Small town lifestyle just outside of Holland, Michigan
With a population of just under 6,000 people, Zeeland is a small city among the rural fields of West Michigan. Residents are drawn here for the quaint downtown, highly rated schools and proximity to Holland, a popular tourist destination on the coast of Lake Michigan. Holland is 6 miles away and offers large festivals, outdoor recreation and a rich Dutch heritage. Zeeland residents enjoy proximity to that larger city, but also a quieter pace of life. "Zeeland is like a mini-Holland, without the water," says Vaughn Greathouse, a Realtor with Five Star Real Estate who has over 10 years of experience in the area. "It's got a very traditional, small-town feel and less hustle and bustle."
Doug Klaasen, a Realtor with Keller Williams who has over 27 years of experience selling in the area, agrees. "Zeeland is a little more rural than Holland. There's a nice community with a strong work ethic and a very quaint downtown. Plus, the school system is very popular." The city is home to several major manufacturing company headquarters, and the downtown is beginning to grow with new developments. The local government encourages residents to "Feel the Zeel" of Zeeland by planning regular community events. With a high school football rivalry and an old-school Americana main street, Zeeland's "Zeel" comes from its small-town atmosphere.
Zeeland has a nice mix of peaceful residential areas, job opportunities, and downtown fun.
Zeeland offers a quaint downtown, highly rated schools and close proximity to Holland.
Zeeland is home to a variety of unique, spacious houses.
Zeeland is a small, quiet city surrounded by rural areas with plenty of outdoor activities.
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Various home styles on quiet streets
The average home price in Zeeland is $370,000, with small ranch styles starting around $200,000 and contemporary construction getting up to $550,000. Zeeland is a seller's market, meaning homes tend to sell fast and above the asking price. In Semester 2024, nearly 50% of homes sold above asking, and only 26% sold below asking. Just off Main Avenue, homes can date back to the early 1900s, with architectural styles like Craftsman bungalows, modest Victorians and storybook Tudors. Streets farther out have ranch homes from the mid-1900s and subdivisions of modern construction.
Regardless of home age, the neighborhoods in Zeeland tend to be well-maintained, with paved sidewalks and freshly mown lawns. Though there is a small downtown area, Zeeland's streets tend to stay pretty quiet. "If you want somewhere quiet, relaxed, where you can meet your neighbors, then Zeeland is perfect," Greathouse says. "It's friendly, it's simple. It's very tight-knit but very accepting at the same time."
Zeeland contains a wide variety of homes, big and small.
Bungalow-style homes are among the most common house types in Zeeland.
Beautiful Victorian-style homes are among the many different house styles in Zeeland.
Ranch homes are not uncommon in the Zeeland area.
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Football rivalry at two highly-ranked high schools
The city is served by Zeeland Public Schools, which gets an overall A grade from Niche and has more than 6,000 students. It is ranked as the top district in Ottawa County for athletes and the second-best district for quality of teachers. The district's two high schools are best known for their football and track performances, and the games are well attended by the community. When Zeeland High School was split in 2005, a friendly rivalry was born between the Zeeland East "Chix" and Zeeland West "Dux." "The Dux and Chix are kind of rivals, but they get along at the same time," Greathouse says. "It's a contrast, but as you live there, it will start to make sense." A new sports complex linking the high schools began construction in 2024 and is expected to be completed in spring 2026. The $75 million project will include two turf fields for soccer and lacrosse, as well as 16 tennis courts and spectator stands. Zeeland also has a kindergarten to eighth-grade Christian School, which draws over 1,000 students.
Zeeland East High School gives students the opportunity to enroll in Advanced Placement classes.
Zeeland West High School helps prepare students for their future.
Cityside Middle School offers students an array of courses.
Zeeland Christian School offers a faith-centered education.
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Indoor and outdoor recreation for all seasons
The city of Zeeland has nine public parks, with amenities that include renovated playgrounds, pavilions and a fishing lake. In the summer, Lawrence Street Park hosts concerts at its open-air amphitheater, and the Zeeland Splash Pad opens up for the season. In the winter, Elm Street Park is transformed into an ice-skating rink.
Zeeland Recreation's building has indoor and outdoor facilities and acts as the hub for organized sports, exercise classes and summer camps. The building has two indoor pools and several indoor sports courts, allowing residents to stay active even in Michigan's cold winters. Kids programs are popular, with options that range from cookie decorating to basketball. The local Howard Miller Public Library also plans regular community events.
Surrounding the small city, rural Ottawa County is home to several preserved nature areas with trails for hiking, mountain biking and cross-country skiing. And just 6 miles away in Holland, Lake Macatawa and Lake Michigan offer boating opportunities and sandy beaches.
Zeeland and the surrounding area offer some great fishing during winter and summer months.
The Zeeland Splash Pad opens up for local kids and their families during the warm summer season.
Zeeland's Howard Miller Public Library has a wide selection of books and community events.
Rural Zeeland has preserved nature areas with trails for hiking and biking.
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Tradition and new development in downtown Zeeland
The heart of the city is downtown Zeeland, which comprises two blocks along Main Avenue. Lined with small boutiques, restaurants and seasonally themed banners, downtown has a quaint, small-town feel. Locals enjoy easy access to a post office, banks and the city hall. The whole area is a registered social district, meaning alcoholic beverages are allowed outside on Monday through Saturday. The city is adding a snowmelt system, which will run hot water under the streets and sidewalks to keep downtown clear of winter snow. The snowmelt project is expected to be complete by the end of 2024. Downtown has also seen an influx of mixed-use developments, with more than 100 new residential units added in 2024.
Standout local restaurants include Tripelroot, a trendy brewpub with occasional live music nights, and Frank's Restaurant, a classic diner that has been serving the city for over 100 years. Downtown has seen the addition of several new restaurants in 2024, including the reopening of Public, a long-standing classic, and The Gritzmaker, which is one of the only spots in the city that stays open past 10 p.m. Outside of downtown, other local staples include The Farmhouse for homey breakfasts and Captain Sundae for a retro ice cream parlor feel.
Downtown Zeeland has a number of restaurants and boutique shops for visitors and residents.
Tripelroot is a hip taproom in Zeeland serving craft beer and freshly made wraps.
Frank's Restaurant is a classic diner that has been serving Zeeland for over 100 years.
The Gritzmaker is one of the only spots in Zeeland that stays open past 10 p.m.
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Community events and religious influences
Zeeland's downtown comes to life with pop-up markets, outdoor concerts and an annual 5K. In July, Zeelmania is a series of Monday evening street fairs with themes like "Summer Olympics" or "Wild West." Other summer events include the Show & Shine Car Show and the Zeeland Fire Rescue's annual pig roast fundraiser. As the days get colder, it's time for holiday celebrations like Pumpkinfest and Downtown Trick or Treat. During the holiday season, there is a Christmas Parade, petting zoos with live reindeer and visits from Santa. The events in Zeeland are less geared towards tourists than those in next-door Holland or Grand Rapids. Though Zeeland does get some visitors for its small-town charm, the events tend to be local gatherings of familiar faces.
Churches are also an important part of Zeeland culture for many residents. When the land was settled by Dutch immigrants seeking religious freedom, the first building erected here was a church — a congregation that still exists at the heart of the city today. Zeeland's community was a leading force in establishing the Reformed Church of America, a branch of the Dutch Reformed Church. Many of the city's 14 churches are part of the Reformed denominations.
First Reformed Church was established in 1847 by Zeeland's first Dutch settlers.
Second Reformed Church in Zeeland is part of the Reformed Church in America.
Faith Church is one of 14 churches in Zeeland.
Zeeland's Faith Church held its first services at Lincoln Elementary School in 1953.
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Manufacturing headquarters and bigger city commutes
Manufacturing is a large part of Zeeland's economy. The city is home to the headquarters of several world-renowned companies, including the furniture manufacturers Herman Miller and Howard Miller, the automotive supplier Gentex and the aerospace supplier Plascore. Corewell Health Zeeland Hospital also brings in healthcare opportunities.
Zeeland is only 6 miles from downtown Holland, which is known for its walkable shopping district and regular community festivals. The Tulip Time Festival in May showcases millions of tulips and celebrates the area's Dutch heritage.
Zeeland is 23 miles from downtown Grand Rapids, the largest city in West Michigan. The city is home to the Gerald R. Ford International Airport, which connects to 34 destinations nationwide.
Zeeland is home to world-renowned furniture manufacturer Herman Miller.
The Howard Miller Company in Zeeland manufactures longcase clocks and other home furnishings.
The automotive supplier Gentex is based in Zeeland, Michigan.
The Corewell Health Zeeland Hospital brings in healthcare job opportunities.
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Weather and crime in Zeeland
Though Zeeland experiences all four seasons, winters are long and snowy. Temperatures regularly drop below freezing from December to March, and the average annual snowfall is around 70 inches.
According to the FBI Crime Data Explorer tool, Zeeland's crime rates were lower than the national and state average in 2023. The city has its own full-service Police Department that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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