Washington Twp

Washington Township is located in northern Macomb County. Shelby Township is directly to the south, Bruce Township is to the north, Ray Township is to the east, and Oakland County sits along the western side of the township. One of the things that makes Washington Township interesting is that it has grown while still holding onto more of its rural character than many communities farther south.

Washington Township had 28,165 residents at the 2020 Census, up from 25,139 in 2010. The Census Bureau estimated the population at roughly 29,000 by the middle of the decade, so the area is still growing.

Washington Township is also one of Macomb County's older communities. The township was organized in 1827 and originally included what is now both Washington and Bruce townships; Bruce became a separate township in 1833. Historical records say the name Washington was chosen in honor of George Washington. The first known settler arrived in 1819, and like much of northern Macomb County, agriculture became an important part of the area's early history. You can still see pieces of that older character in the open land, larger parcels, older roads and homes that existed long before many of today's subdivisions were built.

Another thing that gives Washington Township its own identity is its connection to the Village of Romeo. Romeo sits just north of the township and serves as the center of the larger Romeo-Washington-Bruce area, with local restaurants, shops, community events and historic architecture.

If you're looking for a home in Washington Township, one of the first things you'll probably notice is the variety. There are established subdivisions with ranches and colonials, newer neighborhoods with larger two-story homes, custom homes, condos and a growing amount of new construction.

Washington Township is also an area where you'll often see larger homesites, 3-car garages, ranch and split-level floor plans, custom and semi-custom homes, newer luxury construction, low-maintenance condo and villa communities, and properties with more open or wooded surroundings. Some communities feel very neighborhood-oriented, while others have fewer homes, larger lots and a little more separation between properties. That is one of the biggest differences between Washington Township and some areas farther south in Macomb County. You can still find newer construction without necessarily feeling like you're in the middle of a densely developed area.

Depending on the community, buyers may find quick move-in homes already under construction, completed spec homes or homesites where they can select a floor plan and build. You'll also find properties that were built decades ago, including larger homes on acreage and homes closer to Romeo that have a very different feel from the newer subdivisions farther south.

Something I always tell buyers: don't assume every part of Washington Township feels the same. A home near 26 Mile and M-53 can feel very different from one closer to Romeo, Stony Creek or the eastern side of the township. The lot, surrounding land, road access and future development can matter just as much as the house itself.

One thing buyers need to understand about Washington Township is that the school district can depend on the exact location of the property. Romeo Community Schools serves a large portion of the township, but Washington Township materials note that there are multiple school systems serving the community. Because district and individual school boundaries can change, I always recommend verifying the exact school assignment for the specific home you're considering rather than assuming based on a Washington Township mailing address.

For everyday life, Washington Township offers a nice balance between convenience and a less developed feel. You'll find grocery stores, restaurants, medical offices, fitness options and everyday services throughout the area, especially along major roads such as Van Dyke and 26 Mile Road.

You're also close enough to Shelby Township, Romeo and the Hall Road corridor that you have access to a much larger selection of shopping, dining and services without necessarily living in the middle of it. Residents are also served by the Romeo District Library, which serves Washington Township, Bruce Township and the Village of Romeo.

One thing I like about Washington Township is that you can live near newer development and still be only a few minutes from areas that feel much more open. That's part of what gives everyday life here a different feel from some of the more heavily developed parts of Macomb County.

One of the biggest lifestyle advantages of Washington Township is the amount of outdoor recreation nearby. Stony Creek Metropark is one of the biggest attractions in the area. The park covers approximately 4,435 acres and surrounds a 500-acre lake, with boating, kayaking, fishing, swimming, hiking, biking, mountain biking, golf, cross-country skiing, sledding, disc golf and other year-round activities. For someone who enjoys being outdoors, living in Washington Township can put you very close to one of the largest recreation areas in northern Metro Detroit.

Washington Township is also part of the Romeo-Washington-Bruce Parks & Recreation system. The tri-community recreation program offers activity centers, fitness and senior programming, youth sports and local parks with amenities that can include walking trails, playgrounds, tennis courts, sledding hills, basketball courts, pavilions and ball fields.

Then there's nearby Downtown Romeo, which gives the area a small-town element that you don't find in every Macomb County community. Romeo has local shops, restaurants, community events and historic buildings, and it serves as a central gathering place for residents throughout Romeo, Washington and Bruce.

Between Stony Creek, local parks and the more open northern Macomb setting, Washington Township is an area where outdoor recreation feels much more integrated into everyday life. For shopping and dining, you'll find businesses along Van Dyke and throughout Washington Township, plus additional options heading south toward Shelby Township and the Hall Road area.

Washington Township sits north of Shelby Township and roughly 35 to 40 miles north of Downtown Detroit, depending on where you live within the township. The drive downtown can vary quite a bit depending on traffic and where you're starting, but for many residents the bigger question is not necessarily distance. It's how quickly you can get to M-53.

M-53/Van Dyke is one of the biggest transportation advantages for Washington Township. The highway runs north-south through the area and gives residents access south toward Shelby Township, Sterling Heights and the Hall Road corridor. Other important roads include 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30 Mile Roads, Campground Road, Schoenherr Road, Mound Road and Romeo Plank Road.

Where you live within Washington Township can make a significant difference in your commute. The western side puts you closer to Oakland County, Rochester-area communities and Stony Creek. The southern part gives you quicker access to Shelby Township and Hall Road. The northern part puts you closer to Romeo and Bruce Township, and the eastern side can bring you closer to Ray Township and other parts of northern Macomb County.

The Census Bureau reports an average commute time of about 30 minutes for Washington Township workers, but individual commute times depend heavily on destination and traffic. If you commute every day, I recommend driving the route from the neighborhood you're considering during the time you would normally travel. Something that looks easy on a map can feel completely different during morning or evening traffic.