$338,913Average Value$281Average Price per Sq Ft11Homes For Sale
Vacationing in rustic North Michigan
Near Kalkaska, Michigan, is the small community of Manistee Lake. This year-round resort area is known for its proximity to public nature preserves and is beloved for its impressive snowfall, which locals take advantage of through winter sports, including snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Covering 5 miles, with the lake spanning 1.5 miles, Manistee Lake is a relatively new community that was organized after the 2010 state census. While most residents don’t stay year-round, there’s plenty of rustic Michigan beauty to enjoy throughout all four seasons.
Manistee Lake is a small resort community in Kalkaska, known for its natural beauty.
There is no shortage of outdoor fun to enjoy in the Manistee Lake neighborhood.
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Cabins in the woods
Forested roads circle the lake, and houses are set back in the woods, surrounded by wildlife. Most houses are ranch-style or A-frame cabins with cozy light wood interiors and either attached garages or stand-alone barns to store snowmobiles. Houses are generally priced between $300,000 and $700,000, although new construction cabins with large lots are priced up to $850,000. While most properties are single-family houses, there’s an outlier on the west shore: a 153-acre summer campsite dotted with cabins and hiking trails, listed for $4 million. “A lot of people live here year-round, but others rent cabins or campsites for vacations,” says Denise Kelly, the store manager at Waters Edge Gas & Party Store. “It’s quiet throughout the year, with periods of excitement.”
Manistee Lake has a number of A-frame cabins by the lake.
Ranch-style homes are popular in the Manistee Lake neighborhood.
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Sands Park on the lakeshore
The neighborhood’s namesake, Manistee Lake, is also its best-known feature. Sands Park, located on the lake’s western shore, has a grassy picnic area, a sandy beach and a boat launch, all available for public use. Locals can fish from the shoreline or head into the water to hunt for walleye, bass, pike and bluegill. “There’s fishing in the summer and ice-fishing in the winter, so there’s plenty to do,” says Kelly. “In July, there’s a huge Independence Day boat parade that brings the whole lake together.”
For the last 75 years, nearby Kalkaska has hosted the National Trout Festival in April. Locals and visitors compete to beat fishing records and bring home fresh-caught dinners. In the winter, Michigan’s classic ice fishing is a popular pastime. Manistee Lake and its surrounding areas average over 125 inches of snow each winter, so locals have plenty of opportunities to ride over 80 miles of well-maintained snowmobile trails.
Enjoy a day of boating on Manistee Lake at Sands Park in Kalkaska, Michigan.
Kids love playing on the beach at Sands Park in Kalkaska, Michigan.
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Kalkaska Public Schools
The Manistee Lake neighborhood is zoned in the Kalkaska Public School District, which Niche graded C plus. KPS has under 1,500 students from preschool through high school and serves free breakfast and lunch to all students daily. Students may attend Birch Street Elementary, graded C plus; Kalkaska Middle, graded C; and Kalkaska High School, graded B minus.
Kalkaska Middle School has a Niche grade of C.
Kalkaska High School has a Niche grade of B-.
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Getting to town center
“In the winter, the store gets a ton of snowmobile traffic,” says Kelly, as locals make quick trips to visit friends or grab food at Waters Edge. Snowmobiles are allowed on public roads, but be sure to wear a helmet, as required by state law. Kalkaska Memorial Health Center is the county’s largest employer, located 13 miles southwest of Manistee Lake on the southern side of downtown Kalkaska, and locals drive into town using State Road 612.
Manistee Lake Pizzeria and Bakery
Like many rural neighborhoods, Manistee Lake doesn’t have a centralized downtown. However, locals don’t go hungry with Manistee Lake Pizzeria and Bakery just down the road. Located off Fort Road on the northeastern side of the lake, this restaurant serves a little bit of everything, from pizza to clam chowder to fresh donuts, and locals take advantage of its outdoor seating area during nice weather. On the southern end of the lake, Waters Edge Gas & Party Store supplies quick meals, to-go snacks and drinks and essentials for grilling, snowmobiling and camping.
Locals with a sweet tooth can head a few miles north to Southwell Sugar Shack. The Southwell family has been making maple syrup at their homestead for four generations and opened the Sugar Shack in 2015. This family-owned store sells “all things maple,” including syrup tapped from local trees, pancake mix and maple sugar. For more restaurants, shops and grocery stores, head west 10 miles to downtown Kalkaska. The closest grocery store is Northland Food and Family Center, but there’s also an Earth’s Garden Natural Foods and a Dollar General along North Cedar Street in Kalkaska.
Manistee Lake Pizzeria & Bakery is a cozy establishment nestled in the woods of Kalkaska.
Waters Edge Gas & Party Store supplies quick meals, to-go snacks and drinks.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Kathleen Lightbody,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Sands Park
South Beach Park
Ellwood A Mattson Lower Harbor Park
Clark Lambros Beach Park
Presque Isle Park
Giants Foot Park
Lions Field Recreation Area
Harlow Park
Shiras Park
Transit
Airport
Cherry Capital
60 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Manistee Lake
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
2
4
Burglary
1
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Manistee Lake Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Manistee Lake, Kalkaska sell after 96 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Manistee Lake, Kalkaska over the last 12 months is $350,000, up 62% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Charming 2-Bedroom Retreat Near Manistee Lake This intelligently designed 2-bedroom, 1-bath home was thoughtfully updated in 2024 and offers a comfortable and stylish place to call your own. Just one block from a beautiful family-friendly park with a pavilion, playground, and convenient boat access to Manistee Lake—renowned for its walleye and year-round recreation. Inside, you’ll appreciate
Relaxation awaits you with this beautifully maintained 3 bedrooms, 2 bath home. The hard work has been done for you as this home is move in ready. Warm up next to the Vermont casting natural gas fireplace in the well-appointed living room. Plenty of space as this home is situated on a full block basement with insulated walls and can be easily converted to extra space for family fun. New ceiling
Discover the perfect canvas for your dream home or vacation retreat with these beautiful vacant lots located on at pristine Manistee Lake. Nestled just minutes from Sands Park and a public boat launch, this property offers the ideal setting for water enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Two buildable lots, each offering ample space to create your perfect lakeside escape. Just steps from the
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Kathleen Lightbody,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
778
Median Age
49
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
19.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
26.6%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$47,848
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$57,061
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
88%
College Graduates
25%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
9.8%
% Population in Labor Force
48.4%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
31''
Average Winter Low Temperature
14°F
Average Summer High Temperature
81°F
Annual Snowfall
88''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
26/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
