Howell Township offers acreage outside Howell’s main street downtown
The rural expanse northwest of Howell is known as Howell Township. Out here, residents can seek out larger homes and more acreage while still being within a short drive of Howell’s schools and thriving main street. “Outside of town, you’re in the countryside, but you have that downtown feeling from Howell,” says Realtor Todd Fedie, leader of the Fedie Group with Keller Williams Realty, who’s been selling in the area since 2016. Residents are typically drawn here because of the advantageous pricing and convenient location between Lansing and Ann Arbor. “It’s a less expensive option than Brighton for people who commute to Lansing and Ann Arbor ,” Fedie says. Brighton is a few miles southeast on Interstate 96, but buyers who choose Howell Township prefer the additional breathing room and proximity to restaurants and shops in town.
Newer tract homes near town and rural multi-acre properties
The township covers a large area, with options ranging from tract homes just outside downtown Howell to multi-acre properties deep in the farmland. “Outside of town, you’ve got a lot of newer homes and more available space,” Fedie says. Prices start between $150,000 and $340,000, which includes small country cottages, midcentury ranch-style homes close to town and early-1900s rural retreats on a few acres. Midsize to large New Traditional homes in newer tracts close to town and cabins on 10 acres can range from $340,000 to $600,000. Large newer homes with acreage — some on more than 20 acres — can cost $750,000 to $975,000.
Grand River Avenue leads to Howell’s award-winning main street
Residents follow Grand River Avenue into downtown Howell and find all their shopping and dining along the way. VG’s Grocery, on Grand River, is the closest supermarket for many township residents. Just a short drive southeast, Grand River Avenue becomes the artery of Howell’s main street downtown. In 2024, Howell was voted Best Main Street in USA Today’s Readers’ Choice Awards. This few-block stretch of century-old buildings offers a walkable selection of bars, restaurants, boutiques and coffee shops. Establishments vary from Cleary’s Pub, a staple watering hole, to the Silver Pig Bar & Oyster Room, serving refined small plates. The Howell Sunday Farmers’ Market sets up on State and Clinton streets from May to October.
Howell High football games are the main event on fall Friday nights
Students go to school in Howell. They may begin at Challenger Elementary and continue at Highlander Way Middle, which both receive a B-minus rating from Niche. All finish at Howell High, which earns a B. Howell football is a big deal in this small town. Everyone from the township and downtown tailgates and cheers on the Highlanders on fall Friday nights. In 2024, Howell won the Kensington Lakes-West League and went to the state quarterfinals.
Howell Nature Center and Thomson Lake provide ample outdoor space
Many township residents have plenty of green space on their own property. Recreation can also be found in and around Howell. Howell Nature Center provides 230 acres of preserved woods and wetlands south of town. It also has a rescue zoo, where visitors can check out rehabilitating animals. Thompson Lake is a popular place to boat and swim during the summer. It’s one of the area’s larger lakes, and it’s a few blocks from downtown Howell. Cook Lake is a smaller swimming hole on the north end of the township. Golfers can play at Hawk Meadows Golf Course to the east.
Industrial plants in Howell and General Motors’ Proving Ground to the
As the largest city and county seat of Livingston County, Howell is a hub of industry between Detroit, Lansing and Ann Arbor. A Pepsi bottling plant is one of Howell’s large factories. The town also has Trinity Health Livingston Hospital, county offices and the district court. General Motors’ Milford Proving Ground is about 25 miles east. For over 100 years, General Motors has used the Proving Ground to track test every new car and component. There’s also Fowlerville Proving Ground, just east of the township. This smaller, independent test track works with the world’s leading auto manufacturers.
Interstate 96 caters to Lansing, Ann Arbor and Detroit commuters
Howell is on Interstate 96, which runs east to west, connecting Lansing and Detroit. Lansing, Michigan’s state capital and home to Capital Region International Airport, is less than 40 miles west on I-96. Michigan State University is in the Lansing area as well. Ann Arbor, home of the University of Michigan, is under 35 miles south by I-96 and U.S. Route 23. Finally, I-96 leads 65 miles southeast to Detroit.
