Moving to Silver Creek Township, Michigan? What to Know About Homes, Schools, Commutes & Lifestyle

By Andrew McManamonPlaces To Live In Michigan

Moving to Silver Creek Township, Michigan? What to Know About Homes, Schools, Commutes & Lifestyle

Here's a fact that matters: people have been coming to the Sister Lakes area of Silver Creek Township since the 1880s. Businessmen from Dowagiac would take horse-and-buggy day trips out to Magician Lake to fish, socialize, and escape the summer heat. By the early 20th century, people were coming from Chicago and northern Indiana. By mid-century, the Sister Lakes had become a full-fledged resort region — cottages, dance halls, boat launches, resort communities. Then, somewhere along the way, a lot of those vacationers decided the 90-minute drive back to Chicago wasn't worth it, and they stayed.

That's the origin story of Silver Creek Township as a year-round residential community. And it still explains most of what you need to know about living here: it's a lake-country area in the northwest corner of Cass County, it has one of the most concentrated collections of all-sports lakes in southwest Michigan, and the people who move here mostly do it because the lakes won. The commute to Dowagiac is short, the cost of living is well below national averages, and the median household income runs well above the county and state medians.

Let's get into the numbers.

Moving to Silver Creek Township, Michigan? What to Know About Homes, Schools, Commutes & Lifestyle

Search For All Homes For Sale

See My Home's Current Value

Where Is Silver Creek Township, Michigan Located?

Silver Creek Township is a civil township of Cass County in the U.S. state of Michigan, located in the northwest corner of Cass County, bordered to the west by Berrien County and to the north by Van Buren County. The city of Dowagiac borders the township to the southeast. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 34.2 square miles, of which 32.0 square miles is land and 2.3 square miles — approximately 6.62% — is water. That water percentage is one of the highest in Cass County and reflects the township's dense lake concentration.

The township is largely agricultural, though it has a large influx of summer visitors who own cottages or stay at summer resorts in the Sister Lakes area in the northwest part of the township. The Sister Lakes themselves straddle the Cass and Van Buren County line, with portions of the lake system extending into adjacent Keeler Township in Van Buren County.

Key distances:

City of Dowagiac: immediately to the southeast, approximately 6 miles from the Sister Lakes area per general geographic context
Niles, Michigan: approximately 20 miles to the west
South Bend, Indiana: approximately 35 miles to the southwest, per LakeHomesUSA
Kalamazoo: approximately 45 miles to the north
Chicago: approximately 90 miles west, with South Bend International Airport approximately 35 miles away per LakeHomesUSA

For highway access, M-152 runs east-west through the northern portion of the township, providing access toward Sodus and Berrien County to the west. The City of Dowagiac to the southeast is served by M-62, US-12, and Amtrak's Blue Water and Wolverine lines at the historic Dowagiac Amtrak Station, per Wikipedia — giving Silver Creek Township residents a car-to-train option to Chicago. Per the Awesome Mitten, Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport (AZO) is approximately 42 miles to the east along I-94.

According to Census Reporter, based on ACS 2023 5-year data, the mean travel time to work for Silver Creek Township residents is approximately 20.6 minutes — shorter than both the Cass County average (24.4 minutes) and the Michigan statewide average (24.2 minutes). Despite its position in the far northwest corner of the county, the township's proximity to Dowagiac's employment base produces commute times that are actually more favorable than the county average.

Cost of Living in Silver Creek Township, Michigan

According to BestPlaces.net, Cass County as a whole carries a Cost of Living Index of 84.8 compared to the U.S. national baseline of 100 — approximately 15% below the national average. Michigan statewide scores approximately 91.5 on the same index. Silver Creek Township's cost of living tracks at or below those county-level figures for daily expenses, though home prices — driven heavily by lake access — skew significantly above county medians.

Based on Census Reporter ACS 2023 5-year data, Silver Creek Township presents a strong economic profile:

Median household income: approximately $78,458 — about 10% above the Michigan statewide median of $71,149 and about 15% above the Cass County median of $68,011
Per capita income: approximately $49,253 — about 28% above the Cass County per capita of $38,544 and about 25% above the Michigan per capita of $39,538
Poverty rate: approximately 6.9% — roughly half the Cass County rate of 13.2% and the Michigan rate of 13.1%; the second-lowest poverty rate of any township profiled in this Cass County series
Median age: approximately 44.9 years — about the same as the Cass County median of 45.5 and about 10% above the Michigan median of 40.1

The poverty rate at approximately 6.9% is a particularly striking figure — it suggests a financially stable, owner-occupied community that has largely shed the income volatility typical of rural Michigan townships. Per Niche.com, most residents own their homes and many retirees live in Silver Creek Township. The high per capita income relative to median household income suggests a meaningful single-person or retired-household component, consistent with a lake-country community where a significant share of housing was originally purchased as a vacation property and later converted to primary residence.

Day-to-day expenses — groceries, utilities, and fuel — are generally in line with southwest Michigan regional averages. All services require a vehicle for most township locations; the township is car-dependent with no public transit. Healthcare is accessible in Dowagiac and the South Bend-Mishawaka metro area.

Real Estate & Housing Overview

Silver Creek Township is a lake-country real estate market, which means almost everything about pricing is filtered through proximity to water.

According to RocketHomes, based on Realcomp II Ltd. MLS data, the median list price in Silver Creek Township was approximately $349,950 as of February 2024, with an average of 114 days on market. That 114-day average is notably slow by Michigan market standards, consistent with a niche, water-oriented market where buyers are patient and selective. More recent RocketHomes data for February 2025 shows 29 homes for sale in the township with a current median price of approximately $607,500 — a figure representing a significant month-to-month swing and reflecting the high variance inherent in a small market where a single lakefront listing can move the median sharply. Readers should treat both data points as directional rather than precise, and verify current conditions through a licensed Michigan Realtor with Realcomp II Ltd. MLS access.

For county-level context, RocketHomes reports the Cass County median sold price at approximately $232,500 as of August 2024 — placing even the February 2024 Silver Creek median approximately 50% above the county median. That premium reflects the dominance of Magician Lake, Dewey Lake, Round Lake, Big Crooked Lake, Little Crooked Lake, and Cable Lake properties in the active listing pool.

The township is largely agricultural, though it has a large influx of summer visitors who own cottages or stay at summer resorts in the Sister Lakes area. This seasonal-to-year-round transition dynamic has shaped the housing stock considerably: the township contains a mix of original vintage cottages now used year-round, significantly renovated or rebuilt lakefront homes, newer construction on premium lots, and rural agricultural acreage inland from the lakes at substantially lower price points.

According to Wikipedia, there were 2,362 housing units in the township at an average density of 73.4 per square mile at the 2000 census — a relatively higher density than many Cass County townships, reflecting the Sister Lakes resort development pattern. Many of those units remain seasonal or vacation-use properties.

New construction does occur in Silver Creek Township, particularly on remaining lakefront lots and in development areas near the Sister Lakes. This is one of the few Cass County townships where new lakefront construction is an active market segment, per current MLS listing descriptions.

Property Taxes in Silver Creek Township

Michigan's mill-based property tax system applies statewide: one mill equals $1 per $1,000 of taxable value. Under Michigan's Proposal A (1994), annual taxable value growth is capped — protecting long-term property owners from sharp market-driven tax increases, and providing a structural advantage for buyers who plan to stay.

According to the Michigan Department of Treasury's 2023 Total Property Tax Rates Report, homestead (principal residence) millage rates for Silver Creek Township depend on the school district overlay:

Silver Creek Township / Dowagiac Union Schools: approximately 21.4237 mills for principal residence
Silver Creek Township / Eau Claire Public Schools (for properties in the northwest, near the Berrien County border): specific millage data at time of publication was not confirmed at the township level for this overlay; readers are encouraged to verify current figures through the Michigan Department of Treasury's Property Tax Estimator at michigan.gov/taxes by selecting Cass County, Silver Creek Township, and Eau Claire Public Schools

The Dowagiac Union Schools overlay at approximately 21.4237 mills is one of the more favorable homestead rates in Cass County — well below the 35–55 mills common in Michigan metro areas. For a quick estimate: at 21.4237 mills, a property with a taxable value of $175,000 would yield an estimated annual homestead tax of approximately $3,749.

For buyers purchasing lakefront or lake-access properties in the Sister Lakes area, two additional considerations apply. First, the taxable value cap under Proposal A means a new buyer will immediately have their taxable value uncapped to the State Equalized Value (SEV) — which for premium waterfront properties can produce a meaningful first-year jump in the tax bill. Second, special assessments for lake management, road maintenance, or other local improvements can add to the base millage calculation and will not appear in the standard millage rate table.

Always verify current millage rates directly with the Cass County Equalization Office or Silver Creek Township, located at 32764 Dixon Street, Dowagiac, MI 49047 (silvercreektwpmi.gov). The Michigan Department of Treasury's Property Tax Estimator at michigan.gov/taxes provides current millage estimates by selecting Cass County, Silver Creek Township, and the applicable school district. No estimate should be treated as a guarantee of any individual tax bill.

Things to Do & Lifestyle in Silver Creek Township, Michigan

Silver Creek Township's lifestyle is defined almost entirely by the Sister Lakes — six primary all-sports lakes within a six-mile radius, with a combined recreation ecosystem that has supported a year-round cottage community since the late 19th century. Here's what you're actually getting.

The Sister Lakes

Per Jaqua Realtors' Dowagiac Lake Living guide and the Sister Lakes waterfront property profile, the six primary Sister Lakes are:

Magician Lake: the largest at approximately 498–524 acres (sources vary slightly), an all-sports lake approximately 60 feet at its deepest point, with three islands and an outlet called Silver Creek, per magicianlake.org and Sister Lakes waterfront resources. Per magicianlake.org, the lake is spring-fed and historically known for bass, northern pike, bluegill, perch, trout, crappie, catfish, salmon, walleye, and steelhead.
Dewey Lake: approximately 225 acres, an all-sports lake approximately 50 feet at its deepest point, per Jaqua Realtors
Round Lake: approximately 194 acres, an all-sports lake approximately 27 feet at its deepest point, per Jaqua Realtors
Big Crooked Lake: approximately 110 acres, all-sports, approximately 48 feet at its deepest point, per Jaqua Realtors
Little Crooked Lake: approximately 103 acres, all-sports, approximately 62 feet at its deepest point, per Jaqua Realtors
Cable Lake: approximately 90 acres, the smallest of the six primary Sister Lakes, with a no-wake designation, approximately 41 feet at its deepest point, per Jaqua Realtors

Per the Herald-Palladium's historical feature on the Sister Lakes, the broader system includes additional lakes within a six-mile radius — Indian Lake, Dewey Lake, Keeler Lake, Pipestone Lake, Priest Lake, and others — in the tri-county corner of Cass, Berrien, and Van Buren counties, straddling Silver Creek, Keeler, and Bainbridge townships.

Year-round recreation on the Sister Lakes includes boating, fishing, water skiing, tubing, kayaking, and canoeing in warmer months, and ice fishing and snowmobiling in winter, per the Awesome Mitten and LakeHomes.com. A permit is required to use Magician Lake per magicianlake.org; Michigan DNR boating regulations apply to all connected waterways.

Sister Lakes Brewing Company and Local Dining

Per the Awesome Mitten, Sister Lakes Brewing Company is a family-owned craft microbrewery and restaurant in the Sister Lakes area, offering handcrafted ales and a food menu using local Michigan ingredients. The Strand Brewery & Kitchen is another lakeside dining option in the area per Awesome Mitten. These are modest but genuine community anchors that distinguish the Sister Lakes from purely residential lake communities.

Annual Community Events

Per the Awesome Mitten, the Sister Lakes area hosts an annual fireworks show over Labor Day weekend to close out the summer season. The broader Dowagiac area's Summer in the City Festival, Cass County Fair, and Berrien County Youth Fair are all accessible within a short drive.

Dowagiac Amenities

Six miles to the southeast, the City of Dowagiac provides the daily service infrastructure Silver Creek Township residents depend on: grocery, retail, healthcare (including Ascension Borgess-Lee Hospital approximately 10 miles from Sister Lakes per LakeHomesUSA), Southwestern Michigan College, the Four Winds Casino Dowagiac, restaurants, and the Dowagiac Amtrak Station (Blue Water and Wolverine lines to Chicago and Detroit, per Wikipedia).

Schools & Education in Silver Creek Township, Michigan

According to Wikipedia, Dowagiac Union Schools serves Silver Creek Township within Cass County, along with portions of adjacent Keeler Township in Van Buren County and Pipestone Township in Berrien County. The northwest corner of the township near the Berrien County line may fall within the Eau Claire Public Schools district depending on the specific property's location. Buyers should verify the district serving any specific address directly with the relevant school district or the Cass County Equalization Office.

Dowagiac Union School District

Per Niche.com, Dowagiac Union School District serves approximately 1,860 students in grades PK–12 with a student-teacher ratio of 18:1. Statewide test scores per Niche show 21% of students at or above proficiency in math and 33% in reading at the district level.

GreatSchools.org describes the district as one where "many of the schools are rated average in school quality," while also noting that a larger number of schools in the district have students making more academic progress than peers at other Michigan schools — a positive student growth indicator despite the below-average raw proficiency rates. This distinction matters: a district can have relatively low proficiency rates (reflecting incoming student demographics) while still demonstrating strong academic growth, which GreatSchools weights as a positive.

School-by-school performance within the district:

Union High School (grades 9–12): Per Niche.com, rated B, with 530 students and a 20:1 student-teacher ratio. State test scores per Homes.com show 22% math proficiency and 37% reading proficiency at the school level. GreatSchools.org rates Union High School 7 out of 10, describing it as performing above average compared to Michigan public and charter schools at the high school level and supporting strong academic outcomes for all students. Per Homes.com, the graduation rate is 92%, average GPA 3.41, and average SAT 1,130.
Dowagiac Middle School (grades 6–8): Per Homes.com, rated C on Niche and 6 out of 10 on GreatSchools. Enrollment of 379 students, 18:1 student-teacher ratio. 16% math proficiency and 35% reading proficiency per Homes.com.
District elementary schools: Per Niche.com, elementary schools in the district receive grades ranging from C to C+, with student-teacher ratios in the 14:1 to 17:1 range.

Sister Lakes Elementary School is located in or near the Silver Creek/Keeler area and serves the northwest portion of the district, per RocketHomes school references.

For higher education, Southwestern Michigan College in Dowagiac is the closest two-year institution and Cass County's largest employer per Wikipedia. The Dowagiac Amtrak station provides access to Chicago and South Bend university clusters for students pursuing higher education beyond what's locally available.

Pros & Cons of Living in Silver Creek Township, Michigan

Pros:

Six primary all-sports Sister Lakes — Magician (~498–524 acres), Dewey (225 acres), Round (194 acres), Big Crooked (110 acres), Little Crooked (103 acres), and Cable (90 acres) — all within the township or on its boundaries per Jaqua Realtors and magicianlake.org; broadest lake recreation portfolio of any township in this Cass County series
Poverty rate approximately 6.9% per Census Reporter ACS 2023 — roughly half the Cass County (13.2%) and Michigan (13.1%) rates; the second-lowest in this Cass County series
Median household income approximately $78,458 per Census Reporter ACS 2023 — about 10% above the Michigan statewide median and 15% above the Cass County median
Per capita income approximately $49,253 per Census Reporter ACS 2023 — about 25% above the Michigan per capita and 28% above the Cass County per capita
Mean commute time approximately 20.6 minutes per Census Reporter ACS 2023 — the shortest of any township profiled in this Cass County series, driven by direct adjacency to Dowagiac's employment base
Dowagiac Union Schools homestead millage rate approximately 21.4237 mills per Michigan Department of Treasury 2023 data — competitive compared to most Michigan communities
Approximately 6.62% of total township area is water per U.S. Census Bureau — one of the highest water ratios in Cass County
Amtrak access at the Dowagiac station (Blue Water and Wolverine lines) approximately 6 miles southeast, providing a Chicago and Detroit rail option per Wikipedia
Regional cost of living approximately 15% below the national average per BestPlaces.net (Cass County index: 84.8)
Sister Lakes Brewing Company and The Strand Brewery & Kitchen provide local dining and social infrastructure uncommon in townships of this size, per Awesome Mitten
South Bend International Airport approximately 35 miles south per LakeHomesUSA; Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport approximately 42 miles east

Cons:

Real estate pricing is driven heavily by lake access and is highly variable — median list price was approximately $349,950 (February 2024) to a median active listing price of approximately $607,500 (February 2025) per RocketHomes/Realcomp II Ltd., both significantly above the Cass County median sold price of $232,500 (August 2024); buyers seeking entry-level options face limited inventory
Average days on market was approximately 114 days as of February 2024 per RocketHomes — the highest of any township in this series, reflecting a patient, niche market
Small, infrequent inventory pool — highly variable from month to month in a lake-area market
Dowagiac Union Schools district-wide test score proficiency runs below state averages at the elementary and middle school levels per Niche.com and GreatSchools.org, though Union High School rates above average per GreatSchools
No walkable commercial center within the township itself — all major services require a drive to Dowagiac or beyond
No public transit of any kind within the township
Seasonal population dynamics: the Sister Lakes draws heavy summer visitor traffic, which is a quality of life variable buyers should evaluate based on their own preferences
Well and septic are standard for most properties outside of any local lake association sewer services; buyers should verify utility infrastructure for any specific property
Michigan DNR boating regulations, permit requirements, and lake association rules vary by lake; buyers should review applicable rules for any specific lake before purchasing

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Silver Creek Township, Michigan

What is the population of Silver Creek Township, Michigan?
The population was 3,051 at the 2020 census. Census Reporter, based on ACS 2023 5-year data, places the current estimate at approximately 3,047, with a population density of approximately 95.3 people per square mile — higher than most Cass County townships, reflecting the resort-area development pattern of the Sister Lakes.

Where is Silver Creek Township located in Michigan?
Silver Creek Township is located in the northwest corner of Cass County, bordered to the west by Berrien County and to the north by Van Buren County. The city of Dowagiac borders the township to the southeast. The Sister Lakes area sits in the northwest portion of the township, straddling the Cass and Van Buren County line, per the Herald-Palladium.

What are the Sister Lakes in Silver Creek Township?
Per Jaqua Realtors' Dowagiac Lake Living guide and the Sister Lakes waterfront property profile, the six primary Sister Lakes are Magician Lake (~498–524 acres), Dewey Lake (225 acres), Round Lake (194 acres), Big Crooked Lake (110 acres), Little Crooked Lake (103 acres), and Cable Lake (90 acres). Per the Herald-Palladium, a broader group of approximately 11 lakes — including Indian Lake, Keeler Lake, Pipestone Lake, Priest Lake, and others — are within a six-mile radius and considered part of the larger Sister Lakes region, spanning portions of Cass, Berrien, and Van Buren counties.

What is Magician Lake?
Per magicianlake.org, Magician Lake is the largest of the Sister Lakes at approximately 524 acres, spring-fed, with three islands (two accessible only by boat), and an outlet called Silver Creek. The lake is classified as an all-sports lake and is approximately 60 feet at its deepest point, though most of the lake is less than 20 feet deep. It supports bass, northern pike, bluegill, perch, trout, crappie, catfish, salmon, walleye, and steelhead fishing. A permit is required to use the lake, per magicianlake.org.

What is the median home price in Silver Creek Township?
Per RocketHomes, based on Realcomp II Ltd. MLS data, the median list price in Silver Creek Township was approximately $349,950 as of February 2024, with 114 average days on market. A February 2025 RocketHomes snapshot showed 29 homes for sale with a median active price of approximately $607,500 — reflecting high price variance in a small, lake-driven market. Both figures are significantly above the Cass County median sold price of approximately $232,500 reported by RocketHomes for August 2024.

What school district serves Silver Creek Township?
Per Wikipedia, Dowagiac Union Schools serves Silver Creek Township in Cass County, along with portions of Keeler Township in Van Buren County and Pipestone Township in Berrien County. Properties in the far northwest corner of the township near the Berrien County border may be served by Eau Claire Public Schools. Buyers must verify the specific district for any property address before purchasing.

What are property taxes like in Silver Creek Township?
Per the Michigan Department of Treasury's 2023 Total Property Tax Rates Report, the homestead (principal residence) millage rate for Silver Creek Township / Dowagiac Union Schools is approximately 21.4237 mills — among the more competitive rates in Cass County. For the Eau Claire Public Schools overlay, specific millage data was not confirmed at time of publication; verify via the Michigan Property Tax Estimator at michigan.gov/taxes.

How is the commute from Silver Creek Township?
Per Census Reporter ACS 2023 data, the mean travel time to work for Silver Creek Township residents is approximately 20.6 minutes — shorter than both the Cass County average (24.4 minutes) and the Michigan statewide average (24.2 minutes). The township's direct adjacency to Dowagiac's employment base accounts for the shorter-than-expected commute despite the township's rural, northwest-corner positioning.

Is Silver Creek Township a good place to retire?
Per Niche.com, many retirees live in Silver Creek Township, with most residents owning their homes. The township's median age of approximately 44.9 years (Census Reporter ACS 2023) is roughly in line with the Cass County median, but the community is well-established for retirement living given its lake access, low poverty rate (6.9%), above-average per capita income ($49,253), competitive property tax millage rates, and regional cost of living approximately 15% below the national average per BestPlaces.net.

What is the history of the Sister Lakes in Silver Creek Township?
Per magicianlake.org, Magician Lake's recorded history began in the late 1800s, when businessmen from Dowagiac established resort communities on its shores. Per the Herald-Palladium, the Sister Lakes post office opened in 1877 between Round and Crooked Lake — the two bodies of water that gave the area its name. By the early 20th century, per magicianlake.org, visitors from Chicago and northern Indiana had begun discovering the lakes, and the Sister Lakes became a recognized Midwest resort destination. Per LakeHomes.com, in the early 1830s, Abolitionist Quakers settled in the broader area, bringing a connection to the Underground Railroad that is shared with neighboring Penn and Calvin townships in Cass County.

Is there Amtrak access near Silver Creek Township?
Yes. Per Wikipedia, Amtrak serves the City of Dowagiac — approximately 6 miles southeast of the Sister Lakes area — via the Blue Water and Wolverine lines, both of which provide connections to Chicago and Detroit. This gives Silver Creek Township residents a viable rail option to Chicago without driving the full distance.

What zip codes serve Silver Creek Township?
The primary zip code serving the Sister Lakes area and much of Silver Creek Township is 49047, corresponding to Dowagiac, Michigan, per the U.S. Census Bureau and Wikipedia. Some properties in the northwest portion of the township may use alternative zip codes depending on location. Buyers should verify their specific mailing address with the Silver Creek Township office at 32764 Dixon Street, Dowagiac, MI 49047, or at silvercreektwpmi.gov.

What dining and local amenities are in or near Silver Creek Township?
Per the Awesome Mitten, the Sister Lakes area is served by Sister Lakes Brewing Company (a family-owned craft microbrewery and restaurant) and The Strand Brewery & Kitchen. The City of Dowagiac, approximately 6 miles southeast, offers additional restaurants, grocery, retail, the Four Winds Casino Dowagiac, Southwestern Michigan College, and healthcare access. South Bend, Indiana (~35 miles) provides major city amenities including major hospital systems, university campuses, and a regional airport.

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!

The Sister Lakes has been drawing people from Chicago, South Bend, and Kalamazoo since the 1880s — if you were moving to Silver Creek Township, would you make lake access a non-negotiable, or would the township's inland agricultural parcels and shorter commute be enough to get you there? Drop your take in the comments!

Search For All Homes For Sale

See My Home's Current Value