Geography of Farmington Hills, Michigan

Farmington Hills is a city in southeastern Michigan, located in western Oakland County. With a population of over 82,000 as of the 2020 census, it is one of the largest suburbs of Detroit. Farmington Hills is known for its rolling hills, parks, golf courses, nature areas, and excellent public school system.

The city has a total area of 33.31 square miles, of which 33.28 square miles is land and 0.03 square miles is water. Farmington Hills is bordered by several other Metro Detroit communities including Farmington to the east, Novi to the north, West Bloomfield Township to the northeast, Redford Township to the southeast, and Livonia to the south.

Topography and Geology

Farmington Hills has a varied topography characterized by rolling hills, valleys, wetlands, lakes, and rivers. The terrain gently slopes downward from northwest to southeast, with elevations ranging from about 960 feet above sea level in the northwest part of the city to around 780 feet in the southeast.

The city sits atop glacial landforms and sediment left behind by the Saginaw Lobe during the Wisconsin Glaciation around 18,000 years ago. This region of Michigan contains glacial features such as moraines, kettle lakes, eskers, and outwash plains. Bedrock under Farmington Hills consists of shale from the Michigan Formation, limestone and dolomite from the Detroit River Group, and sandstone from the Marshall Formation.

Soils in Farmington Hills formed in glacial till and range from sandy loam to clay loam. Well-drained loamy soils are found in areas of ground moraines while poorly drained clayey soils occur in areas of end moraines. The city has a soil association of Miami-Conover-Brookston.

Hydrology

Farmington Hills contains several lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands. The main waterway is the Rouge River which winds through the eastern part of the city flowing in a southward direction. Several branches and tributaries of the Rouge River such as Johnson Creek are also present.

Other lakes in Farmington Hills include Quarton Lake, Long Lake, Duck Lake, Glenhaven Lake, Loon Lake, and Farmington Lake. Additional water bodies include the Franklin Branch and Pebble Creek. Wetlands cover about 9% of the city’s area, providing important habitat for plants and animals.

Groundwater in Farmington Hills occurs in glacial material such as outwash sands and gravels, as well as bedrock aquifers. The city gets its municipal water from the Detroit water system which draws from Lake Huron.

Climate

Farmington Hills has a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Winters tend to be cold and snowy while summers are warm to hot and humid.

The average high temperature in July is 84°F (29°C) while the average low in January is 14°F (-10°C). Summer highs frequently exceed 90°F (32°C) and winter lows occasionally drop below 0°F (-18°C). The highest recorded temperature was 105°F (41°C) in July 2011 and the lowest was -22°F (-30°C) in January 1994.

Farmington Hills gets about 30 inches of rain and 43 inches of snow annually. Precipitation is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year but late summer tends to be a bit wetter. Severe thunderstorms are common in spring and summer while blizzards can occur in winter. The prevailing wind is from the southwest.

Ecoregions

Farmington Hills is situated in the transition zone between two Level III ecoregions defined by the Environmental Protection Agency:

• Southern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift Plains
• Huron/Erie Lake Plains

The drift plains are characterized by flat to gently rolling terrain left behind by glaciers. This ecoregion has fertile soils, abundant water resources, and was largely converted to agriculture. The lake plains have more poorly drained soils and higher elevations near the shorelines of Lakes Huron and Erie.

At the Level IV scale, Farmington Hills falls within the Southeastern Michigan Till Plains. This region has clayey glacial till soils supporting woods, wetlands, lakes, and agriculture. Common trees include ash, elm, maple, beech, and hickory.

Parks and Nature Areas

Farmington Hills has an extensive parks and recreation system that provides opportunities to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Notable nature spots include:

Heritage Park

This 245-acre park features woodlands, meadows, wetlands, and over 3 miles of trails. Wildlife found here include deer, foxes, coyotes, and migratory songbirds.

Bird Sanctuary

Located along the Rouge River, this sanctuary has diverse habitats including ponds, marshes, and forests that attract owls, hawks, waterfowl, and other birds.

Farmington Hills Golf Club

This club has an 18-hole course set in mature forests with elevations up to 100 feet above the Rouge River.

Quarton Lake Park

Situated on Quarton Lake, amenities include fishing, trails, wildlife viewing, and a floating boardwalk.

Grace Lake Preserve

Encompassing a small natural lake, this preserve offers quiet trails through woodlands and meadows.

Fox Creek Nature Area

Fox Creek features rolling terrain, hemlock forests, and trillium blooms in spring. Southwest Oakland County Birders do monthly surveys here.

With numerous parks and nature areas, Farmington Hills offers many spots to appreciate the local habitats, wildlife, and scenic beauty. These natural spaces provide recreational and educational opportunities within an urban environment.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, Farmington Hills had a population of 82,111 people living in 33,907 households. The racial makeup of the city is:

• White: 62.1%
• Asian: 25.8%
• Black or African American: 5.6%
• Two or more races: 3.6%
• Other race: 1.7%
• Native American: 0.4%
• Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.1%

Whites make up a majority of the population while Asians represent the largest minority group. People of many races and ethnicities call Farmington Hills home.

The median age in the city is 45.3 years. Farmington Hills has slightly more females (51.5%) than males (48.5%). There are an average of 2.42 people per household.

About 49% of households in Farmington Hills have children under 18. Education levels are high, with 60% of adults having a bachelor’s degree or higher. Median household income is $83,377, reflecting an educated and affluent population.

Transportation Infrastructure

Farmington Hills enjoys excellent transportation connections in the Detroit metro area. Major roadways include:

• I-696 runs east-west across the southern part of the city, connecting to I-96 and I-275.
• M-5 (Grand River Avenue), a main north-south artery through Metro Detroit, passes through Farmington Hills.
• 12 Mile Road is a major east-west route on the northern side.
• Orchard Lake Road runs north-south through the middle of Farmington Hills.

The Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) provides public bus service in the city and to surrounding suburbs. The closest passenger rail connection is Amtrak’s station in Birmingham, about 10 miles northeast.

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, one of the busiest airports in the US, is located around 30 miles to the southwest in Romulus.

Local Economy and Business

Farmington Hills has a strong and diverse business community. Major employers include:

• Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas
• Bosch
• United Shore Financial Services
• Magneti Marelli
• Credit Acceptance Corporation
• Thomson Reuters
• Farm Bureau Insurance
• Level One Bank
• Beaumont Hospital

Leading industries include advanced automotive engineering, information technology, health care, finance and insurance. Farmington Hills serves as the headquarters for many major corporations who are drawn by the educated workforce, high standard of living, and proximity to Detroit.

Popular retail corridors include Grand River Avenue, Orchard Lake Road, 12 Mile Road, and Farmington Road. Commercial hubs provide shopping, dining, entertainment and services. The city has worked to revitalize aging shopping centers through streetscape improvements, rezoning, and redevelopment.

Residential Neighborhoods

Most of Farmington Hills is composed of well-established suburban subdivisions and neighborhoods. Housing stock consists primarily of 1960s-1970s ranch houses and colonials, along with newer custom homes and upscale apartments/condos.

The historic district along Shiawassee Road has homes dating back to the mid-1800s in the vernacular Greek Revival and Italianate styles. This area provides a window into what Farmington Hills looked like before suburbanization.

Northern and western parts of the city have larger lots and estates. The southeast corner near Livonia has higher-density neighborhoods. Housing values range greatly based on location, size and amenities.

Newer planned developments in Farmington Hills offer alternatives like condos, townhomes and compact lots. Regional commercial centers provide amenities to support the local population.

Closing Summary

Farmington Hills occupies an area rich in natural resources including rolling glacial terrain, lakes, rivers, wetlands and forests. Located in metro Detroit’s northwest suburbs, it has been shaped by the postwar suburban boom.

While mostly suburban residential, the city retains a strong economic base of corporate operations and tech companies. Farmington Hills takes pride in its first-class neighborhoods, parks system, and excellent public schools. Its educated residents enjoy a high standard of living.

The geography has supported both farming and industry, evolving today into a leading business and residential community in southeast Michigan. Farmington Hills will continue growing and changing in the decades ahead while retaining its fundamental Midwestern character.