Macomb County
Measuring roughly 480 square miles, Macomb is Michigan’s third-most-populous county, home to more than 886,000 residents, the State’s 3rd and 4th largest cities, and indisputably the eastern anchor of metro Detroit.
From cosmopolitan commercial centers to quintessential small towns and lakefront villages, Macomb County offers a lifestyle for every taste and budget.
And whatever the neighborhood, the county pairs that variety with a cost of living that remains attractive for families and employers. Census data show a median owner-occupied home value of about $231,400 and an owner-occupied housing rate of 75%, giving residents a broad range of housing choices across established cities, lakefront communities, villages, and growing townships.
Macomb County is also a county on the move. Between the 2010 and 2020 U.S. Census counts, the county added more than 40,000 residents — a net gain of about 11 residents per day, on average. Recent Census estimates show more modest growth since 2020, but Macomb remains one of Michigan’s largest and most dynamic population and economic centers.
People who live and work in Macomb County enjoy easy access to all the “extras” that define quality of life — miles of Lake St. Clair shoreline and recreation, parks and trails, and proximity to Detroit, the Great Lakes, and international border crossings to Canada.
By the Numbers
886,175
Residents (and counting…)
3rd
Most Populous County in Michigan
480
Square miles of Land Area
32
Miles of Lakefront Shoreline
27
Cities, Villages & Townships
Our 27 Communities
Macomb County is made up of 27 cities, villages, and townships — 13 cities, 3 villages, and 11 townships. Explore each community’s official government page below.
Cities (13)
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Center Line
A compact enclave with a small-town feel, entirely surrounded by Warren.
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Eastpointe
An inner-ring suburb bordering Detroit, with established neighborhoods and a convenient Gratiot Avenue location.
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Fraser
A compact northern Detroit suburb with parks, schools, and long-established residential neighborhoods.
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Grosse Pointe Shores
An elegant Lake St. Clair shoreline city spanning two counties and home to the landmark Ford House.
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Memphis
A small city straddling two counties, offering rural small-town character on the northern metro edge.
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Mount Clemens
The historic county seat, once famed as “Bath City” for its mineral waters and anchored by a genuine downtown.
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New Baltimore
A waterfront city on Anchor Bay with a public beach, parks, and a downtown shopping district.
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Richmond
A small city spanning two counties, blending historic-town character with the agricultural landscape of northern metro Detroit.
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Roseville
A mature inner-ring suburb with central I-94 and Gratiot access and roots as the historic Utica Junction.
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St. Clair Shores
A Lake St. Clair boating hub known for the Nautical Mile, marinas, canals, and waterfront lifestyle.
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Sterling Heights
Michigan’s fourth-largest city, a diverse Detroit suburb with strong neighborhoods, businesses, parks, and cultural amenities.
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Utica
A compact, historic Clinton River city home to UWM Field and a walkable downtown.
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Warren
Michigan’s third-largest city and Detroit’s largest suburb, anchored by the GM Technical Center and the Detroit Arsenal.
Villages (3)
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Armada
A small historic village with agricultural roots, close-knit character, and ties to the long-running Armada Fair.
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New Haven
A growing village in Lenox Township, balancing small-town roots with access to the Gratiot and I-94 corridors.
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Romeo
A historic village known for Victorian architecture, a traditional downtown, peach orchards, and the annual Michigan Peach Festival.
Townships (11)
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Armada Township
A rural northern township of farms, orchards, open space, and quiet country roads surrounding Armada village.
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Bruce Township
A scenic rural-residential township near Romeo, known for parks, orchards, and rolling countryside.
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Chesterfield Charter Township
A growing Anchor Bay township offering waterfront parks, retail corridors, and family-friendly neighborhoods.
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Clinton Charter Township
Michigan’s most populous township, combining major retail corridors, parks, libraries, and diverse suburban neighborhoods.
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Harrison Charter Township
“Boat Town U.S.A.” on Lake St. Clair, with marinas, canals, waterfront neighborhoods, and Selfridge Air National Guard Base.
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Lenox Township
A northern township blending rural roots, open land, and convenient I-94 and Gratiot access.
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Macomb Township
A fast-growing township of newer neighborhoods, recreation amenities, and family-oriented services in a once-rural setting.
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Ray Township
A quiet rural township known for open landscapes, farms, and Wolcott Mill Metropark.
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Richmond Township
A rural northern township of farmland and open space surrounding the city of Richmond.
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Shelby Charter Township
A large suburban township anchored by Stony Creek Metropark, trail access, and established residential neighborhoods.
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Washington Charter Township
A growing northern township known for orchards, cider mills, golf courses, and rural-suburban charm.
Planning & Economic Development
Looking to grow, locate, or invest in Macomb County? The Macomb County Planning & Economic Development (MCPED) team is the county’s lead resource for business and community growth. MCPED helps existing businesses expand and attracts new investment through site-selection assistance, data and market intelligence, and connections to incentive programs such as industrial property tax abatements and commercial redevelopment and rehabilitation programs. The department also tracks socio-economic, workforce, and industry trends across Macomb County and the broader Southeast Michigan region, and supports sector strengths in advanced manufacturing, defense, and aerospace — including partnerships around Selfridge Air National Guard Base.
Population and housing data: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, Macomb County, MI.