Dowling
Surrounded by nature
Median $230K·Walkability 2.7/10·Schools 5.2/10
Out here, what catches people off guard is how much land actually comes with a home—we're talking acre-plus lots, rolling hills, timber stands, and ponds you can hear frogs singing in at night. The area sits right at the crossroads of M-37 and East Dowling Road, about 15 minutes south of Hastings and roughly a half-hour drive to Battle Creek, which means you get rural character without being completely cut off. Most of what defines this stretch is agricultural: tillable fields, certified organic acreage, livestock operations, and the kind of space where a 160-acre property with trails, wildlife, and timber actually exists as a realistic listing. Clear Lake's northern edge borders the area, so you'll spot waterfront homes with sandy beach access alongside the farmland. Pole barns, acre-plus properties, and homes with room to breathe are the norm—if you're coming from anywhere more cramped, the sheer amount of land per property tends to be the real surprise.
Why people love it here
Lake life
- Clear Lake within walking distance
- 5 parks within 1 mile
- Clear Lake Boating Access Site: 15 min walk
- Clear Lake: 11 min bike
$230K median
- 3 sales in last 12mo
Notable nearby
Conventional Mortgage Calculator
Median home price in Dowling
Estimated Monthly Payment
$1,561/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.
3 homes sold in Dowling this year. Thinking of selling?
See what your home is worthNearest Park
Clear Lake Boating Access Site
0.7 mi
Parks Nearby
5
within 1 mile
Nearest Lake
Clear Lake
0.0 mi
Based on 5 rated schools nearby
Range: 3/10 to 7/10
School District: Hastings Area School District
Walkability
Limited
Overall walkability score out of 10
Based on actual walk/bike/drive times to nearby amenities via Mapbox
Clear Lake Boating Access Site
Unnamed playground
Clear Lake
Log Cabin Loop Trail
Dowling Public Library
Hastings 4
Crime in Dowling is reported at the city level, not the neighborhood level. The FBI doesn't publish reliable crime rates for individual neighborhoods, and within any community crime varies street to street. For an accurate, comparable picture, see the jurisdiction-wide figures for Barry County.
Barry County crime & safety stats →To buy a median-priced Dowling home (around $230,000) at today's 6.49% 30-year fixed rate with 20% down, you'd need roughly $41k/year in household income to qualify — an estimated monthly payment of $1,530 (principal, interest, property tax est., and insurance).
| Down payment | Monthly payment | Income needed |
|---|---|---|
| 20% | $1,530/mo | $40,795 |
| 10% (+PMI) | $1,761/mo | $46,967 |
| 5% (+PMI) | $1,839/mo | $49,031 |
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, 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
2 parcels
Active / pending
Typical Land Value
$50K/acre
Median asking
Median Price
$475K
Per listing
Solar potential
~$911/yr in electricity from a typical rooftop solar system
Produces ~6,377 kWh/yr · offsets ~61% of a typical home's use
Utility, solar, and service details for Dowling 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.
🍕 Restaurants(1)
Banfield General Store
Restaurant
🏫 Schools(14)
Dowling School
Weeks School
Mills School
Durfee School
Pleasantview School
+9 more within 5 miles
📚 Libraries(1)
Dowling Public Library
Frequently asked about Dowling
- What do homes cost in Dowling?
- The median home value in Dowling is about $230,000. Individual prices vary by street, size, and condition.
- How active is the Dowling housing market?
- no homes are listed in Dowling right now, and 3 homes sold here in the last 12 months. Listings refresh throughout the day from the MichRIC MLS.
- What schools serve Dowling?
- Dowling is served by Hastings Area School District. Its highest-rated assigned school is Star Elementary School (7/10).
- Is Dowling walkable?
- Dowling scores 2.7/10 for walkability — a measure of walking, biking, and driving access to groceries, dining, parks, schools, and transit.
Top contributors in Dowling
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