Houghton is an outdoor destination where each season is welcomed and anticipated, regardless of how cold it may be. "We generate quite a bit of tourism because of our location and recreational activities," says Chris Coponen, Realtor at Century 21 Affiliated. In winter, locals and tourists ski, snowshoe, snowmobile and play outdoor hockey. Summers include mountain biking, boating, hiking and camping, all within eyeshot of The Keweenaw Waterway or a short drive from Lake Superior.
According to NOAA, winters in Houghton are cold and snowy, with months of below-freezing temperatures and more than 200 inches of snow per season, It snows for an average of 90 days, and lake-effect storms bring large amounts of snow all at once. However, locals embrace the cold weather and don't just make do – they make fun. "We get a lot of snow, but we look forward to that up here," Coponen says. "We celebrate the winter just as much as the other seasons."
You'll often see snowmobiles on the frozen waters around Houghton.
Downhill skiers often train at Mont Ripley, near Houghton.
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Michigan Tech is a large employer and an important institution
The city of Houghton more than doubles in size during the school year when 7,000 students come to Michigan Technological University. In addition to being a destination for outdoor recreation, "Houghton is a college town," Coponen says. "Many people who move to Houghton are actually Michigan Tech alumni who move back here after 10 or 20 years because they miss the area, too." Michigan Tech was the first post-secondary school in the Upper Peninsula, founded in 1885 as Michigan Mining School. The university is the city's largest employer, followed by UP Health System Portage.
The university hosts Winter Carnival each year to celebrate the cold weather the area is known for with ice and snow sculptures, a Carnival Queen coronation, broomball tournaments and ice-hockey games on campus.
Michigan Technological University was founded in 1885 and offers more than 150 undergraduate programs.
Michigan Technological University in Houghton is always bustling with students.
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Median home prices are well below the national median
Colonial Revivals and workers' cottages from the early 1900s are the oldest homes in the area, selling between $100,000 and $300,000. Bi-levels and ranch-style homes from the middle of the century and new traditional houses from the past 10 years are more expensive, selling between $275,000 and $770,000. The median price for the area is $250,000 – much lower than the national median – and prices are up 1% from the previous year. Plots of land with multiple acres sell between $15,000 and $100,000, depending on location.
Newer two story homes are also common throughout Houghton.
Many of the homes in Houghton's established neighborhoods date to the late 19th and early 20th century.
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Locals enjoy the water in summer and play ice hockey in winter
Houghton is the birthplace of professional hockey in the United States, with the Portage Lakers being the first fully paid team in 1903. Though the team is inactive, hockey is still a favorite pastime for the city. The Michigan Tech Huskies have won three NCAA Division I national championships, and recreational hockey leagues occur at West Houghton Park and Dee Stadium.
Houghton has ample space for water activities along the Keweenaw Waterway, with waterfront parks, a public fishing pier, a boat launch and the Waterfront Trail. When winter comes, the area's rolling hills become a snowmobiling labyrinth with more than 200 miles of motorized trails. Snowmobiling is not just a recreational activity – it's a means of transportation for those living in Houghton after a blizzard or lake-effect storm.
East Houghton Waterfront Park offers a pavilion and access to snowmobile trails.
West Houghton Park offers an ice rink and playground equipment.
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Houghton-Portage Townships Schools are highly rated
Houghton-Portage Township Schools serves primary and secondary-age students in the city and is rated A on Niche. The district is the second-best in the county and in the top 40 districts of Michigan. All children attend A-rated Houghton Elementary School, followed by A-rated Houghton Middle School. Houghton High School is rated A-minus and has a sports rivalry with Hancock Central High School across the waterway.
Houghton Elementary School has earned an overall grade of A from Niche.com.
Houghton Central High School has earned an overall grade of A from Niche.com.
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Restaurants, shops and a festival along the water
Walmart, Marketplace Foods and fast-food restaurants are southwest of downtown, on West Memorial Drive. Downtown Houghton has two-story brick buildings on gradually declining hills towards the waterway. Bridgefest is a summer festival in downtown Houghton celebrating the Portage Lift Bride. The City of Hancock joins the festivities, and "There are vendors, concerts, waterskiing shows and fireworks beside the waterway," Coponen says.
People can find dining and entertainment throughout downtown Houghton.
Downtown Houghton is often bustling with people visiting the shops and restaurants.
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Ease of transportation often depends on the weather
The Portage Lift Bridge connects Upper Peninsula's northern and southern parts from Houghton, and "traffic can get really bad, especially in winter," Coponen says. When roads are clear and buses are running, Indian Trails and Houghton Motor Transit lines stop in the area, with a designated stop across the waterway at Mont Ripley Ski Area. U.S. Route 41 and Michigan State Road 26 are the main roads connecting the city to the rest of Michigan and northern Wisconsin. Houghton County Memorial Airport is 7 miles north, and the nearest hospital, UP Health System Portage, is 3 miles north in Hancock.
Crime rates are lower than average national rates
According to the FBI, the number of property crime incidents in Houghton has steadily declined over the past eight years, while violent crimes had a slight spike in the past five. Still, violent and property crime rates in Houghton are well below the average national rates.
Photography Contributed By
Brandon Rowell
Video By
Charlie Lingner
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Craig Kangas,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Houghton, MI sell after 45 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Houghton, MI over the last 12 months is $259,750, up 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Vacant Land in Houghton City limits! Close proximity to downtown Houghton dining, shopping, MTU Campus and Mont Ripley Ski Area. This vacant land with .87 +/- of an acre could be where you build the home of your dreams. Seller is a State of Michigan Licensed Real Estate Agent. NOTICE: All information believed accurate but not warranted. Buyer recommended to inspect & verify all aspects of the
Vacant Land in Houghton City limits! This property is about 1.15 +/- acres with utilities at the street and at the end of a Cul De Sac. With its close proximity to downtown Houghton dining, shopping, MTU Campus and Mont Ripley Ski Area makes access to amenities within minutes. See where you could build the home of your dreams. Seller is a State of Michigan Licensed Real Estate Agent. NOTICE:
Vacant Land in Houghton City limits! Close proximity to downtown Houghton dining, shopping, MTU Campus and Mont Ripley Ski Area. This vacant land with .89 of an acre could be where you build the home of your dreams. Seller is a State of Michigan Licensed Real Estate Agent. NOTICE: All information believed accurate but not warranted. Buyer recommended to inspect & verify all aspects of the
Classic three bedroom, four bathroom home in East Houghton! Home has a spacious two-car garage and a wooded backyard. As you enter through the front door , you're welcomed by the staircase and living room. Living room has a built-in fireplace and plenty of room for gathering. Dining room is currently being used as an office. The keeping room has a double story ceiling as well as a wood stove.
A great home in West Houghton! This four bedroom, two bathroom home has many nice features and has been well-maintained. Step inside to the main floor, which features a blend of historical charm and modern amenities. Custom kitchen with newer appliances and countertops. Washer and dryer is located between the kitchen and sunroom, ensuring convenient access. Sunroom boasts beautiful windows and
This is a nicely wooded 1 acre, private building lot in a newer subdivision adjacent to the MTU Golf Course! The lot is heavily wooded with larger trees and awaiting your new home plan. The road to the parcel is paved and maintained by the township. There are several nicer homes in this development now--still get in early and enjoy the privacy. The developer does have deed restrictions on the
MICHIGAN, LAKE SUPERIOR SHORELINE, BARNDOMINIUM, And ACREAGE FOR SALE! - Located in Stanton Township, in Houghton County, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan this parcel offers great U.P. Lifestyle Living. - MOTIVATED SELLER - The seller is motivated and ready to consider offers, making this a one-of-a-kind opportunity to own an extraordinary Lake Superior property. - The property is located at
Welcome to your new home within walking distance to the Michigan Tech campus and downtown Houghton. Beautifully remodeled using quality materials and thoughtful design, it is move-in ready. You'll appreciate the large corner lot with garden areas, two patios, a deck, and a convenient detached double garage. Enter a heated foyer with a roomy coat closet. Proceed inside to an attractive,
WESt HOUGHTON - Vacant lot situated just west of Bridge Street in Houghton, Michigan, the gateway to the Keweenaw Peninsula. The approximately 0.11+/- acres is zoned R-1 One Family and has frontage on Calverley St. The parcel is sloping terrain, providing potential development with an exposed lower level and a nice yard with beautiful mature trees. Adjacent lot is also available for sale and
Neat and tidy 3 bedroom, 1 bath rental property in the City of Houghton. On the main floor are a cozy living room, dining room, and spacious eat-in kitchen. The kitchen has access to a deck/balcony with an amazing view of the Portage Canal and Quincy mine. Upstairs are 3 bedrooms with closets and a full bath. Leased for $900/month, tenant pays utilities. Lease expires April 30, 2026 making this
Prime opportunity in Houghton! This vacant property consists of two lots and is ideally zoned R-3, offering excellent flexibility for development, perfect for building a single-family home, duplex, or multi-family investment property. Located in a desirable area near Houghton-Portage Township Schools and Michigan Technological University, this property is well-positioned for both owner-occupants
Visit our website at TheElementsHoughton dot com for video walkthroughs, information about all our available floor plans, and a link to our application!The Elements is an off-campus student housing community in Houghton, MI located just steps from Michigan Technological University.We've got a variety of options to choose from when you live with us - furnished or non-furnished
Discover your ideal retreat in this well-appointed 4-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home, perfectly situated with direct access to Michigan Tech's extensive trail system. This property offers the perfect blend of comfort and adventure for those who love the outdoors. Key features include a private primary suite for maximum comfort and privacy, 2.5 bathrooms providing convenience for the whole household,
Right in the heart of historic Downtown Houghton Gazette Apartments is conveniently close to Michigan Tech, local trails, and all the amenities of the downtown. It boasts affordable lofts and 1 and 2 bedroom options for rent, some with stunning views of the portage canal and bridge. Water, heat and garbage included. There is coin laundry on site, and parking available just a few steps across the
Beautiful family home available for rent on Douglass Ave in Houghton, a quick commute from Michigan Tech Campus! This 3 bedroom freshly renovated home includes amenities such as in unit laundry, off street parking including a single car garage, and heated floors!
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
