!* Tour the model at 222 Marion Oaks Drive and discover The Links of Marion Oaks — brand-new ranch condos offering ~2,100 sq ft of finished living space with pond views and no rear neighbors. Bright open-concept layout with large rear windows, solid wood kitchen cabinets, granite counters, and subway tile backsplash. 9' ceilings throughout, including in the finished lower
**NEW CONSTRUCTION** Location and luxury living! This 1,730 sq. ft. 3 bedrooms, 3 full baths, fireplace in great room with 12' vaulted ceilings, with full Day-light basement, 2 CAR GARAGE. This wonderful condo is nestled within walking distance from downtown Howell and just minutes from downtown Brighton! End unit, Cape cod model with an open floor plan, kitchen offers Granite counters, large
Discover this exceptional home in Piety Hill, tucked at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac just two blocks from downtown Howell. This thoughtfully remodeled turn-of-the-century home offers 3,454 sq ft blending historic charm with modern comfort. Features include a spacious primary suite with vaulted ceiling, dual heating systems (new boiler 2023), new furnace / AC 2024), refinished hardwood floors,
**You’ll be the envy of all your friends with the coolest at home paradise playground**Beautifully situated on 10 incredible acres (with an additional 18 available) that includes 2 ponds loaded with fish (one is 15' deep) and (one has a little island), lush groomed trails through the woods**Wildlife galore for the hunting enthusiast**Beautiful, 2100+ Sq ft. full brick ranch is spacious and open
Nestled on nearly 4 private, wooded acres, this one-of-a-kind property offers the perfect blend of comfort, charm, and functionality. With 2,840 square feet of living space, this 4-bedroom home features a desirable first-floor primary bedroom, providing convenience and flexibility for today’s lifestyle.The spacious living room welcomes you with a cozy wood-burning fireplace, creating the
Fully renovated and stunning! Experience the charm of refined living in Downtown Howell in this beautiful and unique fully updated colonial a block from downtown recently named the "Best Main Street in the US" by USA Today’s Reader’s Choice Awards. Perfectly nestled on a mature tree lined street your new home is in the center of it all. Approaching the entry, a new large deck envelops your home,
Excellent Multi-family Investment Opportunity in Howell! Well-maintained two-unit property offering immediate rental income and long-term potential. Both the upper and lower units feature tall ceilings creating a bright and spacious feel throughout. The lower unit is tenant-occupied with a lease in place through October 12, 2026. (sale subject to tenant's rights), providing stable income from day
**You’ll be the envy of all your friends with the coolest at home paradise playground**Beautifully situated on 28 incredible acres that includes 2 ponds loaded with fish (one is 15' deep) and (one has a little island), 1.7 miles of lush, groomed trails through the woods**Wildlife galore for the hunting enthusiast**Last but not least, Beautiful 2160 Sq ft. full brick ranch is spacious and open
Your new ranch condo is awaiting! Come visit our model Monday & Tuesday 12-7 and Saturday/Sunday 10-2. Grand design throughout, including soaring ceilings from the entrance that carry into the open-concept Great Room. The family chef will be amazed by the kitchen with a large central island that allows for easy access to the covered rear patio for easy grilling in the summertime. Split-bedroom
Immediate Occupancy! Brand new home in Howell! This stunning home blends thoughtful design with upscale features throughout. The heart of the home is a beautiful eat in kitchen showcasing stainless steel appliances, a generous 9' island, and a spacious breakfast nook—perfect for casual meals or entertaining guests. A versatile flex room on the main level offers convenience for remote work, study,
New home in Howell! February occupancy! Brand new home in Howell! This stunning home blends thoughtful design with upscale features throughout. The heart of the home is a beautiful eat in kitchen showcasing stainless steel appliances, a generous 9' island, and a spacious breakfast nook—perfect for casual meals or entertaining guests. A versatile flex room on the main level offers convenience for
The Harrison is a two-story home with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, and more than 1,900 sq. ft. of living space. The main floor showcases a half bath and mud room with a walk-in closet off the foyer, as well as a spacious great room that opens to the kitchen and nook. The second floor features a laundry room, primary suite with a full bath and walk in closet, and two secondary bedrooms. Looking for
*Mid-March Completion!* Tour the model at 222 Marion Oaks Drive and discover The Links of Marion Oaks — brand-new ranch condos offering ~2,100 sq ft of finished living space with pond views and no rear neighbors. Bright open-concept layout with large rear windows, solid wood kitchen cabinets, granite counters, and subway tile backsplash. 9' ceilings throughout, including in the finished lower
**NEW CONSTRUCTION** Location and luxury living! This 1,730 sq. ft. 3 bedrooms, 3 full baths, fireplace in great room with 12' vaulted ceilings, with full Day-light basement, 2 CAR GARAGE. This wonderful condo is nestled within walking distance from downtown Howell and just minutes from downtown Brighton! End unit, Cape cod model with an open floor plan, kitchen offers Granite counters, large
Town Commons offers the largest square footage in town with a variety of floor plans. Voted the best apartment in Livingston County! We feature -In home washer and dryers, massive storage and are pet friendly, so bring your best friend! Nestled in the heart of charming Howell, within minutes of Tanger outlet mall and all of the fine dining and shopping that Howell has to offer. Not to mention our
This spacious one-bedroom, two–full-bath apartment is located above a well-established chiropractor’s office in the heart of Howell, offering a unique blend of privacy and walkable downtown living. The private entrance is located at the rear of the building, where you’ll also find additional parking—a rare convenience for a downtown location. Inside, the apartment features a large great room,
Welcome home to Highland Knolls, a brand new exceptional collection of apartment homes designed to offer you a truly refined lifestyle. Nestled in the scenic town of Howell and featuring open concept floorplans in both One and Two-bedroom options. Each apartment boasts elegant finishes, abundant natural light, and scenic views. The meticulously landscaped grounds provide a tranquil setting,
Beautiful Newer upper level condo. Open floor plan with higher 9 foot ceilings. Private rear unit faces open area. 2 entrances for convenience, entry from garage or from front door with nice foyer area -intercom system. Huge primary suite with big bathroom (shower) attached and walk in closet. Plenty of storage through out. Second bedroom located near full bathroom with a tub. In unit laundry
Welcome to Avenue Apartments, a premier new apartment community in Howell, MI, set to open Fall 2025. Offering 109 brand-new, luxury apartment homes, including spacious ranch-style and elegant townhome residences, Avenue Apartments features high-end finishes and expansive floor plans designed for comfort and modern living. Each apartment home boasts soaring 9-foot ceilings, walk-in closets,
The Glens at Rolling Ridge Apartments, located in Howell, Michigan, offers spacious one and two bedroom floor plans, with amazing amenities and the best conveniences. Situated in Livingston Country, our residents benefit from a convenient location, with easy access to Downtown Detroit, Lansing, and Ann Arbor, along with shopping and dining less than a mile away from home. Our residents enjoy a
Redwood Howell is where youll find the single-story apartment you've been looking for. Live in a two-bedroom, two-bathroom, pet-friendly home with an attached garage. Enjoy being tucked away from the noise among charming greenery, with all the amenities of the Howell community just a stones throw away. You can even get to the hustle and bustle of Ann Arbor in just 30 minutes. But more than that,
About Our ApartmentsHighlander Heights, located at 1333 W Grand River Ave, Howell, MI 48843, offers newly remodeled studio, 1 and 2-bedroom apartments featuring recessed lighting and brand-new appliances. Situated in a convenient area, residents enjoy easy access to Howell's charming downtown, known for its unique shops, dining options, and community events. The property is also near Thompson
Greenwich Village Apartments is a located in a very quiet area in Howell, MI. We are 1.2 miles from Downtown Howell. Our One Bedrooms IncludeAir ConditioningPatiosRefrigeratorsStovesDishwashers
Welcome to Yorkshire Place Apartments, nestled in the heart of Howell. Yorkshire Place Apartments offers spacious one and two-bedroom apartments, featuring a selection of one or two full baths. Our apartment homes provide all of the comforts you could desire. Fully equipped kitchens, washer/dryer hookups, private laundry rooms, large walk-in closets and custom miniblinds on all windows. Our
Live in hip, vibrant, Howell, a town that values history but loves today's idea of bistros, entertainment and shopping even more. Best of all, you choose from a 1 or 2-bedroom apartment or a 1, 2 or 3 bedroom townhome of up to 1,362 sq. ft., with all the most wanted features like bright big kitchens with pantries, walk-in closets and in-home laundries.
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