🚣 Best Lake Towns
Updated Mar 14, 2026 · 25 towns ranked by data
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1
Onondaga County · Pop. 2,500
$420,000
Home Value
0.5/1k
Crime Rate
50
Walk Score
$72,000
Income
70
2
Mackinac County · Pop. 500
$350,000
Home Value
0.5/1k
Crime Rate
70
Walk Score
$38,000
Income
70
4
68
6
Walworth County · Pop. 7,900
$350,000
Home Value
1.5/1k
Crime Rate
55
Walk Score
$55,000
Income
66
7
Chittenden County · Pop. 44,743
$420,000
Home Value
2.5/1k
Crime Rate
68
Walk Score
$52,000
Income
65
8
Clackamas County · Pop. 40,162
$680,000
Home Value
0.8/1k
Crime Rate
35
Walk Score
$105,000
Income
65
9
Grand Traverse County · Pop. 15,678
$320,000
Home Value
2.5/1k
Crime Rate
48
Walk Score
$52,000
Income
64
10
64
12
64
16
62
19
Marquette County · Pop. 20,500
$220,000
Home Value
2.0/1k
Crime Rate
48
Walk Score
$42,000
Income
61
20
60
21
Kootenai County · Pop. 54,628
$450,000
Home Value
2.8/1k
Crime Rate
40
Walk Score
$52,000
Income
59
22
59
24
59
25
58
How We Scored This
The best lakefront communities for year-round living, boating, fishing, and waterfront charm.
Lake Access
Weight: 20% · Higher is better
Affordability
Weight: 15% · Lower is better
Safety
Weight: 15% · Lower is better
Income
Weight: 15% · Higher is better
Schools
Weight: 10% · Higher is better
Walkability
Weight: 10% · Higher is better
Dining
Weight: 15% · Higher is better