Brethren, MI

Michigan

Brethren is a small town in Michigan with a population of 405. Residents earn $42,434 per year, which is 44% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
405 Population 316/sq mi density
$42,434 Median Income $24,473 per capita
$104,500 Home Value $206,953 Zillow
$963 Median Rent 34.4% income on rent
48°F Avg Temperature 270 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$42,434 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$104,500 home value, $963/mo rent
D
Education
1.6 / 5.0
8.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $42,434
44% lower than US avg
Home Value $104,500
63% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 8.0%
76% lower than US avg
Median Rent $963
17% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.7%
17% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 17.2%
39% higher than US avg

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

People

Population405
Median Age41.3 yrs
Density316/mi²
Male / Female42% / 58%
Largest GroupWhite 96%
Veterans8.9%

Economy

B
Median Income$42,434
Per Capita$24,473
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty17.2%
County GDP$1,160M
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$104,500
Rent$963
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$206,953
Housing Units216
Rent Burden34.4%

Health

Obesity37.7%
Uninsured8.3%
Smoking18.8%
Depression30.5%
Heart Disease6.3%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F (9°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Rain36.3 in/yr
Sunny Days270/yr
Elevation724 ft (221 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+8.0%
High School+92.4%
Graduate+3.5%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 57% / D 41%
Commute24 min
Broadband89.1%
Libraries6

Is Brethren a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Brethren receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Brethren offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Brethren is $42,434, 44% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. The poverty rate of 17.2% 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 Brethren is $104,500, 63% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $963 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

8.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Brethren experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°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 36.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Brethren has a population of 405 with a density of 316 people per square mile. The median age is 41.3 years, 6% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95.8%), with 2.7% Hispanic.

Population

405
Total Population
316
People / sq mi
41.3yrs
Median Age
6% above US avg
1.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 42%
Female 58%

Race & Ethnicity

Brethren vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Brethren vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Brethren is $42,434, which is 44% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 17.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Brethren vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$42,434
44% below US avg
Per Capita Income$24,473
Avg Weekly Wage$985
IRS Avg AGI$57,545

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate17.2%
39% above US avg
Establishments (County)602
County GDP$1,160M

Business (County)

Restaurants73
Healthcare63
Retail105
Manufacturing28

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,625
89% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate6.34%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.1 min
Drive Alone82.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home6.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Brethren is $104,500, 63% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $963 (17% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $206,953.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$104,500
63% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$206,953

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$963
17% below US avg
Rent Burden34.4%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied94.6%
Housing Units216
Median Year Built1977

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,625
89% above US avg
Effective Rate6.34%
In Brethren, 37.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 8.3% of residents lack health insurance. 18.8% are current smokers. 30.5% report depression. 28.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.7%
17% above US avg
Diabetes10.2%
Heart Disease6.3%
High Blood Pressure32.4%
Asthma12.3%
COPD8.8%
Cancer7.7%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking18.8%
34% above US avg
Binge Drinking18.5%
Physical Inactivity28.3%
Depression30.5%
Mental Distress21.3%
Physical Distress15.2%
Short Sleep34.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.4%
Uninsured8.3%
3% below US avg
Checkup Rate76.7%
Dental Visits64.7%
Premature Death10,237/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.9/10
Exercise Access79.8%
Healthcare Facilities63
Brethren has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation is 36.3 inches. The area enjoys 270 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-4°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average47.5°F
12% below US avg
January Average24°F (-4°C)
July Average69°F (21°C)
Sunny Days270 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall36.3 inches
4% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation724 ft (221 m)
Area1.3 sq mi (3.3 km²)
Population Density316/sq mi
Coordinates44.3048°N, 86.0167°W
TimezoneAmerica/Detroit
County FIPS26101
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 8.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (76% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 15.9-point margin. 89.1% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 57.2%
D 41.3%

Winner: Republican by 15.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+8.0%
76% below US avg
High School+92.4%
Graduate Degree+3.5%
School Test Score5.23
D Education Grade (1.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density316/sq mi
Total Area1.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access89.1%
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities63
Restaurants73
Retail Stores105

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.1 min
Drive Alone82.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home6.9%

Nearby Cities

Manistee, MI 6,275 pop · 15.9 mi Frankfort, MI 1,158 pop · 25.3 mi Scottville, MI 1,359 pop · 27.7 mi Baldwin, MI 1,161 pop · 29.2 mi Cadillac, MI 10,404 pop · 30.0 mi Chums Corner, MI 1,012 pop · 31.2 mi Kingsley, MI 1,783 pop · 31.2 mi Manton, MI 1,347 pop · 31.3 mi Ludington, MI 7,664 pop · 32.0 mi Traverse City, MI 15,491 pop · 37.1 mi Greilickville, MI 1,296 pop · 38.3 mi Reed City, MI 2,505 pop · 39.1 mi Hart, MI 1,931 pop · 45.5 mi Evart, MI 1,764 pop · 46.5 mi
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