The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 48118 sells for about $582,450, or $235 per square foot.
Prices are up +26.6% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 31 days to sell. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,636 a month.
ZIP 48118 — Chelsea
The Chelsea real estate market is currently a strong seller's market, characterized by low inventory and significant year-over-year price appreciation. High demand from professionals and families, coupled with limited supply, continues to drive competition and shorten days on market. The area's economic stability, supported by proximity to Ann Arbor, remains a primary driver of market health.
This ZIP is ideal for families seeking high-quality schools and professionals commuting to Ann Arbor who prefer a small-town atmosphere with access to outdoor recreation.
Median prices moved up 26.6% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 31 days on market with 1.9 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
0% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 98.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 3.0% · poverty 3.0% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 8.3%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 4.8%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net influx — more people moved in than out
ZCTA 48118, Washtenaw County MI
ACS 2024 5-year estimates. Aggregate published statistics for this ZIP — never individual records, and never an attribute of any individual property or resident.
Chelsea is generally considered a safe community with crime rates significantly lower than the national and state averages.
The Chelsea School District is highly regarded, consistently ranking among the top-performing districts in Washtenaw County.
The area faces standard Midwestern climate risks, including seasonal severe thunderstorms and winter weather, with low overall flood risk for most residential parcels.
Economic momentum is driven by proximity to Ann Arbor's research and university sectors, with steady residential development in suburban-style subdivisions.
Property taxes are levied by Washtenaw County, the City of Chelsea, and the Chelsea School District, with rates determined by local millage elections and state-capped assessment increases.
Residents primarily commute via I-94 toward Ann Arbor and the broader Detroit metropolitan area, with typical drive times ranging from 20 to 45 minutes.
The area features extensive access to the Waterloo Recreation Area, local parks like Timbertown, and a historic downtown district with boutique shopping and dining.
The rental market is tight with low vacancy rates, driven by limited multi-family inventory and high demand from professionals working in the Ann Arbor corridor.
The local economy is anchored by manufacturing, healthcare, and education, with significant employment ties to the University of Michigan and Ann Arbor's tech sector.
The area is served by I-94, providing a direct corridor to Ann Arbor and Detroit, with limited public transit options beyond local community services.
Development is focused on managed growth, with new residential subdivisions and minor commercial expansions approved on the city's periphery.
The Washtenaw County Equalization Department oversees property assessments, ensuring compliance with Michigan's Proposal A tax limitations.
Parcels are subject to Chelsea School District taxes and various county-wide millages for public services and infrastructure.
Property insurance premiums are stable, reflecting the area's low risk for major natural disasters, though standard coverage for wind and hail is typical.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov ZCTA 48118 profile.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
- Michigan Stadium4.815 mi
- Michigan International Speedway4.719.1 mi
- Crisler Center4.815.1 mi
- BIG Best In Games - The Ultimate Event Party Venue!4.619 mi
- Michigan Theater4.715.2 mi
- Hudson Mills Metropark4.79 mi
- Pinckney Recreation Area4.79.1 mi
- Waterloo State Recreation Area4.67.3 mi
- DTE Energy Foundation Trail4.95.6 mi
- Dexter-Huron Metropark4.79.3 mi
- Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum4.714.9 mi
- University of Michigan Museum of Natural History4.715.6 mi
- University of Michigan Museum of Art4.815.3 mi
- Kelsey Museum of Archaeology4.815.2 mi
- HOMES Campus - Beer Garden & Taproom4.712.1 mi
- Hudson Mills Metropark4.79 mi
- Pinckney Recreation Area4.79.1 mi
- Waterloo State Recreation Area4.67.3 mi
- DTE Energy Foundation Trail4.95.6 mi
- Dexter-Huron Metropark4.79.3 mi
- Clarklake Beach & Boat Club4.718.7 mi
- Mac's Marina Inc4.516.6 mi
- Wonderland Marine West4.210.3 mi
- Timber Trace Golf Club4.612.4 mi
- Pierce Lake Golf Course4.41.2 mi
- Hudson Mills Metropark Golf Course4.48 mi
- Meijer4.110 mi
- Busch's Fresh Food Market4.28.8 mi
- Busch's Fresh Food Market4.312.4 mi
- Jenny's Farm Stand & Cider Mill47.8 mi
- Bliss & Fish Restaurant-Mediterranean & Seafood4.611.9 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
The largest state recreation area in Michigan, offering extensive hiking, biking, and fishing.
Features a variety of local restaurants, cafes, and independent retail shops.
A popular community park featuring large wooden play structures and picnic areas.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.