Bay City, WI

Wisconsin · Metropolitan Area

Bay City is a small town in Wisconsin with a population of 358. Residents earn $60,625 per year, which is 19% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
358 Population 607/sq mi density
$60,625 Median Income $37,972 per capita
$118,400 Home Value $306,940 Zillow
$990 Median Rent 17.2% income on rent
42°F Avg Temperature 270 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$60,625 median income, 1.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$118,400 home value, $990/mo rent
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $60,625
19% lower than US avg
Home Value $118,400
58% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.1%
67% lower than US avg
Median Rent $990
15% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 33.8%
5% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.6%
56% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.3%
90% lower than US avg

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

People

Population358
Median Age48.0 yrs
Density607/mi²
Male / Female57% / 43%
Largest GroupWhite 100%
Veterans14.5%

Economy

A
Median Income$60,625
Per Capita$37,972
Unemployment1.6%
Poverty1.3%
County GDP$1,545M
Commute29 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$118,400
Rent$990
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$306,940
Housing Units178
Rent Burden17.2%

Health

Obesity33.8%
Uninsured6.9%
Smoking14.1%
Depression23.6%
Heart Disease5.2%

Climate

Avg Temp42°F (6°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Rain35.9 in/yr
Sunny Days270/yr
Elevation746 ft (227 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.1%
High School+92.1%
Graduate+1.1%
School Score5.81

Community

2024 VoteR 57% / D 40%
Commute29 min
Broadband86.5%
Libraries5

Is Bay City a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Bay City receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Bay City offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Bay City is $60,625, 19% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.6%. Only 1.3% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Bay City is $118,400, 58% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $990 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

11.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Bay City has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F. Winters average 12°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. With 270 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 35.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Bay City has a population of 358 with a density of 607 people per square mile. The median age is 48.0 years, 23% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (99.7%).

Population

358
Total Population
607
People / sq mi
48.0yrs
Median Age
23% above US avg
0.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 57%
Female 43%

Race & Ethnicity

Bay City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.7%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.3%
98% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Bay City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Bay City is $60,625, which is 19% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 1.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Income: Bay City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$60,625
19% below US avg
Per Capita Income$37,972
Avg Weekly Wage$913
IRS Avg AGI$86,110

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.6%
56% below US avg
Poverty Rate1.3%
90% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,024
County GDP$1,545M

Business (County)

Restaurants110
Healthcare78
Retail97
Manufacturing50

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,822
66% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.92%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time29.2 min
Drive Alone88.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Bay City is $118,400, 58% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $990 (15% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $306,940.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$118,400
58% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$306,940

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$990
15% below US avg
Rent Burden17.2%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$797
1 Bedroom$872
2 Bedrooms$1,097
3 Bedrooms$1,405
4 Bedrooms$1,572

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied89.0%
Housing Units178
Median Year Built1971

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,822
66% above US avg
Effective Rate4.92%
In Bay City, 33.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 6.9% of residents lack health insurance. 14.1% are current smokers. 23.6% report depression. 23.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Bay City vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity33.8%
5% above US avg
Diabetes8.6%
Heart Disease5.2%
High Blood Pressure28.7%
Asthma10.6%
COPD5.2%
Cancer7.2%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking14.1%
1% above US avg
Binge Drinking22.7%
Physical Inactivity23.9%
Depression23.6%
Mental Distress16.2%
Physical Distress11.5%
Short Sleep34.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.4%
Uninsured6.9%
20% below US avg
Checkup Rate73.1%
Dental Visits65.9%
Premature Death5,140/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.1/10
Exercise Access73.5%
Healthcare Facilities78
Bay City has an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 12°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation is 35.9 inches. The area enjoys 270 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

12°F Jan (-11°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average42.3°F
22% below US avg
January Average12°F (-11°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days270 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall35.9 inches
5% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation746 ft (227 m)
Area0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²)
Population Density607/sq mi
Coordinates44.5893°N, 92.4535°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS55093
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 11.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (67% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 16.8-point margin. 86.5% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 56.9%
D 40.2%

Winner: Republican by 16.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+11.1%
67% below US avg
High School+92.1%
Graduate Degree+1.1%
School Test Score5.81
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density607/sq mi
Total Area0.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access86.5%
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities78
Restaurants110
Retail Stores97

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute29.2 min
Drive Alone88.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.2%

Nearby Cities

Red Wing, MN 16,660 pop · 7.5 mi Ellsworth, WI 3,323 pop · 10.2 mi Lake City, MN 5,021 pop · 13.1 mi Goodhue, MN 1,261 pop · 15.6 mi Prescott, WI 4,376 pop · 20.0 mi River Falls, WI 16,349 pop · 20.5 mi Spring Valley, WI 1,260 pop · 20.9 mi Cannon Falls, MN 4,216 pop · 22.0 mi Hastings, MN 22,050 pop · 22.0 mi Zumbrota, MN 3,843 pop · 23.0 mi Durand, WI 1,735 pop · 24.4 mi Wabasha, MN 2,569 pop · 25.1 mi Baldwin, WI 4,313 pop · 25.5 mi Wanamingo, MN 1,185 pop · 25.8 mi
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