
Moving to Farmington, Michigan: A Comprehensive Relocation Guide
Considering moving to Farmington, Michigan? This charming small city offers walkable downtown, excellent schools, and New England character. With approximately 11,300 residents in 2025, Farmington combines historic charm with modern excellence and Oakland County’s most walkable small city.
Demographic Profile to Consider If Moving to Farmington:
Farmington’s 2025 population is approximately 11,300 residents in Oakland County, 25 miles northwest of Detroit. The median age is around 42 years, with families, professionals, and retirees. The population is approximately 84% White, 7% Black or African American, 5% Asian, 3% Hispanic. Farmington features charming historic downtown with New England character, excellent schools shared with Farmington Hills, tree-lined residential streets, and serves as Oakland County’s most walkable and charming small city. The city attracts families seeking excellent schools with walkable character, professionals, and those wanting small-city charm with urban sophistication. Farmington appeals to educated residents valuing walkability, excellent schools, historic character, and community connections. The community emphasizes education, historic preservation, downtown vitality, walkability, and maintaining New England small-city character.
Cost of Living to Consider If Moving to Farmington:
Farmington offers competitive affordability for Oakland County. Median home values range from $240,000 to $360,000 in 2025, reasonable for excellent schools and walkable downtown character. The median household income is approximately $85,000. Rental properties average $1,200 to $1,800 monthly. Michigan has flat income tax 4.25%. Property taxes are moderate for Oakland County. Overall cost of living is competitive for the school quality and character, making Farmington attractive for families prioritizing schools and walkability, professionals, and those seeking Oakland County quality with charm. The city provides value with excellent schools and walkable downtown.
Economy and Job Market:
Farmington residents typically work throughout Oakland County. Many commute to Farmington Hills (immediately adjacent), Novi, Southfield, or throughout the metro. The broader metro offers vast opportunities. Typical commute times vary. Many residents work in automotive, healthcare, professional services, and technology.
Education:
Farmington Public Schools serves city students (shared district with Farmington Hills) with schools including Farmington High School and North Farmington High School, both consistently ranking among Michigan’s top schools. School quality is excellent attracting families specifically for educational quality. The outstanding schools are the primary reason families relocate to Farmington.
Recreation and Lifestyle:
Farmington offers CHARMING HISTORIC DOWNTOWN with New England character along Grand River Avenue featuring locally-owned shops, excellent restaurants, coffee shops, and walkable atmosphere creating the city’s heart. The city features beautiful tree-lined residential streets with historic homes, Farmington Farmers Market, Warner Mansion and Park, and small-city character with urban sophistication. Residents enjoy walkable downtown with exceptional local character, excellent Farmington schools, beautiful historic neighborhoods, community events and festivals, immediate Farmington Hills access, and small-city connections. The lifestyle emphasizes walkability and downtown vitality, excellent schools, historic preservation, community connections, and New England character. The four-season Michigan climate features cold winters and pleasant summers. The community fiercely values historic downtown (defining characteristic), Farmington schools excellence, local businesses over chains, walkability, community events including Founders Festival, and maintaining New England small-city charm. Living in Farmington means accepting small-city size, limited parking downtown at peak times, moderate Oakland County costs, and prioritizing walkability and schools while enjoying Oakland County’s most charming walkable downtown with New England character, excellent Farmington schools, beautiful historic neighborhoods, vibrant local businesses and dining, small-city connections with urban sophistication, and comprehensive quality of life creating Oakland County’s most walkable and charming small city where historic downtown meets excellent schools and New England character defines perfect small-city living.
Healthcare and Services:
Farmington residents access comprehensive healthcare through nearby Beaumont Hospital Farmington Hills, Botsford Hospital, and extensive Oakland County medical facilities. The healthcare infrastructure is excellent.
Transportation:
Farmington is accessed via Grand River Avenue, Farmington Road, and proximity to Interstate 696 and M-5. Downtown offers excellent walkability. Most residents use personal vehicles though some live car-free in walkable downtown. Typical commute times to Detroit are 35-45 minutes.
Conclusion:
Moving to Farmington in 2025 offers charming Oakland County small-city living with walkable downtown, excellent schools, and New England character. The city’s combination of historic downtown perfection, Farmington schools excellence, and walkable character makes it ideal for families and professionals seeking Oakland County’s most walkable and charming destination where New England downtown meets excellent schools and small-city sophistication defines perfect community living.