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Clarkston

Homes For Sale in Clarkston, Michigan

Homes For Sale in Clarkston, Michigan

One of Southeast Michigan's most prestigious communities -- a National Historic Village, top-ranked schools, world-class golf, Pine Knob concerts, and luxury homes on wooded lots and private lakes in northern Oakland County.

A- Rated School District National Historic Village Pine Knob Music Theatre 34 Miles from Detroit 30+ Named Lakes
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~37,600 Area Residents
A- Niche School District Grade
Top 100 Public Golf Course (Golf Digest)
15,274 Pine Knob Capacity
1979 National Register of Historic Places

Welcome to Clarkston, Michigan

Clarkston is one of the most coveted addresses in all of Oakland County -- and for good reason. Nestled among the rolling hills and wooded lakes of northern Oakland County, the Clarkston area combines a genuinely preserved historic village, a nationally recognized school district, extraordinary recreational amenities, and some of Metro Detroit's most desirable luxury real estate into a package that simply does not exist anywhere else in Southeast Michigan.

The City of the Village of Clarkston -- that is its official name -- is one of Michigan's great quirks: the smallest city by land area in the entire state at just 0.44 square miles, with a population of under 1,000. But it sits at the center of a much larger community. Clarkston is completely surrounded by Independence Township, home to over 36,000 residents, and together the two share a school district, a historic downtown identity, and a community character that buyers travel from across Michigan to experience.

The area was first settled in 1830, named in 1842 after brothers Jeremiah and Nelson Clark who built its early infrastructure, and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Henry Ford maintained a summer home and owned a mill on Main Street -- a fact that speaks to just how long this community has attracted people of means who appreciate the combination of natural beauty and convenience that Clarkston uniquely provides.

Know This Before You Search: In the Clarkston real estate market, most homes listed with a "Clarkston" address are technically located in Independence Township, not the City of Clarkston. Both areas share the Clarkston Community Schools district and the same community identity -- but tax rates and millages differ. Our agents clarify the exact municipality, applicable taxes, and school zoning for every property before you make an offer. Call us at 810.433.9556.

Clarkston Quick Facts

48346 / 48348 Primary Zip Codes
$457K Median Home Value (2023)
34 mi Northwest of Downtown Detroit
I-75 Primary Access via Sashabaw Rd exit
Oakland Co. County
#61 School District in Michigan (SchoolDigger)

Clarkston Neighborhoods and Communities

The Clarkston area offers one of the widest ranges of residential options in Oakland County -- from walkable blocks in the historic downtown village to gated golf course estates, private lakefront properties, and wooded acreage developments in Independence Township. Here is a guide to the most sought-after areas.

Historic Downtown Clarkston Village

National Register of Historic Places

The blocks surrounding Main Street (M-15) encompass one of Michigan's most beautifully preserved 19th-century village cores. The Clarkston Village Historic District was designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1976 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Historic homes along Buffalo Street, Church Street, Holcomb Street, and Washington Street range from Greek Revival to Victorian to Craftsman styles, many dating to the 1840s and 1850s. Walkable to the Mill Pond, restaurants, boutiques, and the Depot Park.

National Historic District Walkable $400K - $1.9M+

Oakhurst Golf and Country Club

Clarkston's Premier Gated Community

Oakhurst Golf and Country Club is Clarkston's only gated community and its most prestigious address. Built around an Arthur Hills-designed 18-hole championship private course at 7000 Oakhurst Lane, the community encompasses multiple luxury subdivisions with homes ranging from $400,000 to over $2.6 million. Features include private golf, a full country club with dining, tennis, pools, and a guard-gated entrance. For buyers seeking the ultimate combination of privacy, prestige, and world-class amenities, Oakhurst is the definitive Clarkston address.

Gated Private Golf $400K - $2.6M+

Deer Lake and Lakefront Communities

Premium Waterfront Living

The Clinton River creates over 30 named lakes throughout Independence Township, anchored by Deer Lake as the area's premier waterfront address. Deer Lake Farms -- a 150-home community with rolling wooded lots and a private beach -- sits just northwest of downtown Clarkston. Additional prestigious waterfront communities surround Whipple Lake (75-acre private all-sports lake), Maceday Lake, Lotus Lake, and Waumegah Lake. Lakefront estate properties regularly reach $1 million to $3 million and beyond.

Private Beach 30+ Lakes $600K - $3M+

Waldon Creek and Pine Knob Area

Family Subdivisions Near Pine Knob

Waldon Creek and the surrounding Pine Knob area offer some of the most popular family subdivisions in the Clarkston market -- 4 and 5 bedroom colonial-style homes on generous wooded lots, within easy reach of Pine Knob ski and golf, Pine Knob Music Theatre, and the I-75 corridor. Pulte Homes is actively building new construction at Waldon Village (The Brookfield and The Townes) in the $400,000 to $590,000 range, just 5 minutes from downtown Clarkston.

New Construction Available Clarkston Schools $350K - $700K

Luxury Estate Subdivisions

Manors, Hunt Club, Oak Valley and More

Independence Township is home to some of Oakland County's finest estate communities. The Manors of Clarkston and The Manors of Deerwood feature custom SGM-built homes on 1+ acre wooded lots exceeding 3,500 sq ft. Clarkston Hunt Club Estates and Oak Valley Estates offer 3/4 to 1+ acre lots with mature landscaping. Heather Lake Estates provides private lake access and wooded seclusion. For buyers seeking custom construction, significant square footage, and genuine privacy, these communities consistently attract the area's most discerning buyers.

Estate Lots Custom Builds $700K - $2M+

Condominiums and Townhomes

Low-Maintenance Clarkston Living

Clarkston's condo and townhome market offers a compelling entry point into this desirable zip code. Communities including The Townes at Waldon Village (Pulte, from $399K), Stonegate Estates, The Clarkston Bluffs, Wildflowers of Clarkston, and Waldon Pond Townhomes give buyers who prefer low-maintenance living a strong selection within the Clarkston Community Schools district.

Low Maintenance New Construction Options $200K - $500K

Clarkston Real Estate Market Overview

Property Type Price Range Typical Features
Oakhurst Golf Estates $400K - $2.6M+ Gated, private golf, country club amenities
Lakefront Estate $800K - $3M+ Private dock, premium frontage, acreage
Luxury Wooded Estate $600K - $2M Custom build, 1+ acre, wooded privacy
Executive Single Family $400K - $700K 4-5 bed, established subdivision, Clarkston schools
Mid-Range Single Family $250K - $420K 3-4 bed, Independence Township, wooded lot
Condos and Townhomes $200K - $500K HOA maintained, some new construction available

Price ranges reflect current market conditions. Contact Lasco Real Estate Group at 810.433.9556 for a personalized market analysis on any Clarkston area or property type.

Clarkston Community Schools

Clarkston Community Schools is one of the strongest school districts in Oakland County and consistently places among the top districts in the entire state of Michigan. The district serves approximately 6,682 students across 14 schools, maintains an A- overall grade from Niche, and ranks #46 among all school districts in Michigan. SchoolDigger ranks it #61 out of 613 Michigan districts with a 5-star rating.

Math proficiency in the district runs at 49 percent versus the state average of 35 percent. Reading proficiency is 60 percent versus the state average of 46 percent. Clarkston High School ranks in the top 67 to 78 high schools in Michigan out of over 700 and maintains a graduation rate of 95 percent -- placing the district in the top 5 percent in Michigan for graduation rates. The student-to-teacher ratio of 16:1 is better than the state average of 17:1.

Elementary (7 schools)
Bailey Lake, Independence, Springfield, Pine Knob, Andersonville, North Sashabaw, Village
A-
Grades 6-7
Sashabaw Middle School
A-
Grades 7-9
Clarkston Junior High School
A-
Grades 9-12
Clarkston High School
#67

Everest Collegiate High School and Academy -- a private Roman Catholic high school -- is also located within Independence Township at 5935 Clarkston Road and is a popular choice for families seeking a faith-based college preparatory option in the area.

Life in Clarkston

Pine Knob Music Theatre

Pine Knob Music Theatre is one of the defining features of life in Clarkston. Opened in 1972 and located at 33 Bob Seger Drive (the address was officially renamed in 2019 to honor Bob Seger's 33 sold-out performances), the 15,274-capacity outdoor amphitheater ranks among the top-selling concert venues in the entire world. It was ranked #1 globally in Pollstar's 2022 Year-End Rankings. From May through September, residents of Clarkston live a short drive from world-class live entertainment every summer weekend. The venue's name reverted from DTE Energy Music Theatre back to Pine Knob in January 2022.

Shepherd's Hollow Golf Club

Shepherd's Hollow Golf Club is a public 27-hole Arthur Hills-designed course set on 350 acres of wooded terrain at 9085 Big Lake Road. Ranked among the Top 100 Public Golf Courses in the United States by Golf Digest, it occupies one of the highest elevations in Oakland County -- a landscape so dramatic that players frequently describe it as feeling "Up North" despite being 30 miles from Detroit. The facility includes full dining, a wedding venue, and an open-air veranda overlooking the course. Combined with the private Oakhurst Golf and Country Club and Pine Knob Golf Club, Clarkston offers a golf experience matched by few communities in Michigan.

Pine Knob Ski and Snowboard Resort

Just steps from the music venue, Pine Knob Ski and Snowboard Resort offers 17 trails, 12 lifts including a high-speed quad chair, and the legendary slope known as "The Wall" -- Southeast Michigan's most challenging ski run. At 1,221 feet, Pine Knob sits at the highest elevation in Southeastern Michigan along the Hillsdale-Lapeer Moraine Range. For families with children, the proximity to a genuine ski hill is one of the most compelling lifestyle advantages Clarkston offers over neighboring communities.

Downtown Dining and Restaurants

Downtown Clarkston's Main Street dining scene is anchored by the Union Joints restaurant group, founded in 1995 by Curt Catello. The Clarkston Union -- set in an 1840s church on Main Street -- is famous for its award-winning mac and cheese and authentic American comfort food. Union Woodshop at 18 S. Main Street is ranked #1 of 75 restaurants in Clarkston on TripAdvisor and was featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives for its hickory-smoked BBQ. Honcho and several other independent restaurants complete a downtown dining scene that draws visitors from across Metro Detroit. Great Lakes Crossing Outlets -- one of Michigan's largest retail destinations -- is just 5 miles away.

Independence Oaks County Park

Independence Oaks County Park is Oakland County's largest park at 1,286 acres, located entirely within Independence Township. The park features Crooked Lake Beach, extensive hiking and mountain biking trails, cross-country ski trails in winter, kayak and canoe rentals on Crooked Lake, nature and environmental education programs, and an off-leash dog area. For Clarkston-area residents, it functions as a year-round outdoor recreation resource with the character and scale of a state park just minutes from home.

Community Events and Character

Clarkston sustains a genuinely active civic calendar throughout the year. Art in the Village fills Main Street in the summer. Concerts in the Park bring live music to Depot Park. The annual Holiday Lights Parade draws the community together each December. The Clarkston Community Historical Society actively preserves and celebrates the area's rich history. The overall character is one of a community that values its identity, takes pride in its heritage, and actively invests in the quality of life that made Clarkston one of Metro Detroit's most sought-after addresses.

Notable Clarkston Area Residents and Connections

Henry Ford maintained a summer home and weekend cottage on Main Street and owned a working mill in Clarkston -- a connection that speaks to the community's long appeal as a destination for people with the means to live anywhere. Kid Rock is perhaps Clarkston's most well-known modern resident and a fixture of local culture; his performance at Union Woodshop was featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. The Clarkston and Indepedence Township area has also been home to Valerie Bertinelli, Dan Dickerson (Detroit Tigers radio voice), Geoff Johns (DC Comics), and Tim Robinson (Saturday Night Live). In 2008, HBO filmed a pilot in the Village of Clarkston. The community has long attracted high-profile residents who value privacy, natural beauty, and genuine small-town character within reach of Metro Detroit.

Clarkston Location and Commuting

Clarkston is served by Interstate 75 with primary access via the Sashabaw Road exit, putting the community approximately 34 miles northwest of downtown Detroit. The drive to Detroit's Tech Corridor along M-59, to General Motors' global headquarters in Renaissance Center, to Auburn Hills' major employers including Stellantis, and to Oakland University is within comfortable daily commuting distance. I-75 north also connects to Flint in approximately 35 minutes.

34 mi To Downtown Detroit
10 mi To Auburn Hills / Stellantis HQ
5 mi To Great Lakes Crossing Outlets
35 mi To Flint via I-75
12 mi To Oakland University

Frequently Asked Questions: Clarkston Michigan Real Estate

What is the difference between the City of Clarkston and Independence Township?
The City of Clarkston is one of the smallest cities in Michigan at just 0.44 square miles with under 1,000 residents. Independence Township surrounds it on all sides and is home to over 36,000 residents. Both areas share the Clarkston Community Schools district and most people refer to the entire area simply as "Clarkston." The key practical difference for buyers is property tax rates and millages, which differ between the two. Our agents identify the exact municipality for any property you are considering and walk you through the tax implications before you make an offer.
How are Clarkston Community Schools ranked?
Clarkston Community Schools holds an A- district grade from Niche, ranks #46 among all school districts in Michigan, and is rated #61 of 613 Michigan districts by SchoolDigger with a 5-star rating. The district's graduation rate of 95 percent places it in the top 5 percent in Michigan. Math proficiency (49%) and reading proficiency (60%) both significantly exceed state averages. Clarkston High School ranks among the top 67 to 78 high schools in Michigan out of over 700.
Is Oakhurst Golf and Country Club open to the public?
No. Oakhurst Golf and Country Club is a private, gated community and members-only club. Access to the golf course and country club amenities is reserved for residents and members. It is Clarkston's most exclusive residential community, with homes ranging from $400,000 to over $2.6 million on the grounds of an Arthur Hills-designed championship course. Shepherd's Hollow Golf Club nearby is a top-100 public course open to all golfers.
What zip codes cover the Clarkston area?
The primary zip codes for the Clarkston and Independence Township area are 48346 and 48348. Some properties on the edges of the market may carry 48350 (Clarkston/Davisburg) as well. All of these zip codes fall within the Clarkston Community Schools district. Our agents search across all applicable zip codes when running searches for buyers who want comprehensive coverage of the Clarkston market.
Is new construction available in Clarkston?
Yes. Pulte Homes is actively building new construction at Waldon Village in Independence Township -- both The Brookfield (single-family homes from approximately $585,000) and The Townes at Waldon Village (townhomes from approximately $399,000 to $445,000). The Manors of Clarkston feature custom new construction on estate-sized lots for buyers seeking a fully custom luxury build. Availability, pricing, and lot selection change frequently -- contact us for current status on all active Clarkston-area new construction.
How close is Clarkston to Detroit and Auburn Hills?
Clarkston is approximately 34 miles northwest of downtown Detroit via I-75 -- a drive of roughly 40 to 50 minutes. Auburn Hills, home to Stellantis North America's headquarters and a major employment corridor, is approximately 10 miles south via I-75. Pontiac and Troy are also within a 20 to 25 mile drive. For buyers who work in the northern Oakland County business corridor, Clarkston is an ideal residential base that keeps commute times short while providing a lifestyle that far exceeds what those employment centers can offer locally.
Why use Lasco Real Estate Group for Clarkston?
Lasco Real Estate Group is based in Fenton, Michigan -- just 25 miles north of Clarkston on US-23. We are a local independent team, not a national franchise, and we serve the Clarkston market with genuine expertise and personal attention. We know the distinction between city and township, we understand how Oakhurst and Deer Lake pricing works, and we have relationships throughout the Independence Township new construction and resale market. When you move quickly on a Clarkston property, that local knowledge and personal service makes a real difference. Call us at 810.433.9556.

Ready to Find Your Clarkston Home?

From historic downtown cottages to lakefront estates on Deer Lake to luxury homes in Oakhurst, we know the Clarkston market inside and out. Let us help you find the right home at the right price -- before someone else does.

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