Market file · Leelanau County, Michigan

Suttons Bay home appraisals

Village of Suttons Bay and Suttons Bay Township

Suttons Bay is a village of 613 people on its own bay, about 15 miles north of Traverse City, with orchards and wineries in the township hills. The typical home was worth $652,616 in September 2026, up 1.2% year over year (Zillow). Bay frontage and seasonal use drive values.

$652,616Typical Suttons Bay home value, September 2026 (Zillow Home Value Index)

2,883Suttons Bay Township population, including the village, 2020 census (Wikipedia)

29.4%Village housing units held for seasonal use, 2020 ACS (village master plan packet, 2022)

$541,2872026 FHA one unit loan limit, Leelanau County (Homebuyer.com, citing HUD)

Main street, the Bay Theatre and the 45th parallel

Harry C. Sutton arrived in 1854 with a crew cutting fuel for steamboats, and the village grew from there, incorporating in 1898. M-22 runs through town along the bay, and M-204 heads west across the peninsula to Lake Leelanau. The Bay Theatre, open since 1946, is the county's only movie theater. The V I Grill has operated since 1871 under several owners. A 45th parallel marker stands just north of the village. Peshawbestown, Knorrwood Bluffs and The Orchards are other named places in the township.

Bay view lot, village home or working cherry orchard? The right comps depend on which one the subject really is.

The bay, the marina and the orchards behind them

The West Arm of Grand Traverse Bay forms the township's east edge, and the village wraps around Suttons Bay itself, where the village marina and Marina Park sit. Lake Leelanau touches the southwest corner. Inland, cherry orchards and vineyards cover the hills, so acreage and farm use show up in many sales. Seasonal ownership is common: about 29% of village units were seasonal in 2020, and the village had 61 short term rental permits in August 2022. Suttons Bay Public Schools serves the village. The township is also the county seat.

Areas, lakes and neighborhoods in this file

Village of Suttons Bay
Peshawbestown
Lake Leelanau (east part)
Knorrwood Bluffs
The Orchards
Suttons Bay waterfront
West Arm of Grand Traverse Bay shoreline
Lake Leelanau shoreline
Bingham
Keswick
Fountain Point

Landmarks around Suttons Bay

Leelanau Peninsula AVAFederally recognized wine region
Lake LeelanauInland lake
Lake Leelanau Narrows BridgeNational Register of Historic Places
Fountain Point ResortHistoric resort on Lake Leelanau

Common questions

Are seasonal homes appraised differently in Suttons Bay?

The method is the same, but the comp pool differs. In 2020, 29.4% of village housing units were held for seasonal or occasional use, and the village had 61 short term rental permits in August 2022. Seasonal cottages, year round homes and rental properties can sell to different buyers, so comparable sales should match how the subject is actually used.

Which schools serve Suttons Bay?

Suttons Bay Public Schools serves the village, with an early childhood center plus elementary, middle and high schools and a virtual program. Enrollment fell from a peak of 875 in 2013 to 2014 to 587 in 2021 to 2022, according to the village master plan packet. A small part of Leland Township and northeast Elmwood Township also fall in the district.