Golden
Surrounded by nature
29 homes for sale·Median $417K·Schools 6.4/10
Out here, Lake Michigan dominates the horizon and shapes everything about the area—homes sit on bluffs overlooking the dunes, cottages cluster near public beach access points, and waterfront property commands serious attention. The land rolls in patches of woods and open acreage, with a mix of year-round homes and seasonal retreats scattered across properties that range from modest lots to sprawling multi-acre parcels. Restaurants and grocers sit steps away, so you're not driving far for coffee or a meal, and the nearby unnamed park offers quick outdoor access. What defines this stretch is the water itself: restored schoolhouses and contemporary chalets alike have lake views baked into their appeal, and Silver Lake Sand Dunes anchor the recreational draw. The vibe leans cottage-country rather than suburban—pole barns, wood stoves, deeded beach access, and the kind of properties where space and trees matter more than density. It's the kind of place where a 30-acre parcel with rolling hills isn't unusual, and where a 1/4-mile walk to the water feels like part of the deal, not a hardship.
Why people love it here
Lake life
- Upper Silver Lake within walking distance
$67K median household income
- $417K median · 35 sales in last 12mo
Hart High School
- High — 4.4 mi away
- Hart
- 3 rated schools in district
Mortgage Calculator
Median home price in Golden
Estimated Monthly Payment
$2,831/mo
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. This is not a commitment to lend or an offer of credit. Your actual rate, payment, and costs may vary. Contact a loan officer for a personalized quote.
Guild Mortgage NMLS #3274. Equal Housing Lender. NMLS Consumer Access
35 homes sold in Golden this year. Thinking of selling?
See what your home is worthFlood Risk
None
Not in flood zone
Nearest Park
Unnamed park
1.1 mi
Parks Nearby
0
within 1 mile
Nearest Lake
Upper Silver Lake
0.0 mi
Based on 5 rated schools nearby
Range: 5/10 to 8/10
School District: Hart Public School District
Most of Golden is policed by the Oceana County Sheriff's Office. Across that jurisdiction in 2024, the most common reported offenses were larceny / theft (470 per 100,000 residents) and aggravated assault (180 per 100,000 residents), per FBI Uniform Crime Reporting.
For perspective, homicide — the most serious crime — was reported at about 0.005% of the population, roughly 1 in 20,000 residents.
| Offense type | Per 100k residents |
|---|---|
| Larceny / theft | 470 |
| Aggravated assault | 180 |
| Burglary | 119 |
| Motor-vehicle theft | 76 |
| Rape | 71 |
| Robbery | 9 |
| Homicide | 5 |
| Arson | 0 |
Reported offenses per 100,000 residents, Oceana County Sheriff's Office, FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (2024). Figures cover the Oceana County Sheriff's Office's full jurisdiction (the county's unincorporated areas), not Golden alone. Crime is reported at the jurisdiction level and varies block to block within any community.
To buy a median-priced Golden home (around $417,000) at today's 6.43% 30-year fixed rate with 20% down, you'd need roughly $65k/year in household income to qualify — an estimated monthly payment of $2,431 (principal, interest, property tax, and insurance).
The typical Golden household earns $67,448 — above what the median home requires. At that income, a buyer can afford roughly $435,000 with 20% down.
| Down payment | Monthly payment | Income needed |
|---|---|---|
| 20% | $2,431/mo | $64,814 |
| 10% (+PMI) | $2,849/mo | $75,962 |
| 5% (+PMI) | $2,988/mo | $79,682 |
Estimates use a 6.43% 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 an APR or a commitment to lend — your actual rate and payment will vary.
Land for sale
Listings
30 parcels
Active / pending
Typical Land Value
$50K/acre
Median asking
Median Price
$68K
Per listing
Who actually lends in Golden, and how homes here are financed — from 2024 federal mortgage records.
Loans to buy a home
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.
Local Government
Golden Township
unconfirmed
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.
Private well
Lake Michigan shoreline township (Silver Lake area); mostly private wells
Septic - individual
Predominantly individual septic; some resort/sewer districts in Silver Lake area
Resident-arranged private hauler; Oceana County transfer/recycling
No municipal collection; county transfer/recycling available
Service splits by location — other areas may be served by Great Lakes Energy. Confirm by address.
Confirm by addressNo piped natural gas (propane/LP)
Largely propane in shoreline/rural areas
Confirm by addressHart and Shelby-Benona Fire Departments (area coverage)
Served by Hart and Shelby-Benona FDs
Source: oceana.mi.us
Utility, solar, and service details for Golden 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
$67K
Home Value (Census)
$236K
🍕 Restaurants(8)
Restaurant
Pizza Factory
Restaurant
Frickin Chicken Shack
Restaurant
Silver Lake Chicken Shack
Restaurant
Sands Resturant
Restaurant
+3 more within 5 miles
☕ Coffee(1)
Golden Bakery Donut Shop
Café
🏫 Schools(4)
🚴 Trails(6)
Unnamed bike_path
Bike Path
Bike Path
Bike Path
Cycleway from W Hazel Rd to N 34th Ave
Bike Path
+3 more within 5 miles
📚 Libraries(1)
Hart Public Library
Frequently asked about Golden
- What do homes cost in Golden?
- The median home value in Golden is about $417,000. Individual prices vary by street, size, and condition.
- How active is the Golden housing market?
- there are 29 homes for sale in Golden right now, and 35 homes sold here in the last 12 months. Listings refresh throughout the day from the MichRIC MLS.
- What schools serve Golden?
- Golden is served by Hart Public School District. Its highest-rated assigned school is Hart High School (8/10).