So, you’re thinking about moving to Macomb Township, Michigan? Before you pack your snow boots and Tigers hat, it’s worth getting a clear picture of what life here is actually like. Macomb Township has gone from farm fields to one of the fastest-growing suburbs in Michigan—where cul-de-sacs, new construction, and bustling retail corridors are the new normal.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about living in Macomb Township: location, commute times, population, cost of living, schools, housing, taxes, lifestyle, parks, and more—so you can decide if it fits your plans.

Approximate drive times (depending on traffic and weather):

• Downtown Detroit – About 26 miles south, roughly a 30–40 minute drive via I-94, M-59, or other major routes.
• Ann Arbor – Around 60–65 miles southwest, often 1 to 1.25 hours by car.
• Nearby suburbs
  • Sterling Heights & Warren: roughly 20–30 minutes.
  • Clinton Township: directly to the south, usually 10–20 minutes, depending on where you’re headed.
  • Rochester & Troy: generally 25–35 minutes to the west–southwest.
• Lake St. Clair / New Baltimore – About a 20-minute drive east, great for marinas, summer boating, and waterfront dining.
• Detroit Metro Airport (DTW) – Usually 40–45 minutes by highway.
• Windsor, Ontario (Canada) – Typically under an hour via the border crossings in Detroit, depending on traffic and customs.

Location-wise, Macomb Township offers a suburban home base with relatively easy access to major job centers, shopping corridors, and recreational areas across Metro Detroit.

Size and Population of Macomb Township

Macomb Township covers about 36 square miles—a fairly large land area for a township in Metro Detroit. That size is part of the reason different pockets of the township can feel slightly different, from newer subdivisions to areas that still have a more semi-rural vibe.

Population growth has been one of the big storylines:

• 2010 Census: ~79,600 residents
• 2020 Census: 91,663 residents
• Recent estimates (around 2025): approaching 94,000+ residents and still trending upward

Macomb Township was the most populous civil township in Michigan as of the 2020 Census. A big part of that growth has come from:

• New residential development on former farmland
• Demand for suburban homes with more space
• Access to schools, parks, and nearby shopping corridors

Despite the rapid growth, much of the township still feels like classic suburbia—subdivisions, open spaces, and a general lack of high-rise buildings. You’ll see more single-family homes, cul-de-sacs, and neighborhood entrances than big-city density.

Credit: https://lombardohomes.com/reasons-to-live-in-macomb-township/

What Is It Like to Live in Macomb Township?

Macomb Township does not have a traditional, walkable downtown like some older cities in Metro Detroit, but it makes up for that with parks, recreation facilities, and easy access to nearby commercial corridors.

Key lifestyle highlights:

• Macomb Corners Park (94 acres)
  • Baseball and softball diamonds
  • Soccer fields
  • Basketball and pickleball courts
  • Walking paths and playgrounds
  • Seasonal events and activities
• Macomb Township Recreation Center
  • Indoor water slide and lazy river
  • Full gym and fitness center
  • Indoor playground
  • Classes, programs, and activities for all ages
  • A huge asset during long Michigan winters
• Nearby Recreation & Entertainment
  • Sycamore Hills Golf Club and other nearby courses
  • CJ Barrymore’s (go-karts, arcade, rides, mini-golf, etc.)
  • Newer attractions like regional aquapark developments in the surrounding area
  • Quick access to Lake St. Clair for boating, fishing, and waterfront dining

For daily life, Macomb Township is very much a “get in the car and go” suburb, but most of what you need—groceries, restaurants, schools, gyms, medical services, and parks—is within a short drive.

Shopping, Dining, and the “Golden Corridor”

Even though Macomb Township doesn’t have its own historic downtown district, it’s a short drive from one of Metro Detroit’s busiest commercial corridors.

Head south to Hall Road (M-59), known locally as the “Golden Corridor”, and you’ll find:

• The Mall at Partridge Creek (outdoor shopping mall)
• Big-box stores like Costco, Sam’s Club, Target, and more
  • Chain restaurants and local favorites:
  • Detroit-style pizza at Buddy’s
  • Breakfast at The Pantry
  • Local spots like Regale Craft Food and Drink, Testa Barra, Khom Fai Thai, Bubba’s 33, and many more

In other words: you’re not going to be short on shopping, errands, or dining options—most of them are clustered along or near Hall Road and in neighboring Clinton Township, Sterling Heights, and Shelby Township.

Parks, Events, and Community Activities

Macomb Township leans into that classic community-focused suburban lifestyle.

Some notable local events and amenities include:

• Tons O’ Trucks – A big event where families can see and climb on construction vehicles, emergency trucks, and more.
• Summer Concerts in the Park – Live music during the warmer months.
• Movies Under the Stars – Outdoor movie nights.
• Strawberry Festival at St. Isidore’s Church – Carnival rides, music, food, and of course, strawberry shortcake.

You’ll also find:

• Access to nearby dog parks and pet-friendly spaces
• Music, dance, and art studios
• Libraries and youth programs
• Fitness studios, sports leagues, and youth sports programs

Healthcare is easily accessible, with hospitals and clinics nearby:

• Larger systems like Henry Ford, Ascension, McLaren, and Corewell (Beaumont) all have locations within a reasonable drive.
• Plenty of urgent care centers, pediatric offices, dental practices, and specialty clinics serve the area.

For higher education, Macomb Community College has a major campus in nearby Clinton Township, offering academic and trade programs and acting as a feeder into universities like Wayne State, Oakland University, and others.

Zoning, HOAs, and Property Flexibility

Because Macomb Township is large, zoning and neighborhood rules can vary quite a bit from one section to another.

Some general patterns:

• Northeast and far-east areas may allow:
  • Larger garages or outbuildings
  • Pole barns or hobby structures
  • A more “semi-rural” feel in certain pockets
• Newer subdivisions often have:
  • HOA fees (commonly around $100–$400 per year)
  • Architectural guidelines, landscaping standards, and rules about fences, sheds, etc.
  • Common areas like ponds, walking paths, and playgrounds

If you want complete flexibility with how you use and maintain your property (landscaping, exterior, outbuildings, etc.), it’s important to ask upfront about HOA rules and township zoning for that specific neighborhood or parcel.

Cost of Living in Macomb Township

Overall, Macomb Township’s cost of living is slightly below the national average and roughly in line with many suburban areas in Metro Detroit.

• Overall cost of living index: Around 95–96 (with 100 being the U.S. average, according to various cost of living comparisons).
• Utilities: Typical suburban Michigan rates—natural gas or electric heating bills can spike in winter.
• Services: Trash, recycling, and seasonal yard waste are normally included via township contracts funded through taxes. The township occasionally hosts events like electronics recycling and cleanup days.

Electric service is generally handled by DTE Energy, natural gas by Consumers Energy or SEMCO (depending on the area), and water/sewer is coordinated through the township with connection to larger regional systems.

Housing in Macomb Township (Prices, Types, and Trends)

Macomb Township’s housing market has been busy for years, with a steady stream of new build subdivisions and existing homes trading hands.

As of around mid-2025:

• Median sale price: Approximately $435,000+
• Average price per square foot: Around $150–$160 (varies by age, size, and location of home)

What $250K–$700K might get you (depending on market conditions):

• $250K–$350K (entry-level range):
  • Older ranches or colonials
  • Some attached condos or townhomes
  • Smaller lots or homes needing cosmetic updates
• $350K–$450K (mid-range “typical family home”):
  • 3–4 bedroom colonials or ranches
  • Around 1,800–2,400+ square feet
  • 2-car garages, basements (often unfinished or partially finished), neighborhood settings
• $450K–$600K+ (newer & higher-end):
  • New construction or recently built homes
  • Larger footprints (2,400–3,500+ square feet)
  • 3-car garages, upgraded finishes, neighborhood amenities
  • Homes in master-planned communities or premium lots

Well-priced homes often move in 2–3 weeks in a balanced market, sometimes faster in high-demand price bands.

If you’re considering building new:

• Expect 8–12 months from start to finish for a full custom or semi-custom build.
• “Spec homes” (already under construction) may offer quicker move-in timelines.

Property Taxes and School Districts in Macomb Township

Macomb Township is served by four primary public school districts:

• Chippewa Valley Schools
• L’Anse Creuse Public Schools
• New Haven Community Schools
• Utica Community Schools

Each district has its own millage rate, which impacts your property tax bill, and its own public performance and ranking data on sites like Niche.com and GreatSchools. Always verify district boundaries and specific school assignments by address—boundaries can be nuanced and change over time.

Approximate millage rates for Macomb Township (for illustration only; always confirm current numbers via the township or county):

• Chippewa Valley: ~32.65 mills
• L’Anse Creuse: ~31.01 mills
• New Haven: ~32.27 mills
• Utica: ~27.51 mills

Quick example using the median sale price of about $435,166 in the Utica district:

1. Estimate taxable value at roughly 50% of market value:
   1. $435,166 ÷ 2 ≈ $217,583
2. Multiply by the millage rate:
   1. $217,583 × 27.5085 ≈ $5,985.38
3. Divide by 1,000
   1. ≈ $5,985 per year in property taxes (rough ballpark)

Again, this is just an illustrative calculation. Your actual tax bill will depend on the home’s assessed value, taxable value, exemptions (like a principal residence exemption), and current millage rates.

As for school rankings (pulled from public sources like Niche.com, which focus on academics, teachers, college prep, clubs, and other measurable factors—not who lives in the area):

• Chippewa Valley Schools
  • Overall grade: typically A- range
  • Frequently ranks among the higher-rated districts in Macomb County
• Utica Community Schools
  • Often rated an A- overall
  • One of the largest districts in Michigan
  • Commonly ranked as a top district in Macomb County in various metrics
• L’Anse Creuse and New Haven
  • Often land in the B to B+ range overall
  • Offer a range of programs, extracurriculars, and specialized options

These are all public school systems with multiple schools and options. If schools are a priority, it’s a good idea to:

• Review public metrics (state report cards, Niche, GreatSchools, etc.)
• Visit district websites
• Tour buildings or talk with administrators when possible

This keeps everything fair housing compliant by focusing purely on publicly available performance data—not on the demographics or characteristics of residents.

Jobs and Commuting From Macomb Township

Macomb Township itself is mostly residential, but it’s within a strong employment region.

Common employment directions:

• Automotive & Engineering:
  • GM Tech Center in Warren
  • Supplier and manufacturing hubs along M-53, I-696, and in Sterling Heights/Warren
• Healthcare:
  • Hospitals and healthcare systems in Clinton Township, Mount Clemens, Warren, Troy, and Sterling Heights
• Logistics & Distribution:
  • Various industrial and logistics corridors in Macomb and Oakland Counties
• Remote Work:
  • Many newer homes in Macomb Township include dedicated office space or finished basements – ideal for remote workers who want more space than they might get closer to downtown Detroit or in higher-priced suburbs.

Commuting is generally car-dependent. Public transit options are limited, so plan on driving to most jobs, shopping areas, and recreational destinations.

Is Macomb Township a Good Place to Live?

That really depends on what you’re looking for, but here’s a quick, neutral breakdown.

Potential pros of Macomb Township:

• Newer housing stock and ongoing development
• Access to multiple school district options (depending on address)
• Proximity to the Hall Road “Golden Corridor” for shopping & dining
• Parks, rec center, and community events
• Relative affordability compared to some Oakland County suburbs
• Easy access to major highways and other Metro Detroit cities

Potential trade-offs:

• No historic, traditional downtown within the township
• Heavier reliance on driving for almost everything (limited walkability)
• Continued growth can mean ongoing construction and evolving traffic patterns
• Property taxes can still feel significant depending on price point and district, even with lower millage options like Utica