Wixom

About Wixom

Located in Oakland County, Wixom is a Detroit suburb 30 miles northwest of Motor City, while Ann Arbor is about the same distance south. More than 17,000 residents call family-friendly Wixom home, thanks to great schools, wonderful parks, and a strong business community.

Wixom History

The earliest inhabitants of the area were Native Americans who navigated the Great Lakes. Wixom was named for settlers Ahijah and Lucy Wixom, whose son Willard Clark Wixom allowed passage of the first railroad through his property.

He soon created Wixom Station, which became Wixom. Surrounding farms flourished and their produce made its way to cities via rail. In the following century, Ford opened Wixom Assembly Plant, where Lincolns, GTOs, and Thunderbirds rolled off the line for 50 years. Check out the Wixom-Wire House, museum and home of the Wixom Historical Society.

Living and Working in Wixom

Wixom combines a country vibe with numerous small businesses in the city center. It is also headquarters for such large companies as GeneralRV, Trijicon, and Discraft, and home to hundreds more. The city prides itself on a streamlined process for getting entrepreneurs up and running quickly.

Home prices in Wixom run slightly higher than the national average, while rentals cost quite a bit less. Just over half of residents own their own homes. Residents routinely say Wixom is a warm, welcoming, and safe place. They love the natural beauty of the surrounding lakes and are drawn to Wixom’s downtown area for recreation and year-round celebrations.

Things to do in Wixom

Wixom has seven vibrant parks that connect via a trail system, where you can play ball sports, cavort on playgrounds, or picnic while taking in the scenery. Civic Center Park is where everyone gathers at the renovated community center. Ice skating and a sledding hill enliven winters at the Civic Center, while Total Sports Park is nearby. In summer, enjoy outdoor concerts at Sibley Square.

Walk or ride the trails at the two largest parks, Gilbert Willis and Gunnar Mettala, or take a long ride on the Michigan Air Line Trail, which is a segment of the far-reaching Great-Lake-to-Lake Trail. Play a round on the public fairways of family-owned Hickory Hills Golf Course.

A nature preserve called Wixom Habitat provides a boardwalk over the wetlands and a walking trail for nature viewing, as well as a platform overlooking East Gallagher Lake. Nearby Lynn Oaks County Park, Lakeshore Park, and Proud Lake Rec Area offer even more opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts to camp or spend the day.

Wixom Transportation

Major arteries include I-96, which runs through the southern part of Wixom, while I-696, and I-275 are just east of town. People’s Express offers county residents public bus transport by appointment.

Wixom Schools

Wixom shares a school district with Walled Lake and Novi, providing excellent K-12 education. Michigan State University is just a few miles away in Novi, and Washtenaw Community College is about 24 miles south.

Resources for Moving to Wixom

Wixom provides water and sewer service as well as trash and recycling collection. Contact DTE Energy and Consumers Energy for your utilities, or ask your real-estate agent for more options.

With high-quality schools, plenty of parks, and a thriving business environment, Wixom is a great fit for young professionals, growing families, empty nesters, and retirees.