Healthy Home Assessments in Farmington

Farmington at ground level

Compact 2.66-square-mile suburb known for its historic downtown and Victorian-style homes; founded in 1824 by Quaker Arthur Power and first called Quakertown. On the record: Ranked #27 on CNNMoney's Best Places to Live list in 2013. About 4,690 households hold some 10,523 residents. Incorporated as a village in 1867 and as a city in 1926; the Farmington Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

The housing stock

Census five-year estimates through 2023 put 55.9% of housing units in detached single-family homes and 64.5% of occupied units with their owners. Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher come to 60.8%. The record of building starts around 1867, so the assessment reads an older envelope. Also on the ground: Farmington Civic Theater on Grand River Avenue, a restored Depression-era cinema.

Grand River is close, and water nearby lifts seasonal humidity, so basement moisture and condensation lead the visit.

Named places in Farmington:

• Governor Warner Mansion. 1867 home of Fred Warner, Michigan governor from 1905 to 1911; given to the city in 1980 and operated as a historical museum at 33805 Grand River Avenue.
• Farmington Civic Theater. Art Moderne movie house designed by C. Howard Crane, opened in 1940 and city-owned since 1999.
• Farmington Historic District. Downtown district centered on Grand River Avenue, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
• Riley Park and Sundquist Pavilion. Downtown park and pavilion opened in 2005 with donations from Walter E. Sundquist and The Riley Foundation; hosts year-round events.
• Shiawassee Park. Riverside park with four ball diamonds, playscape, tennis courts, walking trails, and an outdoor fitness court added in 2025.

Across the community

Inside Farmington sits one named district, Downtown Farmington. Downtown Farmington: Walkable district centered on Grand River Avenue with brick paver sidewalks, managed by the Downtown Development Authority. Addresses fall in 48332, 48333, 48335 and 48336. Notable people with Farmington ties include Michigan Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II, actor Robert Patrick (the T-1000 in 'Terminator 2'), and 1964 Olympic gold-medal hurdler Rex Cawley.