[4] Garden City is notable as the home of the first locations of Kmart and Little Caesars.

The origins of Garden City started with the transfer of the property to John Lathers from Andrew Jackson for 160 acres (0.65 km2) in October 1835.

The city was patterned after the "garden city" concept that became popular in England during the 19th century, with most home sites sectioned off into 1-acre (4,000 m2) plots to allow adequate farming area to support the family with fruit and vegetables.

Areas of interest in Garden City include the first Kmart store (opened in 1962, closed in early 2017, now demolished),[5] the first Little Caesars (opened in May 1959, closed in October 2018),[6] located at 32594 Cherry Hill Road, and the first dine-in McDonald's in Michigan.

The Folker Building, a gray stone structure located at the southeast corner of Ford and Middlebelt Roads, at what is considered downtown Garden City, was the first city hall.

The honeymoon cottage of Henry Ford and his wife, Clara Jane Bryant, was moved here from Dearborn in 1952.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.87 square miles (15.20 km2), all land.

26.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

24.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

Vogel has since been razed, while Cambridge now serves as the district's alternative high school.

Tipton Academy, a charter school serving grades PK-7, is also located in Garden City.