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Bear Lake, MI

Michigan

Bear Lake is a small town in Michigan with a population of 265. Residents earn $54,886 per year, which is 27% below the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
265 Population 46/sq mi density
$54,886 Median Income $25,865 per capita
$126,400 Home Value $296,765 Zillow
$1,000 Median Rent 29.8% income on rent
43°F Avg Temperature 270 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$54,886 median income, 4.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$126,400 home value, $1,000/mo rent
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
19.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $54,886
27% lower than US avg
Home Value $126,400
55% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 19.6%
42% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,000
14% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 34.8%
8% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.6%
28% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.8%
69% lower than US avg

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

People

Population265
Median Age43.5 yrs
Density46/mi²
Male / Female43% / 57%
Largest GroupWhite 91%
Veterans6.0%

Economy

B+
Median Income$54,886
Per Capita$25,865
Unemployment4.6%
Poverty3.8%
County GDP$563M
Commute25 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$126,400
Rent$1,000
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$296,765
Housing Units644
Rent Burden29.8%

Health

Obesity34.8%
Uninsured6.7%
Smoking14.6%
Depression29.7%
Heart Disease6.0%

Climate

Avg Temp43°F (6°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Rain33.2 in/yr
Sunny Days270/yr
Elevation1,217 ft (371 m)

Education

C+
Bachelor's+19.6%
High School+87.7%
Graduate+7.0%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 66% / D 32%
Commute25 min
Broadband95.9%
Libraries2

Is Bear Lake a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Bear Lake receives an overall livability score of 3.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Bear Lake offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Bear Lake is $54,886, 27% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.6%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 3.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Bear Lake is $126,400, 55% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,000 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.

Education

19.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Bear Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F. Winters average 18°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 33.2 inches, including 88.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Bear Lake has a population of 265 with a density of 46 people per square mile. The median age is 43.5 years, 12% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (91.3%), with 6.4% Hispanic.

Population

265
Total Population
46
People / sq mi
43.5yrs
Median Age
12% above US avg
5.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 42.6%
Female 57.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Bear Lake vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Bear Lake vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Bear Lake is $54,886, which is 27% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.6% (above the 3.6% US average). 3.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: Bear Lake vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$54,886
27% below US avg
Per Capita Income$25,865
Avg Weekly Wage$1,003
IRS Avg AGI$54,169

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.6%
28% above US avg
Poverty Rate3.8%
69% below US avg
Establishments (County)278
County GDP$563M

Business (County)

Restaurants45
Healthcare32
Retail56
Manufacturing23

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,786
8% above US avg
Cost of Living96.20 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate3.00%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.6 min
Drive Alone98.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home1.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Bear Lake is $126,400, 55% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,000 (14% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $296,765.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$126,400
55% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$296,765

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,000
14% below US avg
Rent Burden29.8%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied94.1%
Housing Units644
Median Year Built1979

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,786
8% above US avg
Effective Rate3.00%
In Bear Lake, 34.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 6.7% of residents lack health insurance. 14.6% are current smokers. 29.7% report depression. 24.5% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Bear Lake vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity34.8%
8% above US avg
Diabetes9.6%
Heart Disease6.0%
High Blood Pressure29.7%
Asthma11.7%
COPD8.1%
Cancer7.7%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking14.6%
4% above US avg
Binge Drinking19.7%
Physical Inactivity24.5%
Depression29.7%
Mental Distress18.9%
Physical Distress12.9%
Short Sleep33.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.7%
Uninsured6.7%
22% below US avg
Checkup Rate76.5%
Dental Visits63.9%
Premature Death8,506/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.4/10
Exercise Access74.7%
Healthcare Facilities32
Bear Lake has an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation is 33.2 inches. The area enjoys 270 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

18°F Jan (-8°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average43.3°F
20% below US avg
January Average18°F (-8°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days270 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall33.2 inches
13% below US avg
Snowfall88.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,217 ft (371 m)
Area5.8 sq mi (14.9 km²)
Population Density46/sq mi
Coordinates44.7175°N, 84.9437°W
TimezoneAmerica/Detroit
County FIPS26039
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 19.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (42% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 33.8-point margin. 95.9% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 66.2%
D 32.5%

Winner: Republican by 33.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+19.6%
42% below US avg
High School+87.7%
Graduate Degree+7.0%
School Test Score5.23
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density46/sq mi
Total Area5.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access95.9%
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities32
Restaurants45
Retail Stores56

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.6 min
Drive Alone98.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home1.5%

Nearby Cities

Kalkaska, MI 2,370 pop · 11.9 mi Grayling, MI 1,638 pop · 12.1 mi Mancelona, MI 1,496 pop · 14.0 mi Lakes of the North, MI 1,076 pop · 15.0 mi Rapid City, MI 1,315 pop · 18.9 mi Roscommon, MI 1,029 pop · 23.5 mi Gaylord, MI 4,307 pop · 24.6 mi Elk Rapids, MI 1,558 pop · 25.8 mi Kingsley, MI 1,783 pop · 29.9 mi Houghton Lake, MI 5,761 pop · 30.3 mi Manton, MI 1,347 pop · 30.9 mi East Jordan, MI 1,776 pop · 31.4 mi Prudenville, MI 1,286 pop · 31.9 mi Traverse City, MI 15,491 pop · 32.5 mi
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