Richmond Township is a rural community surrounded by amenities
Richmond Township is a sprawling rural community in the northwest corner of Michigan’s Macomb County. Roughly 3,500 residents are spread across more than 37 square miles, fewer than 100 per square mile. Homes on spacious lots populate quiet country roads dotted by farms. The community combines a secluded residential setting with relatively easy access to buzzier local and regional destinations. “It’s a small-town, slow-paced feel with proximity to great amenities,” says Nick Ottenbacher of Brookstone Realtors, who has sold several homes in the township. “It’s a little bit more rural, but you’re right next to Richmond, the city, and still close enough if you work in metro Detroit.”
Additional acreage is common among the housing options
Prices range from under $300,000 for older homes to $600,000-plus for new homes. In between, a variety of homes on oversized lots can be found throughout the community. “You’re looking at least 2 acres per lot,” Ottenbacher says. “There’s more acreage, outbuildings and pole barns. Nicer properties as well.” Dormers and welcoming porches are elements that stand out among the homes. Ranch-style designs are common. There is typically plenty of space between homes, but a small collection of contemporary ranch-style homes is built closer together in the community’s southeast corner near the city of Richmond. Lake Huron is within 30 miles of the community, so winters are subject to heavy lake-effect snow.
Richmond Community Schools serves most of the community
The community is served primarily by Richmond Community Schools, which earns a B-plus from Niche. Will L. Lee Elementary School, which earns an A-minus, is the highest rated of the district’s trio of schools. Richmond Middle and Richmond High are B-rated schools. The high school serves about 500 students, with a student-teacher ratio of 18 to 1. A portion of the community’s west side is served by Armada Area Schools, which Niche also gives a B-plus. Michigan offers the opportunity for students to apply for transfers outside of the districts in which they live.
Horses, waterways highlight rural recreational opportunities
The Richmond Township Senior Center offers activities for residents 60 and older. It is located adjacent to City Hall. The Arcadia Equestrian Center and Columbus County Park are nearby destinations. Park visitors can hike, fish, play disc golf and enjoy children’s playscapes. It’s also a popular place for bird watching and horseback riding. Beebe Street Memorial Park in the city of Richmond is a highlight of recreational destinations in neighboring communities. Outdoors enthusiasts also have access to adventures in the Blue Water Area on Lake Huron’s Thumbcoast. Boaters, anglers and kayakers can take advantage of proximity to the lake and the St. Clair River, which flows from the lake’s southern edge and creates a natural border between Michigan and Canada. Nearby Richmond Forest Golf Course offers 18 holes of public play.
Shopping, dining and more can be found in nearby cities
A variety of shopping, dining and entertainment options are concentrated around the Main Street corridor in the city of Richmond, directly south of the township. “You’ve got major grocery stores and several different restaurant options,” Ottenbacher says. The village of Memphis and Armada Township, adjacent communities to the north and west, respectively, also offer commercial amenities. Nearby waterfront cities offer additional perks. “St. Clair and Marine City both have boardwalks along the St. Clair River, and you can take advantage of nice restaurants,” Ottenbacher says.
Detroit, Canada accessible via nearby interstates
This car-dependent community is centrally located between Interstates 69 to the north and 94 to the south. Multiple roadways offer access to the highways, which intersect about 25 miles northeast, near the Canadian border. Residents can take I-94 into Detroit, about 45 miles away. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is about 60 miles away via I-94. Flint’s Bishop International Airport is about the same distance via I-69. Closer to home, Lake Huron Medical Center is within 25 miles.
The community’s CAP Index Crime Score of 2-out-of-10 is lower than the national average.
Written By
Matt Pallister
