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
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Ashley Provenzola,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Howell, MI sell after 36 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Howell, MI over the last 12 months is $375,000, up 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Experience the charm of country living in this beautifully renovated 1810 farmhouse set on 5 serene acres in Howell. The updated kitchen boasts quartz countertops, a walk-in pantry, and a wet bar, while the versatile office/mudroom features custom storage lockers and heated floors. Outside, multiple barns, provide space for a workshop, hobby area, or she-shed, along with plenty of open
Welcome to this stunning Cape Cod–style home, built in 2017, offering 5 bedrooms, 3.1 baths, and a beautifully finished walkout basement. Situated on a picturesque 1-acre lot that backs up to a serene pond, this home combines modern comfort with timeless charm.The entry-level primary suite is a true retreat, complete with a spacious en suite bathroom featuring a walk-in shower and separate
Secluded 4 bedroom/3.5 bath ranch home sitting on 6 acres with a pond. Need space for all your toys? Ample parking and a 2 car attached garage and additional detached 3 car garage. Enter in the the foyer with direct views to the private backyard. The spacious family room features new carpet, new sliding doors, and a fireplace for those chilly nights. The large eat-in kitchen has newer GE
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Welcome home to this 3-bedroom, 3 full bath ranch located in the highly desirable Hickory Hills subdivision with Howell Schools! The open concept layout offers a great flow between the living, dining, and kitchen areas, centered around a cozy fireplace. You’ll love the nicely finished basement for extra living space, and the fenced-in backyard is just the right size for easy upkeep. Generac
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Lake Life Living Just Steps from Thompson Lake!This beautifully updated 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath quad-level home is all about comfort, convenience, and lifestyle. Just four houses from the private Thompson Lake beach and park, you’ll enjoy access to boat slips, swimming, kayaking, a basketball court, gazebo, picnic areas, and a scenic walking path. Whether you’re looking for quiet mornings by the
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,
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