You’re standing in line at the Secretary of State or maybe just trying to get a pizza delivered to a house near Claude Allison Park, and you realize something weird. Redford is small. It’s a township, not a massive sprawling metropolis like Detroit or even nearby Livonia. Yet, if you ask three different people for the zip code for Redford Michigan, you might actually get three different answers.
It’s confusing.
Most people just assume every town has one code. One and done. But Redford is a bit of a geographic rebel. It sits right on the edge of Wayne County, acting as a buffer between the grit of the city and the suburban sprawl of the west. Because of how the United States Postal Service (USPS) carved up the map decades ago, your mail might say Redford, but your zip code might actually belong to a sorting facility that serves a completely different neighborhood.
The Three Main Players: 48239, 48240, and 48219
Let’s get the facts straight. The primary zip code for Redford Michigan is 48239. If you live south of 5 Mile Road, this is likely your life. This slice of the township is what most people think of when they talk about "Redford." It’s the residential heart, the place where you find those classic brick bungalows and the kind of quiet streets where people still actually know their neighbors' names.
Then there is 48240.
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This is the northern tier. If you’re hanging out near 7 Mile or closer to the Brightmoor border, you’re in 48240 territory. It’s got a different vibe—a little more transitionary, a little closer to the action of the city. These two codes cover the vast majority of the Charter Township of Redford.
But here’s where it gets messy.
There is a third one: 48219.
Honestly, 48219 is mostly Detroit. It’s Old Redford. But because the lines of the township and the lines of the Detroit city limits dance around each other like a pair of awkward middle schoolers at a formal, some folks with a Redford mailing address find themselves categorized under 48219. It’s rare, but it happens, especially in those weird "no-man's-land" pockets near Telegraph Road.
Why the Post Office Divided Redford This Way
You have to look at the history of the "Redford" name to understand the postal chaos. Back in the day—we’re talking way back, like the 1800s—Redford Township was a massive 36-square-mile block. As Detroit grew, it started chewing away at that land. Annexation after annexation stripped the township down to its current size (about 11 square miles).
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The USPS doesn't care about municipal borders as much as they care about efficiency.
They set up "Redford Station" and "Brightmoor Station." These hubs dictate where your mail goes, not the sign on the town hall. This is why you’ll sometimes see people arguing on Nextdoor about whether they live in Redford or Detroit. If your zip code for Redford Michigan starts with 482, you are technically part of the Detroit postal district, even if you pay your property taxes to Redford Township. It’s a quirk of the system that has existed since zip codes were introduced in 1963.
Does it matter? To the IRS, yeah. To your car insurance company? Absolutely.
In Michigan, your zip code is basically a secret tax. Because Redford shares postal prefixes with Detroit (the 482- prefix), insurance companies sometimes lump Redford residents into the same risk pools as city dwellers. It’s a major point of contention for local politicians. They’ve been fighting for years to get a unique prefix for the township to help lower those sky-high premiums. So far? Not much luck.
Real-World Nuance: The "Old Redford" Confusion
Don't let the name fool you. Old Redford is a neighborhood in Detroit, centered around Grand River and Lahser. It is not in the Township of Redford.
This trips up people moving to the area all the time. If you’re looking for a house and you see a listing for "Redford," check the zip code immediately. If it's 48219, you are likely in the city of Detroit. If it's 48239 or 48240, you’re in the township.
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Why does this distinction carry so much weight?
- Schools: Redford Township has its own school districts (Redford Union and South Redford). Detroit does not.
- Police: Response times and jurisdictions change the second you cross that invisible line.
- Taxes: Redford Township millages are different from Detroit’s city income tax.
It’s about more than just where your Amazon packages land. It’s about your daily life and your wallet.
Navigating the Logistics of 48239 vs 48240
If you are moving here, or maybe you're a local business owner trying to figure out your service area, you need to know the dividing line. Generally speaking, 5 Mile Road (Fenkell) is the border.
South of 5 Mile? You're looking at 48239. This area includes the town hall, the library, and most of the heavy commercial traffic along Plymouth Road. It’s the "busy" side of town.
North of 5 Mile? You're in 48240. This area feels a bit more secluded in parts, bordering the Western Golf & Country Club and running up toward 8 Mile. It’s a bit more "residential-exclusive" in its layout.
What’s interesting is that while these two areas are part of the same township, they sometimes feel like different worlds. The 48240 area has a lot of mid-century charm, whereas 48239 feels more connected to the industrial heritage of the nearby Ford plants and the logistical corridor of I-96.
How to Verify Your Exact Address
Don't just guess. If you’re filling out a mortgage application or setting up utilities, a mistake on the zip code for Redford Michigan can cause a week of headaches.
The most reliable way is the USPS ZIP Code Lookup tool. You put in your street address and city, and it gives you the "ZIP+4." That extra four-digit code at the end? That’s the real gold. It tells the mail carrier exactly which side of the street you’re on.
Also, a pro tip for locals: check your water bill. The township is very specific about its billing addresses. If the township says you’re in 48239, don’t let a Google Maps glitch convince you otherwise.
Actionable Steps for Redford Residents
Knowing your zip code is just the start. Here is how you actually use this info to your advantage:
- Check Your Insurance: Call your auto insurance agent. Ask them specifically if you are being rated as "Detroit" or "Redford Township." Sometimes, if the system defaults to the 482- prefix, you might be overpaying. Ensure they have your municipality listed as Redford Township, not just the Detroit postal hub.
- Verify School Boundaries: If you’re in the "overlap" zones near 48219, double-check your school district. Don't assume that a Redford mailing address automatically puts you in the South Redford school district.
- Local Services: When ordering services like landscaping or snow removal, specify your zip code. Many contractors have different rates based on how far they have to travel into the 48240 or 48239 zones.
- Voter Registration: Ensure your voter registration matches your township residency, regardless of what the post office calls your neighborhood. Redford Township has its own clerks and polling locations distinct from the city of Detroit.
The bottom line is that Redford is a community with a bit of an identity crisis on paper, but a very strong identity on the ground. Whether you're in 48239 or 48240, you’re part of a township that has managed to keep its "small town" feel right in the shadow of the Motor City. Just make sure you put the right numbers on the envelope.