Real Estate Website Ranks Best Detroit Suburbs for Young Couples

The real estate website Movoto crunched data from the U.S. Census Bureau and other sources to come up with its list of the 10 best Detroit suburbs for young couples. Read the Top 10, then scroll through the graphic at the bottom to see how other southeast Michigan cities ranked.

Here’s the list, along with Movoto’s observations:

1. Berkley

Key Stats:

• Residents age 22 to 34: 21 percent
• Total crimes per 100,000 residents: 1,055

Berkley offers a range of options for potential home buyers. Modest Cape Cod and cottage style homes are common, as are spacious craftsman style homes with room to grow.

Arts and culture enthusiasts will find community events like Art Bash, while events like CruiseFest are a great way to meet new neighbors.

2. Birmingham

Key Stats:

• High school graduation rate: 98 percent
• Residents married: 59.5 percent
• Median household income: $98,750

There are plenty of modern condos, Cape Cod style homes, and spacious historic craftsman style homes that give young couples room to grow.

» Get Patch’s daily newsletter and real-time news alerts.

Birmingham is also a great place for foodies, who can grab fresh local produce at the Birmingham Farmers Market. Active young couples will enjoy Birmingham’s numerous public parks. Birmingham’s thriving downtown is full of boutiques and restaurants.

3. Franklin

Key Stats:

• Residents married: 73.2 percent
• Median household income: $139,000

Young couples looking for a small town vibe will find a close-knit community of just over 3,000 residents in Franklin. Home buyers will find everything from craftsman style homes to sprawling Nantucket style mansions.

For arts and culture enthusiasts, Franklin’s Art in the Village featuring local vendors, a neighborhood vibe and live music.

4. Farmington

Key Stats:

• Residents under age 5: 7.3 percent
• Total crimes per 100,000: 1,217

The quiet suburb of Farmington offers housing options ranging from modern townhouses to historic craftsman style homes.

Farmington offers trails and picnic spots along the creek at Shiawassee Park for active young couples, while foodies will find plenty of fresh produce at the Farmington Farmers Market.

5 Plymouth

Key Stats:

• Total crimes per 100,000: 1,151
• Residents age 22 to 34: 22 percent

Young couples searching for the perfect home in Plymouth have a range of options. Modern condos are a great pick for two, while spacious craftsman and Colonial style homes give couples room to grow.

Community events like Taste of Plymouth or the weekly Farmers Market cater to foodies, while Art in the Park offers options for arts and culture enthusiasts. Active young couples can enjoy a bike ride or stroll through Plymouth Riverside Park.

6. Clawson

Key Stats:

• Total crimes per 100,000: 876
• Residents age 22 to 34: 20.5 percent

With just 876 total crimes per 100,000 residents, it’s also one of the safest communities in the metro. Home buyers have their pick of historic craftsman and bungalow style homes.

A thriving downtown, full of specialty stores, boutiques, breweries, and local restaurants, offer perfect spot for date nights.

7. Dearborn (tie)

Key Stats:

• PlayScore rating: 68 out of 100
• Residents under age 5: 8.6 percent

With a population of over 97,000, Dearborn is the perfect suburb for young couples who want the perfect balance of suburban and urban lifestyles. Quaint cottages, Cape Cod style homes, bungalows, and modern condos are all common in this suburb.

Dearborn offers numerous city parks and trails. The Ford Drive-In Theater is a perfect pick for a romantic date night; The Henry Ford Museum is a great pace to buff up on local history.

7. Northville (tie)

Key Stats:

• PlayScore rating: 68 out of 100
• Total crimes per 100,000: 918

The historic suburb of Northville ties with Dearborn for seventh on our list with one of the lowest crime rates of any place Movoto ranked. Home buyers will find everything from modern condos to spacious Victorian homes.

Northville’s numerous city parks offer fishing, swimming, hiking and biking. Arts and culture enthusiasts can browse the gallery exhibits or take a class at Northville Art House.

9. Novi

Key Stats:

• High school graduation rate: 94 percent
• Median household income: $80,108

Novi has plenty of affordable townhomes and ranch style homes, as well as spacious craftsman style homes for young couples.

Amenities include the Novi Public Library, the Novi All Seasons Market and Lakeshore Park, which offers opportunities for biking, swimming and picnics by the water.

10. Garden City

Key Stats:

• PlayScore rating: 64 out of 100
• Median home value: $83,100

Garden City rounds the list with plenty of great picks for first-time home buyers. Charming cottages, ranch style homes, spacious craftsman style houses and quaint bungalows are all common.

[Recirc]Amenities include trails, picnic spots and ice skating at Garden City Park, as well as numerous local restaurants that line Ford Road.

To create the list of the best Detroit suburbs for young couples, Movoto looked at the percentage of residents age 22-34, the percentage of residents who are married, median household income, median home value, total crimes per 100,000 residents, the PlayScore rating and the high school graduation rate.

Then, Movoto ranked each Detroit suburb in those categories and averaged the scores into one overall score. The suburbs with the lowest overall scores made the 10 best Detroit suburbs for young couples. Movoto also gathered data fro, AreaVibes for the ranking.

Below, see how other suburbs ranked.

Photo by Mark Moz via Flickr