Alma, MI

Michigan

Alma is a small city in Michigan with a population of 9,421. Residents earn $50,506 per year, which is 33% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
9,421 Population 1,575/sq mi density
$50,506 Median Income $26,194 per capita
$108,100 Home Value $158,260 Zillow
$791 Median Rent
47°F Avg Temperature
238 Violent Crime/100K 1,501 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$50,506 median income, 4.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$108,100 home value, $791/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
238 violent crimes/100K (37% below avg)
B
Education
3.3 / 5.0
28.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $50,506
33% lower than US avg
Home Value $108,100
62% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 238/100K
37% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 28.5%
15% lower than US avg
Median Rent $791
32% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.6%
17% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.3%
19% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 14.0%
13% higher than US avg

How Alma Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population9,421
Median Age32.5 yrs
Density1,575/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 89%

Economy

B
Median Income$50,506
Per Capita$26,194
Unemployment4.3%
Poverty14.0%
County GDP$1,982M
Commute23 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$108,100
Rent$791
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$158,260

Crime

F
Violent238/100K
Property1,501/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault151/100K
Burglary162/100K

Health

Obesity37.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression29.1%
Heart Disease6.2%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain34.5 in/yr
Elevation720 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+28.5%
High School+93.9%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 65% / D 34%
Commute23 min
EV Stations6
Libraries6

Is Alma a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Alma receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Alma offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Alma is $50,506, 33% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.3%, indicating a healthy job market. 14.0% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Alma is $108,100, 62% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $791 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Alma is below the national average at 238 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,501 per 100,000, 23% below the national average.

Education

28.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Alma experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 34.5 inches, including 39.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Alma has a population of 9,421 with a density of 1,575 people per square mile. The median age is 32.5 years, 16% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (88.6%), with 2.8% Black.

Population

9,421
Total Population
1,575
People / sq mi
32.5yrs
Median Age
16% below US avg
6.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.2%
Female 52.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Alma vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only92.7%
18% above US avg
Spanish7.3%
46% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Alma vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Alma is $50,506, which is 33% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.3% (above the 3.6% US average). 14.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Alma vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$50,506
33% below US avg
Per Capita Income$26,194
Avg Weekly Wage$1,055
IRS Avg AGI$60,876

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.3%
19% above US avg
Poverty Rate14.0%
13% above US avg
Establishments (County)794
County GDP$1,982M

Business (County)

Restaurants73
Healthcare106
Retail124
Manufacturing47

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,958
13% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.66%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.4 min
Work from Home10.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Alma is $108,100, 62% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $791 (32% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $158,260.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$108,100
62% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$158,260
Median List Price$149,950

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$149,950
$/Sq Ft$117
Homes Sold9
Sale-to-List Ratio91.8%
Price Drops23.7%
Inventory38

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$791
32% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$807
1 Bedroom$891
2 Bedrooms$1,113
3 Bedrooms$1,419
4 Bedrooms$1,588

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied64.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,958
13% above US avg
Effective Rate3.66%
In Alma, 37.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 29.1% report depression. 25.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Alma vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.6%
17% above US avg
Diabetes10.5%
Heart Disease6.2%
High Blood Pressure32.6%
Asthma11.8%
COPD8.1%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.6%
Physical Inactivity25.7%
Depression29.1%
Mental Distress20.0%
Physical Distress14.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.8%
Checkup Rate77.6%
Premature Death8,638/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.4/10
Exercise Access69.9%
Healthcare Facilities106
Alma has a violent crime rate of 238 per 100,000 residents, 37% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,501 per 100,000 (23% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Alma vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent237.6/100K
37% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape86.4/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault151.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,501.1/100K
23% below US avg
Burglary162.0/100K
Theft1,306.7/100K
Vehicle Theft32.4/100K
Arson10.8/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Alma has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 34.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-6°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average47.0°F
13% below US avg
January Average22°F (-6°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall34.5 inches
9% below US avg
Snowfall39.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation720 ft (219 m)
Area6.0 sq mi (15.5 km²)
Population Density1,575/sq mi
Coordinates43.3803°N, 84.6544°W
County FIPS26057
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 28.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (15% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 31.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 65%
D 33.7%

Winner: Republican by 31.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+28.5%
15% below US avg
High School+93.9%
School Test Score5.23
B Education Grade (3.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density1,575/sq mi
Total Area6.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations6
Alt Fuel Stations7
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities106
Restaurants73
Retail Stores124

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.4 min
Work from Home10.7%

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