As part of the Detroit Free Press' ongoing series exploring Michigan communities, we're visiting the village of Milford, a southwestern Oakland County community that blends its 19th-century roots with newer development while maintaining its distinctive character.
Appeal: A quaint, picturesque village with historic architecture, small-town charm, a vibrant, walkable downtown and abundant natural surroundings. The well-preserved downtown, with its historic merchant-row buildings, is within walking distance of traditional neighborhoods featuring Victorian-era and other historic homes. Newer infill homes often incorporate vintage-inspired designs that complement the village’s character, while new subdivisions with larger homes and winding streets
are found toward the outskirts.
Downtown Milford’s mix of locally owned shops and restaurants draws visitors from throughout the region. The largely built-out village also features natural assets including the Huron River, wetlands, woodlands, rolling hills, and wildlife.
Facts: The village of Milford was organized in 1869 and covers about 2½ square miles. With a population of approximately 6,520, the village is about 41 miles west of Detroit and 30 miles north of Ann Arbor. It is located entirely within Milford Township and is near Wixom, Commerce, Lyon, Highland, and Brighton townships. The Milford Public Library serves both village and township residents and maintains special collections on autism, genealogy and the Civil War, as well as microfilmed editions of the Milford Times dating to the newspaper’s inception. For more information, go to villageofmilford.org. U.S. Census
Development and growth: A planned redevelopment of a now-vacant former Tim Hortons/Wendy’s site was recently approved, with construction pending, according to Village Manager Christian Wuerth. Pulte Homes also has submitted plans for a residential development that is scheduled to be on the agenda for the September Planning Commission meeting.
Community events: Popular downtown Milford events include the Farmers Market, Milford Memories, Summer Concerts, seasonal parades, Milford Home Tour and Boo Bash. Go to meetmeinmilford.com.
Recreation: There are eight parks in the village and access to the Huron River National Water Trail, along with more than 100 miles of biking and other trails in and around the village. In 2024, Milford was officially designated a Pure Michigan Trail Town.
Village parks offer walking paths, gardens, sports courts, and picnic areas. Central Park, redeveloped in 2023-24, features the Veterans’ Memorial and LaFontaine Family Amphitheater, along with a new pavilion, improved canoe and kayak access and new basketball and volleyball courts. Other attractions include a butterfly garden at Arthur’s Park, a skate park next to Civic Park, and a remote-control race car track and authentic log cabin at Southside Park.
Houses: The village of Milford has a mix of well-kept homes spanning different eras, from newer construction to historic houses built before 1900. Architectural styles include Victorian, Queen Anne and Greek Revival. Apartments and newer condominiums also can be found in the village. In 2025, single-family home sale prices ranged from $214,200 to $745,000, according to Realcomp II Ltd.
Taxes: $41.66 per $1,000 of a house's taxable value in the Huron Valley Schools district. A $363,700 (median price) house with a taxable value of $181,850 would have property taxes of $7,575.
Public safety: Milford Police Department reported two burglaries, one vehicle theft, two criminal sexual conduct cases, no robberies, and one homicide in 2025.
Public transportation: People’s Express, 55 and older or disabled, 877-214-6073
Resident insight: Real estate agent Kimberly Cryderman of RE/MAX Classic has called the village of Milford home for 10 years and said its tight-knit atmosphere, and sense of community are among the reasons she has stayed.
“I think sometimes it’s helpful that the people make you stay,” Cryderman said. “If you don’t have good neighbors and a good community, you’re not going to stay.”
Cryderman, whose children attended schools in the area, said she enjoys being able to walk downtown and regularly seeing people she knows in the community.
“It’s just pretty and people maintain their properties,” she said.
Brendel Clark writes about real estate and other topics for the Detroit Free Press. Contact her at bclark@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Village of Milford offers historic homes, trails and a lively downtown
