Known through the early 20th century as a dependable limb on the General Motors tree, Pontiac, Mich., these days is taking the spotlight again, only this time with the help of a new wave of employers. Once home to some of the automaking giant's most notable manufacturing plants and a once-state-of-the-art sports and entertainment stadium, the city named for a great war chief of the native Ottawa tribe is experiencing a modern-day resurgence after some up-and-down times.
“Pontiac has seen amazing growth throughout the years,'' says Ed Butler of Good Company Realty. "United Wholesale Lending and Amazon have established major employment centers and a brand-new public sports complex in the city. Investors are actively trying to revitalize downtown and make it easier to access.''
Amazon in 2021 opened its first mid-Michigan fulfillment center on the site of the demolished Pontiac Silverdome, which served as the Detroit Lions' home stadium for more than 25 years, ending in 2001. The Amazon site now employs about 1,200 people within the 823,000 square-foot operation. Likewise, United Wholesale moved its home office to Pontiac in 2018, employing more than 2,000 as one of the nation's largest mortgage brokers.
"The rest of the world is noticing the reinvigoration of Pontiac.” Butler said.
Downtown Pontiac is slated for a massive revitalization project beginning in 2024.
Pontiac features a population of over 66,000 in 2024.
Pontiac was settled in 1818 and is named after a war chief of the Ottawa Tribe.
Pontiac is home to several General Motors operations.
1/4
A large inventory of smaller homes
Pontiac’s residential pockets are gridded with streets just wide enough to park on, though homes often come with paved driveways. Neighborhood streets are lined with sidewalks and shaded by tall oaks and maples. Single-story ranch and shotgun-style homes are most common, but American Foursquare and colonial revival homes are also available. The median home price was $140,000 in December 2024, up 4% from the previous year. On average, Pontiac homes spend 40 days on the market.
Ranch style homes in Pontiac are excellent options for first time homebuyers.
Shotgun style homes are great options for buyers with a tight budget.
Pontiac is well regarded for its stock of historic century-old homes.
Tree-lined streets shade historic homes throughout Pontiac.
1/4
Pontiac parks and recreation
With eight major parks, Pontiac residents have access to amenities such as playgrounds, sports fields and horseshoe pits, picnic areas and fishing spots. There are also 22 smaller parks, which the city refers to as neighborhood parks, offering smaller amenities like playgrounds and basketball courts. Pontiac’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan indicates the city plans to expand the offering of amenities across all parks and improve the accessibility of parks by building out infrastructure for cyclists, drivers and pedestrians.
There are plenty of activities for kids of all ages at Argyle Park.
Dawson Pond Park is home to a variety of wild birds and fish.
Kids will enjoy playing for hours outdoors at Madge Burt Park.
A new disc golf course was recently installed at Hawthorne Park.
1/4
A downtown district slowly coming to life
Tucked in the Woodward Avenue loop around East Huron Street, Pontiac’s downtown holds local art galleries, breweries and restaurants. Also in that area, the Flagstar Strand Theatre hosts two sites that attract national and local artists alike. There are plenty of grocery options throughout the city, and nearby Costco gives residents the choice to buy in bulk. Shoppers hoping for more options can head into downtown Detroit, 30 miles southeast of Pontiac. The downtown area, Butler says, is a focal point for future development.
Shop locally for handcrafted goods at the several shops located in Downtown Pontiac.
Several mom and pop shops line the streets of North Saginaw in downtown Pontiac.
Pontiac offers excellent ethnic restaurants, like Jalapenos, located near downtown.
The famous Strand Theatre is a well-known concert venue that seats 1,200.
1/4
Interstate 75, Woodward Avenue and Trinity Health Oakland
Less than half a mile east of Pontiac, Interstate 75 connects to downtown Detroit and Northern Michigan. The interstate puts the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport roughly 46 miles away. Though a slower drive, Woodward Avenue also reaches Detroit and offers Smart bus stops for travelers without a vehicle. Trinity Health Oakland Hospital is located on Woodward, serving as the city’s Level II Trauma Center and one of the city’s largest employers.
Pontiac City School District
Bloomfield Hills Schools, Avondale School District, Waterford School District and the Pontiac City School District serve Pontiac. Much of the city is within the city's district, which earns an overall C-minus on Niche. With more than 3,400 students, the district maintains a 18-to-1 student-teacher ratio and operates one preschool, seven elementary schools, two middle schools and two high schools. School uniforms are mandatory throughout the district.
Auburn Hills Christian School earned an "A" rating in 2024 according to Niche.com.
Pontiac High School's mission is the provide a safe, academic environment for all kids.
Pontiac Middle School is a great school to send your child to learn and be great.
Walt Whitman Elementary School's main entrance.
1/4
Cold winters and slightly higher crime risks
In Pontiac, summers are warm and winters are often below freezing, with sharp winds and frequent snow. The warmest months are from May to September, while the coldest months are from November through March. There are no notable environmental risks, but crime rates are slightly higher than in the rest of Michigan. Pontiac’s violent crime rates and property crime rates are both more than double the rates of Michigan, which is already higher than rates for the United States as a whole.
Written By
Konrad Solberg
Photography Contributed By
Owen Kaufman
Video By
Maurice Boone
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Lilia Vega Igram,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Pontiac, MI sell after 36 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Pontiac, MI over the last 12 months is $145,000, up 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome home to this beautifully maintained 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath colonial in Waterford Township! Enjoy deeded lake access to Upper Silver Lake and a spacious fenced yard perfect for entertaining, pets, and play. This home features a bright, open layout, a finished basement offering additional living or recreation space, and an attached two-car garage. Conveniently located near parks, schools, and
Showstopping Water Views! Own this condo for 0% down and No Monthly Private Mortgage Insurance! Call for more details. Rare pond front condo in Walton Ponds (Only 4 buildings face the pond!). Upper story 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom condo with new mechanicals and washer/dryer in the past year. Open concept living area and a corner fireplace. The covered deck has beautiful SW exposure for sunset views.
Investor Special! This triplex at 323 Ferry Ave, Pontiac, MI 48341 offers three 1-bed, 1-bath units, each previously rented at $750/month, generating a projected cash flow of $2,250/month. A great opportunity for savvy investors looking to add value, as city upgrade requirements are attached. Property is being sold as-is, allowing you to bring your vision to life. Don't miss this chance to invest
Investor's Dream! Turnkey 6-Unit Property in Pontiac - 5 One-Bedrooms + 1 StudioProperty is rental certified.Welcome to 50 Waldo St, Pontiac, MI 48341 — a fully remodeled 6-unit multifamily property offering excellent cash flow and minimal maintenance. Unit 4 is currently rented for $1,050/month, and the other five units (including one studio) previously leased for similar rates,
Renovated 2-bedroom 1 bath ranch available for immediate occupancy. New flooring and freshly painted throughout. Updated Kitchen. Plenty of natural light throughout. Enclosed back porch and a detached one car garage. This property is being rented with appliances. Pet negotiable for a nonrefundable pet fee and addt rent. Tenant pays utilities. Trash excluded. Move in =Monthly rent $1350 plus
At Auburn Village Townhomes our legendary service, incredible value, and warm community spirit are designed to offer you a superior living experience. Large, flowing floorplans lead you into a home offering all the comforts and conveniences you deserve. Sunny, spacious rooms with abundant closet space are just the beginning of the many amenities that you will enjoy in your new home. You'll look
Buy Now - Save on Site Rent! BUY A HOME: Enjoy exclusive site rent savings! Contact our office now to take advantage of this limited-time offer!*Restrictions apply. Offer expires 10/31/25.*Welcome to this soon-to-be-complete 2 -bedroom 2 -bathroom home in Cambio's Sylvan Lake community! This brand-new gem features a spacious kitchen with ample cupboard space and a perfect spot for dining or
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
