Cheshire
Surrounded by nature
The quick answer
Cheshire is a township, part of Allegan Public Schools. Homes here typically sell for around $305,000.
9 homes for sale·Median $305K·Walkability 0.5/10·Schools 5.2/10
Sunrise over the farmland here has a way of making the whole place feel like yours—wide open sky, fields running to the horizon, and a quietness that's earned rather than manufactured. Cheshire Township spreads across nearly 23,000 acres of Allegan County in southwest Michigan, with a rural character that's been deliberate: the township has spent real effort protecting productive agricultural land, keeping things the way they've been since the sawmill days of 1851. Most people who live here own their homes, and the rhythm of life moves at a pace that matches the landscape. You're about 74 minutes from downtown Grand Rapids if you need the city, but the draw is really the space itself—homes around $315K sit on land that still means something. Swan Creek Preserve sits just under a mile away, and there are a couple of parks within walking distance if you want to get outside without leaving the township. The nearest grocery and restaurant are a couple of miles down the road, which is the real trade-off: you're choosing land and quiet over convenience. A coffee shop is a bit further, so most mornings happen at home. The post office has been here since 1856, though it's had its intermittent stretches—there's something fitting about that, too.
Why people love it here
Lake life
- Duck Lake within walking distance
- 10 parks within 1 mile
- Swan Creek Preserve: 8 min drive
- Beach in Breezy Point Dr & Swan Dr Area: 12 min drive
$65K median household income
- $305K median · 32 sales in last 12mo
Explore Cheshire
Same name, different focus — Cheshire is also covered as:
- Cheshire Business District — the business district — shops, restaurants, and the commercial corridor
Conventional Mortgage Calculator
Median home price in Cheshire
Estimated Monthly Payment
$2,070/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.
32 homes sold in Cheshire this year. Thinking of selling?
See what your home is worthFlood Risk
None
Not in flood zone
Nearest Park
Swan Creek Preserve
0.8 mi
Parks Nearby
10
within 1 mile
Nearest Lake
Duck Lake
0.0 mi
Median Income
$65K
Household
Median Sale Price
$305K
32 sales in last 12mo
Expected Rent
$1,175/mo
$1,100 – $1,275 · estimated range
Based on 5 rated schools nearby
Range: 4/10 to 6/10
School District: Allegan Public Schools
Walkability
Car-dependent
Overall walkability score out of 10
Based on actual walk/bike/drive times to nearby amenities via Mapbox
Swan Creek Preserve
Swan Lake
Beach in Breezy Point Dr & Swan Dr Area
Most of Cheshire is policed by the Allegan County Sheriff's Office. Across that jurisdiction in 2024, the most common reported offenses were larceny / theft (433 per 100,000 residents) and burglary (129 per 100,000 residents), per FBI Uniform Crime Reporting.
For perspective, homicide — the most serious crime — was reported at about 0.001% of the population, roughly 1 in 100,000 residents.
| Offense type | Per 100k residents |
|---|---|
| Larceny / theft | 433 |
| Burglary | 129 |
| Aggravated assault | 78 |
| Motor-vehicle theft | 58 |
| Rape | 9 |
| Arson | 7 |
| Robbery | 5 |
| Homicide | 1 |
Reported offenses per 100,000 residents, Allegan County Sheriff's Office, FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (2024). Figures cover the Allegan County Sheriff's Office's full jurisdiction (the county's unincorporated areas), not Cheshire alone. Crime is reported at the jurisdiction level and varies block to block within any community.
To buy a median-priced Cheshire home (around $304,950) at today's 6.66% 30-year fixed rate with 20% down, you'd need roughly $51k/year in household income to qualify — an estimated monthly payment of $1,908 (principal, interest, property tax, and insurance).
The typical Cheshire household earns $65,270 — above what the median home requires. At that income, a buyer can afford roughly $403,000 with 20% down.
| Down payment | Monthly payment | Income needed |
|---|---|---|
| 20% | $1,908/mo | $50,871 |
| 10% (+PMI) | $2,218/mo | $59,146 |
| 5% (+PMI) | $2,322/mo | $61,928 |
Estimates use a 6.66% 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.
Land for sale
Listings
11 parcels
Active / pending
Typical Land Value
$21K/acre
Median asking
Median Price
$115K
Per listing
Who actually lends in Cheshire, and how homes here are financed — from 2024 federal mortgage records.
Loans to buy a home
Most active lenders
Homeowners refinancing an existing mortgage
Most active lenders
Source: 2024 HMDA (CFPB/FFIEC). Neighborhood figures are area-weighted estimates from census-tract data; loan amounts are rounded and all-cash purchases are excluded.
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
~$876/yr in electricity from a typical rooftop solar system
Produces ~6,391 kWh/yr · offsets ~61% of a typical home's use
Private well
Rural; individual wells.
Septic - individual
Individual septic systems.
Resident-arranged hauler
Republic/Waste Management common in area.
Consumers Energy Co|Indiana Michigan Power Co · ~13.7¢/kWh
Regional electric provider.
Confirm by addressLocal township/area fire department
Rural fire coverage; confirm provider.
Source: cheshiretownship.org
Utility, solar, and service details for Cheshire 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
$65K
Home Value (Census)
$174K
Expected Rent
$1,175/mo
$1,100 – $1,275 · estimated range
Atlas — Grand Rapids Real Estate
Local real estate specialists
Questions about Cheshire? Our team can help with availability, schools, and what it's really like to live here.
Living in Cheshire: the details
Is Cheshire a good place to live?
Cheshire suits buyers looking for green space nearby — here is what the data shows. When it comes to errands, it is mostly a drive-first area, so you will use a car for groceries, dining and errands. This township is part of Allegan Public Schools. The going price is around $305,000.
What does it cost to live in Cheshire?
The median home value in Cheshire is about $305,000. There are 9 homes for sale here right now and 32 homes sold here in the past year.
Frequently asked about Cheshire
- What do homes cost in Cheshire?
- The median home value in Cheshire is about $304,950. Individual prices vary by street, size, and condition.
- How active is the Cheshire housing market?
- there are 9 homes for sale in Cheshire right now, and 32 homes sold here in the last 12 months. Listings refresh throughout the day from the MichRIC MLS.
- What schools serve Cheshire?
- Cheshire is served by Allegan Public Schools. Its highest-rated assigned school is West Ward Elementary School (6/10).
- Is Cheshire walkable?
- Cheshire scores 0.5/10 for walkability — a measure of walking, biking, and driving access to groceries, dining, parks, schools, and transit.
