Population 22,734 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Leelanau County
Household size in Leelanau County
| Period | Leelanau County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.29 | 2.58 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.35 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.33 | 2.53 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.33 | 2.51 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.04 | −0.06 | −0.03 |
Leelanau County is a place of small households, averaging 2.33 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Since 2006–10, household size has crept up from 2.29, even as the national average fell.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Leelanau County
| Period | Leelanau County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 48.7 | 38.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 51.6 | 40.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 53.2 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 54.1 | 41.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +5.3 | +2.4 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 54.1, Leelanau County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. The median age has climbed from 48.7 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Of Michigan's 83 counties, only five are older.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Leelanau County
| Period | Leelanau County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.2% | 11.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 5.7% | 11.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 4.7% | 10.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.0% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.9 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Leelanau County: 6.0% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share is up 0.9 points from 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Only three of Michigan's 83 counties have a lower share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Leelanau County
Renters in Leelanau County
| Period | Leelanau County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.2% | 25.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 14.6% | 28.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 11.7% | 28.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 8.4% | 26.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | −5.9 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 8.4% of households in Leelanau County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Nearly half of owners (46.7%) have paid off their mortgages, above the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 5.9 points, even as the national share rose. No other Michigan county has a lower share of renters.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Leelanau County
| Period | Leelanau County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 27.6% | 13.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 31.4% | 13.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 32.0% | 11.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 30.6% | 10.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | +3.1 pts | −2.8 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Leelanau County: 30.6% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Since 2006–10, vacancy has risen 3.1 points, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Leelanau County
| Period | Leelanau County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1981 | 1969 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1982 | 1970 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1984 | 1971 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1987 | 1972 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +3 | +6 |
Homes in Leelanau County are newer than the national norm: the median home was built in 1987, versus 1980 across the U.S. The median year built has moved up from 1981 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the southwest, the oldest in the north. Only one other Michigan county has newer homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Leelanau County
| Period | Leelanau County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $751 | $833 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $810 | $886 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $968 | $978 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,249 | $1,228 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$498 | +$395 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Leelanau County costs $1,249 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $498 a month since 2006–10, up 66%, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 28.9% of household income on rent, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. Rents run highest in the southeast and lowest in the northeast.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Leelanau County
Bachelor's degrees in Leelanau County
| Period | Leelanau County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.7% | 26.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 38.7% | 27.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 44.9% | 29.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 51.9% | 32.7% | 35.6% |
| Change | +13.2 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
College graduates are unusually common in Leelanau County: 51.9% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's degree or higher, against 35.6% nationally. Education tends to track local incomes and the kinds of jobs nearby. The share with a degree has risen 13.2 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Only one other Michigan county has a higher share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Leelanau County
| Period | Leelanau County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 92.6% | 88.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 94.4% | 89.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 95.7% | 90.7% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 97.1% | 91.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.5 pts | +3.5 pts | +4.3 pts |
Finishing high school is nearly universal in Leelanau County: 97.1% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 4.5 points, mirroring the country. No other Michigan county has a higher share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Leelanau County
| Period | Leelanau County | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.0% | 11.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.0% | 11.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.4% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.4% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −4.6 pts | −5.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been easier to find in Leelanau County than nationally: unemployment was 3.4%, against 5.4%. Only four of Michigan's 83 counties have lower unemployment. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 4.6 points, as it has nationally.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Leelanau County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leelanau County | 2.33 | 54.1 | 6.0% | 8.4% | 30.6% | 1987 | $1,249 | 51.9% | 97.1% | 3.4% |
| Antrim County | 2.18 | 50.9 | 7.6% | 13.6% | 33.1% | 1979 | $958 | 33.0% | 94.4% | 3.9% |
| Otsego County | 2.28 | 44.7 | 10.3% | 22.8% | 20.7% | 1983 | $1,083 | 26.4% | 94.1% | 4.1% |
| Door County | 2.04 | 53.5 | 5.0% | 21.8% | 32.0% | 1981 | $1,084 | 37.4% | 96.2% | 2.4% |
| Montmorency County | 1.94 | 55.0 | 7.0% | 12.1% | 43.4% | 1975 | $709 | 15.3% | 90.7% | 5.4% |
| Alpena County | 2.21 | 47.9 | 9.9% | 20.0% | 15.7% | 1967 | $766 | 17.8% | 92.5% | 6.2% |
| Oconto County | 2.38 | 46.6 | 7.9% | 15.0% | 16.9% | 1981 | $858 | 19.5% | 93.5% | 2.0% |
| Menominee County | 3.01 | 37.4 | 30.2% | 24.5% | 32.5% | 1984 | $629 | 18.6% | 95.3% | 9.3% |
| Marathon County | 2.42 | 42.2 | 9.0% | 26.7% | 5.8% | 1978 | $1,010 | 28.5% | 93.3% | 2.8% |
| Chippewa County | 2.40 | 42.7 | 7.7% | 25.8% | 7.1% | 1976 | $994 | 23.9% | 93.8% | 3.0% |
| Dunn County | 2.47 | 38.6 | 7.6% | 33.0% | 9.6% | 1983 | $1,055 | 31.0% | 94.9% | 4.4% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Hutchinson County, TX · Harlan County, KY · Harrison County, IA · Harrison County, KY · Harrison County, OH · Hart County, GA · Hart County, KY · Haywood County, TN · Humphreys County, TN · Hardy County, WV
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Leelanau County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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