Ionia, Michigan: a small city surrounded by parks and trails
Ionia, Michigan, was once the territory of the Odawa people, but the area was colonized by European American settlers in 1833, forcing the Odawa people off their land. The area was incorporated as a village in 1865 and as a city in 1873, with fewer than 1,000 people. That population surpassed 10,00 in 2000, and the city is now home to more than 13,000 residents, as well as major employers like nearby Ventra and Herbruck’s Poultry. “It’s quiet, it’s got good health care, and we have a decent amount of restaurants and things to do,” says Ryan Hesche, lifelong Ionia resident and Real Estate Agent with Greenridge Realty. “We have a lot of options for biking and walking, and we have the Grand River Trail, which follows the old train tracks and connects us to other areas around the city.”
Ionia is a great place to raise your family.
Ventra is one of Ionia's largest employers.
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A growing regional housing market
The age of homes spans from homes built in the late 19th century to newly constructed homes. Prices range from $200,000 to about $480,000, and popular styles include colonial revival, modern craftsman and ranch-style homes. The median home price is about $200,000, less than half the national median. West of Ionia is Grand Rapids, which Hesche says is one of the nation’s hottest housing markets. “All of that stretches this way, so people who can’t afford that are coming east. We’re all bedroom communities around here, so people can live over here and work over there.”
Stunning architecturally detailed Craftsman style homes nestled in Ionia
Ionia has many colonial revival-style homes throughout the city.
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C-plus-rated Ionia Public Schools
The Ionia Public Schools district is home to more than 2,800 students and has a student-teacher ratio of 22:1. The district earns an overall C-plus on Niche with an average graduation rate of 78% and an average SAT score of 1130.
Ionia High School challenges students by offering an all-encompassing curriculum.
Ionia Middle School, where dedicated teachers inspire students to reach their full potential.
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A regional trail connecting Ionia to nearby cities
The city of Ionia has 12 parks and connects to the Fred Meijer Grand River Trail. Parks offer amenities like playgrounds and picnic areas. Following along the Grand River, the Fred Meijer Grand River Trail connects to other cities in the area and includes places to picnic, fish and launch a boat. Nearby Bertha Brock Park is a popular camping destination with over 20 campsites and almost 200 acres of green space.
McConnell Park has plenty of places to sit and enjoy the day in Ionia.
Locals enjoy camping on Bellamy Creek in Bertha Brock Park.
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Downtown Ionia’s local shops, restaurants and cultural destinations
Along West Main Street, Ionia’s downtown shops offer boutique clothing, music instruments and repairs, bicycles and supplies, jewelry and more. A café, American diner and Mexican grill and bar make up a few of the dining options along Main Street, and the Ionia Theatre gives residents a historic setting to watch the latest blockbuster or enjoy live music by local artists. The John C. Blanchard House features local history exhibits and tells the tale of John C. Blanchard, a lawyer and real estate investor who once lived in Ionia.
The Ionia City Market is located in the historic downtown district of Ionia.
The John C. Blanchard House features exhibits and tells the tale of Mr. Blanchard in Ionia.
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World’s largest free fair
One of the area’s most popular events is the Ionia Free Fair, the world’s largest free fair and an icon of Michigan history since 1857. The fair features amusement games, rides, fair food and a beauty queen contest. In June, the Ionia Farm Power Show entertains residents with a tractor parade, a tractor pull and other farm equipment-related events. Fall and winter events include the Autumn Celebration, where families can trick-or-treat and enjoy local food vendors, and the annual Christmas Tree Lighting, with guest appearances by Santa Claus and local choir singers.
Interstate 96 nearby
Ionia's public transportation consists of I-DART, which offers on demand ride services, and many of the city's residential streets are lined with sidewalks. Bluewater Highway runs through the middle of the city and drivers can take the highway 32 miles west to reach Grand Rapids, which holds the closest major airport, the Gerald Ford International Airport. Interstate 96 is about 7 miles south of the city and puts downtown Detroit about 130 miles east. About halfway between the interstate and downtown Ionia is the University of Michigan Health Sparrow Ionia hospital, the city’s Level IV Trauma Center.
Cold winters don’t stop the activities
According to five-year data from the FBI, most of Ionia’s crime rates are well below state and national rates. Environmental data suggests the city’s infrastructure and roads are at risk of flood impacts over the next 30 years due to the Grand River running just south of downtown. Ionia experiences four full seasons, with warm summers and freezing winters. Highs in the summer peak around 80 degrees Fahrenheit in July, and lows in January drop into the teens. Average annual snowfall is around 22 inches, but roads are cleared quickly and snow has little impact on daily life. “It gets cold here, but there are a lot of good things to do any season,” Hesche says.
Written By
Konrad Solberg
Photography Contributed By
Scottie Davison
Video By
Pasha Chichagov
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Lori KnollAmbs,
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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On average, homes in Ionia, MI sell after 34 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Ionia, MI over the last 12 months is $206,000, down 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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