South Lyon is a city in southeastern Michigan and part of the Detroit metropolitan area. Located about 30 miles northwest of downtown Detroit, the city sits near the Huron River and the western edge of Oakland County. South Lyon is known for its historic downtown, nearby Kensington Metropark, green spaces, and convenient location between Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Novi.
Location Map of South Lyon, Oakland County, Michigan
About Map: The map shows the location of South Lyon in Oakland County, in the U.S. state of Michigan.
South Lyon Map, Michigan
About South Lyon Map: The Google Map highlights the location of South Lyon in Oakland County, Michigan. Use the zoom, satellite, and street-view options to explore the city's neighborhoods, roads, and nearby places.
Where is South Lyon Located?
South Lyon is a city located in Oakland County, Michigan, the United States. It lies in southeastern Michigan, about 30 miles northwest of downtown Detroit and 15 miles west of Pontiac. Novi is about 8 miles east, while Ann Arbor is roughly 20 miles southwest of South Lyon. The city is located at 42.4606° North latitude and 83.6516° West longitude. The 2020 Census recorded 11,746 residents. South Lyon covers about 3.76 square miles (9.74 square kilometers), with most of its area consisting of land. The city developed near the Huron River and became an important local transportation and railroad community during the 19th century. Its historic downtown contains older commercial buildings, civic structures, and residential neighborhoods that reflect this early growth. Kensington Metropark is a major nearby attraction with lakes, beaches, trails, golf, and wooded landscapes. A unique feature of South Lyon is its position near the meeting point of several major metro Detroit communities, with Ann Arbor and Detroit both within convenient driving distance.
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South Lyon City Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| City | South Lyon |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Oakland County |
| Country | United States |
| Region | Southeastern Michigan, Metro Detroit |
| Incorporated | 1930 |
| Founded | 1832 |
| Total Area | 3.76 sq mi (9.74 sq km) |
| Land Area | 3.75 sq mi (9.71 sq km) |
| Water Area | 0.01 sq mi (0.03 sq km) |
| Elevation | About 900 ft (274 m) |
| Population (2023 estimate) | About 12,000 |
| Population (2020 Census) | 11,746 |
| Population Density | About 3,132 people per sq mi |
| Time Zone | Eastern Time (EST/EDT) |
| ZIP Codes | 48178 |
| Area Code | 248, 947 |
| Major Highways | Interstate 96, U.S. Highway 23, Michigan State Route 14 |
| Public Transit | SMART regional bus services |
| Major Attractions | South Lyon Historic District, Kensington Metropark, Huron Valley Rail Trail, Lyon Township Heritage Museum |
| Official Website | https://www.southlyonmi.org/ |
Distance from South Lyon, MI to Nearby Cities
- Novi, MI – 8 miles (13 km)
- Northville, MI – 10 miles (16 km)
- Milford, MI – 10 miles (16 km)
- Wixom, MI – 8 miles (13 km)
- Brighton, MI – 12 miles (19 km)
- Plymouth, MI – 15 miles (24 km)
- Farmington Hills, MI – 15 miles (24 km)
- Ann Arbor, MI – 20 miles (32 km)
- Pontiac, MI – 20 miles (32 km)
- Livonia, MI – 20 miles (32 km)
- Dearborn, MI – 30 miles (48 km)
- Detroit, MI – 30 miles (48 km)
- Royal Oak, MI – 25 miles (40 km)
- Southfield, MI – 22 miles (35 km)
- Flint, MI – 45 miles (72 km)
- Lansing, MI – 70 miles (113 km)
- Jackson, MI – 45 miles (72 km)
- Toledo, OH – 60 miles (97 km)
Top Attractions in South Lyon, Michigan
- South Lyon Historic District – A historic downtown area with older commercial buildings, local shops, civic structures, and architecture reflecting the city's 19th-century development.
- Lyon Township Heritage Museum – A local museum preserving artifacts, photographs, documents, and stories from South Lyon and the surrounding community.
- Huron Valley Rail Trail – A multi-use trail following a former railroad corridor through South Lyon and nearby communities, popular for walking and cycling.
- Kensington Metropark – A large regional park near Milford with a lake, beaches, hiking trails, golf, boating, fishing, and wooded scenery.
- Huron River – A major southeastern Michigan waterway flowing through the region and providing opportunities for paddling, fishing, wildlife observation, and scenic recreation.
- Island Lake Recreation Area – A nearby state recreation area with hiking and biking trails, lakes, camping, fishing, boating, and wildlife habitat.
- Maybury State Park – A nearby park in Northville featuring wooded trails, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and nature programs.
- Northville Historic District – A nearby historic downtown with preserved buildings, local shops, restaurants, parks, and community events.
- University of Michigan – Ann Arbor – A major university and cultural center about 20 miles southwest of South Lyon, with museums, libraries, sports venues, and historic campus buildings.
Airports Near South Lyon, Michigan
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) – 30 miles
- Willow Run Airport (YIP) – 25 miles
- Oakland County International Airport (PTK) – 20 miles
- Bishop International Airport (FNT) – 50 miles
Sources:
Population and area data sourced from the United States Census Bureau (2020 Census). General city information referenced from the official South Lyon city website and local government records.
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