Known primarily as the home of the Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Romulus is a Michigan city with a small-town feel and a convenient location. “We really tout our geographic advantage since we’re right between Detroit and Ann Arbor, and we host the International Airport,” says Romulus Economic Developer Kevin Krause. “We have a small town, rural feel because there’s only like 25,000 residents, but there's also a strong industrial, blue-collar feel.”
Major employers in the city include an Amazon warehouse, the airport and General Motors. City officials also hope to bring small businesses back to a stretch of Goddard Road, where the city’s COVID-era economic downturn hit the hardest. To increase the number of small businesses in the area, Romulus’ Planning and Economic Development department has streamlined the process of approving new businesses, providing possible incentives and expedited approval. “We partnered with retail strategists. We sat down, had conversations with the residents and business owners and took everything we heard and put it into action,” Krause says.
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is the most prominent structure in Romulus.
Romulus has a mix of rural and urban throughout the city.
Romulus officials are devoting resources to rebuilding downtown.
Romulus has a strong industrial industry.
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Old and new housing
Many homes in Romulus were built in the last half of the 20th century, with brick and vinyl-sided ranch-style homes, historic farmhouses and Craftsman-style homes mixed throughout. Many come with larger lots compared to the areas closer to Detroit as the city expands into the more rural countryside to the southwest. With more investors attracted to the area, new condos and manufactured homes now mix with the older homes, adding variety while preserving a bit of the city’s history. Single-family home prices range from $120,000 to $500,000, and the median home price is $200,000, up 13% from the previous year.
Romulus has historic homes throughout the city.
Homes neatly line the streets of Romulus.
Homeowners are rewarded with large lots and modern homes in Romulus.
New builds can be found throughout Romulus.
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A promising business atmosphere
Krause says that since America’s automotive industry began offshoring production, the area’s small businesses have taken a hit. “When the suppliers to the big three left, they took 35,000-40,000 jobs from the area. In turn, our small businesses struggled.” Because of this downturn, Romulus officials are devoting resources to rebuilding downtown, aiming to create a small city where people can work, eat and play. To that end, the city has seen moderate success. The area between the airport and the golf course holds local restaurants that offer breakfast, Italian, and other options. Less than two miles west of the city, the Belleville Square Shopping Center has grocery and big box options, including a Walmart, Menards and a Meijer. For more shopping options, downtown Detroit is 23 miles away.
Locals enjoy the meatball sub at Leonardo's in Romulus.
Nearby Romulus is the Belleville Square Shopping Center, which has all your shopping needs.
On Merriman Road you can find many restaurants in Romulus.
Romulus residents can head to Walmart for their daily shopping.
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Outdoor recreation and learning
Romulus has six parks, offering amenities like an agility course for dogs, playgrounds and picnic shelters. The Parks and Recreation Department also maintains the Romulus Athletic Center, which houses a rock-climbing wall, a basketball court, an indoor track, a pool and other amenities. Adding to the area’s green spaces, Romulus abuts the Lower Huron Metropark, known for blending the serenity of woodlands and grassy meadows with modern amenities like a pool and playground. Nearby, the Links at Gateway golf course offers an 18-hole championship-style course with expansive greens and 6,842 yards of fairway.
Swim laps, shoot hoops, or lift weights at Romulus Athletic Center in Romulus.
Romulus locals head to Lower Huron Metropark for daily nature walks.
In Romulus locals head to Gateway Golf Club for a round of golf.
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Strong athletics and certification opportunities at Romulus Community Schools
The Romulus Community Schools district earns an overall grade of C on Niche. The district has over 2,200 students across four elementary schools, one middle school and one high school, for a 19:1 student-teacher ratio and an average graduation rate of 57%. Krause says the city and school system are focused on introducing skilled trades programs into schools, and the city has secured $1.6 million in funding to build out these programs.
Two interstates and Michigan's largest airport
At the center of Romulus lies the city’s largest employer and Michigan’s largest airport: the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW). Interstates 94 and 275 run through the city, making it a 23-mile drive to downtown Detroit or 22 miles west to Ann Arbor. “Its location makes it desirable,” says Glenn Silvenis, broker of RE/MAX Crossroads. “When you're in Romulus, you're about 20 minutes from everything.” This comes with noise concerns, as traffic and airport noise are hard to escape. The city is part of Detroit’s SMART bus system, with three routes serving Romulus. Streets in the city’s more residential pockets are lined with sidewalks, so walkers and runners have plenty of space to roam.
Happenings and heritage in Romulus
Adding to the city’s cultural scene are its many annual festivals. The Pumpkin Festival is held on the third Friday of each September, and the Downtown Scarecrow Contest is held every October. During the summer, the Sounds in Downtown brings live music and local food vendors to the downtown area every second Friday.
Public safety
According to FBI data, the violent crime rate in Romulus is nearly double the state and national averages. Property crime rates are also significantly higher than state and national averages. Environmental data indicates the city is at moderate risk of flood damage, and in 2023, parts of Interstates 94 and 275 were closed due to flooding.
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