Taylor basement risk at a glance
| Basement Risk Index | 50 / 100 (ELEVATED) |
| Metro rank | #47 of 116 |
| Homes built before 1960 | 43% |
| Peak building era | 1950s (31% of homes) |
| Median year built | 1963 |
| Median home value | $152,600 |
| Median household income | $61,081 |
| Owner-occupied | 67% |
| Neighborhoods analyzed | 21 |
Taylor'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 Taylor was built
The housing stock in Taylor peaked in the 1950s, when about 31% of today's homes were built. In total, 43% of Taylor 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.
How basement risk varies inside Taylor
We score 21 individual neighborhoods inside Taylor. Of those, 6 fall in the high or very high band, 5 are elevated, and 10 are moderate or lower. Risk is rarely uniform across a city, so the most useful number is the one for your own block.
What this means for Taylor homeowners
Taylor 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.
Why Taylor homes face basement risk
Basement flooding in Taylor 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.
FEMA disaster assistance after June 2021
234 Taylor households registered for FEMA disaster assistance after the June 2021 floods (DR-4607-MI), and FEMA approved 45 of those claims for a combined $164,293, according to FEMA's OpenFEMA Housing Assistance data (pulled and re-verified July 2026). That count is a floor, not a ceiling: it only includes households who applied to FEMA, not every home that took on water.
How Taylor compares
Taylor's Index of 50 is above the metro Detroit median of 37. It ranks #47 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
- 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 Taylor?
Start with the risk, then the contractor. We keep public-record profiles of the waterproofing contractors whose own listings say they serve Taylor, with license status and the questions worth asking before you sign. See basement waterproofing contractors in Taylor →
See Taylor on the full metro Detroit Basement Risk Index map →