Nicknamed “An All-American City,” Westland is an east Michigan city offering outdoor adventure 25 miles west of downtown Detroit. Previously known as Bucklin Township and Nankin Township, it was Wayne County’s fourth-largest city when it became known as Westland in 1966. The city now covers more than 20 square miles and has more than 85,000 people.
Major employers in Westland include Amazon and Walmart, but the city's manufacturing, health care and retail industries employ the most workers. It sits east of Interstate 275 and neighbors Garden City, Wayne and Livonia. Besides its location, the city also offers abundant natural amenities and green spaces.
Central City Parkway is a main artery of Westland leading to many of the city's amenities.
Meijer, one of Westland's largest employers is a local alternative to nearby Canton Walmart.
An Amazon Warehouse in the north of Westland is another one of the city's biggest employers.
Interstates 275 and 96 border the Westland's west and north edges providing easy transit.
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Homes from the mid-1900s
Much of the city’s development occurred in the mid-1900s, though new homes are popping up and older homes are being remodeled and updated. From ranch-style homes to colonial revivals and modern craftsman-style homes, the city’s architectural landscape is characterized by midcentury designs, with newer styles being added to the mix. Approximately 60% of residents own their homes versus renting, and the median home price in 2024 was $210,260, up 9% from the previous year. According to James Duvall, Realtor with Century 21 Dynamic Realty, homes in the city don’t list for long. “I put a house up in October [of 2024] and it sold in 45 minutes,” Duvall says. “It also sold with an appraisal guarantee.”
Westland homes built throughout the 1900s have largely been updated and remodeled.
The main architectural style found throughout Westland are midcentury brick ranches.
Peppered here and there in Westland are classic Craftsman homes with sloping rooflines.
Larger home options in Westland include colonial revival and split-level floor plans.
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Westland’s parks and green spaces
Westland holds 20 parks, covering more than 250 acres. The city has a range of mini-parks, large community parks and facilities like a dog park, skate park and splash pad. Other facilities cared for by the city’s parks department include the Mike Modano Ice Arena skating rink and the nine-hole Mack Mayfield Municipal Golf Course. Tonquish Creek runs through the north of Westland, occasionally wandering alongside Hines Park Trail, which connects to the Rouge River Gateway Greenway. The trail totals more than 19 miles and stretches between Dearborn and Northville.
Westland is building on its reputation as an outdoor destination with the construction of a new $12 million park in the downtown district. Named Nankin Square, the 3.9-acre park will be near Westland Mall, an area leaders hope to revitalize with the park's construction.
Many of Westland's parks and landmarks still feature the city's original name, Nankin Mills.
Westland skaters can practice new tricks at Concrete Jungle Skate Park.
Westland's Modano Ice Arena regularly hosts weekend open skate and weekly hockey leagues.
Hines Park in Westland is home to the 19+ miles of Hines Park Trail and annual Lightfest.
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Westland’s art, culture and history scene
Founded in 2005, Inspire Theatre brings community theatre to Westland with year-round shows, including holiday specials. The Wayne Historical Museum aims to preserve the history of Westland and Nankin Township. The museum also holds an event space where the Westland Historical Society meets. Other nearby venues include the 30,000-square-foot Roush Automotive Collection, the Wayne Historical Museum and the Malcolm X Historical Home in Inkster.
Inspire Theatre at the Westland Center for the Arts has year-round shows.
Westland Historic Village preserves the history of Westland and Nankin Township.
The Malcolm X Historical Home in Inkster is a national historical site near Westland.
The Roush Collection is a 30,000-sq-ft space in Westland brimming with automotive history.
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Warren Road and other commercial corridors
Much of the city’s shopping and dining options are on the north of town along Warren Road and Central City Parkway. Less than two miles south of the North Wayne Road and Central City Parkway intersection, downtown Westland offers more shopping and dining options around North Wayne and Ford Road. The city’s Walmart sits west of downtown on Ford Road, and Meijer and Joe Randazzo’s Fruit and Vegetable Market give residents other options for fresh groceries.
Warren Road and Central City Parkway is home to Westland's Shop and Dine district.
The Westland Shopping Center houses over a hundred local shops and brand outlets.
Joe Randazzo’s Fruit and Vegetable Market is a top stop in Westland for fresh produce.
Westland locals shopping for groceries can find a convenient Kroger on Central City Parkway.
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Wayne-Westland Community Schools
The Wayne-Westland Community Schools district serves Westland, Wayne, Canton, Dearborn Heights, Inkster and Romulus. The district has a little more than 9,700 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16:1, covering pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The district is home to four high schools, three middle schools and 10 elementary schools, earning an overall grade of C-plus on Niche.
Travel, transit and health care
Less than a mile west of the city, Interstate 275 gives drivers a route around the Detroit metropolitan area and connects to Interstate 96. By way of the interstates, the drive from Westland to downtown Detroit is just about 30 miles. The interstate also puts the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport about 15 miles from Westland. Residents without a car can access Southeast Michigan’s SMART bus system, which covers Wayne County, Oakland and Macomb. For health care, residents have a choice of nearby systems. Garden City Hospital lies east of the city on Inkster Road, and Corewell Health Wayne Hospital sits to the south on Annapolis Street. While Garden City is not a certified trauma center, Corewell is ranked as a Level III Trauma Center.
Weather, environmental and crime risks
Westland experiences warm summers and freezing winters. The city’s warmest months extend from May to September, with an average daily high of 73 degrees Fahrenheit, while its coldest months run from November to March and see an average daily low of 26 degrees Fahrenheit. June brings the most rain to the city, with an average rainfall of 2.8 inches. Data from the environmental risk site First Street indicates that 11% of Westland’s properties are at risk of impact from flooding over the next 30 years. Most properties are at minor risk of damage, but data indicates roads are at moderate risk.
According to FBI data, Westland’s crime risks are mixed. At the end of 2023, the violent crime rate in Westland was 198.89 per 100,000 people, higher than the U.S. national rate. Westland’s property crime rate was lower than the U.S. national rate in the same period.
Real Estate is my passion! I absolutely love taking care of my sellers and buyers. I'm familiar with first-time homebuyer programs as well as VA and FHA loans which is wonderful when I take care of my sellers and buyers to know what steps come next. Connecting to my local lenders is something I like to do, not only to help my clients, but the community we live in by supporting their business! I love traveling, so if we're thinking of purchasing a second home or moving to another part of the state, I'd be happy to help with your journey! Also fluent in American Sign Language (ASL)
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