Livingston County, Michigan

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

Livingston County, Michigan History
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.

When it comes to the Brighton and Howell Real Estate market, Pat Lotz is your Brighton-Howell REALTOR® with knowledge and expertise in the area. Be sure to check out the Featured Listings and MLS Home Search  for available homes in the area. 

Get Moving, call Pat Lotz 734-637-3668.

Livingston County Michigan has not developed overnight.  Centrally located within one hour of the major metropolitan areas of Detroit, Flint, Ann Arbor, and Lansing, early settlers were attracted to the Livingston County area not because of its location (as is the case today) but rather because of the opportunity to receive free land.

Following the war of 1812, the Federal Government provided any veteran of that war with 160 acres of free land in Michigan.  However, surveyors indicated that the land in and around Livingston county was extremely wet and poorly suited for farming.  Since this caused many of the soldiers to accept free land in Missouri rather than in Michigan, the Governor requested a new survey.  This second survey found much of the rolling hills and sparsely wooded land well suited for agricultural uses.  Rather than give this exceptional land away, the State began to sell the originally free section parcels for $2.00 to $3.00 per acre.

The territory was originally part of Shiawassee and Washtenaw counties until 1833 when an act of the state legislature provided for the establishment of Livingston County.  Named after Edward Livingston, the Secretary of State under President Andrew Jackson,  the County began its slow settlement during the early 1830's in the areas now known as Green Oak and Hamburg Townships.  Coincidently, these communities are now two of the fastest growing and most heavily populated in the county.  As indicated by the second survey, the soils were excellent for farming.  The land was also abundant with fish and game, including bear and wolf.  It is interesting to note that both Chippewa and Pottawatamie Indians were seen on occasion.   However, there is no recorded history of violence between the settlers and the Indians.

Indian trail ways through Livingston County formed some of the major transportation corridors of today, including Grand River Avenue and White Lake Road.  The development of the Grand River Trail from Detroit to Lansing proved to be an impetus for growth.  Livingston Center, now known as the city of Howell, was centrally located between the two cities, as on the stagecoach route connecting the cities,  and was a natural rest stop for travelers making the long trip by foot and/or by horseback.  As was the case one hundred years ago, the location of Howell and its surrounding communities combine with the natural rolling hills and lakes to continue to draw settlers to the County.

When it comes to the Brighton and Howell Real Estate market, Pat Lotz is your Brighton-Howell REALTOR® with knowledge and expertise in the area. Be sure to check out the Featured Listings and MLS Home Search  for available homes in the area. 

Get Moving, call Pat Lotz 734-637-3668.

Housing Units
Since the 1990 census, permits have been pulled for 18,048 additional housing units resulting in an approximate 59,911 housing units in Livingston County.

The number of permits pulled in the county each year has steadily increased over the 1990 decade. In 1999, the number of permits pulled (2,299 permits) is double the number of permits pulled in 1991 (1138 permits).

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.

Households
From 1980 to 1990 there was a 24 percent gain in the number of Livingston County households and it is estimated that Livingston County gained an additional 14,770 households from 1990 to 1999.

 The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments projects that from 1990 to 2020 all Livingston County townships will sustain a gain of 63.7 percent or more in the number of total households; ten of the sixteen townships will experience a doubling of their number of households.

Of the total 53,657 estimated 1999 households in Livingston County, the largest number of households within a township is 6,695 in Hamburg Township; comprising 12.5 percent of the county total. Brighton Township (5,944), Genoa Township (5,667) and Green Oak Township (5,200) have the 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th largest number of households among the townships. Conway Township is estimated to have the least number of households (864) within the county. Among county cities and villages, Howell has the largest estimated number of households (3,901).

The 1990 Census revealed that there are 2.97 persons per Livingston County household. This is down from a 1980 figure of 3.15 persons per household and this decrease can probably be attributed to a 20 percent gain in the total number of housing units constructed between 1980 and 1990 compared to a 15.3 percent in population during this same time period; with housing starts ahead of population growth, there were more housing units for fewer people.

Despite this decrease in the number of persons per household, Livingston County has a slightly higher average number of persons per household than the state average of 2.66

Population Growth
In 1980, Livingston County had a total population of 100,289. This figure had increased by 70.1 percent from the 1970 Census figure of 58,967. 1990 Census information reveals a 15.3 percent population increase over the 1980 count, for a total county population of 115,645.

Compared with the surrounding counties of Oakland, Washtenaw, Ingham, Jackson, Shiawassee and Genesee, Livingston County has far exceeded their 1980-1990 percent population changes. Oakland, Washtenaw and Ingham Counties have positive growth trends but the remaining counties that surround Livingston County have percent population changes that have declined.

Livingston County currently (1999) ranks 1st in terms of percent population change, from 1990 to 1999, among Michigan counties. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that the 1999 population of Livingston County is 151,496; this estimate represents a gain of 35,851persons since 1990, for a percent population change of 31%.

The southeast quadrant of Livingston County accounts for 48% of the 1990 county population. The communities that comprise southeast Livingston County are Brighton Township with 14,815 residents, Genoa Township with 10,820 residents, Hamburg Township with 13,083, Green Oak Township with 11,604 residents and the City of Brighton with 5,686 residents. The four townships are the most heavily populated townships in the county with 315 - 447 persons per square mile (Brighton 448, Genoa 316, Hamburg 404, Green Oak 334).

Current 1999 estimates show Hamburg Township as the most populated county township (18,879) with Brighton Township as a close second (18,401). According to regional population forecasts, the southeast Livingston County townships will experience 22 - 60% population growth between the years 2000 and 2020.  

Livingston County Michigan Festivals

Howell Melon Festival

The famous Howell melon is celebrated the third weekend in August at the annual Melon Festival. Hosted by the Howell Jaycees, this festival is known for its large parade, hundreds of arts and crafts exhibitors, music, dancing, entertainment and, of course, all the Howell Honeysweet Melons you can eat.

The Howell Melon Run takes place Friday evening, Melon Festival Weekend, with a 1k, 5k, or 10k run through the Howell City Park, hosted by Howell Area Parks and Recreation.

Complete event information and tickets can be found at www.howellmelonfestival.com

Michigan Challenge Balloon Festival

The Michigan  Challenge Balloon Festival is located at the Howell High School complex, 1200 West Grand River Avenue. Events and entertainment are also held in downtown Howell, about a mile east of the High School.

Activities at the high school launch site include balloon fly-ins and launches, Comcast skydivers, skate board exhibitions, Windjammers stunt kite shows, a medieval village, a juried arts festival, Rock-N-Roll K-9s, music, Citizens Insurance Family Fun Tent, classic cars, games, carnival rides, concerts, comedy and juggling.

Mass balloon launches take place, weather permitting, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, between 6 and 8 p.m. Early birds can arrive just after dawn on Saturday and Sunday to watch the pilots compete as they fly in to the site after launching their craft from locations in the countryside.

Serena´s Song, the world´s first handicap-accessible balloon, will take guests who use wheelchairs up for free tethered balloon rides during launch times.

New to the Michigan Challenge this year is AARP The Magazine Road Show offering health screenings, massages, product samples, contests and seminars.

The Howell Area Chamber of Commerce, hosts the event. Major Sponsor of the Michigan Challenge is National City Bank.

For more information on the Michigan Challenge Balloonfest, call the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce at (517) 546-3920 or visit www.michiganchallenge.com.

Howell Fantasy of Lights Parade

The Howell Fantasy of Lights Parade always takes place the Friday after Thanksgiving.....

The Howell Fantasy of Lights Parade for the Howell Area, is the start of the Holiday season! This nighttime parade includes dozens of illuminated floats, marching bands, over 50 other entries, and of course, Santa Claus.

Complete event information can be found on the Howell Chamber of Commerce Fantasy of Lights page HERE.....

When it comes to the Brighton-Howell Real Estate market, Pat Lotz is your Brighton-Howell REALTOR® with knowledge and expertise in the area. Be sure to check out the Featured Listings and MLS Home Search  for available homes in the area. 

Get Moving, call Pat Lotz 734-637-3668. 

Livingston County Michigan Visitor Information
Brighton offers many cultural, recreational and social activities. Several state and county parks are located within a few minutes' driving distance, as are more than 50 beautiful lakes, natural wetlands and golf courses. The state's Brighton Recreation Area alone comprises nearly 5,000 acres of woods, meadows and lakes.

Brighton Recreation Area

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Brighton Recreation Area
Brighton Recreation Area Riding ......

Consisting of nearly 5,000 acres of rolling woods and meadows interspersed with lakes, streams and marshes. There are several campgrounds, beaches and hiking and mountain bike trails. The majority of the area is open to hunting, fishing and most winter activities including snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. It also features complete equestrian facilities, including a riding stable with rental horses, campground, staging area and 18 miles of bridle trails.  

Island Lake Recreation Area

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Island Lake Recreation Area- ......

Offers a "up north" experience in southeastern Michigan. 4,000 acre park, that offers four miles of paved biking trails, two swimming beaches and beach house, picnic area & pavilion, hunting, fishing, archery range, more than 18 miles of trails for hiking, and 14 miles of trails for biking. Cross-country skiing and snowmobiling is allowed along the unpaved portions of the trails and only allowed with 4" or more of snow. Metal detecting areas. There is no camping.  

Pinckney Recreation Area

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Pinckney Recreation Area

Numerous lakes within 11,000 acres. Picnicking, playground, fishing, beaches, concession stand and boat launches. Rowboat, canoe, paddleboat, kayak rentals. Private liveries, stables. Extensive trail system for hikers and mountain bikers. In the winter these trails can be used for cross-country skiing. Snowmobiling in designated areas and ice fishing is available on Silver, North and South Lakes. 180 modern campsites at Bruin Lake and rustic camping on Crooked Lake. Backpack camping is available along the Potawatomi Trail. Bridle trails and metal detecting area.

When it comes to the Brighton and Howell Real Estate market, Pat Lotz is your Brighton-Howell REALTOR® with knowledge and expertise in the area. Be sure to check out the Featured Listings and MLS Home Search  for available homes in the area. 

Get Moving, call Pat Lotz 734-637-3668.