Tree-lined streets and bike trails near Teal Lake in Negaunee
On the shores of Teal Lake, Negaunee is a former iron mining community about 10 miles west of Marquette. Its tree-lined streets are surrounded by lakes and bike trails in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, with large homes and spacious lots centered around a revitalized downtown district with a well-established history. "Negaunee is known as a family-oriented bedroom community with one of the better school districts in the UP," says Benjamin Argall, a broker and owner at NextHome Superior Living and a lifelong native of the area. "It’s more affordable than Marquette, so first-time homebuyers and young families are gradually moving here."
Mature trees and 20th-century homes on a lake shoreline
Negaunee has flat, grassy lawns adorned with classic American architecture and mature maple trees near the coast of Teal Lake. This area features Craftsman-style cottages and New Traditional homes, typically built in the 20th century on half-acre lots. Home prices range from $80,000 to $490,000, and manufactured homes cost between $40,000 and $100,000. Marquette County experiences extreme winter weather and below-freezing temperatures with average winter lows reaching 7°F. Because of its proximity to Lake Superior, Negaunee can receive up to 150 inches of snow each year, much higher than the nationwide and statewide average.
Local pasty shops and pubs serve classic UP comfort food
Downtown Negaunee revitalized the city center in 2024 through an enhancement project designed to attract local businesses and preserve historic buildings. "The city has been investing in their infrastructure, so the whole downtown looks fresh, clean and vibrant," Argall says. Negaunee’s primary grocery store is Super One Foods, and Jim’s Jubilee Foods IGA is in nearby Ishpeming. One of Negaunee's most popular dining establishments is the Jackson’s Pit Gourmet Grill & Bar, which serves specialty burgers, tacos and fried appetizers in a pub-style atmosphere. Iron Town Pasties is a popular counter-serve eatery known for its ice cream and gluten-free pasties. Pasties are an iconic culinary staple in the Upper Peninsula, brought to the area by Cornish miners in the 1840s. They typically include beef, veggies and potatoes in a flaky handheld bread pocket. "The pasty is basically a pot pie without gravy. Miners would heat it on a shovel, and it was easy to consume," Argall says. "I’m Cornish, and I still have my family's recipe."
STEM clubs and college fairs support student success
Negaunee Public Schools serves about 1,500 students and has a Schools of Choice program, which allows non-resident students to attend schools in this district. Lakeview Elementary School serves PK-4 students and has a Chromebook program that provides students with school laptops for coursework. Negaunee Middle School serves grades 5-8 and has extracurricular activities, like a forensics club and a conference for young women in STEM. Both Lakeview Elementary and Negaunee Middle earn A-minus grades from Niche. Negaunee High School has a B-plus. Juniors at Negaunee High can attend the school’s annual college fair and listen to presentations by Michigan State University and the University of Michigan.
The Iron Ore Heritage Trail links Negaunee to nearby cities
Miners Park features two basketball courts, a beach volleyball court and a popular playground. Jackson Mine Park has historic walking trails based on the city’s mining history. It also includes a disc golf course. It connects to the Iron Ore Heritage Trail, a paved, 47-mile trail through the Marquette Iron Range. While it is popular for biking, many residents use it for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing during the winter. Much of Negaunee borders the shoreline of Teal Lake, which has boat launches by the water, and Lake Superior has beaches about 11 miles east.
U.S. Route 41 links to Marquette and beyond
The MarqTran bus system provides service to Negaunee, with a shuttle that runs twice daily. However, it mostly operates through door-to-door service with on-demand stops. U.S. Route 41 is the area’s expressway. The nearest emergency room is the UP Health System in Ishpeming, which is about 4 miles west. The Marquette Sawyer Regional Airport is approximately 20 miles southwest, offering daily passenger flights to Detroit and Chicago.
