Bear Lake home appraisals
A shallow inland lake of about 1,744 acres, most of its shore lined with homes and cottages, defines Bear Lake. Zillow's typical Bear Lake value was $328,494 in June 2026. Census Reporter shows a $224,700 owner median for Bear Lake Township in 2020 to 2024, and US 31 runs past the village.
A big lake that tops out at 24 feet
Michigan DNR records list Bear Lake at 1,744 acres with a maximum depth of 23 feet, and a 1994 survey measured 1,843 acres and 24 feet. The DNR's 2000 report found most of the shoreline developed with homes and cottages. The village of Bear Lake, incorporated in 1893, sits on the south shore and had 342 people in 2020. The lake drains to Lake Michigan through the Manistee River watershed.
Pleasanton and the north shore
Bear Lake reaches north into Pleasanton Township, which had 870 people in 2020 and borders Benzie County. Census Reporter puts Pleasanton's median owner value at $232,900 for 2020 to 2024, close to Bear Lake Township's. The Bear Lake Schools district covers most of both townships and runs a kindergarten through 12th grade school in the village, per Wikipedia. US 31 leads about 17 miles southwest to Manistee.
Areas, lakes and neighborhoods in this file
- Bear Lake village
- Bear Lake (the lake)
- Chief Lake
- US 31 corridor
- Bear Lake Township
- Pleasanton Township