Situated in southwest Oakland County, South Lyon, Michigan is just outside the Detroit Metro Region, to the west, between Ann Arbor and Detroit.

Lyon Township (Oakland County) borders the city to the north, east, and south. In contrast, Green Oak Township (Livingston County) borders it to the west, and Northfield Township (Washtenaw County) borders it to the west. Salem Township (Washtenaw County) borders it to the south.

There are no major highways in the city limits of South Lyon. Pontiac Trail (Lafayette Street) and 10 Mile Road (Lake Street) intersect downtown. Other routes through the city include 11 Mile Road, 9 Mile Road, 8 Mile Road, Martindale Road, and Dixboro Road.

South Lyon is twenty-five miles or less from Novi, Wixom, Northville, Brighton, Milford, Walled Lake, Barton Hills, Ann Arbor, Wolverine Lake, Plymouth, Farmington, Pinckney, Farmington Hills, Ypsilanti, Howell, Dexter, Livonia, Bingham Farms, Westland, Southfield, Franklin, Beverly Hills, Orchard Lake, Keego Harbor, Lathrup Village, and Saline, while the unincorporated communities of Green Oak, Rushton, New Hudson, Salem, Worden, Northfield, Whitmore Lake, Emery, and Brookeville are within ten miles.

Nearly sixty percent of the city's land area consists of single-family residential, while another four percent is in multiple-family residential. Most homes in the city are owner-occupied, which represents an increase since 2000. In 2000, the largest industry in South Lyons was manufacturing. By 2010, the largest industry was education and social services, although the city still supports several manufacturing companies. More than ninety percent of residents commute to work.

The Huron Valley Trail is a paved rail trail that passes through the city, linking several suburban communities, parks, and a large recreation area. Situated along Dixboro Road between 9 Mile Road and 8 Mile Road, Volunteer Park is a 130-acre recreational area that includes baseball diamonds, soccer fields, a sand volleyball court, and a multi-use nature trail, while McHattie Park is a 15-acre park with Little League diamonds, sand volleyball courts, a sledding hill, an outdoor ice skating and hockey rink, and playground equipment.

The K-12 population of South Lyon is served by South Lyon Community Schools, which serves three counties and three townships.

During the last weekend in September, South Lyons hosts Pumpkinfest, the largest annual festival in the community. Although the events may differ somewhat from year to year, they may include a parade through the downtown area, live entertainment, contests, exhibits, and activities for the children.

At the time of the 2020 census, the population of South Lyon was 11,746. Since first appearing on a census roll in 1880 with a population of 418, its population has declined only twice, in 1900 and 1910.

European-Americans settled in the area in the early 1830s. The first house in the community was built in 1832 for a widow by the name of Thompson, whose son, William, operated the first store. As others arrived and a community formed, it became known as Thompson's Corners.

Also in 1832, the township was named for Lucius Lyon, then a surveyor of the Michigan Territory, who soon became influential in Michigan's acceptance of the Upper Peninsula in lieu of the Toledo Strip. He was later named a non-voting delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives representing the Michigan Territory, a U.S. Shadow Senator from the Michigan Territory, a United States Senator representing the State of Michigan, and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan's 2nd District.

On July 13, 1848, a post office was established and named for the community's location in Lyon Township. Zeri C. Colvin served as the first postmaster.

South Lyon was once home to three railroads. The Detroit, Lansing and Northern Railroad (Pere Marquette) came through in 1871, followed by the Ann Arbor Railroad in 1880, and the Grand Trunk Railroad in 1883.

After the first Detroit, Lansing & Northern depot was destroyed by fire, the Pere Marquette and Grand Trunk railroads built a union station in South Lyon to serve both lines. This depot used a witch's hat design for the roof. In the mid-1970s, this depot was moved to McHattie Park, where it now serves as the Witches Hat Depot Museum.

Today, the CSX railroad continues to operate through South Lyon, and has a passing track there.

South Lyon was incorporated as a village in 1873 and became a city in 1930.

This portion of our guide focuses on the City of South Lyon, Michigan. Online resources representing the municipal government, as well as local businesses, industries, schools, places of worship, organizations, attractions, events, entertainment venues, and recreational opportunities are appropriate for this category.

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