Oshtemo Township is located in southwest Michigan in Kalamazoo County, roughly halfway between Chicago and Detroit. Just north of Interstate 94, the township benefits from excellent regional access, with US‑131 running north–south along its eastern edge.
Once primarily an agricultural community, Oshtemo is now predominantly residential, anchored by two key commercial corridors. The West Main Street corridor serves western and northern Kalamazoo County and beyond, while the Stadium Drive corridor focuses on local residents and nearby businesses. With a strong residential base, convenient shopping and services, low taxes, and access to Kalamazoo, Mattawan, and Otsego Public Schools, Oshtemo is an attractive place to live and work.
As part of the greater Kalamazoo metropolitan area, Oshtemo Township is closely connected to the City of Kalamazoo and surrounding communities. Township officials regularly collaborate on regional issues, and residents frequently work, shop, and recreate throughout the area.
Oshtemo Township covers nearly 36 square miles. It is bordered by the City and Township of Kalamazoo to the east, Alamo Township to the north, Texas Township to the south, and Almena Township in Van Buren County to the west. Regional access is provided by a nearby I‑94 interchange and two US‑131 interchanges, making Oshtemo both well‑connected and conveniently located.
History of Oshtemo
In 1795, when the Northwest Territory was opened for settlement, the area that would become Kalamazoo County was first set aside as an Indian reservation. The Treaty of 1821 later opened the land to settlers moving west from the eastern United States. Titus Bronson, the first prominent settler, built his first cabin in 1829 and replaced it a year later with a more permanent home on what is now Bronson Park. The community, originally known as the Village of Bronson, grew rapidly and became the county seat in 1831. Six years later, the first main-line railroad station was constructed.
Oshtemo is one of 15 townships in Kalamazoo County, in southwestern Michigan. Though Oshtemo Township was formally organized in 1839, the first recorded settlement was established by Benjamin Drake in 1830 in the northeast part of the township. In 1831, the southeast corner was settled by pioneer Enoch Harris, and over the next eight years more than twenty additional settlers arrived.
On March 22, 1839, the Michigan Legislature approved Oshtemo as an independent township. One of its earliest roads, later named Drake Road, is believed to have been the first surveyed road in the township. The name “Oshtemo” is thought to have been suggested by Mr. Hammond of the Kalamazoo branch of the Bank of Michigan and derived from a Potawatomi word meaning “headwaters,” referring to the headwaters of Arcadia Creek near South 11th Street and West KL Avenue.
Over time, Oshtemo grew from a small agricultural community into a predominantly suburban township. In 1979, it became a charter township, in part due to annexation pressures from the neighboring City of Kalamazoo. Today, Oshtemo Township includes three public school districts (Kalamazoo, Mattawan, and Otsego) and is a largely residential community with a strong commercial and industrial base and a population just shy of 24,000 residents.
Quality of Life
Oshtemo Township’s location, close to both natural amenities and regional destinations, strongly supports a high quality of life. Residents enjoy nearby parks, open spaces, and other natural features, described later in this chapter. Ready access to shopping and employment further enhances daily life, as reflected in resident survey responses. U.S. Route 131 along the east side of the Township and Interstate 94 to the south connect Oshtemo to major employers and metropolitan areas throughout southwest Michigan and beyond.
A balanced mix of land uses also contributes to livability in Oshtemo. Residents have access to a range of housing options at various price points, including single-family homes, multifamily residences, senior housing, and manufactured housing. Commercial and industrial areas of varying intensity provide jobs, services, and a strong local tax base. Preserving this diversity of land uses will be a key objective in future planning and land-use policy decisions.
Families in Oshtemo benefit from multiple educational options. Three high-quality public school districts (Kalamazoo, Mattawan, and Otsego) serve portions of the Township, and several private schools are located nearby. Kalamazoo Public School graduates qualify for The Kalamazoo Promise, which funds up to 100% of tuition and fees at any in-state college or university. The presence of major post-secondary institutions in the Kalamazoo area, including Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo College, and Kalamazoo Valley Community College, further enhances educational and economic opportunities for residents.
Access to nature, strong transportation connections, diverse housing and land uses, and excellent educational opportunities are among the primary reasons residents value living in Oshtemo Township. Community input has consistently emphasized a desire to preserve and enhance this quality of life, underscoring its importance as a guiding principle for future planning efforts.