Bad Axe, MI

Michigan

Bad Axe is a small town in Michigan with a population of 3,010. Residents earn $47,535 per year, which is 37% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
3,010 Population 1,292/sq mi density
$47,535 Median Income $29,164 per capita
$106,700 Home Value $171,859 Zillow
$731 Median Rent
46°F Avg Temperature
527 Violent Crime/100K 1,745 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$47,535 median income, 2.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$106,700 home value, $731/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
527 violent crimes/100K (39% above avg)
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
20.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $47,535
37% lower than US avg
Home Value $106,700
62% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 527/100K
39% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 20.0%
41% lower than US avg
Median Rent $731
37% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.8%
27% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.8%
22% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 14.4%
16% higher than US avg

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

People

Population3,010
Median Age49.0 yrs
Density1,292/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 87%

Economy

B
Median Income$47,535
Per Capita$29,164
Unemployment2.8%
Poverty14.4%
County GDP$2,158M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$106,700
Rent$731
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$171,859

Crime

F
Violent527/100K
Property1,745/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault99/100K
Burglary132/100K

Health

Obesity40.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression30.3%
Heart Disease6.7%

Climate

Avg Temp46°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain32.9 in/yr
Elevation759 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+20.0%
High School+87.5%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 70% / D 29%
Commute20 min
EV Stations3
Libraries6

Is Bad Axe a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Bad Axe receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Bad Axe offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Bad Axe is $47,535, 37% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.8%. 14.4% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Bad Axe is $106,700, 62% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $731 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 527 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,745 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

20.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Bad Axe experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 32.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Bad Axe has a population of 3,010 with a density of 1,292 people per square mile. The median age is 49.0 years, 26% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (87.3%).

Population

3,010
Total Population
1,292
People / sq mi
49.0yrs
Median Age
26% above US avg
2.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45%
Female 55%

Race & Ethnicity

Bad Axe vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only89.6%
14% above US avg
Spanish10.4%
22% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Bad Axe vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Bad Axe is $47,535, which is 37% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 14.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Bad Axe vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$47,535
37% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,164
Avg Weekly Wage$967
IRS Avg AGI$60,518

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.8%
22% below US avg
Poverty Rate14.4%
16% above US avg
Establishments (County)999
County GDP$2,158M

Business (County)

Restaurants93
Healthcare101
Retail130
Manufacturing60

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,733
35% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.44%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.9 min
Work from Home8.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Bad Axe is $106,700, 62% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $731 (37% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $171,859.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$106,700
62% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$171,859

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$731
37% 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-Occupied56.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,733
35% above US avg
Effective Rate4.44%
In Bad Axe, 40.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 30.3% report depression. 29.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Bad Axe vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.8%
27% above US avg
Diabetes11.4%
Heart Disease6.7%
High Blood Pressure34.3%
Asthma12.3%
COPD9.6%
Stroke3.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.2%
Physical Inactivity29.6%
Depression30.3%
Mental Distress21.3%
Physical Distress16.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.2%
Checkup Rate76.8%
Premature Death7,757/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.4/10
Exercise Access65.8%
Healthcare Facilities101
Bad Axe has a violent crime rate of 527 per 100,000 residents, 39% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,745 per 100,000 (11% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent526.7/100K
39% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape427.9/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault98.8/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,744.6/100K
11% below US avg
Burglary131.7/100K
Theft1,580.0/100K
Vehicle Theft32.9/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Bad Axe has an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation is 32.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-6°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average46.4°F
14% below US avg
January Average22°F (-6°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall32.9 inches
13% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation759 ft (231 m)
Area2.3 sq mi (6.0 km²)
Population Density1,292/sq mi
Coordinates43.8049°N, 82.9983°W
County FIPS26063
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 20.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (41% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 40.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 69.7%
D 29.1%

Winner: Republican by 40.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+20.0%
41% below US avg
High School+87.5%
School Test Score5.23
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density1,292/sq mi
Total Area2.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations3
Alt Fuel Stations4
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities101
Restaurants93
Retail Stores130

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.9 min
Work from Home8.6%

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