A small city on the growing outskirts of Ann Arbor
Home to just over 9,000 residents, the small city of Saline is caught in Ann Arbor's growing orbit. Early inhabitants were drawn to Saline for its naturally occurring salt springs, which earned the city its name, meaning “salty.” In recent years, the area’s farmland has steadily been turned into modern subdivisions as demand for housing increases across central Washtenaw County. Saline essentially functions as an Ann Arbor suburb, set apart from other nearby small towns by its high ranking schools and walkable downtown. “The community is very close-knit, like a lot of small towns,” says Mary Dettling, the Executive Director of Saline Main Street. “But I think it’s also welcoming. We are very open to people moving in and making Saline their home and their community. I’ve never felt like an outsider, even though I didn't grow up here.”
Old US-12, also known as Michigan Ave, is the main throughway through downtown Saline.
Both the ciry and the Saline River are named for natural salt springs along the riverbanks.
Locally-made art hangs on historic buildings throughout Saline's walkable downtown.
Rolling hills of farmland south of Saline are gradually giving way to the city's expansion.
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Walkable downtown with free parking
Saline’s downtown, though only a few city blocks, contains artisan boutiques, several churches, a coffee shop and a local bookstore. Dan’s Downtown Tavern is a neighborhood staple with 64 Michigan beers on tap. Salt Springs Brewery, housed in a historic church, regularly ranks among the best brewpubs in the nation, according to USA Today. “I once had a client who was relocating to Saline, and her one rule was that her house had to be within walking distance of Salt Springs,” says David Anderson, a local Realtor with Howard Hanna. “Their food is incredible.” Downtown Saline also has free parking — and plenty of it. “Saline is one of the small towns around here that has that feeling of an actual downtown, where everybody in town can come together. And I know one of the reasons I go there is because of the free parking,” Anderson says.
Saline is home to many popular restaurants and pubs like Dan's Downtown Tavern.
Hungry Saline diners can enjoy craft brews at Salt Springs Brewery in a 116-year old church.
Saline's downtown is also home to many boutiques and colorful gift shops.
Free public parking a short walk from Michigan Ave makes downtown Saline easy to access.
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Heritage festivals, farmers markets and a new social district
Born out of the partnership with Brecon, Saline's Welsh sister city, the Michigan Celtic Festival is a daylong festival with bagpipe music, corgi races and traditional Highland dance. Oktoberfest celebrates the area's German heritage with live music, pretzels and free kids' games. In the warmer months, Saline Summerfest includes car shows and a 5K race. As the weather gets cold, families can take their kids to a Halloween trunk or treat and visit Santa. Saline hosts a farmers market all year round to showcase regional produce and local artisans. The city also got approved for a downtown social district in 2024, which means alcoholic beverages will be allowed outdoors in designated areas. This district is expected to go into effect by the end of the year. “The social district will allow us to activate some spaces that we hadn't used before through music, art or hosting small events. I think that’s going to be really cool to see in the future,” Dettling says.
Saline Oktoberfest is known for its beer garden.
Every weekend 20-30 tents pop up in this public parking space for the Saline Famers Market.
High energy rides are sure to keep young fairgoers excited at the Saline Community Fair.
Saline's recently established social district means local events can serve alcoholic drinks.
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Top marks for Saline Area School District
Saline Area Schools, SAS, gets an overall A rating from Niche. It’s ranked as the number one district in Michigan for athletes, regularly achieving regional and state titles. The district offers AP classes and Career & Technical Education courses that range from welding to photography. Students can choose from over 100 clubs — including a high-achieving Robotics Team, which represented Saline at the world competitions in 2023. New developments coming to the district include a multi-million-dollar STEAM center at the high school and buses that use renewable energy sources. One of the keys to SAS’s high rankings is community involvement. “The level of involvement we have with our parent base is one of the things that separates us from other school districts in the area,” says Dr. Stephen D. Laatsch, the district’s superintendent. “If our elementary schools are having a music performance in the middle of the day, 90% of the parents will find a way to attend. They want to get involved, and they help make our programs happen.”
The Special Olympics recognizes SAS as a Unified Champion School District thanks to its efforts to celebrate and uplift students with special needs. “One in seven students in Washtenaw County is serviced by special education — in Saline, it’s one in six," says Jackelyn Martin, the executive director of communications & community relations with SAS. "And I think that’s because parents hear that we are doing such a good job, and they seek us out.” The district also offers early education programs, some of them subsidized, and partners with organizations that provide support for young adults all the way up to seniors.
A wide entrance and looping drive at Pleasant Ridge Elementary make pickup and dropoff easy.
Woodland Meadows serves Saline students grade kindergarten through third.
Saline Middle School services nearly 1200 Saline students grade 6-8.
At Saline High School's back entrance there are multiple covered waiting areas for busses.
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Historic homes and plenty of new development
Ann Arbor is 10 miles from Saline and is accessible via several routes, including State Street and Ann Arbor-Saline Road. The trip is typically 20 minutes but can get up to 40 with rush hour traffic. Without any public transportation options, Saline is a very car-dependent community. In 2024, Michigan Avenue was widened to a five-lane highway with updated intersections for quicker traffic flow. The city is about 25 miles from the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, which flies non-stop to 128 destinations across 30 different countries.
Known as a strong manufacturing hub, it’s home to the global headquarters for Liebherr Group, an aerospace and automotive company. There is also a significant farming industry that persists around the city. However, the area's largest employers are in Ann Arbor, primarily the University of Michigan and its associated hospital.
Historic homes like the Citizen's Bank founders' Davenport residence are throughout Saline.
Communities of new-build homes in Saline continue to support the city's growing population.
Many of Saline's newer construction features modern design with colonial influence.
Condos outside of downtown Saline provide easy access to amenities with a small footprint.
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Big city amenities and major employers in Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor is 10 miles from Saline and is accessible via several routes, including State Street and Ann Arbor-Saline Road. The trip is typically 20 minutes but can get up to 40 with rush hour traffic. There aren’t any public transportation options, so Saline is a very car-dependent community. In 2024, Michigan Avenue was widened to a five-lane highway with updated intersections for quicker traffic flow. For longer trips, Saline is about 25 miles from the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, which flies non-stop to 128 destinations across 30 different countries.
Saline is home to a strong manufacturing hub, including the global headquarters for Liebherr Group, an aerospace and automotive company. There is also a significant farming industry that persists around the city. However, the area's largest employers are located in Ann Arbor, primarily the University of Michigan and its associated hospital.
Riverside parks and year-round recreation options
Saline has 12 parks within the city, most notably Curtiss Park and Mill Pond Park, which offer trails along the Saline River and off-leash dog parks. The newest addition to the parks system is Salt Springs Park, a rugged retreat that showcases the salt springs that first put Saline on the map. “Our parks are all on the edges of town, so nothing really in downtown. We're working on that right now,” Dettling says. Saline experiences four seasons, though winter can get particularly cold. Temperatures can drop below freezing from November to March, and the average annual snowfall is 57 inches, according to U. S. Climate Data.
When the winter weather rolls in, locals can stay active indoors at Planet Fitness or the Saline Recreation Center, which has a public pool. Other indoor recreation options include Emagine Saline, a local movie theater with reclining seats and $5 movie Tuesdays. The Saline District Library has a year-round selection of events, from kids' story times to adult book clubs. The library is undergoing a complete indoor renovation and plans to add an outdoor pavilion and plaza that should be completed in early 2025.
Furry friends gather for outdoor activities at Curtiss Park's dog run.
Mill Pond Park is the largest of all the Saline community parks at nearly 54 acres.
Saline Rec Center has indoor athletic spaces like basketball courts and fitness centers.
Emagine Movie Theater is the city's primary stop for cinematic entertainment.
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Important to know
According to the FBI Crime Data Explorer, the Saline Police Department reports crime rates that are twice as low as Ann Arbor's average. SPD offers traffic enforcement, property watch, youth intervention programs, and a cadet program. The Saline Area Fire Department has full-time firefighters that serve the city and surrounding townships of Saline, York and Lodi.
Saline has a municipal water system and has had issues with brown or discolored water. Though city officials have confirmed that the water is still considered safe within state and federal regulations, they are working on a permanent solution by updating the water treatment facilities. “There is brown water now and then — like when they flush the mains,” Dettling says. “But mostly, that’s because the city is making fixes, so eventually, it will be fine for good.”
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.
