Chippewa Lake
Solid value in a growing area
Median $217K·Walkability 3.7/10·Schools 6.6/10
The shoreline of Michigan's largest natural lake in Mecosta County draws people north from Grand Rapids—about an hour's drive—who come for the water itself: jet skiing, fishing, and swimming across 790 acres of open blue, where loons and blue herons drift past and bald eagles show up if you're patient. Cabins and cottages here lean rustic, many with knotty pine interiors and direct lake access, their windows framing sunrise views over the water; some have been updated in the last few years with new plumbing and roofs, while others keep that old-timey charm with vaulted ceilings and stone fireplaces. The community started as a logging town—platted back when white pine was king—and the historic post office has been operating since 1870, a holdover from those days when there were hotels, liveries, and a whole working landscape around the lake. Today it's quieter, more seasonal, a place where people show up for long weekends or own a second home, and if you want to explore beyond the water, Deerfield Nature Park sits nearby with hiking trails and the Muskegon River Riverwalk in Big Rapids is a short drive down the road for something easy and scenic.
Why people love it here
$217K median
- 13 sales in last 12mo
Park-rich area
- 4 parks within 1 mile
- Chippewa Township Park: 8 min walk
- Chippewa Lake: 7 min bike
Notable nearby
Conventional Mortgage Calculator
Median home price in Chippewa Lake
Estimated Monthly Payment
$1,476/mo
Property tax and insurance are estimates you can edit — not a quote. Tap either figure to enter your own.
The interest rate shown is not an annual percentage rate (APR). Rate displayed is the current average 30-year fixed rate from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey and is subject to change without notice. Your actual rate, payment, and costs may vary. Contact a loan officer for a personalized quote.
Guild Mortgage NMLS #3274. Equal Housing Opportunity. NMLS Consumer Access. Not a commitment to lend. All loans subject to underwriter approval; terms and conditions may apply. Subject to change without notice. Always consult an accountant or tax advisor for full eligibility requirements on tax deduction.
13 homes sold in Chippewa Lake this year. Thinking of selling?
See what your home is worthNearest Park
Chippewa Township Park
0.3 mi
Parks Nearby
4
within 1 mile
Based on 5 rated schools nearby
Range: 5/10 to 10/10
School District: Chippewa Hills School District
Walkability
Limited
Overall walkability score out of 10
Based on actual walk/bike/drive times to nearby amenities via Mapbox
Chippewa Township Park
Unnamed playground
Chippewa Lake
Crime in Chippewa Lake is reported at the city level, not the neighborhood level. The FBI doesn't publish reliable crime rates for individual neighborhoods, and within any community crime varies street to street. For an accurate, comparable picture, see the jurisdiction-wide figures for Mecosta County.
Mecosta County crime & safety stats →To buy a median-priced Chippewa Lake home (around $217,400) at today's 6.49% 30-year fixed rate with 20% down, you'd need roughly $39k/year in household income to qualify — an estimated monthly payment of $1,446 (principal, interest, property tax est., and insurance).
| Down payment | Monthly payment | Income needed |
|---|---|---|
| 20% | $1,446/mo | $38,560 |
| 10% (+PMI) | $1,665/mo | $44,394 |
| 5% (+PMI) | $1,738/mo | $46,345 |
Estimates use a 6.49% 30-year fixed rate (current Freddie Mac average), an aggressive ~45% housing-to-income ratio (roughly what FHA underwriting can allow for a buyer with no other monthly debts — your number depends on your debts and credit), this area's median sale price, plus estimated insurance and PMI below 20% down. Not a commitment to lend, and not an APR — your actual rate and payment will vary.
Association and local-government details are compiled from public records, municipal sites, and state registries, and can change. Confirm directly with the association or municipality before relying on them.
Solar potential
~$886/yr in electricity from a typical rooftop solar system
Produces ~6,311 kWh/yr · offsets ~60% of a typical home's use
Private well
Based on assessor parcel records
Municipal sewer
Based on assessor parcel records
Resident-arranged private hauler
No municipal collection.
Consumers Energy · ~14.0¢/kWh
Service splits by location — other areas may be served by Great Lakes Energy. Confirm by address.
Confirm by addressConsumers Energy / SEMCO / propane (LP)
Rural areas often LP/propane.
Confirm by addressServices for Chippewa · Source: findenergy.com
Utility, solar, and service details for Chippewa Lake are compiled from public records, municipal sites, and NREL / U.S. data.gov, and can change. Electric/gas can vary by address — confirm with the provider before relying on them.
Frequently asked about Chippewa Lake
- What do homes cost in Chippewa Lake?
- The median home value in Chippewa Lake is about $217,400. Individual prices vary by street, size, and condition.
- How active is the Chippewa Lake housing market?
- there are 8 homes for sale in Chippewa Lake right now, and 13 homes sold here in the last 12 months. Listings refresh throughout the day from the MichRIC MLS.
- What schools serve Chippewa Lake?
- Chippewa Lake is served by Chippewa Hills School District. Its highest-rated assigned school is Riverview Elementary School (10/10).
- Is Chippewa Lake walkable?
- Chippewa Lake scores 3.7/10 for walkability — a measure of walking, biking, and driving access to groceries, dining, parks, schools, and transit.
Top contributors in Chippewa Lake
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