South Lyon is a city in Oakland County, Michigan. According to the 2020 census, the population was 11,746, which is an increase from 11,327 in the 2010 census.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.74 square miles (9.69 km), which includes 3.73 square miles (9.66 km) of land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km) of water. The water area makes up 0.27% of the total city area.

History

South Lyon was founded in 1832 and was named Thompson's Corners. In the same year, the surrounding township was named Lyon in honor of Lucius Lyon, a member of the state legislature. The village was named based on its location within the township. South Lyon became a village in 1873 and a city in 1930.

Three rail lines once passed through South Lyon. In the summer of 1871, the Detroit, Lansing, and Northern Railroad was built west from Plymouth, heading toward Lansing and Ionia. In 1880, the earlier version of the Ann Arbor Railroad built a line from Ann Arbor into South Lyon. This line was built to extend toward Pontiac, but the original owners did not complete this part. The line was removed around 1890. In 1883, the Grand Trunk built its Jackson Branch from Pontiac to Jackson, crossing the Pere Marquette at South Lyon. This branch line served South Lyon until the early 1980s. Today, the route is a paved path for bicycles, and Reynold Sweet Parkway follows the original track. Currently, South Lyon is home to the CSX main line connecting Detroit to Grand Rapids, and a passing track is located there.

Demographics

In 2020, the city had 11,746 people living in 4,963 households. The average number of people in each household was 2.36. About 88% of South Lyon residents had lived in their homes for more than a year, except for children under one year old. Ninety-three point seven percent of households owned a computer, and 89% had a broadband Internet subscription.

Fifty-four point eight percent of South Lyon residents were female, and 45.2% were male. The racial makeup of the city was 94.4% White, 1.9% Asian, 2.5% multiracial, and 0.9% Black. Four point one percent of residents of any race identified as Hispanic or Latino. Five point nine percent of residents were born outside the United States, and 6.1% of people older than five spoke a language other than English at home. Twenty-one point nine percent of residents were under 18 years old, and 16.6% were 65 years old or older. Seven point two percent of residents under 65 had a disability.

In 2020, 69.4% of South Lyon residents aged 16 and older were part of the labor force. The average time it took workers to commute to their jobs was 29.9 minutes. The median household income was $73,200, and the average income per person was $39,016 (in 2019 dollars). Five point six percent of residents lived below the federal poverty line. As of 2012, there were 1,106 businesses in South Lyon that had at least $1,000 in yearly sales.

The median value of homes in South Lyon was $192,100, and the average monthly rent was $1,042.

Education

In South Lyon, 93% of people older than 25 have completed high school, and 42% have earned a college degree, such as a bachelor's degree or higher.

South Lyon is served by South Lyon Community Schools, a public school district that covers three counties and three townships, and spans 83 square miles. The district includes an Early Childhood Center, eight elementary schools (Bartlett Elementary, Brummer Elementary, Dolsen Elementary, Hardy Elementary, Kent Lake Elementary, Pearson Elementary, Salem Elementary, and Sayre Elementary), two middle schools (Millennium Middle School and Centennial Middle School), and two high schools (South Lyon High School and South Lyon East High School). Both high schools are part of the Lakes Valley Conference and the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA).

Government

South Lyon uses a council-manager system for its government. The current mayor is Steve Kennedy, who has held the position since 2023. The city manager is Paul C. Zelenak, who began working in this role in 2018. He was hired from Linden, Michigan. The city council meets every two months at City Hall. The current members of the city council are Lisa Dilg (Mayor Pro-Tem), Alex Hansen, Glenn Kivell, Margaret Kurtzweil, Lori Moiser, and Thad Bogert.

Parks

McHattie Park in South Lyon is located on the west side of Pontiac Trail, between 9 Mile and 10 Mile Roads. The park covers almost 15 acres and includes playground equipment, little league ball diamonds, sand volleyball courts, a sledding hill, and open spaces for picnics and outdoor activities. The park also houses the Witch's Hat Depot Museum and Historic Village. The historic village has six buildings: Washburn School (built in 1907), Queen Anne Depot (also called the Witch's Hat, built in 1909), the Caboose (built around 1926), the Little Village Chapel (built in 1930), the Freight House (built in 1984), and the Gazebo (built in 1990). Except for the Freight House and the Gazebo, which were built at the park, the other buildings were moved from their original locations starting in 1976. These buildings are open to the public at different times, and the Little Village Chapel can be rented for weddings with up to 75 guests. The South Lyon Historical Society is trying to add a 100-year-old barn from Salem Township to the park, which would cost about $200,000.

McHattie Park and the museum host public and private events. Concerts are held most weeks during the summer, and the annual Depot Days festival takes place in early autumn. The park is also connected to part of the Huron Valley Rail Trail, a public path for walking and biking that was once a railroad line. The trail is managed by the Western Oakland County Trailway Management Council.

Volunteer Park is a 130-acre park on Dixboro Road, between 8 Mile and 9 Mile Roads. It includes sports fields, baseball diamonds, a volleyball court, and a picnic structure. Like McHattie Park, it is also connected to the Huron Valley Rail Trail.

Paul Baker Memorial Park is a small park with a fountain, a small gazebo, and a few benches. It is located at the intersection of Lake Street and Reynold Sweet Parkway, near the railroad tracks.

Accidents

• South Lyon Hotel Fire: On June 23, 2016, at 2:00 a.m., a three-alarm fire caused by a possible electrical problem led to the South Lyon Hotel burning down. The fire destroyed the second floor and roof, but the first floor and walls remained intact. The hotel reopened in the fall of 2017 after one year of construction.
• Lyon Cantina Fire: On December 31, 2019, a three-alarm fire at the Lyon Cantina, caused by a fire in the kitchen, led to the building burning down. Firefighters used a defensive approach because the fire was very intense.

Notable people

• Trey Augustine – Detroit Red Wings goaltending prospect
• Orion Bacon – Instagram influencer
• Dave Brandon – chairman & CEO of Toys "R" Us, former athletic director at the University of Michigan, former CEO of Domino's Pizza, and Valassis
• Anita Cochran – country music singer
• John Heffron – stand-up comedian
• Barbara Lewis – singer, "Baby, I'm Yours"
• Mitch Ryder – musician, The Detroit Wheels
• Danny Spanos – drummer for 1970s band Redbone, two solo albums in 1980s, hit song "Hot Cherie" reached #29 on Billboard AOR charts
• Maj. Gen. Edward D. Phelka – The 25th National Commander of Civil Air Patrol