Market file · Emmet County, Michigan

Mackinaw City home appraisals

Wawatam Township

Mackinaw City lives on visitors to the Mackinac Bridge, Colonial Michilimackinac and the island ferries, and its housing follows that calendar. Zillow's Mackinaw City index was $309,842 in September 2026, up 6.4% year over year. Most of the village lies in Wawatam Township; a piece crosses into Cheboygan County.

$309,842Typical home value, Mackinaw City, Zillow, September 2026

$437,983Median list price, Mackinaw City, Zillow, September 2026

$224,300Median owner occupied value, village, Census Reporter, ACS 2020 to 2024

846Village population, 2020 census, Wikipedia

A village split by a county line

Mackinaw City sits mostly in Wawatam Township in Emmet County, with its northeast part in Mackinaw Township in Cheboygan County. The bridge approach and I-75 cut through the middle. The ACS put Wawatam Township's median owner value at $226,900 for 2020 to 2024, close to the village figure of $224,300. Wikipedia describes the local economy as almost strictly tourist oriented.

Wilderness State Park takes up 12,800 acres and 26 miles of shoreline in Bliss Township.

Ferry docks and a rental rule from 2017

Shepler's and Star Line both run Mackinac Island ferries from the village. In late September 2017 the village council banned rentals under 30 days in part of the residential section and required owners elsewhere to register rental dwellings each year, according to a January 2018 Michigan Capitol Confidential report. Rental income can shape what a buyer will pay, so ask the village whether that rule still stands and which streets it covers before relying on it.

Areas, lakes and neighborhoods in this file

Wawatam Township
Carp Lake Township
Bliss Township
Carp Lake
Lake Paradise
French Farm Lake
Wilderness State Park
Colonial Michilimackinac
Mackinaw Township (Cheboygan County side)

Landmarks around Mackinaw City

Mackinac BridgeSuspension bridge
Fort Michilimackinac State ParkState park
Old Mackinac Point LightLighthouse
McGulpin Point LightLighthouse
USCGC Mackinaw (WAGB-83)Icebreaker museum ship
The HeadlandsCounty park
Mackinac Bridge WalkAnnual Labor Day walk

Common questions

Is every Mackinaw City address in Emmet County?

Not always. The village sits mostly in Wawatam Township in Emmet County, but its northeast portion lies in Mackinaw Township, Cheboygan County. Property records, tax rates and equalization come from whichever county holds the parcel, so confirm the county before you pull comps or tax history.

How far is Carp Lake from Mackinaw City?

Carp Lake sits on the northwest shore of Lake Paradise along US 31. Wikipedia puts I-75 about four miles north and Mackinaw City roughly two miles beyond that. Carp Lake Township's median owner value was $195,200 for 2020 to 2024, below the village's $224,300.