Leelanau County, Michigan Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Leelanau County is located in Michigan with a total population of 22,607. It is the 63rd most populous county out of 83 in Michigan. The county encompasses 1 Census-designated place.

Age Demographics

The median age in Leelanau County is 55.3 years. This is 38% higher than the state median of 40.1 years. 12.8% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Leelanau County is $91,943. This is 29% higher than the state median of $71,149. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 17% higher. The poverty rate stands at 7.1%. This is 45% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.1%. The unemployment rate is 3.9%. This is 34% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $406,900. Housing costs are 87% higher than the state median of $217,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x. 90.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% higher than the state average of 72.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

Leelanau County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.3%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 13.2%. The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 3.3%.

Education

49.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Leelanau County in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 57% higher than the state rate of 31.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.6%. Notably, 20.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.