Courtland Township balances rural character and increasing development
Approximately 85% of Courtland Township is made up of undeveloped farms and forests, but a rising tide of development is beginning to change that landscape. Located just 20 miles north of Grand Rapids, Courtland and the nearby city of Rockford are becoming increasingly popular as a bedroom community for the larger city. “Homes around Rockford are selling like hotcakes,” says Curtis Gross, a Realtor with Re/Max United and resident of Courtland Township. “All the townships in this area are allowing more residential development to accommodate demand, but they aren’t sacrificing all the natural land that makes them great.” Courtland is known for its lakes and forest preserves, which remain protected even as modern subdivisions begin to pop up. There’s still a slower pace of life here, and according to the CAP Index, Courtland Township's crime score is 1 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4.
Courtland Township has many subdivisions with newly-built homes.
Courtland Township has a mix of suburban and rural lifestyle.
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Homes have large lots and lakeside views
The homes in Courtland Township can vary greatly across the township’s 36 square miles. “In Courtland, you’ll go from a 5-acre parcel where you can’t see your neighbors to a totally suburban development,” Gross says. Ranch styles from the late 1900s and New Traditional subdivisions from the early 2000s are common, and many properties come with several acres of land. Homes typically cost $250,000 to $500,000. However, houses with significant acreage or properties around a lake can cost anywhere from $600,000 to $1 million.
Though newer subdivisions have modern amenities, the township's more rural areas have unpaved roads and limited broadband coverage. In recent years, internet providers have begun expanding services to the outlying edges of Courtland Township, making it easier for residents to secure a high-speed connection. “Because Rockford is such a popular bedroom community, it’s a priority to Courtland Township to make sure they have all the technology and infrastructure to meet the rising demand,” says Jacqueline Emmons, a Realtor with Best Homes of Michigan and area resident.
Lakeside homes with private docks line the shores of the lakes in Courtland Township.
Courtland Township showcases some nice ranch-style homes on expansive lots.
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Explore the lakes and nature trails of northern Kent County
Courtland has seveal preserved nature areas, with wooded trails open for hiking, cross-country skiing and mountain biking. The most popular park in the area is Myers Lake Park, which has two lakes for swimming. During the summer, the park’s shaded picnic tables and small beach fill up with summertime tourists and local families. The lakes are also open for fishing, stocked with an ample supply of bluegill and sunfish. While the park often gets busy in the warmer months, homes along the water enjoy personal docks for swimming and boating.
Courtland Township has multiple lakes for recreation or lakeside living.
Luton Park is located in Rockford, Michigan.
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Career pathways and athletic programs in the local schools
The township is divided into two school districts. Cedar Springs Public Schools serves the northern half, and Rockford Public Schools serves the southern part. In Cedar Springs Public Schools, students might attend Beach Elementary School before moving on to Cedar Springs Middle and Cedar Springs High. All three schools get a B rating from Niche. The district partners with Kent Career TechCenter to offer career-oriented classes, college credit and local internships. Rockford Public Schools receives an overall A-minus grade and is known for its athletic program. Niche ranks the district as the second-best in the state for athletics.
Cedar Springs High School has a student teacher ratio of 23 to 1.
Cedar Springs Middle School is a public school in Cedar Springs, Michigan.
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Rockford has small-town charm and big-brand stores
There’s hardly any retail in Courtland Township, so residents typically head into the quaint town of Rockford to do their shopping. Rockford is situated on the southwest side of the township, less than 10 miles from most homes. The city has a waterfront social district, diverse food options and numerous small businesses. A Family Fare Supermarket anchors a big-brand commercial hub, and there’s a Meijer not too far outside the city. Rockford is also the regional hub for events and community gatherings. “Rockford might seem small or off the beaten path, but it’s a good, strong community with a really charming downtown,” says Megan Dean, the city's Chamber of Commerce executive director and lifelong resident. “We do winter carriage rides, live music in the summer, a harvest festival, and so many other traditions.”
Courtland Township folks go to Uccello's Ristorante in downtown Rockford for a slice of pizza.
Rockford's NorthStar Cinema offers movie theaters with stadium seating near Courtland Township.
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Twenty miles into downtown Grand Rapids
Courtland Township is about 20 miles away from Grand Rapids via U.S. Route 131. Grand Rapids is home to Kent County’s largest employers, so many Courtland residents make this commute daily. The larger city also has the Gerald R. Ford International Airport and several hospitals. There are no public transportation options available in Courtland, though Kent County does offer some rideshare services.
Potential well water contamination near Rockford
Many of the homes in Courtland rely on private well water and septic systems. Due to contamination from a former shoe tannery in Rockford, some of the wells have unsafe levels of PFAS — also known as forever chemicals. Homes closer to the city are more likely to be affected. “We recommend that anyone with a private drinking well in Courtland Township should sample the water for PFAS as part of their regular well maintenance activities or as part of a property transaction,” says Leah Gies, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) remediation and redevelopment manager. For homes that are in the affected area, the state provides testing and under-the-sink water filters. “We are working with the city of Rockford to get those homes connected to a permanent source of clean water,” Gies says.
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