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
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Scottie Davison
Video By
Max Gilmore
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Howell, MI sell after 33 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Howell, MI over the last 12 months is $394,995, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Some homes simply have more ways to live in them—and this Hidden Creek two-story is one of them. The main floor features a primary en-suite, dedicated office, formal dining room, and a living room with soaring ceilings and a wood-burning fireplace with a gas line for easy conversion. Upstairs are two additional bedrooms and a loft with a closet—keep it open or easily convert it to a 4th bedroom.
Elevated living at an attainable price! Featured on HGTV’s House Hunters—yes, these new construction condos are that special! Enjoy 9' ceilings, custom cabinetry, quartz countertops and stylish, thoughtfully selected finishes throughout. Modern design meets low-maintenance living with the quality and comfort of brand-new construction. Special financing may be available for qualified buyers,
Introducing The Bear Floorplan! No design element overlooked! Luxurious designer finishes throughout, including the floor-to-ceiling gas fireplace, tray ceilings throughout, and custom trim work. A Chef's DREAM kitchen showcases the 7 foot wide quartz island overlooking the living area, exterior-vented range hood over the stove, and a 6x7 walk-in pantry. Split-bedroom design with a spa-like
Beautifully maintained end-unit two-story condo offering the perfect combination of comfort, space, and privacy. From the moment you arrive, you'll appreciate the attractive curb appeal, spacious driveway, attached two-car garage, and inviting covered front porch. Step inside to discover a bright and airy floor plan filled with natural light. The main level features a cozy gas fireplace, a
Discover country living just minutes from downtown Howell in this beautifully remodeled 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom farmhouse. Fully updated in 2026, this home blends modern comfort with timeless farmhouse character. Set on 10 scenic acres, the property features a massive 40' x 120' barn complete with horse stalls—perfect for equestrian use, hobby farming, storage, or future creative possibilities.
Welcome home to this 2-bedroom, 2 full bath townhome in desirable Hampton Ridge! Open concept living with fresh paint throughout. Tons of natural light! New microwave and kitchen sink. Enjoy coffee on your Trex deck overlooking the walking path. The clubhouse and playground are very close. Carefree living in a great area of Howell. HOA fees include trash, snow removal, water, sewer, building
Some homes simply have more ways to live in them—and this Hidden Creek two-story is one of them. The main floor features a primary en-suite, dedicated office, formal dining room, and a living room with soaring ceilings and a wood-burning fireplace with a gas line for easy conversion. Upstairs are two additional bedrooms and a loft with a closet—keep it open or easily convert it to a 4th bedroom.
Discover endless possibilities w/this incredible private retreat situated on 10 stunning acres. If you’re dreaming of a hobby farm, equestrian property, private hunting retreat, outdoor recreation destination, home-based business, auto repair/paint, family compound, or simply a peaceful country escape, this unique property offers the space & setting to bring your vision to life. The grounds
Far from your standard raised ranch, this 3-bedroom, 2-bath Howell home offers an unexpectedly spacious, open-concept design on 4.26 acres with a 24' x 36' pole barn. A thoughtfully designed 2007 addition added more than 800 SF of finished living space across the main and walkout lower levels, transforming the traditional floor plan into generous spaces for gathering, entertaining and everyday
New Construction. This 5-bedroom, 3.5-bath home includes an insulated garage, 8' garage doors, Trex deck, and finished walkout basement is move in ready! Part of the award winning Howell School district and minutes from Historic Downtown. The attached 3 car garage is Truck Friendly with 8' doors and a deep 24' double bay. The kitchen features 42" soft-close cabinets, quartz countertops, and a 6'
Welcome to the Bristol plan featuring a first-floor primary suite and an amazing 2 story great room built by Capital Custom Homes. This home is to be built and has a 7-8 month built time from contract. With over 2800 sqft this incredible home features 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 3 car, truck friendly, 24' deep garage and home office. The great room has floor-to-ceiling windows and features a gas
**Are you ready for a relaxing lake community lifestyle change? Your access to 300+ acre all sports Lake Chemung is just steps away from this 3 Bedroom home**Huge family room with door wall access to the yard and patio area that will easily accommodate all of your memorable friends and family gatherings**Open living room, dining and kitchen area with beautiful updated Maple cabinets and loads of
Welcome to this beautifully updated 2-bedroom, 3.5-bath condo in desirable Fox Ridge Condos! The 2022 updated kitchen features quartz countertops, stone backsplash, newer cabinetry, an extra pantry and stainless steel appliances. Enjoy the open dining area perfect for everyday living and entertaining. The spacious living room offers a cozy gas fireplace and direct access to the deck for morning
Located in a quiet neighborhood set on a beautiful .8 acre lot with picturesque grounds, this 5 bedroom spacious house offers over 5200 sq ft of living space. Enjoy a beautiful light filled 4 seasons room with sprawling views and direct access to the deck and heated in-ground pool. The kitchen featuring a large island with a built-in gas range adjoins the 4 Seasons Room and opens up into a lovely
The Addison floor plan features 5 bedrooms and 3.5 baths. A two-story foyer opens to the great room with fireplace and winding staircase. The open-concept design includes a spacious kitchen with a large island, 42-inch upper cabinets with soft-close doors and drawers, quartz countertops, and luxury vinyl plank flooring. A mudroom with cubbies is located off the attached three-car garage with
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
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
This property is managed by Beztak, 2026 recipient of the US Best Managed Companies for the seventh year in a row, sponsored by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal. Call and let us tell you why!Welcome to Cedar Crossing, where modern comfort meets small-town convenience. These ENERGY STAR-rated homes by Chestnut Development offer spacious, open-concept two-bedroom floor plans designed
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
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
You may come for the country setting loaded with lush green spaces, the easy going pool vibe in summer, the year- round convenience of having your own fitness center, the nature-loving views --or maybe even the way your pet is as welcome as you are, but you'll definitely stay for the practical things.
Welcome home to Pine Hill Apartments where you will find the perfect blend of hometown living mixed with local conveniences. Enjoy the comfort of spacious one and two bedroom apartment homes that offer modern looks and convenient features. Sit back and relax on your private balcony, go for a walk around our beautiful grounds or take a swim in our crystal blue swimming pool.Pine Hill
Burwick Farms Apartments in northern Howell, Michigan are just off the beaten path yet close to restaurants, shopping and entertainment. Live in the picturesque countryside with tastefully designed 1 and 2 bedroom apartment homes. We offer you spacious and comfortable living with amenities including a fitness center, swimming pool, outdoor patio or balcony attached to your apartment home,
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.
Welcome to your new home in Howell, MI, where pet-friendly apartment living meets the charm of townhome-style residences. The Kensley is a brand new thoughtfully designed one, two, and three-bedroom apartment community providing the perfect backdrop for a comfortable and convenient lifestyle. From cozy one-bedroom retreats to spacious three-bedroom havens, there's a floor plan to suit your unique
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