Leland

A small town in Leelanau County, Mich., treats locals and tourists to these marvels daily

Overview for Leland, MI

311 people live in Leland, where the median age is 63.3 and the average individual income is $37,360. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

311

Total Population

63.3 years

Median Age

Low

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

$37,360

Average individual Income

Welcome to Leland

Top vacay spot in Northern Michigan with rustic fishing charm

There’s something unique about a location sitting in a historic district surrounded by the beautiful sights and sounds of water. Leland, a small town in Leelanau County, Mich., treats locals and tourists to these marvels daily.

The small fishing town is immersed in the beauty of the blue hues of Lake Michigan to the west, Lake Leelanau to the east, and the calming pristine rushing waters of the Leland River running in the middle of the town.

What to Love

Downtown brimming with love for art and art galleries, a string of specialty shops, and Fishtown shanties
Plenty of well-built rentals
Plenty of beaches
Walkable shops, restaurants, and attractions

Local Lifestyle

Leland is still a small, laid-back fishing hub with a rural feel. Fondly called Fishtown, this is the only functional commercial village in Michigan. Locals have turned most shanties into art, clothing, and unique dish stores.

Fascinatingly, though many of its stores have been converted, Leland locals have kept alive the fishing village vibe established by settlers who moved there in the 1830s.

It’s hard to miss the weathered docks that carry the town’s long fishing history. Leland lives true to its Fishtown nickname, and locals and tourists are spoilt for choice with the sheer number of activities.

It’s common to run into fishing nets hanging out to dry, and fishing vessels are always ready to take people on excursions to the North and South Manitou Islands. Tourists drive or bike to town, or you can get a quick boat rental depending on where you want to go.

Dining, Entertainment & Shopping

You’ll run into many T-shirt and clothes boutiques in Leland. Momentum, Tug Stuff, and Leland Gal have some of the best T-shirts and clothes, and the town is full of great stores for everything you can think of, including delicious ice cream.

Get fragrant coffee from joints like Blue Boat along Leland’s Main Street, ice cream and trinkets from Harbor House, and a good read from Leelanau Books.

Take your pick between cozy watering holes such as Bluebird Restaurant & Tavern and quaint restaurants serving hot and sweet sandwiches to four-course meals such as Trish’s Dishes, and taste more than 60 types of cheese at Village Cheese Shanty.

Grab the best-smoked trout and various seafood at the family-owned Carlson’s Fishery. You won’t go wrong with a stop at Rick’s Cafe, which serves a “Chubby Mary”—a Bloody Mary with smoked fish inside that gives it a distinctly delicious taste.

The Cove is a go-to restaurant for gourmet seafood, to-die-for Bloody Marys, and fresh white fish (you can either dine in or get a curbside pickup). The deck is inviting and graces guests with sweeping views of the Leland River.

Just outside the Leland metro, Good Harbor Winery treats guests to tantalizing locally-made wines and makes for an ideal stopover on your way out of Leland.

Things to Do

Don’t miss out on the Leland Wine and Food Festival, which takes place in the middle of town in mid-June every year. You can enjoy local award-winning wines from 13 Leelanau Peninsula wineries and a local brewery. Meanwhile, local eateries provide tasty dishes.

And if you’re in the mood for a pleasant showcase of Leland’s transportation culture, catch the Leland Heritage Festival around September 21. This annual festival takes place in multiple locations in town and includes exhibitions of cars and boats, some of which are a century old. You also get to wine and dine as you listen to live music.

For a more upbeat, fun-filled boating event, check out the Barbecruise at the Leland Yacht Club in early August. Participants bring wittily decorated boats and show them off at Nedow’s Bay to an onlooking crowd and a panel of judges sitting inside a yacht. The ultimate crown for the winning boat is the coveted Mermaid Flag. Spectators are allowed to bring a picnic lunch to eat with friends and family at Bartholomew Park.

The Cove also hosts an event called Here Comes the Sun Party, usually held on the last weekend of May to kick off summer in style. Revelers must be at least 21 to attend and enjoy a dose of live music.

Leland is also the perfect spot to catch the ferry to the forest-cloaked North or South Manitou Islands. Alternatively, get your beachwear ready and head to one of the town’s best beaches, like Schneider Beach, Van’s Beach, or Christmas Tree Beach.

Schools

Leland Public School is the only high school operated by the Leland Public School District. This school is ranked 44th in Michigan, with high graduation rates, reading proficiency, and AP exam scores.

Demographics and Employment Data for Leland, MI

Population Households Employment

Leland has 166 households, with an average household size of 1.81. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Leland do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 311 people call Leland home. The population density is 318.78 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

311

Total Population

Low

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

63.3

Median Age

35.05 / 64.95%

Men vs Women

Population by Age Group

0-9:

0-9 Years

10-17:

10-17 Years

18-24:

18-24 Years

25-64:

25-64 Years

65-74:

65-74 Years

75+:

75+ Years

Education Level

Less Than 9th Grade
Associate Degree
Bachelor Degree

166

Total Households

1.81

Average Household Size

$37,360

Average individual Income

Households with Children

With Children:

Without Children:

Marital Status

Married

Single

Divorced

Separated

Blue vs White Collar Workers

Blue Collar:

White Collar:

Commute Time

0 to 14 Minutes

15 to 29 Minutes

30 to 59 Minutes

60+ Minutes

Schools in Leland, MI

All ()

Primary Schools ()

Middle Schools ()

High Schools ()

Mixed Schools ()

The following schools are within or nearby Leland. The rating and statistics can serve as a starting point to make baseline comparisons on the right schools for your family. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Type

Name

Around Leland, MI

There's plenty to do around Leland, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.

57

Somewhat Walkable

Walking Score

55

Bikeable

Bike Score

Points of Interest

Explore popular things to do in the area, including Dune Bird Winery, Northern Latitudes Distillery, and Grand Traverse Distillery.

Name	Category	Distance	Reviews	Ratings by Yelp
Visit the Dune Bird Winery page on Yelp Search 5620 N Manitou Trl on Google Maps	Dining	4.01 miles	14 reviews	4.9/5 stars
Visit the Northern Latitudes Distillery page on Yelp Search 112 E Philip St M-204 on Google Maps	Dining · $$	3.6 miles	77 reviews	4.8/5 stars
Visit the Grand Traverse Distillery page on Yelp Search 110 Lake St on Google Maps	Dining	0.22 miles	4 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Dam Candy Store page on Yelp Search 197 W River St on Google Maps	Dining · $$	0.23 miles	6 reviews	4.7/5 stars
Visit the Tandem Ciders page on Yelp Search 2055 N Setterbo Rd on Google Maps	Dining · $$	4.82 miles	119 reviews	4.7/5 stars
Visit the Carlson's Fishery page on Yelp Search 205 W River on Google Maps	Dining · $$	0.26 miles	41 reviews	4.7/5 stars
Visit the Village Cheese Shanty page on Yelp Search 199 W River on Google Maps	Dining · $	0.24 miles	178 reviews	4.6/5 stars
Visit the Soul Squeeze Cellars page on Yelp Search 105 E Philip St on Google Maps	Dining	3.56 miles	8 reviews	4.5/5 stars
Visit the Fiddleheads Sandwich Shop page on Yelp Search 202 W Main St on Google Maps	Dining	3.45 miles	26 reviews	4.5/5 stars
Visit the N J's Grocery page on Yelp Search 115 W Philip St on Google Maps	Dining · $	3.49 miles	26 reviews	4.4/5 stars
Visit the Amoritas Vineyards page on Yelp Search 6701 E Duck Lk Rd on Google Maps	Dining	3.34 miles	27 reviews	4.4/5 stars
Visit the Boathouse Vineyards page on Yelp Search 115 St Mary's St on Google Maps	Dining · $$	3.52 miles	39 reviews	4.4/5 stars
Visit the Reelin Leland Fishing Charters page on Yelp Search 207 West River St on Google Maps	Active	0.28 miles	5 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Mariah and Pier Pressure Charter Fishing page on Yelp Search 207 West River St on Google Maps	Active	0.28 miles	4 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Fishtown page on Yelp Search 203 E Cedar St on Google Maps	Active	0.08 miles	22 reviews	4.7/5 stars