Leelanau County, Michigan Property Taxes
Median Leelanau County effective property tax rate: 0.48%, significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Leelanau County home value: $389,200
Median annual Leelanau County tax bill: $1,958, $442 lower than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Leelanau County calculated?
Property taxes in Leelanau County are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.
Understanding your county's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Whether you live in Traverse City or another part of Leelanau County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated March 1, 2025
Leelanau County, Michigan Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
0.48%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$1,868
$1,734
Ownwell’s Leelanau County Property Tax Bill Calculator empowers homeowners, real estate investors, and potential buyers to estimate their annual property taxes in Leelanau County with just two data points.
By entering your property's estimated assessed value, our calculator applies Leelanau County’s median effective tax rate to accurately estimate your property tax bill. Note that your property's assessed value — determined by your county — reflects any exemptions you may have, ensuring a more precise calculation for your property tax obligations.
This insightful tool helps you understand potential tax liabilities and highlights how Ownwell can assist in reducing property taxes in Leelanau County.
For those interested in more localized information, please scroll down to explore city-level trends!
Property Tax Rates Across Leelanau County, Michigan
Local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within Michigan. This variation is due to the fact that each county annually estimates its required budget to provide essential services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate. While there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process.
Below, you can compare Leelanau County's effective property tax rate to other counties in Michigan or the U.S. median property tax rate. Leelanau County's median property tax rate is significantly lower than the national median of 1.02%. Even the highest rate in Leelanau County, found in Omena, is still lower than the national average. This makes Leelanau County an attractive option for property owners looking to save on taxes. On the other hand, Traverse City offers the lowest rate within the county, providing even more savings. By understanding these dynamics, property owners can make informed decisions and potentially benefit from lower property tax liabilities.
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Leelanau County Tax Rate
0.48%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Michigan Tax Rate
1.07%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Leelanau County, Michigan
City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cedar | 0.24% | 0.30% | 0.39% | 0.57% | 0.82% |
Empire | 0.20% | 0.26% | 0.32% | 0.38% | 0.44% |
Glen Arbor | 0.20% | 0.28% | 0.36% | 0.41% | 0.47% |
Lake Leelanau | 0.37% | 0.48% | 0.61% | 0.79% | 1.11% |
Leland | 0.32% | 0.47% | 0.65% | 0.96% | 1.16% |
Maple City | 0.19% | 0.25% | 0.31% | 0.39% | 0.51% |
Northport | 0.36% | 0.46% | 0.69% | 1.02% | 1.29% |
Omena | 0.36% | 0.49% | 0.71% | 1.01% | 1.29% |
Suttons Bay | 0.37% | 0.46% | 0.62% | 1.14% | 1.55% |
Traverse City | 0.36% | 0.47% | 0.58% | 0.83% | 1.39% |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Leelanau County, Michigan
When examining property taxes in Leelanau County, understanding the distinction between "market value" and "assessed value" is crucial. The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The Leelanau County Equalization Department estimates the market value for tax purposes. The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill.
Assessment notices: In Leelanau County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They’ll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of March. Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. By providing insights into how assessed and market values are determined, this section helps property owners navigate their tax responsibilities and understand the valuation processes affecting their property taxes in Leelanau County.
For example, the median tax bill in Leelanau County is $2,400, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Leland has the highest median home price at $794,100.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Leelanau County, Michigan
Source: Ownwell

$300,800
$547,450
$794,100
Median Leelanau County Market Value
$389,200
Median Michigan Market Value
$177,800
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Leelanau County, Michigan
City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cedar | $126,920 | $199,600 | $300,800 | $472,000 | $734,840 |
Empire | $141,900 | $257,350 | $398,900 | $726,950 | $1,282,300 |
Glen Arbor | $111,200 | $216,400 | $489,200 | $803,850 | $1,923,360 |
Lake Leelanau | $154,600 | $243,200 | $470,800 | $972,000 | $1,604,600 |
Leland | $306,840 | $450,950 | $794,100 | $1,538,100 | $2,355,760 |
Maple City | $135,600 | $221,900 | $362,700 | $627,050 | $1,332,600 |
Northport | $132,260 | $232,950 | $432,700 | $794,450 | $1,269,500 |
Omena | $195,100 | $310,450 | $577,500 | $827,850 | $1,115,800 |
Suttons Bay | $10,000 | $220,000 | $370,420 | $625,000 | $940,500 |
Traverse City | $129,820 | $213,200 | $333,300 | $546,000 | $811,000 |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Leelanau County, Michigan
In Leelanau County, MI, property tax bills are determined based on the assessed value of a home, which is typically a percentage of its market value. The local tax rate is then applied to this assessed value to calculate the annual property tax bill. Various factors influence the tax bill, including the home's location, size, and any applicable exemptions or deductions. The median home price in Leelanau County is $389,200, which can lead to varying tax bills depending on the specific circumstances of each property.
For instance, the 25th percentile of tax bills is $1,063, while the 75th percentile reaches $3,938, and the 90th percentile climbs to $7,381. This range highlights the diversity in tax burdens across different properties. In Leland, the highest median tax bill is $5,163, contrasting with Maple City, where the lowest is $1,176. These figures illustrate how property taxes can significantly impact homeowners, influencing their financial planning and the overall cost of homeownership compared to the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
Median Leelanau County Tax Bill
$1,958
Median Michigan Tax Bill
$1,795
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Leelanau County, Michigan
City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cedar | $442 | $763 | $1,244 | $2,133 | $3,549 |
Empire | $409 | $769 | $1,304 | $2,264 | $3,969 |
Glen Arbor | $407 | $762 | $1,598 | $2,844 | $5,026 |
Lake Leelanau | $884 | $1,434 | $2,944 | $5,955 | $10,548 |
Leland | $1,686 | $2,794 | $5,163 | $9,450 | $16,416 |
Maple City | $396 | $668 | $1,176 | $2,306 | $4,417 |
Northport | $834 | $1,461 | $2,836 | $5,688 | $10,229 |
Omena | $1,103 | $2,260 | $3,892 | $6,284 | $9,511 |
Suttons Bay | $747 | $1,340 | $2,673 | $4,740 | $7,994 |
Traverse City | $872 | $1,226 | $1,953 | $3,627 | $6,294 |
Source: Ownwell