No matter the season, Escanaba’s culture revolves around outdoor activity, whether it's deer hunting on the surrounding state land, beach lazing or ice fishing on Little Bay de Noc. “This is one of the world’s largest walleye fisheries,” says Scott Moiser, a lifelong resident and Realtor with Key Realty Delta County. “Once the freeze hits, you’ll see hundreds of ice fishing shacks at the head of the bay.” This county seat is home to roughly 12,000 Yoopers, an affectionate nickname for Michigan's Upper Peninsula natives. When the residents aren’t out in the wild, many work at the hospital, the community college or Billerud, a local paper company.
Ice fishing in Escanaba on Little Bay de Noc is hugely popular with locals in the winter time.
Ludington Street is the gateway to downtown Escanaba.
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Relatively affordable homes
The city’s median single-family home price is roughly $157,000, below the state figure and less than half the national figure. “In Escanaba, there’s no shortage of clean air or affordable homes,” Moiser says. Prices range from about $80,000 for fixer-uppers to about $600,000 for newer homes. Most of the homes were built between the late 1800s and the 1970s, and common designs include bungalows, ranch styles and American Foursquares. Condos are being developed next to the municipal docks.
Several varieties of comfortable bungalow style homes can found near downtown Escanaba.
Popular ranch style homes can be found throughout Escanaba.
Historical American Foursquare style homes are a staple in downtown Escanaba.
There has been a recent boon in new home construction on the outskirts of Escanaba.
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Moderately rated Escanaba Area Public Schools
Escanaba Area Public Schools has a B Niche rating and an 82% graduation rate. The district’s reading proficiency is above the state average and the math proficiency is in line with the state average. The city is also home to Bay de Noc Community College, which has about 5,000 students.
Many students attend the Escanaba Upper Elementary School in downtown.
Escanaba students share a junior and senior high school campus in town.
Bay de Noc Community College in Escanaba features a full curriculum and serves 5,000 students.
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Swedish diners and Irish pubs
Ludington Street has a vintage downtown atmosphere, with such local businesses as a bookstore, a jeweler and a hardware store. Dining options include a sports bar, an espresso bar, an Irish pub and a Swedish diner. Several restaurants serve the city’s signature dish: the pasty, a hand-held British pastry filled with beef, potato, rutabaga and onion. Just off Lincoln Road, there is a movie theater and several big-box retailers. “Our mall was completely vacant only a few years ago, but we’ve had lots of stores move in," Moiser says.
Ernies Irish Pub located in downtown Escanaba is a local favorite for its fun, relaxed environment.
The Swedish Pantry in downtown Escanaba has been a local favorite for years.
Several big-box stores sit conveniently just off Ludington Street, such as Meijer grocery store.
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Access to green spaces like Ludington Park
Several neighborhood parks have athletic amenities such as tennis, basketball and volleyball courts. Along the coastline, Ludington Park has a beach, a pathway system, a disc golf course and a bandshell where local musicals perform summertime concerts. The park’s Sand Point Lighthouse has guided boats to port since the late 1800s and is now a maritime museum. Many folks launch motorboats at Aronson Island Boat Launch, which sells season passes for $45.
Escanaba’s location on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is often described as a “banana belt” because its winter climate is milder than most of the region. “People are often surprised by how little snowfall we have here,” Moiser says. “It usually only snows a couple of times a year.” The temperature rarely falls below zero or rises above 85 degrees.
Escanaba's Ludington Park features the Sandpoint Lighthouse, which is now a maritime museum.
Ludington Park in Escanaba has a beach, a pathway system, a disc golf course and a playground.
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Year-round events like Upper Peninsula State Fair
For almost a century, Escanaba has hosted the Upper Peninsula State Fair, which attracted over 100,000 attendees in 2023. Next door to the fairgrounds, Escanaba Motor Speedway holds drag races and monster truck events. The city also hosts events like a Christmas parade and a Fourth of July fireworks show.
Getting around on ATVs
Many folks get around Escanaba using ATVs. “Escanaba actually made it legal to ride ATVs in the city,” Moiser says. Designated off-road vehicle trails branch off the city into the surrounding woodlands. Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport is 114 miles southwest of the city via Michigan 35 and U.S. Route 41. For inter-city transportation, the Indian Trails bus system runs routes to St. Ignace, Ironwood, Hancock and Milwaukee. For medical care, residents go to OSF Saint Francis Hospital.
According to FBI data, the violent crime rate is in line with Michigan's average and the property crime rate is above the average. Violent crime has risen in the past decade, while property crime has fallen.
Many residents in Escanaba own an ATV since they're legal to ride in the city.
Downtown Escanaba retains its attractive historic ambience.
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