About Lake Orion/Orion Township 

Located approximately 25 miles north of Detroit, Lake Orion Village began in the 1800s as a summer resort around Lake Orion and developed into a year-round community that is oriented around the lake and Paint Creek.  

Roads 

I75 is the main freeway that runs North and South through Oakland County and to all points in northern Michigan. M-59 runs East and West through the county. M-24 is the main street in Lake Orion. It intersects I75 in Auburn Hills. M-24 heads north through Lake Orion to Lapeer. 

Distances Between Cities 

Lake Orion is less than 10 miles from Rochester Hills, 13 miles from Troy, 14 miles from Bloomfield Hills, and 16 miles from Birmingham. Flint is 27 miles away and Detroit is 33 miles away. 

Airports 

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is 40 miles away and is the largest international airport in the area. Flint Bishop International Airport is approximately 30 miles away. Detroit City Airport is 32 miles away. Oakland County International Airport in 16 miles away; Oakland/Troy Airport is another public use airport located 19 miles away from Lake Orion and Romeo State Airport is 20 miles away.  

Terrain 

The total area of the Village of Lake Orion is 1.3 square miles, of which .5 miles of it is water. Orion Township has a total area of 36 square miles and 2.6 square miles of it is water. Lake Orion, of course, is named after the prominent beautiful lake that is in its center and provides recreational opportunities for the residents of the area. There are several lakes in Orion Township which include Tommy’s Lake, Carpenter Lake, Indianwood Lake, Lake Sixteen, and Long Lake.  

Although the last two decades have brought a flurry of new development to Lake Orion/Orion Township and many new housing communities, it still retains its rural flavor. Wooded areas, lakes, and winding country roads make up much of the scenery and is the attraction for many new residents wanting to escape the hustle/bustle of the city.  

Population and other Data  

The Village of Lake Orion has a population of 2,715 people, 1,198 households, and 633 families residing in the village, while the surrounding area of Orion Township has a population of 33.463 people, 12,246 households, and 8,976 families. 

The median family income for a household in the village is $71,250. Orion Township median family income is $83,514 (2000 census). 

Jobs 

Industries providing employment in Lake Orion/Orion Township: Manufacturing (21.9%); Educational, health and social services (18.2%); Professional, scientific, management, administrative, and waste management services (13.9%); Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation and food services (10.2%). 

29% of the population of the area has a Bachelor’s degree and 10% have a graduate degree. Unemployment is 4.6%. The mean travel time to work is 29 minutes.  

Lake Orion/Orion Township is located near the World Headquarters of Daimler Chrysler and situated within commutable distance from Automation Alley, a concentration of automotive, computer-based, and research focused companies.  

Colleges/Universities

Oakland University in Rochester Hills is approximately 10 miles away and has an enrollment of 11,424.  Rochester College is a private, not for profit college in Rochester Hills and has an enrollment of 794.  Oakland Community College is 14 miles away and has an enrollment of 11,634.
The University of Phoenix- Metro Detroit Campus is 15 miles away in Troy with an enrollment of 2,090.  Lawrence Technological University is 22 miles away with an enrollment of 2,479.

Housing

Lake Orion/Orion Township is a growing community with variety of new housing communities. Excellent schools and easy access to major expressways is attracting many new families to the area.  Single family homes are most prevalent in the area, but apartments and condos are also available. The median house value in Lake Orion/Orion Township was $164,600 (2000 census) but is currently closer to $200,000.

Hospitals/Medicals Centers in or near Lake Orion

Bald Mountain 24 Hour Emergency Medical Center(in Lake Orion)
Beaumont Medical Building (in Lake Orion)
Crittenton Hospital (about 7 miles away in Rochester Hills)
Havenwyck Hospital (about 9 miles away in Auburn Hills)
North Oakland Medical Center (about 12 miles away in Pontiac)
Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital (about 12 miles away in Pontiac, MI)

Historical Buildings

The Howarth Schoolhouse was built in 1859. The building served the community as a church and school until 1955 when the Orion Township school system was consolidated. Howard Schoolhouse is located at Silver Bell and Bald Mountain Roads in Orion Township.

Lake Orion Methodist Church at 140 East Flint Street in Lake Orion was built in in 1873.  Cost at that time to build the church was $7,000, all donated by church members.

The Predmore House at 244 N. Broadway in Lake Orion was built in 1879 by Joshua C. Predmore, a Civil War Veteran who was on guard duty at the White House when President Lincoln was shot.

Interesting Facts

Lake Orion/Orion Township is a community where everyday is like a vacation because of the beautiful natural surroundings and parks.

The first settlement here was named Canandaigua, after Canandaigua, N.Y. by the settlers who had come from there. In 1929, it was renamed Lake Orion.

A power dam, built in 1828, united several small lakes and formed the present mile-wide body of water, Lake Orion.
 
The Pontiac Silverdome, The Palace of Auburn Hills and the new Chrysler Technical Center are only minutes away.

Parks/Sports/Recreation/Golf

Palace of Auburn Hills is just south of Lake Orion (5 minutes from where we make our home - yes!!).  The palace provides Michigan residents with sports (Go Pistons!), concerts, and other forms of wonderful entertainment.

Picturesque Bald Mountain State Recreation Area in Orion Township offers an abundance of recreational opportunities. This 4,637 acre recreation area has several picnic areas, a modern shooting range, large hunting areas, several fishing lakes, two trout streams, a sandy swimming beach and 15 miles of marked hiking and biking trails. Immensely popular for its eight miles of groomed x-country skiing trails and snowmobiling, sledding and ice fishing. The picturesque park area has some of the steepest hills and most rugged terrain in southeastern Michigan.

Orion Oaks County Park preserves more than 927 acres of environmentally sensitive greenspace. The park features fishing on 90-acre Lake Sixteen with a wheelchair accessible dock. Small boat launch for non-motorized boats. Ten miles of hiking trails, featuring a five-mile achievement trail; mountain biking and cross-country ski trails also available. Orion Oaks' Bark Park offers seven fenced acres with lake access for dogs to swim, wide-open spaces, woods and fields and drinking water and a complimentary pet waste disposal bag along with geocaching.

From the City of Rochester north through the City of Rochester Hills and Oakland Township to the Village of Lake Orion, the Paint Creek Trail follows the Paint Creek as it meanders through fields, prairies, woodlands, and marshlands. The trail is used by hikers, cyclists, joggers, equestrians, nature observers and photographers.  The trail follows the old Penn Central Railroad up the Paint Creek Valley through highlands, pastures, and wetlands. The compacted limestone surface provides a solid, but natural surface for non-motorized uses. During the winter months, many residents utilize the trail for cross-country skiing. 

The popular Polly Ann Trail connects Orion Township with Rochester, Rochester Hills, and Oakland Township. It transverses through some of the most beautiful and untouched landscape in northern Oakland County.  The trail is used by hikers, cyclists, joggers, equestrians, nature observers and photographers.  The trail follows the old Penn Central Railroad up the Paint Creek Valley through highlands, pastures, and wetlands. The compacted limestone surface provides a solid, but natural surface for non-motorized uses. During the winter months, many residents utilize the trail for cross-country skiing. 

Pine Knob Ski Resort in Clarkston is about 10 minutes from Lake Orion.  It's a great local place for men, women, and children to ski.  Has bunny hills for beginners, and some more difficult slopes for those who like a challenge.  Ski rentals are available as well as ski lessons for anyone wanting to learn the right way to ski.  Fun!

Golf courses in Lake Orion/Orion Township include Bald Mountain Golf Course, Indianwood Golf and Country Club, and Paint Creek Country Club. Golf courses in nearby Oxford include Copper Hills, Mulberry Hills, Devil’s Ridge and Boulder Pointe.

Lakes are plentiful with 27 in and around Lake Orion.  Water skiing, tubing, sun bathing, relaxing, whatever you favor - it's one reason they say Lake Orion is the place where "Living is Like a Vacation". If you want to enjoy lake front living, let us know and we'll let you know which waterfront homes are available. 

Olde World Canterbury Village, a 19th century Tudor style village and a designated historical site in the State of Michigan, extends over 21 acres.  It is Host to 18 specialty shops and has many wonderful features and year round family attractions.  We visit several times a year and always enjoy it.

Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village - Greenfield Village is the most remarkable of Henry Ford's restoration projects. The collections at the Henry Ford Museum has its roots in Henry Ford's antique collecting expeditions in the early 1920's, representing American life from colonial to modern times. The village has seven restored mills, as well as several buildings important in Henry Ford's life, including Henry Ford's birthplace. Located in Dearborn, about 30 minutes south of Lake Orion.  (Our boys love to visit this place).

The Detroit Institute of Arts - Sixth largest fine arts museum in the country with holdings of over 60,000 works. Tour any one of the one hundred galleries devoted to the best in painting, sculpting, graphic and decorative arts. Located in Detroit, about 30 minutes south of Lake Orion.

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