Sodus Township has farmers, rural roads and close connections
Sodus Township is a rural community east of the Saint Joseph River. Its landscape is mainly open fields and farmland, with homes and subdivisions scattered along long two-lane roads. Many neighbors live miles apart, but that doesn’t keep the community from connecting. “Everyone definitely knows their neighbor. Most of them are even related!” says Victoria Chandler, 30-year resident and deputy clerk for the township. “This also makes people feel pretty safe. Half the people don’t bother to lock their doors.” Highway access also keeps the community connected to nearby cities and commercial centers.
Homes with acreage sprawl across the community
Most homes are divided by acres of land or clustered into small subdivisions. Yards still sprawl regardless, and mature trees add layers of privacy. Ranch-style homes and farmhouses are the most common offerings, but a few Dutch Colonial and Craftsman-style homes are also available. Built in the 2010s, The Villas on the River features contemporary condos. Home prices start as low as $65,000 and cap around $400,000, but the community’s median price is $200,000. Condos fall in the $355,000 to $570,000 range, and residents pay roughly $400 in monthly HOA fees. Land is also on the market, with prices fluctuating based on acreage.
The River School has small class sizes, while high schoolers head to bigger Benton Harbor
The River School is the only public school in the community. It teaches kindergarten through eighth grade and has a maximum student population of 80. Niche gives it a B-minus rating. Most students then attend Benton Harbor High School, which has a C-minus score. The school has a special program called the Benton Harbor Promise, which provides financial assistance toward secondary education.
Two-lane roads lie outside Highway 31 and Interstate 94
The township’s landscape means residents are entirely car-dependent, despite limited infrastructure. “Sodus really only has a single blinking light,” Chandler says. Highway 31 is the community’s primary non-rural road, passing through the heart of the township. The highway connects State Route 139 and Interstate 94, which touches the community’s northwestern border. The nearest hospital is Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals 7 miles away, and commercial flights fly out of South Bend International roughly 20 miles south.
Farming-focused community has limited retail options
The township has no restaurants or stores besides a King’s Landing Grocery. The area is more focused on farming. “We generally farm vegetables, like soybeans, tomatoes, zucchini and peppers. We also have a beekeeper who stays very busy,” Chandler says. “We do have some fruit tree farmers, but fruit farming is very difficult since you’re at the mercy of the frost. We also don’t have as many vineyards as the other side of the river.” The closest retail center is in Benton Harbor, directly beside the township’s northern border. It has several chain restaurants and stores, like IHOP, Walmart and The Home Depot.
Sodus Township’s bespoke park and Saint Joseph River access
Sodus Township Park is the community’s primary recreational space. It has a small playground, picnic shelter and grassy baseball diamond. At The Woods Fitness Park, people climb, jump and balance on 60 unique outdoor obstacles. All-age zones feature complex tunnels, climbing walls and ropes courses, while a kids section has games like giant Jenga. Visitors can also hike along wooded trails.
Sodus Township is on a floodplain, as the Saint Joseph River seasonally overflows. However, Chandler says that flooding isn’t a major concern to homeowners and farmers.
The community has small events and the nearby Berrien County Youth Fair
The township occasionally has events. Sodus Township Library hosts a Music in the Park series at Sodus Township Park, while the volunteer fire department puts on an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast in April. In October, Chapel Hill United Methodist Church orchestrates a large craft show featuring various local artists. The community is also 5 miles from the Berrien County Youth Fair, which includes bull riding, tractor pulls, live music and a demolition derby.
