Carson
Solid value in a growing area
2 homes for sale·Median $205K·Walkability 3.7/10·Schools 5.5/10
What sticks with you about this stretch of Montcalm County is how the streets open up—homes sit on real corner lots with actual yards, the kind of property that doesn't require a second mortgage or a commute north of an hour just to feel like you have space. The downtown core is genuinely walkable: grocery stores and coffee shops are steps away, and Grove Park is a five-minute walk if you need green space or want to let someone run around. Most days, you can get nearly anywhere in town on foot. The homes here—a mix of updated colonials, four-bedroom two-baths with first-floor masters, hardwood floors, new roofs and utilities—suggest people who've chosen to stay and invested in what they've got. You'll find covered porches, fenced backyards, pole buildings for someone with projects in mind, and the kind of space that West Michigan feels famous for without the Grand Rapids price tag or the drive time that comes with it. Schools and the hospital sit close by, so if you've got kids or aging parents, you're not running across the county for basics. The trade-off is real—downtown Grand Rapids is about 75 minutes away if you need it—but if you're looking for a place where a home can actually breathe, where neighbors aren't stacked three feet apart, and where a walk to dinner or the library is still an option, this is the kind of place that works.
Why people love it here
$43K median household income
- $205K median · 7 sales in last 12mo
Notable nearby
Conventional Mortgage Calculator
Median home price in Carson
Estimated Monthly Payment
$1,392/mo
Property tax and insurance are estimates you can edit — not a quote. Tap either figure to enter your own.
The interest rate shown is not an annual percentage rate (APR). Rate displayed is the current average 30-year fixed rate from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey and is subject to change without notice. Your actual rate, payment, and costs may vary. Contact a loan officer for a personalized quote.
Guild Mortgage NMLS #3274. Equal Housing Opportunity. NMLS Consumer Access. Not a commitment to lend. All loans subject to underwriter approval; terms and conditions may apply. Subject to change without notice. Always consult an accountant or tax advisor for full eligibility requirements on tax deduction.
7 homes sold in Carson this year. Thinking of selling?
See what your home is worthBased on 2 rated schools nearby
Range: 4/10 to 7/10
School District: Carson City-Crystal Area Schools
Walkability
Limited
Overall walkability score out of 10
Based on actual walk/bike/drive times to nearby amenities via Mapbox
Carson City Village Market
Main Street Pizza
+1 more
Muffin Top Bakery and Deli
Grove Park
Playground on County Line Rd
Muskrat Lake
Beach on County Line Rd
Carson City Public Library
Crystal Box Office Theater
In 2024, the most common reported offenses in Carson were larceny / theft (177 per 100,000 residents) and aggravated assault (89 per 100,000 residents), per FBI Uniform Crime Reporting — with a comparison to similar-size Michigan cities below.
No homicides were reported in 2024.
| Offense type | Per 100k residents |
|---|---|
| Larceny / theft | 177 |
| Aggravated assault | 89 |
| Arson | 89 |
| Homicide | 0 |
| Rape | 0 |
| Robbery | 0 |
| Burglary | 0 |
| Motor-vehicle theft | 0 |
How Carson compares to similar-size Michigan cities
| City | Population | Violent /100k | Property /100k |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stanton | 1,382 | 72 | 217 |
| Carson | 1,129 | 89 | 266 |
| Lakeview | 1,040 | 577 | 1,154 |
| Grant | 985 | 203 | 609 |
| Pentwater | 902 | 0 | 665 |
Reported offenses per 100,000 residents, Carson City Police Department, FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (2024). Comparison cities are the nearest in population, ordered by size — not ranked by crime. Crime is reported at the jurisdiction level and varies block to block within any community.
To buy a median-priced Carson home (around $205,000) at today's 6.49% 30-year fixed rate with 20% down, you'd need roughly $33k/year in household income to qualify — an estimated monthly payment of $1,237 (principal, interest, property tax, and insurance).
The typical Carson household earns $42,750 — above what the median home requires. At that income, a buyer can afford roughly $273,000 with 20% down.
| Down payment | Monthly payment | Income needed |
|---|---|---|
| 20% | $1,237/mo | $32,994 |
| 10% (+PMI) | $1,444/mo | $38,495 |
| 5% (+PMI) | $1,513/mo | $40,335 |
Estimates use a 6.49% 30-year fixed rate (current Freddie Mac average), an aggressive ~45% housing-to-income ratio (roughly what FHA underwriting can allow for a buyer with no other monthly debts — your number depends on your debts and credit), this area's median sale price and median property taxes, plus estimated insurance and PMI below 20% down. Not a commitment to lend, and not an APR — your actual rate and payment will vary.
Association and local-government details are compiled from public records, municipal sites, and state registries, and can change. Confirm directly with the association or municipality before relying on them.
Solar potential
~$867/yr in electricity from a typical rooftop solar system
Produces ~6,363 kWh/yr · offsets ~61% of a typical home's use
City-arranged collection (contracted hauler)
City provides leaf/brush pickup; residential trash via city-contracted hauler.
Consumers Energy Co|Tri County Electric Coop (MI) · ~13.6¢/kWh
Primary electric provider for the area.
Confirm by addressSource: carsoncitymi.com
Utility, solar, and service details for Carson are compiled from public records, municipal sites, and NREL / U.S. data.gov, and can change. Electric/gas can vary by address — confirm with the provider before relying on them.
Median Income
$43K
Home Value (Census)
$109K
Flood Risk
None
Not in flood zone
Nearest Park
Grove Park
0.3 mi
Parks Nearby
15
within 1 mile
🛒 Grocery(1)
Grocery Store
🍕 Restaurants(5)
Restaurant
Eagle's Nest
Restaurant
Main Street Pizza
Restaurant
Fast Food
The Rusty Nail
Restaurant
☕ Coffee(1)
Muffin Top Bakery and Deli
Café
🏥 Hospitals(1)
📚 Libraries(1)
Carson City Public Library
Frequently asked about Carson
- What do homes cost in Carson?
- The median home value in Carson is about $205,000. Individual prices vary by street, size, and condition.
- How active is the Carson housing market?
- there are 2 homes for sale in Carson right now, and 7 homes sold here in the last 12 months. Listings refresh throughout the day from the MichRIC MLS.
- What schools serve Carson?
- Carson is served by Carson City-Crystal Area Schools. Its highest-rated assigned school is Carson City Elementary School (7/10).
- Is Carson walkable?
- Carson scores 3.7/10 for walkability — a measure of walking, biking, and driving access to groceries, dining, parks, schools, and transit.
Top contributors in Carson
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