Across Sharon Township’s 38 square miles, there are only 10 miles of paved roads and approximately 1,800 residents. The township is 23 miles west of Ann Arbor — a college town with a significant education and healthcare sector. Though people are turning to Sharon as a possible bedroom community, the township makes sure that its rural character remains intact. The local government helps farmers protect their land from development and recently pushed back on a mining company’s attempt to start a major gravel extraction operation. “Sharon Township is a little piece of paradise in the corner of a big county,” says Trudi Cooper, a township trustee. “I’ve lived here for 40 years, and not much has changed. People kind of like it that way.” The township has no retail hubs or community centers, and homes have acres of farmland and forest between them. The CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, significantly lower than the national average of 4.
Agriculture is one of the largest employers in Sharon Township.
Sharon Township is homes to many historical sites.
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Homes come with 10 acres or more
Though some homes in Sharon Township can date to the mid-1800s, most were built after the 1960s. Since then, Sharon Township has had an ordinance that any new residential development must be built on a plot of 10 acres or larger. Homes in the $300,000 to $500,000 range typically are smaller ranch styles or older properties. Properties in the $550,000 to $700,000 range tend to be built more recently on sprawling acres of land. These modern homes could have backyard patios, five bedrooms or personal ponds. “It’s about half an hour from Ann Arbor, so people who work in the city often think about building their dream homes out here,” says John Ramirez, a Realtor with Real Estate One who has over 20 years of experience in the region. “They’re drawn to the quiet, the woods and the privacy.” The township lacks public water or sewer, so homes use private wells and on-site septic drain fields. Broadband coverage is also limited, thanks to hilly terrain and a lack of infrastructure.
Updated farmhouses give Sharon Township its up-and-coming vibes.
Residents of Sharon Township enjoy large homes surrounded by farmland.
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A rustic network of trails
Even the parkland in Sharon Township remains relatively undeveloped. “There’s no community center or playground — it’s very rustic here,” Cooper says. “But there are several lovely areas to walk. And when night falls, the skies get so dark.” The township’s most notable green space is Sharon Mills County Park, a 264-acre historic site with a river running through it. The site was once home to a hydroelectric mill that helped power a Ford Industries plant. Today, the park is open for kayaking, fishing, hiking, and tours of the historic mill. The park’s trail network connects throughout the township to the Nan Weston Nature Preserve and the Sharonville State Wildlife Management Area. The Sharonville State Wildlife Management Area spans 6,000 acres and is primarily used as a hunting ground.
The township has a few areas that experience flooding. The largest floodplain is around the River Raisin, which flows through Sharon Mills County Park. Most township properties are not at risk of flooding.
Locals can enjoy learning about the historic Sharon Mill in Sharon Mills County Park.
Sharon Township locals walk their dogs in the Sharon Hollow Nature Preserve.
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Agriculture and business electives at Manchester High
The majority of the township is served by Manchester Community Schools, which has around 800 students and gets a B-minus on Niche. Prekindergarten through second-grade students start at Klager Elementary School, which gets a B-minus. Riverside Intermediate serves grades third through sixth and receives a B. Manchester Junior & Senior High School earns a B-minus. Manchester High is part of the South & West Washtenaw Consortium, which allows students to travel to other county high schools for electives. Manchester has electives in agriculture and business, and other participating schools offer a variety of courses ranging from culinary to health science.
The Riverside Intermediate School in Manchester has a covered entrance.
Attend a football game or track meet at Manchester High School in Mighigan.
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Hearty breakfasts at Linda’s Diner
Sharon Township has no central commercial district. But there’s a gas station and a hardware store — and farmers enjoy beginning the day at Linda’s Diner. A longtime staple of the area, the locally owned diner sits next to a livestock auction house. “The farmers love Linda’s,” Cooper says. “You can get a pancake that’s bigger than your plate and a good wholesome breakfast.” For more commercial options, the modest city of Manchester sits along the township’s southern border. Manchester has a small grocery store, a weekly farmers market and summer events like the Manchester Chicken Broil.
The server works quickly in the busy Linda's Diner in Sharon Township.
Sharon Township locals head to Manchester Market for fresh produce.
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Traffic going into Ann Arbor
For trips into Ann Arbor, 23 miles away, M-52 is usually the quickest route. Since only about 10 miles of road in Sharon Township is paved, a high volume of commuting workers trying to get on M-52 all at once can cause some traffic. “There can be a bit of traffic for about two hours out of the day,” Cooper says. “But otherwise, it’s very quiet.” The Detroit Metropolitan Airport is about 45 miles away. The nearest hospital is Chelsea Hospital, 9 miles north.
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