From a celery farming town to an active city oasis
A high concentration of celery farms once gave the city of Portage the name “Celery City.” Today, it hosts several large manufacturing companies, making it one of Southwest Michigan's largest employment regions. This includes Pfizer’s largest manufacturing facility, which covers over 1,300 acres and employs over 3,000 workers. However, the city is not all industrial, with a lively outdoor scene and a convenient location between Detroit and Chicago. “Portage’s location is ideal for those who want the best of both worlds,” says JoAnne Potts, Realtor at Jaqua Realtors and lifelong Portage resident. “It offers residents a dense suburban feel, lots of lakes, and it is close enough to larger cities like Kalamazoo, yet it maintains a small-town vibe.”
Celery Flats is a Historical Area in Portage, MI.
Pfizer is by far the largest employer in Portage, with a massive plant on Portage Rd.
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A steadily growing housing market in Portage
Portage's northwest and southwest sections hold the greatest concentrations of the city’s single-family homes. Homes primarily date from the mid to late 1900s, but new home construction is growing in many areas around Portage. Home styles include colonial revivals, ranch-style and large cabin-style lakeside homes. Condos and townhomes are also available throughout the city. Lot sizes are typically smaller in the city’s north end and the central area around City Centre. Condos and townhomes usually sell between $130,000 and $300,000. Prices for modest single-family homes range from $95,000 to $525,000, while larger, lakeside estates can sell between $500,000 and $1.3 million.
Portage has a large amount of ranch-style homes in a wide range of shapes and sizes.
Portage has several small lakes ringed by some of the higher-end homes in the city.
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One of Michigan’s highest rated public school districts
Portage Public Schools earns an overall grade of A on Niche. Ranked the 26th-best public school district in the state, the district serves roughly 8,600 students across two high schools, one alternative high school, three middle schools and eight elementary schools. The district extends beyond Portage and covers parts of Kalamazoo, Texas Township and Pavilion Township. Private school options around the city include Hackett Catholic Prep in Kalamazoo. Hackett earns an A from Niche, which also ranks it as the 31st-best private school in Michigan.
Portage Northern High School has a 20:1 Student-to-teacher ratio.
Portage North Middle School serves students in grades 6-8.
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Nature preserves and a vast public park system
Portage has 20 public parks, and its lakes cover over 1,700 acres. One popular spot in the city is the Westlake Nature Preserve, a 110-acre wetland bog where residents like to birdwatch, fish and hike trails. The Celery Flats Historical site lets park-goers explore the city’s celery farming days with trails lined with historical markers that provide insight into the city’s early days. Across other parks, amenities include a skate park, an ice rink and a dog park.
West Lake Nature Preserve is a great spot for birdwatching.
The paved trails of Portage Creek Bicentennial Park is located near Hill N Brook.
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The shopping mecca of southwest Michigan
As one of Southwest Michigan’s largest retail destinations, Portage holds shopping spots like the Crossroads Mall and Southland Mall. South Westnedge Road has a variety of national restaurant chains, and the shores of Austin Lake and West Lake hold local joints with waterside views. The city's center has most of the area’s grocery options, including Walmart, Meijer and ALDI. From May through October, the Portage Farmers Market offers locally grown fresh produce, meats and other local goods.
Residents of Portage head to Crossroads Mall to shop and dine.
Meijer has two locations in Portage and is the main grocery store for residents.
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Cultural offerings and community get-togethers
The city’s museum landscape includes the Air Zoo Aerospace and Science Experience Museum and the Charles & Drury Gallery art gallery. Portage’s parks are popular spots for the city’s full calendar of annual events. The Portage Craft Market is a community meetup at The Celery Flats Historical Area. The market features live music and artisan crafts from local artists. Warm-weather celebrations include the Summer Concert Series at Overlander Bandshell and Beach Bonfire Nights at Ramona Park and Beach. Later in the year, celebrations such as Oktoberfest and the Traditional Holiday and Tree Lighting Ceremony, which the mayor hosts, are held at the city's parks.
The Air Zoo Aerospace Museum has a division of volunteer workers that restore salvaged planes.
Celery Flats Historical Area in Portage, MI.
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An accessible hub for getting around
The public transit network in Portage allows travelers to ride two rail lines or five bus routes throughout the city. Drivers can access Interstate 94 north of West Milham Avenue and the Sargeant Ryan J Proxmire Memorial Highway on the west side. “Having major highways just minutes away in Portage makes traveling to other parts of Michigan and beyond easy and convenient,” Potts says. Travelers heading out of town can catch a flight at the Kalamazoo Battle Creek International Airport on the east side.
Lower-than-average crime rates and snowy winters
Property crime rates are higher in Portage than in the rest of Michigan and the United States, but at the same time, violent crime rates are lower. The city hosts a community, volunteer-based program providing a phone line and website for anonymously reporting crimes, helping to keep crime rates low. Other risks include the city’s cold winters, which bring average temperatures of 18 degrees in January and February and roughly 47 inches of snow per year, 19 more than the national average. The city is certified as “Storm Ready” by the National Weather Service, indicating that the city meets federal standards for safety during severe weather incidents.
Written By
Konrad Solberg
Photography Contributed By
Tyler Bolduc
Video By
Samantha Houtchens
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Karrie Brunner,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Portage, MI sell after 23 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Portage, MI over the last 12 months is $300,000, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to 10631 Gracie Ln located in the South Portage ''free standing'' Streamsong Condominium homes neighborhood! This two-bedroom two bathroom ''free standing'' ranch style condo, built in 2019, offers an open-concept, comfortable floor plan. Features include a lovely kitchen with island, GE appliances, pantry, fireplace, and window treatments. Enjoy main floor living with ample closet space
Welcome to The Harbors of Portage! This beautifully updated townhouse-style condo offers easy living. Step inside to an inviting living room with a fireplace, plus a timeless tuxedo kitchen featuring Corian counters, subway tile backsplash, and stainless appliances with gas stove. Freshly painted throughout with new light fixtures, blinds, updated electric and carpet. The partially finished
Located on a double lot in the heart of Portage, this home is conveniently located to EVERYTHING!! Main floor offers a large living room, dining room, kitchen, bedroom and half bath. Upstairs provides two ample sized bedrooms and an updated full bath. The full basement offers a laundry area and loads of storage. The tall basement ceilings make it idea for adding more finished space. No brushing
NEW PRICE, motivated seller! Step into this beautifully updated 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath move-in-ready home featuring modern finishes, neutral tones, and luxury vinyl plank flooring throughout. The open and inviting main living area is filled with natural light and includes a stunning kitchen with sleek quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, crisp white cabinetry, a stylish mosaic tile
This absolutely immaculate 2016 Clayton custom built manufactured home is located in the 55+ community. Oak Brook Estates, a lovely, quiet neighborhood, adjacent to Celery Flats. This home has been lovingly & meticulously maintained from the moment it was designed w/ quality upgrades throughout, including drywall, quartz countertops, & 6-panel insulated steel exterior doors. The primary
FRESHLY REMODELED! New paint, new flooring, and updated finishes throughout. This spacious home offers a timeless floor plan with hardwood floors, ceramic tile, and fireplaces in both the living and family rooms. Move-in ready with fresh updates, great curb appeal, a large lot, and both formal and informal dining spaces. Character, comfort, and space all in one! Main roof October 2022 - 25
Shyanne Queen
Shyanne Queen Real Estate Powered by Epique Realty
Timberwood Crossing... the best value and location in Portage. A wonderful world of shopping, entertainment, and personal services are all within a short distance. Immediately adjacent to the Southland and Crossroads Mall. Exceptional educational facilities of the Portage school district and Western Michigan University are all also a comfortable distance nearby.Experiencing a maintenance
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Redwood Portage is where you'll find the single-story apartment you've been looking for. Live in a two-bedroom, two-bathroom, pet-friendly apartment rental home with an attached garage. Enjoy being surrounded by charming greenery, with all the amenities you could need just a stones throw away. Plus, you can get to the arts, entertainment, dining and attractions of Kalamazoo in under 30 minutes.
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