Harbor roots and limestone legacy
Rogers City, known as “The Nautical City,” hugs a protected harbor on Lake Huron and traces its roots to 1871. About 3,000 people—many full-time residents, some seasonal cottage owners—share a landscape defined by white-pine shoreline, pocket beaches and the vast Calcite limestone deposit that still fuels local industry. Summers revolve around Lakeside Park’s sand and the surrounding web of trails and conservation areas. “Winter sees a leaner year-round population after older snowbirds head south,” says local agent Alan Meyer with Real Estate One. "Our beaches are typically clean and the community is safe." Homes cluster along the water north of town, ranging from snug cottages to larger lakefront houses.
Cozy waterfront cottages
Compact cottages and ranch-style bungalows line the shoreline and nearby streets, with the median sale price hovering around $62,000. Homes that sit directly on the water—often simple wood-sided cottages with docks or shared beach access—fetch the area's top prices between $150,000 and $175,000. Farther inland, equally modest ranch-style houses sit close to that $62,000 mark. There is also a significant land market around town with undeveloped parcels running from $55,000 to $900,000, varying by acreage. Residents typically use private land for hunting, as long as they abide by local ordinances. The Hunting Access Program is active in northern Michigan and allows private landowners to enroll their parcels as public hunting land and receive a per-acre payout from the state.
C-plus campuses with Ferris State dual enrollment
Local kids can start school at Rogers City Elementary, which earns a C-plus from Niche and serves kindergarten through 5th grade. The C-plus rated Rogers City High serves grades 6 through 12 and offers dual enrollment with Ferris State University.
Trout River trails meet Lakeside beach
Herman Vogler Conservation Area covers 270 acres along the Trout River, combining 7 miles of forest trails with bridges and boardwalks for hiking, cross-country skiing and bird-watching. The park also offers limited hunting during appropriate seasons and designated fishing areas. On Lake Huron, 10-acre Lakeside Park pairs a sandy beach with playgrounds and volleyball courts. The adjacent municipal marina and Sailors Memorial keep the lakefront active year-round, with drifting pleasure yachts and fishing boats for anglers catching chinook salmon and lake trout. The Huron Sunrise Trail is a paved 12-mile pathway that stretches across Rogers City's shoreline and connects many parks for cyclists, rollerbladers and walkers.
Lighthouse burgers, Up North 23 whitefish
Rogers City’s compact downtown centers on Huron Avenue, where a handful of locally owned spots cover daily needs. The Lighthouse Restaurant draws a weeknight crowd for burgers and beer, while Up North 23 Restaurant & Lounge serves perch and whitefish dinners with a harbor view. Across Third Street, smoke from Plath’s Meats drifts toward Nowicki’s Sausage Shoppe, its longtime rival for brats and jerky. Groceries and household staples are stocked at Family Fare Supermarket a few blocks away.
U.S. 23 spine and Alpena hospital
U.S.23 is the main route to Mackinaw City and Alpena. “Something people should know before moving here is that basic clinics and doctors are in town, but hospital care requires a drive to Alpena or Petoskey,” says Meyer. MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena is the closest hospital and Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City provides the nearest international flights.
