[7] The city was incorporated along the boundaries of the existing Village of Novi, and grew quickly in the latter half of the 20th century as second- and third-stage waves of white flight from the City of Detroit and older suburbs resulted in more extensive urban sprawl in the region.

Several smaller lakes within the city were created by gravel pit mining or as stormwater retention areas.

The construction of Twelve Oaks Mall in 1977 made the city a major shopping destination in the Detroit metropolitan area and is often credited with ushering in an era of growth that lasted for 40 years (although, in fact, the community had been growing rapidly since the 1950s).

The city's industrial and office parks are home to companies in high tech research and development, health care, transportation and logistics, manufacturing and domestic and foreign automotive-related suppliers.

[17] Kroger operates its Michigan regional offices at 40399 Grand River Avenue in Novi.

[18] The Japan Auto Parts Industries Association, North America has its offices in Novi.

As of April 2013 the company has two office buildings in Novi with 210 total employees, with about 30 of them being Japanese assignees.

Ted Schafer, the vice president of the Technical Center, said that Novi was selected due to the community and schools friendly to Japanese people, and the proximity to General Motors offices, Toyota offices, and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport.

[20] In December 2009 American Mitsuba Corp. moved to Novi, and as of April 2013 the office employs 32 people, and increase from when it was first established.

The senior vice president, David Martin Stevens, said that the location was chosen due to the quality of the office building.

[20] Novi ranks among the top Oakland County communities for research, technology and service companies.[who?]

To manage growth and to continue to attract commerce with its accessible location, Novi partners with local, state and federal agencies to enhance infrastructure.

The enhancements speed the process, allowing businesses to move ahead with plans for relocation or expansion.

Novi has been able to attract several smaller, innovative international firms that have been able to incubate and expand into a larger facility, such as Howa USA Holdings, a Japanese auto supplier with a new research and development center in Novi specializing in interior components for vehicles.

Ryder System Inc. constructed a new regional headquarters, representing a $22 million investment in the community.

In addition to the full-service hospital, the campus provides an array of services in a beautiful wooded setting, complete with walking and cycling paths and 18 acres (73,000 m2) devoted to health-related retail establishments.

Over the last few years, Novi has focused its economic development efforts on the telematics and car connectivity industries.

The exceptions include the Tollgate Farm located at the northwest corner of the intersection of Twelve Mile and Meadowbrook Roads.

This farmstead is owned by the Americana Foundation and is currently leased and operated by Michigan State University as an agricultural extension.

Ella Mae Power Park, located behind the Novi Civic Center, hosts softball and baseball games and tournaments.

These properties, along with several adjoining parcels owned by the city, preserve 253 acres (1.02 km2) of environmentally sensitive areas in the Huron River watershed.

In 2007, the city was awarded a second MNRTF grant to acquire 16 acres (65,000 m2) of natural area in southwest Novi within the headwaters of the Huron River watershed.

[28] Councilmembers serve part-time, at-large, and without pay, and are elected in a nonpartisan capacity in odd-numbered years.

[19] According to Dr. Andrew Vosburgh of the St. John Providence Health System, many Japanese in Novi work in development, engineering, and research.

Their workplaces are located in and around several cities including Novi, Ann Arbor, and Springfield Township.

The Novi Kroger and the Staybridge Suites extended stay hotel cater to Japanese customers.

[19] In January 2022, Palstec Industrial Co.Ltd, a publicly traded company based in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, relocated its local subsidiary to the same city, highlighting the recent trend of Japanese companies moving into the area.

[42] The 25,000-square-foot (2,300 m2) Sri Venkateswara Temple and Cultural Center (SVTCC), built from $10 million, opened in 2013.

[45] A small portion at the west end is part of the South Lyon Community Schools district.

[53][54] Mike Babcock, the former coach of the team, called Novi "Little Sweden" due to the concentration of Swedish Red Wings players.