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Basement Risk Index™ · Community Report

Basement Flood Risk in Richmond Township, Michigan

25BRI / 100
MODERATE RISK
Ranked #73 of 116 metro Detroit communities

Richmond Township, Michigan carries a Basement Risk Index of 25 out of 100, ranking #73 of 116 communities across metro Detroit, which is below the metro Detroit average. The score is driven by housing age and soil: 24% of Richmond Township homes were built before 1960, the era before sump pumps, exterior weeping tile, and backwater valves were standard, and the region's heavy clay soil holds water against those older foundations.

Richmond Township basement risk at a glance

Basement Risk Index25 / 100 (MODERATE)
Metro rank#73 of 116
Homes built before 196024%
Peak building era1990s (25% of homes)
Median year built1978
Median home value$289,500
Median household income$119,408
Owner-occupied91%
Neighborhoods analyzed1

Richmond Township's score is modeled from U.S. Census housing data; no municipal flood records are integrated yet. The Basement Risk Index is built from U.S. Census housing data and documented flood records. See our full methodology.

When Richmond Township was built

The housing stock in Richmond Township peaked in the 1990s, when about 25% of today's homes were built. In total, 24% of Richmond Township homes predate 1960. That matters because basements built before the 1960s typically lack the sump pumps, perimeter drain tile, and backwater valves that became standard later, leaving many on their original, aging clay drain tiles.

2020 or later
0%
2010s
0%
2000s
9%
1990s
25%
1980s
13%
1970s
19%
1960s
11%
1950s
7%
1940s
3%
Before 1940
13%

How basement risk varies inside Richmond Township

We score 1 individual neighborhoods inside Richmond Township. Of those, 0 fall in the high or severe band, 0 are elevated, and 1 are moderate or lower. Risk is rarely uniform across a city, so the most useful number is the one for your own block.

0Severe
0High
0Elevated
1Moderate
0Lower

What this means for Richmond Township homeowners

Richmond Township scores in the moderate band, but moderate is not zero on clay soil. Prevention is cheap relative to a flooded basement, and a free check tells you what you are working with.

Why Richmond Township homes face basement risk

Basement flooding in Richmond Township is mostly a function of housing age and soil. Older homes were built with clay drain tiles that crack and clog over decades, and the dense clay across southeast Michigan holds water against foundations rather than letting it drain.

How Richmond Township compares

Richmond Township's Index of 25 is below the metro Detroit median of 36. It ranks #73 of 116 communities region-wide.

Does insurance cover it?

Often not. Standard Michigan homeowners policies commonly exclude sewer backup and groundwater unless you carry a specific endorsement. Before the next storm, it is worth reading our guide on whether insurance covers basement flooding in Michigan and checking your declarations page.

What to do about it

  1. Lower risk is not zero risk on the region's clay soil, a free prevention check takes about 30 minutes.
  2. Watch for symptoms after storms; what you see at your own home matters more than any average.
  3. Maintain gutters and grading, the two cheapest protections any Michigan home has.
See Richmond Township on the full metro Detroit Basement Risk Index map →

Explore the data behind this score

Basement Risk Check is a free, public homeowner resource built on public records. No signup, no login.

See Richmond Township on the interactive metro Detroit Basement Risk Index map →
Read the published methodology →
Browse all 116 communities ranked →

Nearby communities

Richmond · 30Memphis · 60Lenox Township · 7Armada Township · 33Ray Township · 39

Homeowner guides

Does insurance cover basement flooding?What to do when your basement floodsThe 2021 metro Detroit floodsWhat keeps a Michigan basement dry

Frequently asked questions

Is Richmond Township at high risk for basement flooding?

Richmond Township scores 25 out of 100 on the Basement Risk Index, ranking #73 of 116 metro Detroit communities (MODERATE risk). The score reflects how much of the local housing stock predates modern basement drainage, on the region's clay soil.

Why does housing age matter so much in Richmond Township?

Sump pumps, exterior weeping tile, and backwater valves only became standard in the 1960s and 70s. 24% of Richmond Township homes were built before 1960, with the largest share built in the 1990s. Many still rely on original clay drain tiles that fail over time.

Does homeowners insurance cover basement flooding?

Often not. Standard policies commonly exclude groundwater and sewer backup unless you carry a specific rider. See our Michigan insurance guide.

Is this resource free to use?

Yes. The Basement Risk Index and every community report are free and public, with no signup and no login.