Salem Township offers nature and open space in Allegan County
Salem Township is a country living hamlet in Allegan County. With single-family homes sitting on stretches of rural, open land, Salem offers a pastoral landscape and a quieter lifestyle. “We are a growing rural community with some new housing developments,” says Kathy VanderKolk, secretary of Salem Township. “The township is in the open countryside, and many lots are at least 1 acre.” Salem has a handful of local businesses and recreation areas, and residents can head to Grand Rapids for shopping and dining, and Lake Michigan for water recreation. The area has a CAP Index crime score of 1 out of 10, which is lower than the national average of 4.
Country homes on large lots in Salem Township
With narrow country roads and long driveways, houses are scattered among Salem’s pastoral landscape. Built between the 1960s and 2010s, single-family properties include ranch-styles, modern farmhouses, Cape Cods and Colonial Revivals. Lot size varies from half-acre to about 5 acres, and some larger homes can have over 10 acres. Prices usually go from approximately $300,000 to $550,000, with several country estates going over $800,000. Manufactured homes go between $200,000 and $350,000.
Public school systems that serve Salem
“We are zoned for Hopkins, Hamilton, Hudsonville and Zeeland school districts,” VanderKolk says. Hopkins Public Schools include Sycamore Elementary School, which has an A-minus grade from Niche, and Hopkins Middle School gets a B-minus. Hopkins High School rates a B, with electives in painting, sports history, computer programming, website design and zoology.
Outdoor recreation includes Lake Michigan and local parks
The community park, Salem Township Park, has a multi-purpose field for soccer and baseball, as well as facilities for basketball, volleyball and tennis. The nature trail winds around the park, passing through picnic, frisbee golf and play areas. Silver Creek County Park has equine trails; “People take their horses and camp there,” VanderKolk says. The 18-hole Lake Monterey Golf Course is open to the public. Lake Michigan is about 20 miles west, offering water recreation activities like swimming, boating, fishing, sailing and water skiing.
Shopping and dining options around Burnips and Grand Rapids
New Salem Country Store and Beard's Produce have groceries and general essentials. The Burnips Flea Market operates from Spring to Fall. Local restaurants include Russo's Pizzeria and Porters Smokehouse, a barbeque place with home-smoked meats. Those with a sweet tooth can head to A P Baked Goods and the ice cream shop Fantasy Twirl. Grand Rapids, approximately 25 miles away, offers big-box stores as well as more shopping, dining and entertainment options.
Distance to Grand Rapids
The area is near Interstate 196 and U.S. Routes 40 and 131. Grand Rapids and Gerald R. Ford International Airport are about 25 miles north, and University of Michigan Health-West is approximately 15 miles away.
Events and celebrations in Allegan County
In summertime, Salem often has concerts at the community park. “Sandy Pines is part of our township, and they also have many local events like concerts and July 4th fireworks where the community is invited to,” VanderKolk says. “The township has a community egg hunt for Easter and a local church has a Christmas tree lighting in December.” The Allegan County Fair in September has live entertainment and livestock shows, and Dorr, the neighboring community, has an Independence Day festival with carnival rides, a parade and fireworks.
