White Lake township is known for providing the very best in recreational entertainment whether it is boating, skiing, hiking, biking or simply relaxing. Don’t miss the breathtaking sunset against the backdrop of the forested beauty upon the rolling hills. Within the township limits are several state recreation areas as well as a county park – not to mention the local township parks and recreation areas. The residents of White Lake have allowed their hometown to be used as testing ground for new and environmentally friendly ideas, such as installing standard geothermal heating and cooling systems in new housing developments – the first such attempt in all of Michigan. Come and join the 28,219 people (figure from 2000 census) who are proud to call White Lake township their home.
Location
White Lake is part of the Detroit metropolitan area, just 48 miles southeast and located in the middle of Oakland County in the southeast corner of the state of Michigan. White Lake is bordered by the following townships: Springfield, Independence, Waterford, Commerce, Milford, Highland and Rose. Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Toronto, Canada are all within a 5-hour drive.
Geography/Terrain
The beautiful township of White Lake sits 955 above sea level and encompasses 37.2 square miles, 3.5 square miles of which is water. Enjoy the township’s rolling hills, its 21 lakes totaling a whopping 2,600 acres, the produce of its farmlands and the beautitude of its forests. The majority of White Lake’s flat land areas have been preserved and open to the public as state recreation areas, as well as a county park.
Distance to 3 closest major cities
White Lake is 48 miles southeast of Detroit, just under an hour’s drive. Other nearby major cities include: Cleveland, Ohio – 194 miles southeast, a 3 hour and 20 minute drive; Toronto, Canada -- 257 miles northeast, a 4½ hour drive; Chicago, Illinois -- 273 miles southwest, just under a 4 ½ drive; Buffalo, New York -- 287 miles east, just over a 5 hour drive; Indianapolis, Indiana -- 305 miles southwest, a 4 hour and 45 minute drive; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania -- 310 miles southeast, just over a 5 hour drive.
Jobs
White Lake has very little industry within its township limits, but the commercial stores established there are mainstays to the economy. White Lake’s top employers include the Huron Valley Schools System, Home Depot, Walmart, Kroger’s Grocery and Mack Industries of Michigan. Many residents commute to the nearby Detroit metropolitan area for employment opportunities.
Housing
The township of White Lake is known for its innovative nature as it has been the proving ground for recent energy-efficient and environmentally friendly pioneering efforts. This is evident in the latest housing developments which include standard geothermal heating and cooling systems. There are both new and old houses available in White Lake – choose from the classic single-family home to the modern, retrofitted, environmentally friendly home. Condominiums, flats and apartments are available as well. While there are commercial properties available in the White Lake area, please note that there is very little industry in White Lake itself.
Parks/Sports/Recreation/Golf
As the name suggests, the township of White Lake is an ideal place to take advantage of all that the cluster of 21 (yes, 21!) lakes within the township limits has to offer. Whether your fancy is line fishing from the shore or revving up that engine and taking the boat out to the middle of the lake where there is not a person in sight – White Lake has everything you could possibly ask for. Take the boat on the lake in the summer, and enjoy a ski vacation in the winter – White Lake provides year-round recreation for the entire family.
But White Lake offers much more than just the breathtaking lakeside views and great on-and off-the-water activities. Several large parcels of land have been reserved for state recreation areas and county parks. For instance, Highland Recreation Area, featuring Teeple Lake Beach, offers over 6,000 acres of parkland for visitors and residents to enjoy alike.
Pontiac Lake Recreation Area offers over 3,800 acres of woodland terrain for all including campers, picnic goers and natural enthusiasts. The combination of heavily wooded forests, old farm fields, lakes, marshes and ponds provides an excellent habitat for a variety of wildlife for onlookers and hunters alike. Trails are available for a casual stroll or vigorous hike, a leisurely bike ride or a 5-mile cycle.
There are almost 100 area golf courses within a 20-mile radius of White Lake, including 7 award-winning courses. Enjoy the 2 golf courses within township limits: Indian Springs Metropark Golf Course offering a challenging 18-hole course and Brentwood Golf and Country Club offering an 18-hole course featuring 5,939 yards of golf from the longest tees with a par of 72.
Special Attractions/Events
It is obvious why White Lake’s motto is “White Lake Township, Your Four Season Playground”. There is so much to do, all year round!
Visit the Lewis Wint Nature Center which offers educational exhibits for natural enthusiasts individually or by the group. Lewis Wint Nature Center offers such programs as Starlab and Natural Discovery for kids of all ages.
The Michigan Lighthouse Project is quite a find in nearby Clarkston! The focus of the project is the restoration and preservation of historic lighthouses in Michigan for the enjoyment of all.
Visit the Woodcreek Farm, where they specialize in alpacas breeding. Learn the intimate details of how they imported 10 males and then later Peruvian females to create the herd that they still care for today. At the Woodcreek Farm, they offer fresh yarn, roving and raw fibers for sale.
Interesting Facts/Historic Buildings and Places
White Lake was settled by farmers in the early 1800s.
White Lake was formed 20,000 years ago by glaciers.
All of the townships in Oakland County are approximately the same size.
- NUMBER1EXPERTS™ 
