Introduction

Belleville, Michigan is the kind of place people look at when they want “close to everything” without living on top of everything. You’ve got lake views, a compact city footprint, and quick access to big commuter routes—so it can feel like a smart middle ground for work, weekends, and everyday errands.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the real estate snapshot, cost-of-living context, taxes (yes, the fun stuff), local lifestyle, and a neutral look at schools—so you can decide if Belleville fits how you actually live.

Where Is Belleville, Michigan Located?

Belleville is a small city in Wayne County in Southeast Michigan, positioned near several major highways that connect you to nearby job centers and destinations. Wayne County notes Belleville is close to I-94, I-275, and US-23, with access that supports commuting and regional travel. Wayne County Government

Geographically, Belleville is closely tied to Belleville Lake and the surrounding area—Census-based profiles show the city’s footprint is about 1.1 square miles, so it reads more “compact and connected” than sprawling. Census Reporter

If you’re the “how fast can I get to everything?” type, the highway positioning is one of the main reasons Belleville ends up on shortlists. Wayne County Government+1

Cost of Living in Belleville, Michigan

Housing is usually the biggest cost-of-living variable, and Belleville’s numbers often land below statewide medians depending on the exact neighborhood and whether you’re near the water. Based on U.S. Census Bureau ACS data presented by Census Reporter, the median value of owner-occupied housing in Belleville is about $162,700. Census Reporter

For a Michigan comparison point, the U.S. Census Bureau’s QuickFacts for Michigan lists the state’s median owner-occupied housing value around $217,600 (recent ACS). Census.gov

For rent context, Niche reports a median rent figure for Belleville (their profile uses public datasets and local indicators). Census Reporter

On broader “cost-of-living index” style comparisons, BestPlaces reports a Belleville-area cost of living score in the low 90s and provides category breakouts like housing and transportation. Zillow

Bottom line: if you’re comparing Belleville to other Wayne County communities, housing is the lever that tends to move the needle most—then it’s down to commute patterns, utility usage, and lifestyle choices (boat season is a lifestyle choice, by the way).

Real Estate & Housing Overview

Belleville’s housing feel is shaped by two realities: it’s a small city geographically, and it’s a lake-oriented community. Census-based profiles put Belleville at roughly 1.1 square miles, which naturally limits the number of streets and housing pockets compared to larger suburbs. Census Reporter

In terms of the housing stock timeline, Point2Homes reports a median construction year of 1977 for Belleville, with much of the development occurring in the second half of the 20th century (and some older homes mixed in). Point2Homes

For a current market snapshot (not a prediction), Redfin’s Belleville market page shows a recent median sale price and days-on-market metric that can help you gauge pace and competition when you’re actively shopping. Realtor

Also worth noting: Belleville Lake is a major lifestyle anchor. The City highlights lake access and waterfront amenities at Horizon Park, including docks and an ADA-accessible canoe/kayak launch—features that tend to influence which streets and listings get the most attention. bellevilleonthelake.com

Property Taxes in Belleville

Michigan property taxes can feel confusing until you see the simple math behind the curtain: taxable value multiplied by the millage rate. The City of Belleville’s assessing information explains that property taxes are calculated using taxable value and local millage rates. bellevilleonthelake.com

Millage totals vary by location and can differ based on the school district and local unit. The Michigan Department of Treasury provides a Property Tax Estimator and references millage rate information for comparing local units. Michigan.gov+1

If you want to sanity-check what you’re seeing on a listing, the most reliable approach is:

1. confirm the property’s taxable value and

2. verify the current millage totals for the exact location/school district using Treasury tools and the local assessor. treas-secure.state.mi.us+1

No guarantees here—taxes are specific to the property and can change with assessments and voted millages.

Things to Do & Lifestyle

Belleville’s lifestyle headline is the lake. The City of Belleville describes Horizon Park on the shore of Belleville Lake, including lake access, a lakeside boardwalk, courtesy docks, and an ADA-accessible canoe/kayak launch. bellevilleonthelake.com

And it’s not just “a lake exists.” The Belleville Area Chamber of Commerce notes Belleville Lake is the largest inland lake in Wayne County (they cite 1,270 acres and 10.5 miles of shoreline), which helps explain why boating, sunsets, and shoreline walks show up in a lot of people’s weekend routines. Wayne County Government

For community happenings, Belleville has long-running local traditions. The Belleville Area Chamber of Commerce highlights the National Strawberry Festival as a signature local event connected to the community. bellevilleareachamber.org

If your ideal “things to do” includes quick drives to bigger destinations, Wayne County’s community page emphasizes Belleville’s proximity to major routes and regional access. Wayne County Government

Schools & Education (Neutral Framing)

School boundaries and options can be a key part of a relocation decision, and the best approach is to confirm the exact assigned schools by address (because boundaries can be specific).

GreatSchools provides profiles and ratings for districts serving the area, including Van Buren Public Schools, with details such as school listings and rating methodology links.

Niche also provides a district profile for Van Buren Public Schools with summaries and reviews-based feedback (useful as one input, alongside official district info and school tours).

If schools are a top priority, I always recommend reviewing multiple sources (district data, school pages, and in-person visits when possible) so you’re comparing apples to apples.

Pros & Cons of Living in Belleville

• Pros:

  • Strong highway access nearby (I-94, I-275, and US-23 are highlighted as close routes). Wayne County Government

  • Lake-centered lifestyle with public park amenities like boardwalk access and launch/docks at Horizon Park. bellevilleonthelake.com

  • Housing value snapshot can trend below the statewide median depending on the home and location (Belleville vs. Michigan ACS comparisons). Census Reporter+1

  • The lake is a major regional feature (largest inland lake in Wayne County per the Belleville Area Chamber). Wayne County Government

• Cons:

  • Property tax totals vary by local unit and school district, so two similar homes can have different tax outcomes—verification matters. treas-secure.state.mi.us+1

  • The city’s small footprint (about 1.1 square miles) means fewer total housing pockets than larger suburbs, so inventory can feel limited at times. Census Reporter

  • Market pace can shift; using current snapshots (like median sale price/days on market) is important when timing a move. Realtor

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Belleville, Michigan

1. Is Belleville, Michigan in Wayne County?
   Yes—Belleville is a city in Wayne County, and Wayne County’s community profile includes Belleville in its list of communities. Wayne County Government

2. What highways are closest to Belleville?
   Wayne County notes Belleville is located only a few miles from major highways including I-94, I-275, and US-23. Wayne County Government

3. Is Belleville a small city?
   Yes—Census-based profiles show Belleville’s area is about 1.1 square miles, which is very compact compared to many suburbs. Census Reporter

4. What lake is in Belleville, Michigan?
   Belleville is closely associated with Belleville Lake; the City’s parks information highlights Horizon Park directly on the shore of Belleville Lake with lake access and waterfront amenities. bellevilleonthelake.com

5. Is Belleville Lake a major feature in Wayne County?
   The Belleville Area Chamber of Commerce describes Belleville Lake as the largest inland lake in Wayne County (with acreage and shoreline figures). Wayne County Government

6. What’s the median home value in Belleville?
   Based on U.S. Census Bureau ACS data presented by Census Reporter, the median value of owner-occupied housing in Belleville is about $162,700. Census Reporter

7. How does that compare to the Michigan median home value?
   Michigan’s statewide median owner-occupied housing value is listed around $217,600 in U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (recent ACS). Census.gov

8. What’s the housing market doing right now?
   For a live snapshot, Redfin reports a recent median sale price and days-on-market figure for Belleville—helpful for understanding pace (not a forecast). Realtor

9. How old are homes in Belleville, generally?
   Point2Homes reports a median construction year of 1977 for Belleville, with much development occurring in the second half of the 20th century. Point2Homes

10. How are property taxes calculated in Belleville?
    The City of Belleville explains property taxes are calculated using taxable value and millage rates. bellevilleonthelake.com

11. Where can I look up millage rates or estimate taxes?
    Michigan’s Department of Treasury provides a Property Tax Estimator and millage rate resources to compare local units and rates. Michigan.gov+1

12. Which school district serves Belleville?
    GreatSchools and Niche both provide profiles for Van Buren Public Schools, which serves the area (confirm assignments by address for accuracy).

To Conclude:

If you're looking to move to, from, or within the state of Michigan in one day or a million, I help people do just that and I love it as a Michigan Realtor. Please reach out anytime for help — I’m happy to be your go-to resource.

Question for you!

If you lived in Belleville, would you rather be closer to downtown or closer to Belleville Lake?