Brown City, MI

Michigan

Brown City is a small town in Michigan with a population of 1,211. Residents earn $60,357 per year, which is 20% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,211 Population 1,072/sq mi density
$60,357 Median Income $30,023 per capita
$121,400 Home Value $225,173 Zillow
$805 Median Rent
45°F Avg Temperature
235 Violent Crime/100K 1,647 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$60,357 median income, 5.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$121,400 home value, $805/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
235 violent crimes/100K (38% below avg)
D
Education
2.0 / 5.0
12.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $60,357
20% lower than US avg
Home Value $121,400
57% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 235/100K
38% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 12.0%
64% lower than US avg
Median Rent $805
31% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.2%
28% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.1%
42% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 10.8%
13% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,211
Median Age41.8 yrs
Density1,072/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 90%

Economy

B+
Median Income$60,357
Per Capita$30,023
Unemployment5.1%
Poverty10.8%
County GDP$1,747M
Commute33 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$121,400
Rent$805
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$225,173

Crime

F
Violent235/100K
Property1,647/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault78/100K
Burglary157/100K

Health

Obesity41.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression30.7%
Heart Disease6.7%

Climate

Avg Temp45°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain31.3 in/yr
Elevation816 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+12.0%
High School+90.5%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 73% / D 26%
Commute33 min
Libraries8

Is Brown City a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Brown City receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, high obesity rates. Brown City has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Brown City is $60,357, 20% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.1% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. 10.8% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 33 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Brown City is $121,400, 57% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $805 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Brown City is below the national average at 235 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,647 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

12.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Brown City has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F. Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 31.3 inches, including 40.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Brown City has a population of 1,211 with a density of 1,072 people per square mile. The median age is 41.8 years, 7% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (89.7%), with 2.3% Hispanic.

Population

1,211
Total Population
1,072
People / sq mi
41.8yrs
Median Age
7% above US avg
1.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.3%
Female 52.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Brown City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.1%
20% above US avg
Spanish5.9%
56% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Brown City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Brown City is $60,357, which is 20% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 10.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 33 minutes.

Income: Brown City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$60,357
20% below US avg
Per Capita Income$30,023
Avg Weekly Wage$935
IRS Avg AGI$57,237

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.1%
42% above US avg
Poverty Rate10.8%
13% below US avg
Establishments (County)879
County GDP$1,747M

Business (County)

Restaurants71
Healthcare103
Retail134
Manufacturing54

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,870
11% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.19%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time33.4 min
Work from Home6.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Brown City is $121,400, 57% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $805 (31% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $225,173.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$121,400
57% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$225,173

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$805
31% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied69.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,870
11% above US avg
Effective Rate3.19%
In Brown City, 41.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 30.7% report depression. 30.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.2%
28% above US avg
Diabetes11.1%
Heart Disease6.7%
High Blood Pressure34.4%
Asthma12.3%
COPD9.5%
Stroke3.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.9%
Physical Inactivity30.5%
Depression30.7%
Mental Distress21.6%
Physical Distress15.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.5%
Checkup Rate76.6%
Premature Death9,591/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.3/10
Exercise Access40.5%
Healthcare Facilities103
Brown City has a violent crime rate of 235 per 100,000 residents, 38% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,647 per 100,000 (16% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Brown City vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent235.3/100K
38% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape156.9/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault78.4/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,647.1/100K
16% below US avg
Burglary156.9/100K
Theft1,411.8/100K
Vehicle Theft78.4/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Brown City has an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation is 31.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average45.4°F
16% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average69°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall31.3 inches
18% below US avg
Snowfall40.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation816 ft (249 m)
Area1.1 sq mi (2.9 km²)
Population Density1,072/sq mi
Coordinates43.2115°N, 82.9884°W
County FIPS26151
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 12.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (64% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 47.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 73.2%
D 25.5%

Winner: Republican by 47.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+12.0%
64% below US avg
High School+90.5%
School Test Score5.23
D Education Grade (2.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density1,072/sq mi
Total Area1.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries8
Healthcare Facilities103
Restaurants71
Retail Stores134

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute33.4 min
Work from Home6.0%

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