Fowlerville Michigan Living

Fowlerville, Michigan

Fowlerville is located on Livingston County’s western border in Handy Township, easily accessed off of I-96, which runs a mile to the south. Its economic support comes primarily from its location as a bedroom community to the greater Lansing area. It also is supported by small manufacturing facilities, a local grain elevator and lodging/hospitality along the I-96 corridor. Its downtown area has been carefully preserved and retains much of its turn-of-the-century architecture.

This area was first settled by Ralph Fowler in 1836. A small community named Cedar was established shortly afterwards, growing large enough to have a post office by 1838. In 1849, Fowler hired an Amos Adams to officially plat the village; it was subsequently renamed Fowlerville in 1853. It was eventually organized as a village in 1871.

Housing Sale Price

The average housing sales price in Livingston County has risen from $63,110 in 1980 to $114,222 in 1990 to $202,931 in 1999. The average housing sales price has more than tripled from 1980 to 1999. A 222% change in the average sale has occurred.

The southeast quadrant of Livingston County (Hamburg, Green Oak, Brighton and Genoa Townships and the City of Brighton) has consistently maintained the highest average housing sales price in the county with a 1999 average of $222,838.

The northeast quadrant of the county has the second highest average housing sales price of $204,775.

Livingston County is located in the southeastern section of Michigan's lower peninsula. It's county seat is Howell. This county was named after Edward Livingston, Secretary of State under President Andrew Johnson, and Minister to France.

Although the U.S. Surveyor-General in 1815 reported the soil in this area to be of such poor quality that it was unsuitable for farming, the Chippewa and Potawatomi had farmed it for years. This was eventually realized and the region became an important agricultural area for livestock and grain. After World War II, many people moved to Livingston County to escape the city. This caused agriculture to decline in importance.

During the 1970's, Livingston County was the fastest growing county in Michigan, but 20,000 acres of public land were kept from development to retain the area's natural beauty. The Brighton Island and Pinckney State Recreation areas make this a great county for recreation.