Caledonia Homes and Real Estate for Sale

Check out all the available homes and condos for sale in Caledonia Michigan. Listings are updated daily including foreclosures and short sale.

Living in Caledonia, MI

As a part of southeastern corner of Kent County, Caledonia, Michigan is located approximately 30 miles south of downtown Grand Rapids. Caledonia is still a delightful balance of country and city as the area sits atop a hilly area on Emmons Lake.

History

The area was settled in 1838 by Asahel Kent, his wife, and his young daughter when they arrived from Ohio in a covered wagon.  Kent made his home an inn, since his plot on Whitneyville Avenue and 100^th Street was on the main route from Battle Creek to Kalamazoo. It was known as Kent House as well as Oak Grove Inn. When Kent died in 1840, his widow remarried Peter McNaughton, who took over the tavern and established the first post office.

The first school house was a one-room building known as Barber School, which was built in the 1850s. In 1867, John B. Proctor moved to Caledonia Township and when he bought 150 acres, including the inn, he tore it down to build farm buildings. The area began to grow after that when the Grand River Valley Railroad was established in 1868 and named “Caledonia Station.” It was shortened to “Caledonia” in 1888 and assimilated into the village.

A disastrous fire in 1913 devastated the area between railroad tracks and Lake Street. It destroyed the elevator, a carriage shop, a blacksmith shop, and endangered many other businesses. The bucket brigade was the only defense. Another fire hit in 1917 and destroyed three houses and four businesses. However, the Village of Caledonia continued to grow as the county moved from an agriculture focus to an industrial focus.

Many land marks remain, including several centennial farms in the area, a few of the first houses, and the Barber school.

Schools

Dutton Christian School - Founded in 1955, Dutton Christian School’s education is rooted in the Reformed faith. There are separate pre-kindergarten classes for 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds, as well as Kindergarten, elementary school (grades 1-5), and middle school (grades 6-8). Over 90% of Dutton Christian eighth graders go on to South Christian High School. The average class size is 21 students, with enrollment in grades K-8 during the 2011-2012 school year at 407 students, with an additional 80 students in the pre-kindergarten programs. All students take Bible and morning devotions are held in every classroom every day. 

Dutton Christian School is accredited by the Michigan Non-Public School Accreditation Association (MNSAA) and all of the teaching staff is highly qualified and accredited by the state of Michigan. DCS has a written dress code, which requires clothes to be neat and modest. Tuition Reduction Incentive Program (TRIP) is available.

Caledonia Community Schools - The Fighting Scots wear the colors purple and gold and the school has a history of successful track and field and cross country teams. The high school made Adequate Yearly Performance in English and mathematics and are continuing to improve. With higher-than-state-average test scores, Caledonia Community Schools graduates over 90% of its students, with 90% of those students going on to post-secondary educational opportunities, including 2-year and 4-year colleges, technical/trade schools and/or the military.  Drop-out rates are very low, and enrollment continues to increase at all levels.

High schools in the area include Caledonia High School and Glenmor High School; middle schools include Duncan Lake Middle School, Kraft Meadows Middle School, Duncan Lake Early Childhood Center; and elementary schools include Caledonia Elementary School, Dutton Elementary, Emmons Lake Elementary School, Kettle Lake Elementary School, and Paris Ridge Elementary School. 

Things to Do

Cowpie Music Festival - Located on Shagbark Farm off Alaska Avenue, the Cowpie Music Festival is held every August and boasts 43 bands, 226 musicians, 516 songs, 16 musical genres, two days, two stages, 700 free campsites, free parking, 50+ vendors, cold beer, thousands of your friends, and a free “Cowpie Stampede Mud Run” 5k course. 

Shagbark Farm is owned by the Crissman family and every year, the family donates over 100 acres to The Michigan Heritage Music Association for the Cowpie Music Festival.  The farm was founded in 1956 and has grown to over 550 acres in the Caledonia and Bowne Townships. A working Angus cattle farm, Shagbark is mostly for breeding stock, but several of the cows also go toward the food industry. The family’s second love is music, thus the donation of land every year for the enjoyment of the public. 

Farmer’s Market - Come enjoy the fresh air as you scour the stands for fresh produce, handmade trinkets, and the most delicious baked goods. The Caledonia farmer’s market began in the spring of 2009 and is currently located in the Cherry Valley Plaza just north of the Caledonia Hardware Store. The market includes growers, bakers, craftspeople, and anyone else who wishes to be a vendor. The hours are every Saturday from 9am to 1pm, opening in the middle of May and ending at the end of October. 

Caledonia Lakeside Park - Located off Lake Street, Caledonia Lakeside Park has a beautiful view of Emmons Lake. Come enjoy the view from the shelterhouse, the fishing areas, the ball diamonds, the picnic areas, and the playgrounds. There’s something for everyone in this quaint park.

Demographics

In 2010, the population was 1,511 people with a median age of about 31 years of age and approximately 95% of population was white. The majority of residents (about 95%) have achieved and high school degree or higher. In 2009, the estimated median household income was $56,030 and the estimated median house or condo value was $179,249. In March 2012, the cost of living index in Caledonia, Michigan was 83.2, which is lower than the U.S. average of 100. The unemployment rate is less than the state average; the most common industries are health care and educational services.