Nelson
Solid value in a growing area
6 homes for sale·Median $358K·Walkability 0.5/10·Schools 5.5/10
Most people expect Nelson Township to blur into sprawl the closer you get to Grand Rapids, but about 30 miles northeast of the city, you hit something different—rolling farmland that actually stays farmland, with Cedar Springs as a genuine small town center rather than a strip of chain outlets. The White Pine Trail cuts right through here, a paved path that stretches from Comstock Park to Sand Lake and gives you real outdoor access without driving anywhere; Gordon Park sits about two miles away if you want something closer. Grab coffee or eat steps from Main Street—there are 25 restaurants within a mile, mostly local spots—and you'll understand why the library (that barn-inspired building with the stone fireplace opened in 2007) feels like the actual heart of things rather than an afterthought. Homes run around $350K, and most people here own them; Tri County Area Schools serves the majority of the township. It's a place where the major city's growth hasn't quite reached, which means you get suburban access—grocery stores and restaurants within walking distance of the core—with actual space around you. The township sits in Kent County, and if you need downtown Grand Rapids, you're looking at roughly 35 minutes south, but honestly, most days you won't need to make that drive.
Why people love it here
$72K median household income
- $358K median · 40 sales in last 12mo
Explore Nelson
Same name, different focus — Nelson is also covered as:
- Nelson Neighborhood — the neighborhood — homes for sale and what it's like to live there
Conventional Mortgage Calculator
Median home price in Nelson
Estimated Monthly Payment
$2,427/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.
40 homes sold in Nelson this year. Thinking of selling?
See what your home is worthBased on 2 rated schools nearby
Range: 5/10 to 6/10
School District: Tri County Area Schools
Walkability
Car-dependent
Overall walkability score out of 10
Based on actual walk/bike/drive times to nearby amenities via Mapbox
Lakeside Inn
Bernita Mae Cafe
Aiden's Place
Gordon Park
Playground in Sand Lake Village
Helena Lake
+1 more
Beach at Myers Lake County Park
North Country Trail
Lincoln Lake Launch
Kent District Library Nelson Township Branch
Kent Theater
Most of Nelson is policed by the Kent County Sheriff's Office. Across that jurisdiction in 2024, the most common reported offenses were larceny / theft (660 per 100,000 residents) and aggravated assault (108 per 100,000 residents), per FBI Uniform Crime Reporting.
No homicides were reported in 2024.
| Offense type | Per 100k residents |
|---|---|
| Larceny / theft | 660 |
| Aggravated assault | 108 |
| Motor-vehicle theft | 76 |
| Burglary | 66 |
| Rape | 43 |
| Robbery | 5 |
| Arson | 5 |
| Homicide | 0 |
Reported offenses per 100,000 residents, Kent County Sheriff's Office, FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (2024). Figures cover the Kent County Sheriff's Office's full jurisdiction (the county's unincorporated areas), not Nelson alone. Crime is reported at the jurisdiction level and varies block to block within any community.
To buy a median-priced Nelson home (around $357,500) at today's 6.49% 30-year fixed rate with 20% down, you'd need roughly $57k/year in household income to qualify — an estimated monthly payment of $2,139 (principal, interest, property tax, and insurance).
The typical Nelson household earns $72,098 — above what the median home requires. At that income, a buyer can afford roughly $462,000 with 20% down.
| Down payment | Monthly payment | Income needed |
|---|---|---|
| 20% | $2,139/mo | $57,052 |
| 10% (+PMI) | $2,499/mo | $66,647 |
| 5% (+PMI) | $2,620/mo | $69,855 |
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.
Land for sale
Listings
10 parcels
Active / pending
Typical Land Value
$24K/acre
Median asking
Median Price
$87K
Per listing
Multifamily for sale
Listings
1 building
Active / pending
Median Price
$320K
Per building
Price Per Unit
$107K
Median
Who actually lends in Nelson, 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
~$901/yr in electricity from a typical rooftop solar system
Produces ~6,306 kWh/yr · offsets ~60% of a typical home's use
Nelson Township / Sand Lake water system (serviced); private well rural
Township assumed Village of Sand Lake water/sewer system; rural on private well.
Nelson Township / Sand Lake sewer system (serviced); septic rural
Township operates former Sand Lake sewer system; rural on septic.
Resident-arranged private hauler
Consumers Energy Co|Great Lakes Energy Coop · ~14.3¢/kWh
Service splits by location — other areas may be served by Great Lakes Energy. Confirm by address.
Confirm by addressNelson Township Fire Department (former Sand Lake FD)
Nelson Twp took over Sand Lake Fire Dept; 2 E Maple St, Sand Lake.
Source: nelsontownship.org
Utility, solar, and service details for Nelson 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
$72K
Home Value (Census)
$228K
Flood Risk
None
Not in flood zone
Nearest Park
GORDON PARK
1.9 mi
Parks Nearby
0
within 1 mile
🍕 Restaurants(14)
Fraternal Order of Eagles
Restaurant
Cuts Deli
Restaurant
Restaurant
Sue's Kountry Kitchen
Restaurant
+9 more within 5 miles
☕ Coffee(8)
+5 more within 5 miles
🍺 Bars(4)
+1 more within 5 miles
🏫 Schools(8)
+3 more within 5 miles
💪 Gyms(1)
Fitness Center
🌳 Parks(6)
+3 more within 5 miles
🚌 Transit(1)
Transit Stop
Frequently asked about Nelson
- What do homes cost in Nelson?
- The median home value in Nelson is about $357,500. Individual prices vary by street, size, and condition.
- How active is the Nelson housing market?
- there are 6 homes for sale in Nelson right now, and 40 homes sold here in the last 12 months. Listings refresh throughout the day from the MichRIC MLS.
- What schools serve Nelson?
- Nelson is served by Tri County Area Schools. Its highest-rated assigned school is Cedar View Elementary School (7/10).
- Is Nelson walkable?
- Nelson scores 0.5/10 for walkability — a measure of walking, biking, and driving access to groceries, dining, parks, schools, and transit.
