Leland
Neighborhood in Suttons Bay, Michigan
Leelanau County 49654
Cozy cottages and cabins line the streets
Leland’s gridded residential streets expand outward from the Leland River. Close to Fishtown are cozy cottages and cabins, and farther from the lakeshore are modern houses on half-acre lots. House styles in Leland vary and include cottages, coastal contemporaries, ranches and upscale log cabins, “the kind with the soaring ceilings, fancy woodwork and big windows looking out over the water,” says Kimberly Bork, a Realtor, broker and owner of Venture Property LLC. Houses range in price from $700,000 to $1.3 million, with waterfront properties tending towards the higher end. Occasionally, ready-to-build lots near downtown hit the market.Admire Leland’s artwork—made by both nature and locals
Between parks, lakes and beaches, Leland has no shortage of spots to enjoy the outdoors. North Street and Van’s Beaches, both on Lake Michigan, have sandy shores where people swim, canoe, kayak and fish. North and South Manitou Islands, 12 miles offshore, can be seen on the horizon and reached by ferry with Manitou Island Transit. “There’s a ton of history on the Manitou Islands,” says Anderson. “The Leelanau Historical Society has great, detailed write-ups about the islands and how they were used for industry in the 19th century. Today, they’re best known for camping; people come to the harbor, take the ferry over and spend the weekend exploring.” The society’s museum on Cedar Street has permanent historical exhibits and rotating exhibits covering a range of topics, including lighthouses, shipwrecks and the fur trade.One block from the small modern downtown is the Village Green. This pocket park, established in 1990, was designed to function as a common area. A mosaic, tiled by artist Leif Sporck, recognizes people who have donated to the Conservancy’s Leelanau Preservers, an organization that funds land-protection projects. Across town, Hancock Recreation Area has soccer fields, tennis courts, a baseball diamond and a basketball court.
On the shores of Lake Leelanau is Nedows Bay, a small beach with calmer waters than those of larger Lake Michigan. Near Nedows Bay is the Leland Country Club, a private club that offers tennis courts and an 18-hole golf course. Next door is the Leland Yacht Club, which offers children’s group sailing lessons every summer.
Leland Public School
Students growing up in Leland may attend Leland Public School, graded A minus by Niche. This school enrolls students from kindergarten through high school and has a total enrollment of under 500 students.Safeguarding flood zones
Mussel-laden jetties extend from the shore to protect Historic Fishtown from flooding and erosion. The jetties also form a breakwater to ensure safe docking for boats in the harbor. In accordance with the Michigan Agricultural Environmental Assurance Program, the town government coordinates state and federal resources to reduce flood risks for residences and farms. Like many Northern Michigan towns, Leland has cold, wet winters, with an average snowfall of 76 inches, and the average winter low temperature plunges to 17 degrees Fahrenheit.Traversing the surrounding areas
While downtown Leland is pedestrian-friendly, it receives a 55/100 Walk Score and is regarded as Somewhat Walkable because some streets lack sidewalks connecting to downtown. Leland is 26 miles northwest of Traverse City. Depending on traffic and weather, driving between the two takes 40 to 50 minutes. The nearest airport is Cherry Capital Airport, which is around an hour's drive from Leland.Wade into the past in Historic Fishtown
Though Leland’s custom-built farmhouses and modern amenities give it a fresh feel, one part of town focuses on its early history. Historic Fishtown, lined with weathered, cedar-shingled buildings and wooden docks, sits at the confluence of the Leland River and Lake Michigan. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Fishtown was the heart of Lake Michigan’s commercial fishing industry. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 and is now maintained by the Fishtown Preservation Society. Fishtown is open 24 hours a day throughout the year, and the society says thousands of people explore the area every summer.Historic Fishtown isn’t just a monument to days past—it’s a hub of Leland's dining and retail. In the center of Fishtown, Village Cheese Shanty sells sandwiches and more than 60 types of cheese. This cash-only spot is also well-known for its pretzel bread. A few doors down, Carlson’s Fishery sells both freshly caught and prepared seafood, including smoked whitefish pate. “Even though Fishtown is most popular with tourists, locals still come by to grab fish from Carlson’s and snacks from the Cheese Shanty,” says Jeremy Anderson, the Leland Township Harbormaster. Overlooking the river is The Cove, a laid-back seafood restaurant with a full bar. The Cove also serves cherry desserts, paying homage to the nearby “Cherry Capital of the World,” Traverse City.
A few blocks north in Leland’s contemporary downtown is the sole grocery store, Leland Mercantile Co. On North Main Street, there are bookstores, gift shops and boutiques. People who want their own Leland Blue Stones — without the hunt — can find necklaces, earrings and bracelets made with the local treasure at two downtown jewelry shops, Becky Thatcher Designs and Tampico Imports.
Written By
Caitlyn Tierney
Photography Contributed By
Gregory Hayes
Video By
Maurice Boone
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Rodney Brush
Rodney Brush
Coldwell Banker Schmidt-S.Bay
(231) 715-5752
32 Total Sales
1 in Leland
$741,000 Price
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Sander Scott
Sander Scott
Responds QuicklyNet Real Estate
(231) 714-6871
84 Total Sales
1 in Leland
$50,000 Price
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Steve Parafin
Steve Parafin
Responds QuicklyReal Estate One - Charlevoix
(231) 533-2535
67 Total Sales
2 in Leland
$932,500 Price Range
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Tim Schaub
Tim Schaub
Schaub Team Premier Realty
(231) 715-5147
152 Total Sales
40 in Leland
$130K - $3.4M Price Range
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Joe Campo
Joe Campo
Schaub Team Premier Realty
(231) 714-6408
74 Total Sales
24 in Leland
$130K - $3.4M Price Range
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Kimberly Bork
Kimberly Bork
Venture Property LLC
(231) 715-5264
145 Total Sales
9 in Leland
$315K - $1.5M Price Range
Schools
Source:
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
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Parks in this Area
Hancock Recreation Area
Bartholomew Park
Village Green
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Leland | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 1 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 1 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 1 | 4 |
| Robbery | 1 | 4 |
| Burglary | 1 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 1 | 4 |
| Larceny | 1 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 1 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Leland Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Leland, Suttons Bay sell after 70 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Leland, Suttons Bay over the last 12 months is $1,051,000, up 35% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$999,500
Median Sale Price
$1,051,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$1,250,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
11
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
35%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$615
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
150
Number of Homes for Sale
7
Median Year Built
1978
Months of Supply
7.60
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,255
Above the national average
1,933
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
705
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
12,632
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
365
Median Age
58
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
18.1%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
39.5%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$80,978
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$104,563
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
100%
College Graduates
60.7%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
20.7%
% Population in Labor Force
51.2%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
29''
Average Winter Low Temperature
17°F
Average Summer High Temperature
81°F
Annual Snowfall
76''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
57
/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
54
/ 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.
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Sleepy village with a tiny town center, surrounded by Michigan farmland.
Greilickville
Coastal living and environmental education by the Great Lakes
Slabtown
A longstanding community within reach of downtown Traverse City
Boardman
Residents don't have to cherry-pick their amenities in this suburban downtown area
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