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Lake Leelanau, MI

Michigan · Metropolitan Area

Lake Leelanau is a small town in Michigan with a population of 223. Residents earn $60,500 per year, which is 19% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
223 Population 858/sq mi density
$60,500 Median Income $23,230 per capita
$307,700 Home Value $835,321 Zillow
47°F Avg Temperature 270 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$60,500 median income, 0.0% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.8 / 5.0
$307,700 home value
B
Education
3.2 / 5.0
27.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $60,500
19% lower than US avg
Home Value $307,700
9% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 27.9%
17% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 32.1%
0% lower than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.8%
86% lower than US avg

How Lake Leelanau Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population223
Median Age17.6 yrs
Density858/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 89%
Veterans87.0%

Economy

A
Median Income$60,500
Per Capita$23,230
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty1.8%
County GDP$7,470M
Commute21 min

Housing

B+
Home Value$307,700
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$835,321
Housing Units93
Rent Burden31.5%

Health

Obesity32.1%
Uninsured5.1%
Smoking11.2%
Depression28.5%
Heart Disease4.6%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F (8°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Rain31.2 in/yr
Sunny Days270/yr
Elevation622 ft (190 m)

Education

B
Bachelor's+27.9%
High School+95.2%
Graduate+0.0%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 50% / D 48%
Commute21 min
Broadband62.0%
Libraries6

Is Lake Leelanau a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Lake Leelanau receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Lake Leelanau offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Lake Leelanau is $60,500, 19% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. Only 1.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Lake Leelanau is $307,700, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. The price-to-income ratio of 5.1x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Education

27.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 95.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Lake Leelanau experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. With 270 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 31.2 inches, including 114.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Lake Leelanau has a population of 223 with a density of 858 people per square mile. The median age is 17.6 years, 55% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (88.8%).

Population

223
Total Population
858
People / sq mi
17.6yrs
Median Age
55% below US avg
0.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.2%
Female 49.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Lake Leelanau vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Lake Leelanau vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Lake Leelanau is $60,500, which is 19% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 1.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Lake Leelanau vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$60,500
19% below US avg
Per Capita Income$23,230
Avg Weekly Wage$1,140
IRS Avg AGI$91,357

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate1.8%
86% below US avg
Establishments (County)3,762
County GDP$7,470M

Business (County)

Restaurants290
Healthcare395
Retail551
Manufacturing180

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$8,269
136% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.69%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.4 min
Drive Alone55.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home17.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Lake Leelanau is $307,700, 9% above the national average. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $835,321.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$307,700
9% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$835,321

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Rent Burden31.5%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$807
1 Bedroom$891
2 Bedrooms$1,113
3 Bedrooms$1,419
4 Bedrooms$1,588

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied93.5%
Housing Units93
Median Year Built1976

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$8,269
136% above US avg
Effective Rate2.69%
In Lake Leelanau, 32.1% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 5.1% of residents lack health insurance. 11.2% are current smokers. 28.5% report depression. 18.2% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Lake Leelanau vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity32.1%
0% below US avg
Diabetes7.8%
Heart Disease4.6%
High Blood Pressure27.7%
Asthma11.9%
COPD5.2%
Cancer7.8%
Stroke2.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking11.2%
20% below US avg
Binge Drinking18.4%
Physical Inactivity18.2%
Depression28.5%
Mental Distress17.8%
Physical Distress11.2%
Short Sleep31.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate100.0%
Uninsured5.1%
41% below US avg
Checkup Rate79.2%
Dental Visits73.6%
Premature Death6,589/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.0/10
Exercise Access77.8%
Healthcare Facilities395
Lake Leelanau has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation is 31.2 inches. The area enjoys 270 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average46.6°F
14% below US avg
January Average23°F (-5°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days270 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall31.2 inches
18% below US avg
Snowfall114.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation622 ft (190 m)
Area0.3 sq mi (0.7 km²)
Population Density858/sq mi
Coordinates44.9807°N, 85.7164°W
TimezoneAmerica/Detroit
County FIPS26055
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 27.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (17% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 1.7-point margin. 62.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 50.1%
D 48.3%

Winner: Republican by 1.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+27.9%
17% below US avg
High School+95.2%
Graduate Degree+0.0%
School Test Score5.23
B Education Grade (3.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density858/sq mi
Total Area0.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access62.0%
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities395
Restaurants290
Retail Stores551

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)14

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.4 min
Drive Alone55.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home17.9%

Nearby Cities

Greilickville, MI 1,296 pop · 12.6 mi Elk Rapids, MI 1,558 pop · 16.3 mi Traverse City, MI 15,491 pop · 16.6 mi Chums Corner, MI 1,012 pop · 21.2 mi Rapid City, MI 1,315 pop · 23.1 mi Kingsley, MI 1,783 pop · 28.7 mi East Jordan, MI 1,776 pop · 31.0 mi Kalkaska, MI 2,370 pop · 31.2 mi Charlevoix, MI 2,420 pop · 32.2 mi Mancelona, MI 1,496 pop · 32.5 mi Frankfort, MI 1,158 pop · 34.7 mi Boyne City, MI 3,829 pop · 37.9 mi Lakes of the North, MI 1,076 pop · 40.8 mi Manton, MI 1,347 pop · 42.3 mi
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