Saint Johns is the rural hub of Clinton County
St. Johns is the largest city in Clinton County, Michigan. It’s nicknamed Mint City, for the herb that built this rural town. “St. Johns is definitely what we would call a farming community. There’s lots of acreage and farmland right outside town,” says Realtor Brock Fletcher with Keller Williams Realty Lansing, who’s been selling in the Lansing area for over 20 years. Agriculture is still on top here, but as the seat of Clinton County, St. Johns offers more commercial activity than most rural towns. “They might drive down to Lansing for certain stores, but they have good restaurants and shops in town,” Fletcher says. The city also has its own schools, expansive parks and entertainment spaces. If any big-city needs arise, Lansing, Michigan’s capital, is less than 25 miles south.
Early-1900s homes downtown and countryside homes with acreage
St. Johns is built on an old grid of tree-lined streets, where homes sit on spacious green lawns. “If you’re in town, you’ll find older homes from the late-1800s up to the 1950s,” Fletcher says. “Outside of town, it’s more farmland.” These older downtown homes include small builds that haven’t been updated, midcentury ranch-style homes and early-1900s American Foursquares and bungalows. These options range from $80,000 to $200,000. Updated older homes and larger ranch-style and prairie-style homes range from $200,000 to $440,000 for those on multiacre lots. In the countryside, small ranch-style houses and larger newer homes with acreage can cost $200,000 to $675,000. Brand new construction outside town ranges from $320,000 to $500,000.
High-quality academics and athletics at St. Johns Public Schools
St. Johns Public Schools is one of the highest-regarded systems in Clinton County, earning a B-plus overall grade from Niche. “It’s a good school district with good athletics because they have great community support,” Fletcher says. Eureka Elementary is the district’s top-rated school. According to Niche, it gets an A-minus and is the third-best elementary school in Clinton County. St. Johns Middle gets a B-plus. St. Johns High also gets a B-plus. Its football games are a big deal in the community, and locals cheer on the Redwings every Friday night in the fall.
Pubs, coffee shops and craft stores in downtown St. Johns
North Clinton Avenue is the heart of St. Johns, forming the main blocks of an old-fashioned downtown in the center of the city’s grid. Residents can walk or park in front of storefronts that date back to the late 1800s. They host locally owned stores, restaurants and coffee shops. Main Street Café and Swany’s Pub are staples, serving traditional American fare. Oak & Ivory is a popular clothing boutique, and Art & Soul sells art supplies and hosts crafting classes. For groceries, residents head down to Kroger on the city’s south side. There are larger malls in Lansing.
Trails, tennis courts and a performance shell at St. Johns City Park
There are small parks throughout the city, but St. Johns City Park is the community’s primary recreation space. This expansive facility is in the city’s southwest corner. It has Little League fields, tennis courts and a forested area with trails. In the woods, there’s also a play area called Fantasy Forest. The regular playground is near the park’s entrance, and there’s a spray park where kids can cool off in the summertime. The park also has a performance shell that hosts a weekly concert series from June to August.
The Mint Festival is the freshest event in town
The city celebrates its minty heritage during the St. Johns Mint Festival, held every August. Each day of this weekend-long event is packed with activities — most occurring at St. Johns City Park. There are food stands, craft vendors and carnival games. The mint chocolate chip ice cream booth is usually the most popular stop. Patrons can then walk downtown for live music and cold beverages during the day. The Grand Mint Parade is a special Saturday event led by the Mint Queen, the winner of the Mint Festival Pageant.
Employment in local agriculture or in Lansing
Mint is the city’s cash crop, hence the Mint City nickname, but many other crops are produced in the region. Many residents work in farming, whether on a farm or at one of the distribution centers around the city. There are other employers and municipal offices downtown. St. Johns also has a sizable hospital — University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Clinton. Many residents commute to Lansing, less than 25 miles south on U.S. Route 127. Route 127 also leads just over 20 miles south to Michigan State University in East Lansing. Capital Regional International Airport is also about 20 miles south.
