Median Income $48,672

35% lower than US avg

Home Value $261,400

7% lower than US avg

Bachelor's+ 37.9%

12% higher than US avg

Obesity Rate 36.8%

15% higher than US avg

Unemployment 0.0%

100% lower than US avg

Poverty Rate 22.0%

77% higher than US avg

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

People

Population307

Median Age53.2 yrs

Density79/mi²

Male / Female30% / 70%

Largest GroupWhite 94%

Veterans6.0%

Economy

Median Income$48,672

Per Capita$21,913

Unemployment0.0%

Poverty22.0%

County GDP$3,597M

Commute24 min

Housing

B+

Home Value$261,400

RentN/A

OwnershipN/A

Housing Units525

Rent Burden15.6%

Health

Obesity36.8%

Uninsured6.3%

Smoking14.7%

Depression26.6%

Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp42°F (5°C)

AQI38 (Good)

Rain32.8 in/yr

Sunny Days249/yr

Elevation637 ft (194 m)

Education

Bachelor's+37.9%

High School+97.0%

Graduate+4.5%

School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 45% / D 54%

Commute24 min

Broadband71.0%

Libraries6

Is Big Bay a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Big Bay receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, a highly educated population, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Big Bay offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Big Bay is $48,672, 35% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. The poverty rate of 22.0% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Big Bay is $261,400, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. The price-to-income ratio of 5.4x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 37.9% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 97.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Big Bay has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F. Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. The area gets 249 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 32.8 inches, including 132.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Big Bay has a population of 307 with a density of 79 people per square mile. The median age is 53.2 years, 37% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (93.5%), with 1.3% Hispanic.

Population

307

Total Population

People / sq mi

53.2yrs

Median Age

37% above US avg

3.9mi²

Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 30.3%

Female 69.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Big Bay vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only	94.8%
	21% above US avg
Spanish	5.2%
	61% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Big Bay vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Big Bay is $48,672, which is 35% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 22.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Big Bay vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income	$48,672
	35% below US avg
Per Capita Income	$21,913
Avg Weekly Wage	$1,051
IRS Avg AGI	$66,951

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment	0.0%
	100% below US avg
Poverty Rate	22.0%
	77% above US avg
Establishments (County)	1,762
County GDP	$3,597M

Business (County)

Restaurants	184
Healthcare	217
Retail	260
Manufacturing	48

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)	$5,514
	58% above US avg
Cost of Living	96.20 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate	2.11%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time	24.3 min
Drive Alone	62.2%
Public Transit	0.0%
Work from Home	0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Big Bay is $261,400, 7% below the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median	$261,400
	7% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs


Rent Burden	15.6%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied	82.4%
Housing Units	525
Median Year Built	1951

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)	$5,514
	58% above US avg
Effective Rate	2.11%

In Big Bay, 36.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 6.3% of residents lack health insurance. 14.7% are current smokers. 26.6% report depression. 20.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity	36.8%
	15% above US avg
Diabetes	8.8%
Heart Disease	5.6%
High Blood Pressure	31.0%
Asthma	10.7%
COPD	6.4%
Cancer	7.8%
Stroke	2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking	14.7%
	5% above US avg
Binge Drinking	20.8%
Physical Inactivity	20.0%
Depression	26.6%
Mental Distress	17.7%
Physical Distress	12.3%
Short Sleep	31.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate	100.0%
Uninsured	6.3%
	27% below US avg
Checkup Rate	77.9%
Dental Visits	68.7%
Premature Death	7,011/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment	7.7/10
Exercise Access	84.7%
Healthcare Facilities	217

Big Bay has an average annual temperature of 42°F (5°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. Annual precipitation is 32.8 inches. The area enjoys 249 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-8°C) 66°F Jul (19°C)

Annual Average	41.8°F
	23% below US avg
January Average	17°F (-8°C)
July Average	66°F (19°C)
Sunny Days	249 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall	32.8 inches
	14% below US avg
Snowfall	132.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median	38.0
Rating	Good

Geography

Elevation	637 ft (194 m)
Area	3.9 sq mi (10.1 km²)
Population Density	79/sq mi
Coordinates	46.8173°N, 87.7080°W
Timezone	America/Detroit
County FIPS	26103

It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+. 37.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (12% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 8.7-point margin. 71.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 44.8%

D 53.5%

Winner: Democrat by 8.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+	37.9%
	12% above US avg
High School+	97.0%
Graduate Degree+	4.5%
School Test Score	5.23

A Education Grade (4.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 5	Nonmetro — Urban 20K+
Population Density	79/sq mi
Total Area	3.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access	71.0%
Public Libraries	6
Healthcare Facilities	217
Restaurants	184
Retail Stores	260

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)	5

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute	24.3 min
Drive Alone	62.2%
Public Transit	0.0%
Work from Home	0.0%

Big Bay, MI

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

People

Economy

Housing

Health

Climate

Education

Community

Is Big Bay a Good Place to Live?

Economy & Jobs

Cost of Living & Housing

Education

Climate & Weather

Population

Gender Distribution

Race & Ethnicity

Big Bay vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

Social Characteristics

Big Bay vs U.S. Average

Income: Big Bay vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Employment & Poverty

Business (County)

Tax & Cost of Living

Commute & Transportation

Walkability

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

HUD Fair Market Rent

Ownership & Property

Property Tax

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

Chronic Conditions

Behaviors & Mental Health

Healthcare Access

Food & Exercise

Temperature

Precipitation & Snow

Air Quality

Geography

2024 Presidential Election (County)

Education

Urban-Rural Classification

Infrastructure & Services

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Nearby Cities