Metro Detroit Oakland County Charter township
Bloomfield Charter Township
Oakland County's oldest township: a legendary golf club, a Gothic church, lakes, estates
- People (2025 estimate)
- 43,904
- Land area
- 24.6 sq mi · 63.7 km²
- From downtown
- 20.6 miles · 33 km · northwest
- Incorporated
- 1827
Nothing on our calendar here this week yet.
01 / Why it matters
Why Bloomfield Charter Township matters
Bloomfield Township held its first board meeting in 1827, making it the oldest township in Oakland County. It wraps around Birmingham and Bloomfield Hills. Lakes, wooded lots and estates: in 2014 it was ranked the most expensive place to live in Michigan.
In golf, it's legendary: after winning the 1951 U.S. Open at Oakland Hills Country Club, Ben Hogan called the Donald Ross course "this monster." The club is private, but any golf fan knows the name; it also hosted the 2004 Ryder Cup. Also worth a look is Kirk in the Hills, a Gothic church modeled on Scotland's Melrose Abbey, set by a lake.
There's a darker chapter too: labor leader Jimmy Hoffa was last seen on July 30, 1975, in the parking lot of the Machus Red Fox restaurant here, and his disappearance remains unsolved. On a lighter note, the Detroit Skating Club has trained figure skaters like Tara Lipinski.
02 / Known for
What Bloomfield Charter Township is known for
Oakland County's oldest township; its first board meeting was on May 25, 1827.
Oakland Hills Country Club (South Course 1918, North Course 1923) has hosted six U.S. Opens and the 2004 Ryder Cup.
Kirk in the Hills' 77-bell carillon is the world's largest by number of bells.
Jimmy Hoffa's 1975 disappearance from the parking lot of the Machus Red Fox restaurant.
The main branch of the Rouge River rises here in the township.
03 / What’s on
What’s on in Bloomfield Charter Township
Nothing on our calendar in Bloomfield Charter Township right now. Try the neighbors:
04 / Places
3 places on our site in Bloomfield Charter Township
05 / What to do
If you’re in Bloomfield Charter Township
Kirk in the Hills
A Gothic Presbyterian church modeled on Scotland's Melrose Abbey, on 40 lakeside acres; its first service was in 1958, and its tower holds the world's largest carillon by number of bells, 77 in all.
Official site ↗Bloomfield Township Public Library
The township library, which among other things indexed the local history book "Bloomfield Blossoms," now readable in Michigan State University's digital collection.
Official site ↗
06 / History
Bloomfield Charter Township through the years
- 1827
The township board holds its first meeting on May 25.
- 1918
Oakland Hills Country Club's South Course formally opens on July 13.
- 1951
Ben Hogan wins the U.S. Open at Oakland Hills and dubs the course "this monster."
- 1958
Kirk in the Hills holds its first service in the sanctuary on November 23.
- 1975
On July 30, Jimmy Hoffa vanishes from the Machus Red Fox parking lot.
- 2004
Oakland Hills Country Club hosts the Ryder Cup.
07 / People
Famous names from here
- Chad Smith The Red Hot Chili Peppers' drummer, who graduated from Lahser High School in the township in 1980.
- Tara Lipinski Olympic champion figure skater who trained at the Detroit Skating Club in the township.
Sources
Population and area are Census Bureau figures (Bloomfield charter township).
- 2020 Census, Michigan (PL 94-171)
- Census Bureau population estimates: cities and towns
- bloomfieldtwp.org/living-in-bloomfield/about-bloomfield-township/history
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloomfield_Township,_Oakland_County,_Michigan
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oakland_Hills_Country_Club
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirk_in_the_Hills
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disappearance_of_Jimmy_Hoffa
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chad_Smith
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lahser_High_School
- bloomfieldtwp.org
Change since 2020, per the Census Bureau estimate: −0.8 percent.
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