Benzonia, MI

Michigan · Metropolitan Area

Benzonia is a small town in Michigan with a population of 735. Residents earn $61,161 per year, which is 19% below the national average.

4.1 /5.0
A Great
735 Population 650/sq mi density
$61,161 Median Income $31,083 per capita
$195,800 Home Value $310,548 Zillow
$1,292 Median Rent 30.8% income on rent
47°F Avg Temperature 270 sunny days/yr
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$61,161 median income, 4.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.9 / 5.0
$195,800 home value, $1,292/mo rent
B+
Education
3.9 / 5.0
35.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $61,161
19% lower than US avg
Home Value $195,800
31% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 35.9%
7% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,292
11% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 34.8%
8% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.3%
19% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 10.6%
15% lower than US avg

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

People

Population735
Median Age46.4 yrs
Density650/mi²
Male / Female55% / 45%
Largest GroupWhite 83%
Veterans7.6%

Economy

B+
Median Income$61,161
Per Capita$31,083
Unemployment4.3%
Poverty10.6%
County GDP$741M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$195,800
Rent$1,292
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$310,548
Housing Units360
Rent Burden30.8%

Health

Obesity34.8%
Uninsured5.0%
Smoking12.4%
Depression28.8%
Heart Disease5.1%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F (8°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Rain34.3 in/yr
Sunny Days270/yr
Elevation809 ft (247 m)

Education

B+
Bachelor's+35.9%
High School+96.9%
Graduate+13.1%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 54% / D 45%
Commute20 min
Broadband93.2%
Libraries4

Is Benzonia a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Benzonia receives an overall livability score of 4.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, strong internet connectivity. Benzonia stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Benzonia is $61,161, 19% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.3%, indicating a healthy job market. 10.6% 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 Benzonia is $195,800, 31% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,292 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 3.2x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 35.9% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 96.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Benzonia experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. With 270 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 34.3 inches, including 93.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Benzonia has a population of 735 with a density of 650 people per square mile. The median age is 46.4 years, 19% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (83.4%), with 10.1% Hispanic.

Population

735
Total Population
650
People / sq mi
46.4yrs
Median Age
19% above US avg
1.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 55.4%
Female 44.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Benzonia vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Benzonia vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Benzonia is $61,161, which is 19% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.3% (above the 3.6% US average). 10.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Benzonia vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$61,161
19% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,083
Avg Weekly Wage$877
IRS Avg AGI$72,228

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.3%
19% above US avg
Poverty Rate10.6%
15% below US avg
Establishments (County)483
County GDP$741M

Business (County)

Restaurants67
Healthcare34
Retail65
Manufacturing22

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$8,350
139% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.26%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.5 min
Drive Alone66.1%
Public Transit5.7%
Work from Home15.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Benzonia is $195,800, 31% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,292 (11% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $310,548.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$195,800
31% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$310,548

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,292
11% above US avg
Rent Burden30.8%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied89.5%
Housing Units360
Median Year Built1958

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$8,350
139% above US avg
Effective Rate4.26%
In Benzonia, 34.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 5.0% of residents lack health insurance. 12.4% are current smokers. 28.8% report depression. 19.4% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity34.8%
8% above US avg
Diabetes8.6%
Heart Disease5.1%
High Blood Pressure29.5%
Asthma11.7%
COPD6.0%
Cancer8.1%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking12.4%
11% below US avg
Binge Drinking19.1%
Physical Inactivity19.4%
Depression28.8%
Mental Distress18.1%
Physical Distress12.1%
Short Sleep30.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate87.4%
Uninsured5.0%
42% below US avg
Checkup Rate78.3%
Dental Visits71.2%
Premature Death9,354/100K

Food & Exercise

Exercise Access62.3%
Healthcare Facilities34
Benzonia has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation is 34.3 inches. The area enjoys 270 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-5°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average46.5°F
14% below US avg
January Average24°F (-5°C)
July Average69°F (21°C)
Sunny Days270 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall34.3 inches
10% below US avg
Snowfall93.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation809 ft (247 m)
Area1.1 sq mi (2.9 km²)
Population Density650/sq mi
Coordinates44.6161°N, 86.0989°W
TimezoneAmerica/Detroit
County FIPS26019
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 35.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (7% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 8.7-point margin. 93.2% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 53.7%
D 45%

Winner: Republican by 8.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+35.9%
7% above US avg
High School+96.9%
Graduate Degree+13.1%
School Test Score5.23
B+ Education Grade (3.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density650/sq mi
Total Area1.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access93.2%
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities34
Restaurants67
Retail Stores65

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.5 min
Drive Alone66.1%
Public Transit5.7%
Work from Home15.7%

Nearby Cities

Frankfort, MI 1,158 pop · 6.7 mi Chums Corner, MI 1,012 pop · 22.1 mi Greilickville, MI 1,296 pop · 24.6 mi Traverse City, MI 15,491 pop · 26.2 mi Manistee, MI 6,275 pop · 28.0 mi Kingsley, MI 1,783 pop · 28.3 mi Manton, MI 1,347 pop · 37.2 mi Elk Rapids, MI 1,558 pop · 39.2 mi Cadillac, MI 10,404 pop · 42.2 mi Rapid City, MI 1,315 pop · 42.6 mi Kalkaska, MI 2,370 pop · 45.6 mi Scottville, MI 1,359 pop · 46.8 mi Ludington, MI 7,664 pop · 48.6 mi Baldwin, MI 1,161 pop · 51.1 mi
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