Branding the Burbs: A Look at Logo Design Across Oakland County’s Cities, Townships, and Villages
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Aug. 10, 2026)
Oakland County, MI – The recent rebranding done by the City of Oak Park sparked discussion by residents surprised by the simplicity of the logo.
Yet Oak Park’s new look follows a trend of municipalities moving away from the ornate logos of the past. This isn’t just a generational aesthetic, and certainly not an attempt to be dismissive of the past. Modern municipal logos are simple because they have to be. Those designs are being used on websites and social media, where branding needs to be easily identifiable, and graphics should also be easy to read.
Recent legislation is pushing cities, townships, and villages to modernize their digital accessibility. 
A recent update to the Americans with Disabilities Act requires that all state and local government digital infrastructure be fully accessible to individuals with disabilities. This means sites and apps must work for users with visual, auditory, mobility, or cognitive disabilities. For example, among the requirements is a rule that sharp color contrast ratios must be maintained for low-vision readability.
Logos themselves are exempt from the new rules. However, as municipalities update their websites it often makes sense to consider their logo designs with it. While it may not be legally required, many are choosing to have logos that are clear and easy for users to identify.
Cities with 50,000 + residents must have met compliance in April of this year. Cities with fewer than 50,000 residents have until April 26, 2027 to modernize.
As the deadlines approach, community members may notice changes to websites and logos. Some local governments are even taking a hybrid approach – keeping their historic logo in place as an official seal, and using newer graphics for online branding.
With so much change in the air, we’ve decided to compile the logos for cities, townships, and villages across Oakland County as they stand today.
Some show both the historic city seal and the contemporary logo. Others include official design variations. These community logos represent a variety of colors, styles, fonts, and images that creators hoped would reflect the spirit of these towns. Trees, birds, lakes, and sailboats seem to be popular choices.
Take a scroll and let us know your favorites (or least favorites) by joining the conversation on our Facebook Page.
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