Rockwood basement risk at a glance
| Basement Risk Index | 35 / 100 (ELEVATED) |
| Metro rank | #63 of 116 |
| Homes built before 1960 | 27% |
| Peak building era | 1960s (24% of homes) |
| Median year built | 1970 |
| Median home value | $188,600 |
| Median household income | $88,080 |
| Owner-occupied | 75% |
| Neighborhoods analyzed | 1 |
Rockwood'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 Rockwood was built
Rockwood's housing is spread across several decades, peaking in the nineteen-sixties at about 24% of today's homes; some of the stock, 27%, predates 1960. These are lower-value homes for the metro, and 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 clay drain tiles.
How basement risk varies inside Rockwood
We score 1 individual neighborhoods inside Rockwood, and the pattern is skewed to the lower bands: 0 fall in the high or very high band, 0 are elevated, and 1 are moderate or lower. The number that matters is the one for your own block, not the city average.
What this means for Rockwood homeowners
Rockwood sits above the lighter end of the scale. The averages hide block-to-block variation, so the most useful step is finding out where your specific home stands. Among its immediate neighbors, Rockwood scores higher than Flat Rock, so the block next door is a better guide than any metro-wide average.
Why Rockwood homes face basement risk
Basement risk in Rockwood comes down to two things: how old its houses are and the clay beneath them. With some of its homes, 27%, built before 1960 and the biggest share going up in the nineteen-sixties, many sit on original clay drain tile, and southeast Michigan's dense clay holds water against those foundations rather than letting it drain. Rockwood sits on the Huron River near its mouth at Lake Erie, and low-lying ground near the water keeps the seasonal water table close to basement floors, so hydrostatic seepage can matter as much as sewer capacity here.
How Rockwood compares
Rockwood's Index of 35 ranks #63 of 116 communities region-wide and sits below the metro Detroit median of 37. It runs lower than its nearby neighbor Gibraltar.
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 sewer backup in Michigan and checking your declarations page.
What to do about it
- Compare your block on the metro map to see how your specific area compares within the community.
- Walk the basement after the next hard rain for dampness, white mineral lines, or a musty smell.
- Extend downspouts and check grading so water flows away from the foundation. More on keeping a basement dry.
Hiring in Rockwood?
We keep public-record profiles of metro Detroit basement waterproofing contractors, drawn from their own listings and Michigan licensing records. No ratings and no pay-to-play, just the record. Browse the contractor records →
See Rockwood on the full metro Detroit Basement Risk Index map →