Balancing small-town feel and rapid growth in "Salad Bowl City"
Located in Ottawa County, Hudsonville got its start with the expansion of the West Michigan railway lines. In the 1890s, an influx of Dutch immigrants settled in the area, transforming the wetland terrain into agricultural plots and orchards. Over the years, vegetable production stayed the primary industry, earning the city the nickname "Salad Bowl City."
Hudsonville's economy has diversified from farming in recent years, with an influx in manufacturing businesses and a focus on creating a walkable downtown. Like all Grand Rapids suburbs, the city is also experiencing rapid development as demand for housing skyrockets. But among all this change, Hudsonville makes an effort to hold on to its small-town roots. "Hudsonville is a place where old meets new," says Lindsay Hicks, the city's director of marketing. "We lean into our industrial side and embrace the innovation happening here. But we also really value our farmers and open land. The city's charming roots are what sets us apart."
Hudsonville has small communities amongst vast farm fields.
Nicknamed "Salad Bowl City," Hudsonville has a huge farming industry.
Hudsonville has a small, walkable downtown area.
Even in its most densely populated areas, Hudsonville has a small-town feel.
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New construction and longtime residents
As a general trend, homes in Hudsonville get newer the farther they are from the city center. Gridded streets with early-1900s bungalows and mid-1900s ranch styles quickly give way to modern subdivisions. Some properties are still being built today. The median price here is $430,000, significantly higher than the median for Grand Rapids. Condos start at around $150,000, and brand-new construction can get up to $600,000. Homes are on the market for an average of 24 days, and in September 2024, about 50% sold above the asking price. "There's a lot of new builds going on and quite a few apartments for those who aren't quite ready to buy yet," says Keith Ykema, a Realtor with City2Shore Real Estate and a lifelong resident of Hudsonville. For Ykema, it was the city's tight-knit community that encouraged him to stay for his whole life. "I've seen a lot of family and friends who also choose to stay. It's a place where family and community are important. That's one of the biggest draws for people who move out here," Ykema says.
New homes in small subdivisions are constantly being built in Hudsonville.
Bungalow-style homes are a favorite for Hudsonville dwellings.
Mid-1900s ranch-style homes are plentiful in Hudsonville.
Condos are available in Hudsonville, with a range of prices.
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A small downtown with development on the way
Arched signs and brick roads announce the entrance to Harvey Street — the heart of Hudsonville. "The curved brick paver road makes people slow down and adds to the city's charm," Hicks says. The small walkable area has several locally owned restaurants and is registered as a social district, meaning alcoholic beverages are allowed outdoors. Michigan takes pride in its craft beer culture, and Hudsonville is no different. White Flame Brewing Co., Pike 51 Brewing Co. and Hudsonville Winery are three of the most popular options for an evening out. Terra Square, a repurposed 1940s car dealership, is now a Hudsonville community gathering place. Home to the town's seasonal farmers market, this space also hosts free activities such as movie nights, concerts and yoga classes.
Terra Square was just the first step in Hudsonville's process of redeveloping its downtown. "Hudsonville used to be a drive-through community, where people went elsewhere for things to do," Hicks says. "About 10 years ago, we were really intentional with our plans to develop a distinctive and vibrant community where people could live, work and play." The Hudsonville Flats building will be completed in late 2024, adding apartments, two restaurants and a healthcare facility. The Terra Station development, expected to be completed in 2026, will add more apartments, retail and community event space. "Housing is always in high demand, especially with our school system growing," Hicks says. "We want the apartment buildings to create opportunities for families to get a foot in the door and hopefully transition to buying a home here."
White Flame Brewing Co. is a local favorite, serving unique brews to Hudsonville residents.
Pike 51 Brewery offers a revolving tap of unique brews for Hudsonville residents to enjoy.
Terra Square is a Hudsonville community gathering place.
The Hudsonville Flats building has apartments, restaurants and a healthcare facility.
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Hudsonville events connect with its rural roots
Hudsonville maintains its strong sense of community through its city-wide events. In the summers, free Concerts on The Green or artsy activities at Happenings on Harvey provide entertainment for all ages. Larger festivities include the fall-themed Urban Hay Day or the Holiday Parade, where locals compete for the best parade float. One of the city's best-known events is the Hudsonville Balloon Days, a weekend of hot air balloon rides and family-friendly fun. The city's rural roots are celebrated at the week-long Hudsonville Community Fair, filled with livestock shows, carnival rides and grandstand entertainment. The fairgrounds are also used for tractor pulls, rodeos and flea markets all year round.
Community in Hudsonville can often be found at local churches as well. The city is home to 13 churches of Christian denominations, and there are several more in the surrounding township.
Hudsonville Public Schools earns an "A"
The city of Hudsonville's public school system serves over 6,000 students and includes seven elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school. Niche rates the district with an overall A grade, and three elementary schools have been named National Blue Ribbon Schools. In 2020, the district had a 100% graduation rate. "Our schools are a huge benefit to what we have to offer," Hicks says. "Ottawa County is the fastest growing county in Michigan, and a lot of that is due to our school systems."
The high school was previously split into two campuses, but the two buildings were unified in 2024. The high school campus now spans nearly a third of a mile and has a robotics and esports classroom as well as a fieldhouse. The fieldhouse has an indoor track and tennis courts to allow practices to continue uninterrupted in the cold Michigan winters. This new facility joins Hudsonville High's four gyms and two indoor pools. Niche rates the school among the top 25 in the state for student-athletes.
Hudsonville High School was renovated in 2024 to include new classrooms and an indoor track.
Hudsonville Freshman Campus has its own separate wing in the high school.
Baldwin Street Middle School in Hudsonville, Michigan has an overall A grade on Niche.
Park Elementary School serves grades K-5 in Hudsonville, Michigan.
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Escape into rural Ottawa County
Hudsonville has four neighborhood parks offering playgrounds, picnic shelters and sports fields. Indoor recreation options include local gyms and the Gary Byker Memorial Library, which has free fitness classes, storytimes and craft events. The city is also home to the Hudsonville Nature Center, a 76-acre preserve of woodland, prairie and wetland. The center offers free guided hikes, and the wooded trails are popular for dog walking. Just outside Hudsonville, Action Wake Park is Michigan's first full-size cable park. The park encourages visitors to learn water sports — without having to own a boat — through an aerial cable system that tows patrons across the lake.
The surrounding rural Ottawa County is home to farms and orchards, including DeKleine Orchards' cherry farm, De Lange's Redberry Farm and Post Family Farm. In the summer, pick-your-own fruit fields are popular, and in the fall, farms offer pumpkin fields and hot apple cider donuts. Hudsonville locals can also sample the fruits and vegetables of "Salad Bowl City" at the weekly farmers market held in the city center from June to September.
Kids love playing on the playground at Hughes Park in Hudsonville, Michigan.
Hudsonville bookworms can head to the Gary Byker Memorial Library for some good reading.
The Hudsonville Nature Center is a 76-acre preserve of woodland, prairie and wetland.
Hudsonville is home to many farms and orchards, including DeLange's Redberry Farm.
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Local employers and commutes into Grand Rapids
Hudsonville is still home to a strong farming community and has a growing industrial hub. Some of the area's largest employers include Royal Technologies, an engineering and manufacturing company and Kent Quality Foods, a food manufacturer. Workers also commute into Grand Rapids, a hub for healthcare and higher education. Grand Rapids is 15 miles away, and Hudsonville's proximity to Chicago Drive makes for pretty direct commutes. There is no public transportation available, so Hudsonville is a car-dependent city.
Important to know
The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office has a Hudsonville Branch with four officers. Ottawa County uses community-oriented policing, which prioritizes proactive safety education and active community involvement. Hudsonville deputies get involved with neighborhood watch programs and offer educational presentations on hunting, boating and traffic safety. Since the city doesn't have its own police department, crime statistics are not readily available. However, Ottawa County's crime rate was 8.5 per 1,000 people in 2023. That is significantly lower than the rates for next-door Kent County.
Hudsonville's weather has four seasons, though winters last the longest. According to U.S. Climate Data, temperatures drop below freezing in November through March and snowfall averages 72 inches. The city's Department of Public Works is responsible for plowing the streets.
Written By
Catherine Lashley
Photography Contributed By
Jonathan Fairfield
Video By
Amon Parson
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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