Living in Linden, Michigan: A Historic Downtown on the Mill Pond, Nearby Lakes, and Why City vs. Township Matters

Q: Is Linden, Michigan a good place to live?

Linden is a compact Genesee County city just west of Fenton, with a historic downtown on the Shiawassee River, nearby lakes, Linden Community Schools, and access to US-23. The Census Bureau's July 1, 2025 estimate is 4,186 residents, and the city covers 2.36 square miles of land. Many lake and acreage homes sit in Argentine Township or the broader 48451 area rather than in the city itself.

Q: What is the difference between the City of Linden and Argentine Township?

The City of Linden is the compact downtown community in Genesee County. Argentine Township is a much larger surrounding area, with 7,091 residents in the 2020 Census and a July 1, 2025 Census estimate of 7,021, across 34.66 square miles of land. Census ACS 2020-2024 median values of owner-occupied homes are $239,700 in the city and $277,200 in the township. Confirm taxes, services, and the school district by parcel.

Q: How long is the commute from Linden?

The U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 mean travel time to work is 29.5 minutes for Linden city residents and 36.3 minutes for Argentine Township residents. Those are averages across all workplaces. Most regional trips use US-23 and connecting roads. Individual times vary by destination and traffic.

Q: What is the Linden housing market doing right now?

Redfin reports a City of Linden median sale price of $304,788 over the three months ending October 2026, up 1.9% year over year, with a 22-day median on market, 24 homes sold in October 2026, and a 98.1% sale-to-list ratio. Redfin rates the city as most competitive. The Census ACS 2020-2024 median value of owner-occupied homes is $239,700 in the city and $277,200 in Argentine Township. City, township, and ZIP-level numbers are not interchangeable.

By Eric Meldrum, Tru Living Group at Real Broker, LLC

Linden is a small Genesee County city just west of Fenton, on the US-23 corridor north of Brighton and Ann Arbor. The city itself is compact. The Census Bureau’s July 1, 2025 estimate is 4,186 residents, up 1.0% from the 2020 estimates base of 4,143. The city covers 2.36 square miles of land. If you are relocating, the important distinction is this: “Linden” in conversation often includes Argentine Township and the broader 48451 area, where many lake and acreage homes sit, and those areas do not have the same prices as the city proper.

Neighborhoods and how people actually live

Start with the City of Linden if you want a historic, walkable downtown. The official city site describes the community as forming around the intersection of Bridge and Broad Streets. The Village of Linden was established in 1871, with some structures dating to 1840, and became a city in 1988. The heart of downtown is the Linden Mills building on the Shiawassee River, which houses the public library and City Council chambers. Across the river are the Mill Pond, a gazebo park, and summer events such as Music by the Mill. Eagles Wooden Park sits along the river within walking distance of shops and restaurants.

Owner-occupancy in the city is 90.9%, and the Census ACS 2020–2024 median value of owner-occupied homes is $239,700, with a median household income of $79,464 (in 2024 dollars) and median gross rent of $809. Bachelor’s degree attainment among adults 25 and older is 27.2%.

Argentine Township is the larger, more rural-suburban ring just west of the city. Argentine Township Hall is at 9048 Silver Lake Road, Linden, MI 48451 — a reminder that many people who say they live in Linden actually live in the township. The township had 7,091 residents in the 2020 Census and a July 1, 2025 estimate of 7,021, across 34.66 square miles of land. Owner-occupancy is 93.7%, and the Census ACS 2020–2024 median owner-occupied value is $277,200, with a median household income of $98,508. Buyers comparing a downtown ranch to a township lake or acreage property are not comparing the same market.

Linden County Park, a Genesee County park at 15349 Linden Road, adds Byram Lake and Clover Beach, plus walking trails and winter recreation. The official city site notes that a park path connects to the city’s sidewalk system from many downtown locations. Some nearby homes also sit in Fenton Charter Township, toward Fenton and US-23, so it is worth confirming the local government, taxes, and lake access for the exact parcel.

Schools

The city is served by Linden Community Schools. Confirm the district by parcel, because nearby township addresses can fall into this district or a neighboring one. The official district site lists 2,492 students, 268 staff, and a 97% graduation rate, with offices at 7205 Silver Lake Road, Linden, MI 48451. The district’s schools are Linden High School, Linden Middle School, Central Elementary, Hyatt Elementary, Linden Elementary, and the LCS Early Childhood Center. On Redfin’s Linden market page, GreatSchools ratings include Hyatt Elementary (9/10) and Linden Elementary (7/10). Those ratings are a starting point, not a substitute for an address-level check.

Commute

Linden’s practical location is just west of Fenton and US-23, which is the corridor toward Flint to the north and Brighton, Ann Arbor, and the rest of Southeast Michigan to the south. The Census ACS 2020–2024 mean travel time to work is 29.5 minutes for city residents and 36.3 minutes for Argentine Township residents. Those are averages across all workplaces, not door-to-door times to one office. Your commute will depend on the exact address, the destination, and rush hour on US-23 and the connecting roads.

Market snapshot (sourced, not estimated)

For the City of Linden, Redfin reports a median sale price of $304,788 over the three months ending October 2026, up 1.9% from the same period a year earlier. Homes sold after a median of 22 days on market. There were 24 homes sold in October 2026, down 1.8% year over year. The sale-to-list ratio was 98.1%, and Redfin rates the city as most competitive. Separately, the Census ACS 2020–2024 median value of owner-occupied homes is $239,700 in the city and $277,200 in Argentine Township. Recent-sale medians and ACS stock values are different measures, and city, township, and ZIP-level numbers are not interchangeable.

Explore more

Thinking about a move to Linden, Fenton, or the US-23 lake towns north of Brighton? Eric Meldrum and Tru Living Group at Real Broker, LLC help families buy, sell, and relocate across Livingston County, Washtenaw County, and these edge communities. Call or text (734) 746-5001, email eric@trulivingroup.com, or book a time at thatdetroitlife.com/contact.

Frequently asked questions

Is Linden, Michigan a good place to live?

It is a strong fit if you want a small historic downtown on the Shiawassee River, nearby lakes, Linden Community Schools, and highway access via US-23 in neighboring Fenton. The city itself is compact — 2.36 square miles and a July 1, 2025 Census estimate of 4,186 residents. The trade-off is that many lake and acreage homes are in Argentine Township or the broader 48451 area, so you have to compare the right geography, not just the city name.

What is the difference between the City of Linden and Argentine Township?

The city is the compact downtown community in Genesee County. Argentine Township is a much larger surrounding area, with 7,091 residents in the 2020 Census and a July 1, 2025 estimate of 7,021, across 34.66 square miles of land. Census ACS 2020–2024 median owner-occupied values are $239,700 in the city and $277,200 in the township. Confirm taxes, services, and the school district by parcel.

What school district serves Linden?

The city is served by Linden Community Schools. The official district site lists 2,492 students, 268 staff, and a 97% graduation rate, with offices at 7205 Silver Lake Road in Linden. Nearby township addresses can fall into this district or a neighboring one, so confirm the district for the exact parcel.

How long is the commute from Linden?

Census ACS 2020–2024 data puts the mean travel time to work at 29.5 minutes for Linden city residents and 36.3 minutes for Argentine Township residents. Those are averages across all jobs, not a promise for a specific drive to Ann Arbor, Detroit, Brighton, or Flint. Most regional trips use US-23 and the connecting roads.

What is the Linden housing market doing right now?

Redfin’s City of Linden median sale price was $304,788 over the three months ending October 2026, up 1.9% year over year, with a 22-day median on market and 24 sales in October. The sale-to-list ratio was 98.1%. City and township Census values differ, and ZIP-level prices are not interchangeable with the city figures.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2025, Michigan subcounty file (Linden city estimates base April 1, 2020: 4,143; July 1, 2025 estimate: 4,186, +1.0%) — https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/datasets/2020-2025/cities/totals/sub-est2025_26.csv. U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Gazetteer, Michigan places (Linden city land area 2.355 sq mi) — https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_26.txt. U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 via Census Reporter, Linden city, Michigan (population 4,160; median household income $79,464 in 2024 dollars; median owner-occupied value $239,700; median gross rent $809; mean commute 29.5 minutes; 1,415 of 1,556 occupied units owner-occupied, or 90.9%; bachelor’s or higher 27.2%) — https://censusreporter.org/profiles/16000US2647820-linden-mi/. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, Argentine township, Genesee County, Michigan (2020 Census 7,091; July 1, 2025 estimate 7,021, -0.8%; land area 34.66 sq mi; ACS 2020–2024 median owner-occupied value $277,200, mean commute 36.3 minutes, median household income $98,508, 93.7% owner-occupied) — https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/argentinetownshipgeneseecountymichigan. City of Linden About Linden (downtown at Bridge and Broad, village established 1871, city in 1988, Linden Mills, Mill Pond, Music by the Mill, Eagles Wooden Park, Shiawassee River, Linden County Park path to city sidewalks) — https://www.lindenmi.us/about-linden. Genesee County Parks, Linden County Park (15349 Linden Road; Byram Lake and Clover Beach) — https://geneseecountyparks.org/linden-county-park/. Argentine Township (township hall at 9048 Silver Lake Road, Linden, MI 48451) — https://www.argentinetownship.gov/. Linden Community Schools (2,492 students, 268 staff, 97% graduation rate; administration at 7205 Silver Lake Road; school list) — https://www.lindenschools.org/. Redfin Linden housing market, three months ending October 2026 (median sale $304,788, +1.9%; 24 homes sold in October, -1.8%; median 22 days on market; sale-to-list 98.1%; most competitive) — https://www.redfin.com/city/12216/MI/Linden/housing-market. GreatSchools ratings as shown on the Redfin Linden market page (Hyatt Elementary 9/10, Linden Elementary 7/10).