Central Michigan's Saginaw is known for producing NBA player Draymond Green and Stevie Wonder, it’s also home to residents who take pride in their grit and resilience. “Sure, some people describe our city positively as ‘Saginawesome,’ but others use ‘Sagnasty,’ which might sound negative. I’d argue it reflects a sense of pride because we’re a hardworking city with a lot of grit and toughness,” says Greg LaMarr, communications and marketing director for Saginaw Future Inc.
Once a car manufacturing powerhouse with companies like General Motors, Saginaw is emerging as a major healthcare hub. The city boasts several medical campuses, including Covenant Medical Center, MyMichigan Medical Center, Ascension St. Mary’s Towne Center ER, and Central Michigan University’s College of Medicine.
Cathedral District is full of architectural history and modern amenities.
The Saginaw sign can be seen in Frank N. Anderson Celebration Park in Cathedral District.
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Saginaw community is divided into townships
The city's 43,000 residents are divided among 27 townships that include historic districts such as Heritage Square, established in 1975, and Cathedral District, established in 1979. Century-old Victorians can be found in Heritage Square, while mid-century ranch-style homes line the streets towards the city limits. The median home price ranges from $100,000 to $200,000, with bungalows being the predominant housing styles and is significantly lower than the national median of $420,000.
Adams Boulevard offers a variety of housing styles including Dutch Colonials.
Cozy Cape Cods and ranch homes are common in Buena Vista.
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Riverfront park at Saginaw River is under construction
Saginaw County Parks feature over 900 acres of land, including 21 miles of hiking trails, five fishing access sites, and picnic shelters. Within the city, there are 24 parks to choose from, with most of the space being occupied near downtown. A new 5.5-acre site along the Saginaw River is being constructed as a new waterfront destination and community park.
Butman-Fish residents venture down to Riverfront Saginaw as it stretches by the Saginaw River.
Meet up with friends at Rust Park in Saginaw near Adams Boulevard.
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Million-dollar investment into public school system
Saginaw Public Schools is the city’s central school district, serving nearly 5,800 prekindergarten through Grade 12 students, with an overall grade of C on Niche. The district oversees 17 schools, including Saginaw High School and Arthur Hill High School, once historic rivals merged to form Saginaw United High School in late 2024. The new school’s $99.5 million facility is in downtown Saginaw. Saginaw Valley State University, a four-year institution, and Delta College, a community college, are located in University Center, an unincorporated community 10 miles north of the city limits.
Butman-Fish children are offered a great education at Herig Elementary School.
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See art museums, tea ceremonies and whacky sports
Arts and culture is centralized in downtown Saginaw. The Castle Museum of Saginaw County History explores the region’s history and is housed in a French Revival-style building from1898. The Mid-Michigan Children’s Museum, Temple Theatre, and Dow Event Center, which promote different art forms, are also here. The Japanese Cultural Center offers a 500-year-old tea ceremony as part of its community service to the city. The Saginaw Outhouse Races at Hoyt Park have featured teams racing outhouses designed to slide across surfaces for a decade. It’s a tongue-in-cheek competition that has captured the attention of video producers tied to ESPN.
Adams Boulevard kids love to visit the Mid-Michigan Children's Museum for interactive exhibits.
Stop by the Saginaw Art Museum & Gardens, just a few minutes walk from Adams Boulevard.
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Thousands use Saginaw public transportation system
More than 3,300 people ride the S.T.A.R.S., Saginaw’s public transportation system, by bus daily, providing about a million rides annually. However, the city remains car-dependent, with locals able to access interstates such as Interstate 75, which connects directly to Detroit. I-675, a 7-mile loop, takes residents through downtown Saginaw and north toward several townships. MBS International Airport, located 15 miles north of the city, is served by two major airlines—Delta and United—with daily nonstop flights to cities such as Chicago and Detroit.
Fashion Square Mall, downtown Saginaw, acts as retail, restaurant hub
While Saginaw lacks multiple retail districts, Fashion Square Mall is located just off Interstate 675, offering options from department stores like Macy’s to street fashion brands such as Hot Topic and Aeropostale.
“It’s my long-standing wish for someone to invest more in Fashion Square Mall. On the flip side, we have plenty of bars and restaurants downtown,” says Linda Sarmiento, a Realtor with the Sarmiento Dream Team at Berkshire Hathaway. Downtown Saginaw is home to dive bars, cocktail lounges, and diverse ethnic restaurants. Local hotspots include Pasong’s Cafe, Jake’s Old City Grill, Retro Rocks, and Fralia’s.
Explore unique and interesting finds at Freeland Antique Mall.
Cathedral District's shopping area is full of historic appeal.
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Crime and environmental concerns
According to the Saginaw Police Department, violent crime in Saginaw decreased in 2024 compared to 2023. School closures often occur due to subzero temperatures or heavy snowfall. “There’s nothing out of the ordinary, but we did have the dam failure five years ago, which was a rarity,” says Sarmiento. While the Edenville Dam failure in 2020 caused record flooding in Saginaw County, the city does not face frequent flood risks.
On average, homes in Saginaw, MI sell after 37 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Saginaw, MI over the last 12 months is $125,000, up 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$125,000
Median Sale Price
$125,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$120,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$240,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$150,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
3%
Last 12 months Home Sales
1,969
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
$2
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$99
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes for Sale
185
Months of Supply
1.10
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Top Schools in Saginaw, MI
Source:
Best Public Elementary Schools
#1 Sherwood Elementary School
A-
Niche
#2 Robert B. Havens Elementary School
A-
Niche
8
GreatSchools
#3 Hemmeter Elementary School
A-
Niche
8
GreatSchools
#4 Handley School
B+
Niche
8
GreatSchools
#5 Westdale Elementary School
B+
Niche
#6 Shields Elementary School
B+
Niche
#7 Thomas White School
B
Niche
#8 Arrowwood Elementary School
B-
Niche
4
GreatSchools
#9 Weiss Elementary School
B-
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Best Public Middle Schools
#1 Saginaw Arts & Sciences Academy
A
Niche
9
GreatSchools
#2 Swan Valley Middle School
B+
Niche
7
GreatSchools
#3 White Pine Middle School
B
Niche
5
GreatSchools
#4 Zilwaukee K-8 School
C
Niche
4
GreatSchools
#5 Carrollton Middle School
C
Niche
4
GreatSchools
#6 Bridgeport-Spaulding Middle School - Martin G. Atkins
I’m Krista Bedford and I have the pleasure of working for Century 21 Signature Realty, serving the Great Lakes Bay Region. Having been born and raised in the Tri-City area, I am extremely familiar with what Saginaw, Bay City, and Midland have to offer. Before real estate, my background was in home improvement services, working together with my husband at our family-owned and operated plumbing business. This has allowed me to gain a better understanding of the behind-the-scenes details of a residential space and has given me the experience, confidence, and depth of knowledge required to assist my clients in finding a home that’s perfect for their needs. Let me put my vast knowledge and experience to work for you. If you are looking to buy, sell, build or relocate, contact me at KristaBedford.com or by calling or texting 989-964-1334.
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.
