Michigan Real Estate & Relocation Guide

Hudsonville, Michigan

Population: 7,160

Located in Ottawa County

Hudsonville, Michigan is a conservative farming community where the residents' religious beliefs are very important to them. According to the 2000 census, there are currently 7160 residents and a total of 2514 households. Remnants of the original Dutch settlers still dominate the ethnic make-up of Hudsonville.

The only Michigan city to make Bert Sperling’s 2006 list of 100 Best Places to Raise Your Family, Hudsonville is a growing, vital community that offers big-city opportunities with a small-town feel. With affordable housing and easy access to amenities, the city’s 8,000 residents enjoy quiet country living with city convenience.

Nestled in West Michigan between the vibrant downtowns of Holland and Grand Rapids, Hudsonville is within a half-hour drive of exceptional entertainment at the Van Andel Center, De Vos Place, Gerald R. Ford Museum, Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, gorgeous beaches along Lake Michigan, and award-winning restaurants throughout the area.

With a variety of housing options from affordable apartments to luxury condominiums and single-family dwellings of every size, Hudsonville has a home for every budget. The stable housing environment and low cost of living make Hudsonville a great place to raise a family, start a business, and make a home.

The schools of Hudsonville, both public and private, are known for their excellence. With seven public elementary schools, two public middle schools, a freshman campus, and a high school, the Hudsonville Public School system serves 5,600 students. This past year, each facility received an “A,” the highest score from the State of Michigan Department of Education. The District’s superintendent was voted the State Superintendent of the Year in 2008; one the District’s middle school principles was voted 2008 Middle School Principal of the Year; and one of the District’s teachers was voted 2008 Teacher of the Year. Private schools are also plentiful. Hudsonville Christian School, Unity Christian High School, Freedom Baptist Academy, and Heritage Christian School offer a Christ-centered education for their students.

Many colleges and universities are within 50 miles of Hudsonville, including Grand Rapids Community College, Aquinas College, Baker College, Davenport University, Muskegon Community College, Grand Valley State University, Kuyper College, Hope College, Calvin College, and Cooley Law School. Also, many colleges and universities, such as Western Michigan University, offer classes in Grand Rapids and Holland at off-campus sites. Vocational training is also available. The Ottawa County Tech Center is known for its excellence in technical and vocational education. Given the option to attend during high school, students often graduate from the center ready to enter the workforce. Booker Institute of Cosmetology, in Hudsonville, offers a rigorous training in the field of cosmetology.

The City of Hudsonville is alive with year-round farmer’s markets and festivals for each season, including a spring Art in the Park Day, and an annual Harvest Fest that highlights the local emphasis on agriculture. The Hudsonville Fair, held every August on the Hudsonville Fair Grounds, brings hundreds of people into the city to see the programs and exhibitions, and to experience an old-fashioned midway.

Hudsonville’s new master plan includes an increase in green space, and non-vehicular pathways to encourage use of non-motorized vehicles. As a member of the Grand Valley Metro Council, Hudsonville is working to bring public transportation to Hudsonville. Every level of government is making a commitment to go paperless, making the best use of technology.

The Hudsonville Nature Center, Hughes Park, and several neighborhood parks provide a place for families to enjoy nature, and get fresh air and exercise. With a natural meadow that attracts a variety of wildlife and encourages native species, the Hudsonville Nature Center offers hiking trails and boardwalks through 76 acres of forest and ravines.

Hudsonville has a wide variety of businesses, large and small. Many businesses are family-owned and have remained in the community for over 40 years. There is a very nice mall area just to the south of M-21 that includes a large grocery store and well-stocked hardware store and much more for shoppers. The secretary of state's office is also located conveniently in this same area.

Hudsonville operates a state-of-the-art fire department proudly serving the community since 1957. The City of Hudsonville attained a Class IV ISO rating for insurance purposes for 2008. This means the Hudsonville Fire Department is well prepared to hand fire emergencies. Firefighters teach children about fire safety, the importance of making sure that they have a working smoke detector at home, how to practice fire drills at home as well as at school, and how to "stop, drop, and roll". They also show the children what equipment we use in the fire department, and even let them try on a set of "fire gear" and spray some water from the hose! The firefighters know that through these efforts, they can raise the awareness of the importance of fire safety, and teach the children what to do in case of an emergency.

Police in Hudsonville are contracted through Ottawa County Sheriff Department, and have offices at Hudsonville’s City Hall. With community service and safety as top priorities, our police provide an environment where people feel safe and therefore prosper.

Hudsonville’s newly-established Good People Volunteer Corps assists the city in routine maintenance and beautification of our hometown. With high school students and senior citizens working side-by-side, the Good People Volunteer Corps encourages multi-generational interaction to strengthen the community.

Because of its close proximity to major cities, Hudsonville scored among the top ten in Bert Sterling’s list of suburbs for the arts-minded. But Hudsonville itself has much to offer. The Hudsonville Cultural Center offers drama classes from the Master Arts Theatre, producing theatrical productions offered several times a year. Using grant funding, the newly-formed non-profit, the Hudsonville Arts & Preservation Council, hopes to increase the amount of art and cultural opportunities in our community by renovating the Cultural Center to provide more space for art, music, and drama instruction and performances. The Pinnacle Center featured 32 Grammy winners in the past five years. The Byker Memorial Library serves the community with book clubs, lecture series, local history materials, and educational programming. The library integrates its programs with the local schools’ curricula to underscore the learning taking place in the classroom. This integration strengthens the tie between home, community, and school, creating a strong community where families thrive.