West Bloomfield, MI Area Guide

Before the automotive era reshaped southeastern Michigan, West Bloomfield was a landscape of open fields, farms, and apple orchards. After World War II, as Detroit's auto industry entered its most profitable decades, residents began migrating outward from the city, and West Bloomfield's population grew dramatically through the 1960s and beyond, turning a quiet agricultural township into a prosperous Oakland County suburb.

The cultural side of that growth shows up in events that have become local traditions. The Orchard Lake Fine Art Show has been running for more than 20 years and has earned recognition as one of the top 100 art shows in the country. The Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society keeps the township's earlier story alive, and annual gatherings like Food Truck Tuesdays at the Civic Center Campus and the Heroes Appreciation Breakfast connect residents to the community year-round.

Dining options concentrate along Orchard Lake Road between West Maple and West 14 Mile Road, where a stretch of restaurants covers a wide range of tastes. Korean, Japanese, Italian, Mexican, and American cooking are all within a short drive of most neighborhoods.

For nights when local options feel limited, Ann Arbor and downtown Detroit are both within reach and offer a broader nightlife and dining scene. Back in the township, grocery shopping is convenient, with big-box and discount retailers accessible along Haggerty Road in nearby Commerce Township.

Getting around West Bloomfield means owning a car. No freeway runs through the township itself, but Highway M-5, Telegraph Road, and Interstate 696 are all reachable within a few miles in each direction, making connections to Detroit and surrounding communities manageable. The layout of the township and the presence of so many lakes limit walkability across most of the area, though smaller residential pockets do have sidewalks.

Cyclists can use the West Bloomfield Trail, and rideshare service is available throughout the area. The nearest Amtrak station is in Pontiac, about 15 minutes away. Detroit Metro Wayne County Airport is roughly 43 minutes by car.

West Bloomfield Woods Nature Preserve anchors the township's green spaces, offering a scenic, walkable retreat at the center of town. Marshbank Park covers more than 80 acres and delivers year-round programming through amenities like two playscapes, ball fields, a nature trail, a fishing pier, and a sledding hill. The park also hosts Winterfest, the Trick or Treat Trail, and the Earth Day Celebration each year.

Drake Sports Park brings together a skate park, basketball court, baseball fields, tennis courts, pickleball courts, and a paved exercise trail all on one property. Community Sports Park adds walking paths and additional tennis and ball field options. The township's roughly 600 acres of parkland are free to use, though the dog park and community garden require paid permits. Dodge #4 State Park is about a 14-minute drive away, and Waterford Oaks County Park is reachable in under 20 minutes.

Rents in West Bloomfield run considerably above the Michigan state average of $1,172 for a one-bedroom apartment. One-bedroom units average $1,931 per month, two-bedroom apartments average $2,038, three-bedroom units average $2,631, and four-bedroom rentals average $3,714. The township's median household income is $121,137.

Orchard Lake Road serves as the main commercial spine for West Bloomfield, with stores ranging from discount chains to higher-end boutiques spread along both sides of the street. Shopping centers near the road's busiest stretches give residents convenient access to everyday errands without leaving the township.

For big-box needs, the Haggerty Road corridor in neighboring Commerce Township puts Walmart, Aldi, Target, and Costco within a short drive. Residents who want a broader retail selection often make the short trip to nearby Birmingham, which offers a concentrated shopping district.

With 24 lakes spread across the township, nearly 600 acres of parkland including Marshbank Park and West Bloomfield Woods Nature Preserve, the West Bloomfield School District, and a dining and shopping corridor along Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield delivers a well-rounded suburban setting about 10 miles northwest of downtown Detroit.