Belleville didn't always have a lake, but it is a central feature of the town now

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10-05-2025

There's no shortage of unique and inviting places to live around metro Detroit. To highlight them, the Detroit Free Press is profiling neighborhoods in our state and region to offer some insight into what makes them stand out.
This week, we're exploring Belleville in Wayne County, a small city that blends lakeside beauty with small-town charm along the shores of Belleville Lake.
Appeal today: Belleville sits along the scenic shore of Belleville Lake, Wayne County's largest inland lake, which spans 6 miles and covers 1,200 acres. The city has about 1½ miles of picturesque lake frontage, providing residents with opportunities for boating, kayaking, fishing, and lakeside relaxation.
Belleville's pedestrian-friendly downtown is another highlight of the community. Downtown streets are lined with decorative streetlights and brick paving. Belleville is part of the Belleville Area, which includes Van Buren and Sumpter townships.
Local facts: Belleville is 2.2 square miles with a population of 4,008. Originally established as a village in 1905, it officially became a city in 1946. Belleville Lake was not there initially. It was created in 1925 when the French Landing Dam and Powerhouse were constructed on the Huron River in neighboring Van Buren Township. The project, led by Eastern Michigan Edison Company, which became the Detroit Edison Company, was designed to generate more electrical power in the region. The city is less than a mile from Interstate 94 and roughly 3½ miles from I-275, putting both Ann Arbor and Detroit within a 30-minute drive. Detroit Metro Airport is about a 10-minute drive. For more information, go to www.belleville.mi.us, the city's website. (US Census)
Neighborhoods: Belleville's housing landscape is diverse, from Victorian-era styles and mid-century ranches and bungalows to modern subdivisions and lakefront properties. There are also condos and apartments in Belleville.
In the past year, single-family home sales ranged from $80,000 to $480,000, according to Therese Antonelli of Moving The Mitten Real Estate Group in Belleville.
Parks and recreation: The city is home to four parks that offer such things as playground equipment, walking trails, basketball and volleyball courts, an inline skating-hockey court and ponds. New pickleball courts are under construction at Village Park, according to city officials. Water sports are available on Belleville Lake.
Two community events offering fun for residents and visitors include Lake Fest, featuring live music, lakefront activities, a kid zone, and more, scheduled for June 28-29; and Winter Fest, held the first full weekend in December each year.
More: Grosse Ile: Downriver's island community offers waterfront living, small-town charm
Taxes: $45.30 per $1,000 of a house's taxable value in the Van Buren Public Schools district. A $162,700 (median price) house with a taxable value of $81,350 would have property taxes of $3,685.
Shopping and dining: Shopping and dining are available downtown and in neighboring Van Buren Township, which has strip malls with large stores and additional restaurants.
Industries and employers: In the city proper, most employers are small and/or locally owned, according to city officials.
Public safety: Belleville police reported eight burglaries, three vehicle thefts, six cases of criminal sexual conduct, zero robberies and no homicides in 2024.
Public transportation: Wheels for Independence, 734-697-3733.
More: Rochester neighborhood snapshot: Victorian-era and Craftsman homes coexist with condos
Community insight: Therese Antonelli, a longtime resident and owner and broker of Moving The Mitten Real Estate Group, describes Belleville as a 'hidden gem.'
"We're downtown on a lake. How many towns can say that?'
Antonelli said that she is often seen cruising around town in her golf cart with her goldendoodle, Luckey.
From live music to markets and festivals, 'there's something to enjoy every night of the week,' Antonelli said. Highlights include the Monday night car shows on Main Street to the farmers market, and Thursday night lakeside music sponsored by the Belleville Area Council of the Arts. 'You can enjoy music from land or water by boat,' she says.
Antonelli said she is especially fond of supporting local businesses. 'I shop at the shops and boutiques such as BB's Belleville Boutique, Twisted Willow, Garden Fantasy on Main, and Crafted Modern Handmade! The best pizza is Rusted Crow on the Lake, best smash burger at Baitshop Bar, corned beef galore at Egan's Pub, and Johnny's on the Lake. She added: 'Sometimes, I pinch myself because I can't believe how lucky I am to call this little quaint town home.'
Brendel Clark (previously published as Brendel Hightower) writes about real estate and other topics for the Detroit Free Press. Contact her at [e-mail]. Support local journalism: Subscribe to the Detroit Free Press.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Belleville didn't always have a lake, but it is a central feature now