Alpena, MI

Michigan

Alpena is a small city in Michigan with a population of 10,178. Residents earn $47,604 per year, which is 37% below the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
10,178 Population 1,246/sq mi density
$47,604 Median Income $32,430 per capita
$110,400 Home Value $183,620 Zillow
$599 Median Rent
44°F Avg Temperature
263 Violent Crime/100K 2,302 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.1 / 5.0
$47,604 median income, 4.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$110,400 home value, $599/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
263 violent crimes/100K (31% below avg)
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
15.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $47,604
37% lower than US avg
Home Value $110,400
61% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 263/100K
31% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 15.2%
55% lower than US avg
Median Rent $599
48% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.5%
32% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.9%
36% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 12.8%
3% higher than US avg

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

People

Population10,178
Median Age45.2 yrs
Density1,246/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 93%

Economy

B
Median Income$47,604
Per Capita$32,430
Unemployment4.9%
Poverty12.8%
County GDP$482M
Commute12 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$110,400
Rent$599
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$183,620

Crime

F
Violent263/100K
Property2,302/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault156/100K
Burglary215/100K

Health

Obesity42.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression31.1%
Heart Disease6.7%

Climate

Avg Temp44°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain31.9 in/yr
Elevation609 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.2%
High School+92.9%
School Score5.02

Community

2024 VoteR 64% / D 35%
Commute12 min
EV Stations3
Libraries5

Is Alpena a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Alpena receives an overall livability score of 2.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Alpena has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Alpena is $47,604, 37% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.9%, indicating a healthy job market. 12.8% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 12 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Alpena is $110,400, 61% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $599 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Alpena is below the national average at 263 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,302 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

15.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5/10.

Climate & Weather

Alpena has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F. Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 31.9 inches, including 59.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Alpena has a population of 10,178 with a density of 1,246 people per square mile. The median age is 45.2 years, 16% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.6%), with 1.3% Hispanic, 1.9% Black.

Population

10,178
Total Population
1,246
People / sq mi
45.2yrs
Median Age
16% above US avg
8.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.7%
Female 52.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Alpena vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.9%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.1%
77% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Alpena vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Alpena is $47,604, which is 37% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.9% (above the 3.6% US average). 12.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 12 minutes.

Income: Alpena vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$47,604
37% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,430
Avg Weekly Wage$910
IRS Avg AGI$56,988

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.9%
36% above US avg
Poverty Rate12.8%
3% above US avg
Establishments (County)347
County GDP$482M

Business (County)

Restaurants32
Healthcare32
Retail61
Manufacturing17

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,081
17% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.70%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time11.8 min
Work from Home6.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Alpena is $110,400, 61% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $599 (48% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $183,620.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$110,400
61% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$183,620
Median List Price$267,480

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$267,480
$/Sq Ft$36
Homes Sold3
Sale-to-List Ratio81.0%
Price Drops21.1%
Inventory19

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$599
48% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$689
1 Bedroom$767
2 Bedrooms$973
3 Bedrooms$1,212
4 Bedrooms$1,632

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied65.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,081
17% above US avg
Effective Rate3.70%
In Alpena, 42.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 31.1% report depression. 27.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.5%
32% above US avg
Diabetes11.0%
Heart Disease6.7%
High Blood Pressure34.3%
Asthma12.6%
COPD9.6%
Stroke3.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.2%
Physical Inactivity27.9%
Depression31.1%
Mental Distress21.7%
Physical Distress15.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.9%
Checkup Rate77.4%
Premature Death7,916/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access46.6%
Healthcare Facilities32
Alpena has a violent crime rate of 263 per 100,000 residents, 31% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,302 per 100,000 (17% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent263.3/100K
31% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape97.5/100K
Robbery9.8/100K
Assault156.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,301.8/100K
17% above US avg
Burglary214.6/100K
Theft2,038.4/100K
Vehicle Theft48.8/100K
Arson9.8/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Alpena has an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation is 31.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-7°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average44.2°F
18% below US avg
January Average20°F (-7°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall31.9 inches
16% below US avg
Snowfall59.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation609 ft (186 m)
Area8.2 sq mi (21.2 km²)
Population Density1,246/sq mi
Coordinates45.0745°N, 83.4436°W
County FIPS26141
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 15.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (55% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 29-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 63.7%
D 34.7%

Winner: Republican by 29 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+15.2%
55% below US avg
High School+92.9%
School Test Score5.02
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density1,246/sq mi
Total Area8.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations3
Alt Fuel Stations4
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities32
Restaurants32
Retail Stores61

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute11.8 min
Work from Home6.0%

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