Caro, MI

Michigan

Caro is a small town in Michigan with a population of 4,284. Residents earn $41,940 per year, which is 44% below the national average.

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
4,284 Population 1,457/sq mi density
$41,940 Median Income $25,267 per capita
$102,200 Home Value $177,535 Zillow
$728 Median Rent
47°F Avg Temperature
219 Violent Crime/100K 3,620 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.6 / 5.0
$41,940 median income, 5.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$102,200 home value, $728/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
219 violent crimes/100K (42% below avg)
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
15.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $41,940
44% lower than US avg
Home Value $102,200
64% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 219/100K
42% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 15.7%
53% lower than US avg
Median Rent $728
37% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 44.3%
38% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.7%
58% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 18.6%
50% higher than US avg

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

People

Population4,284
Median Age40.6 yrs
Density1,457/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 95%

Economy

C+
Median Income$41,940
Per Capita$25,267
Unemployment5.7%
Poverty18.6%
County GDP$1,769M
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$102,200
Rent$728
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$177,535

Crime

F
Violent219/100K
Property3,620/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault146/100K
Burglary389/100K

Health

Obesity44.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression30.6%
Heart Disease7.0%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain34.3 in/yr
Elevation724 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.7%
High School+90.3%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 71% / D 28%
Commute24 min
EV Stations1
Libraries10

Is Caro a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Caro receives an overall livability score of 2.7 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, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Caro has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Caro is $41,940, 44% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.7% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 18.6% 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 Caro is $102,200, 64% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $728 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Caro is below the national average at 219 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,620 per 100,000, 85% above the national average.

Education

15.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Caro experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 34.3 inches, including 41.6 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Caro has a population of 4,284 with a density of 1,457 people per square mile. The median age is 40.6 years, 4% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95.2%), with 1.8% Black.

Population

4,284
Total Population
1,457
People / sq mi
40.6yrs
Median Age
4% above US avg
2.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.3%
Female 49.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Caro vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.5%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.5%
66% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Caro vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Caro is $41,940, which is 44% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.7% (above the 3.6% US average). 18.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Caro vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$41,940
44% below US avg
Per Capita Income$25,267
Avg Weekly Wage$976
IRS Avg AGI$56,247

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.7%
58% above US avg
Poverty Rate18.6%
50% above US avg
Establishments (County)921
County GDP$1,769M

Business (County)

Restaurants66
Healthcare108
Retail136
Manufacturing51

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,650
4% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.57%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.1 min
Work from Home3.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Caro is $102,200, 64% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $728 (37% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $177,535.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$102,200
64% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$177,535

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$728
37% 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-Occupied62.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,650
4% above US avg
Effective Rate3.57%
In Caro, 44.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 30.6% report depression. 29.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity44.3%
38% above US avg
Diabetes11.9%
Heart Disease7.0%
High Blood Pressure35.1%
Asthma12.5%
COPD10.1%
Stroke3.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.3%
Physical Inactivity29.7%
Depression30.6%
Mental Distress21.7%
Physical Distress16.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.4%
Checkup Rate76.8%
Premature Death9,016/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.3/10
Exercise Access54.7%
Healthcare Facilities108
Caro has a violent crime rate of 219 per 100,000 residents, 42% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,620 per 100,000 (85% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent218.7/100K
42% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape72.9/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault145.8/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,620.0/100K
85% above US avg
Burglary388.7/100K
Theft3,158.4/100K
Vehicle Theft72.9/100K
Arson72.9/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Caro has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 34.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-6°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average46.8°F
13% below US avg
January Average22°F (-6°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall34.3 inches
10% below US avg
Snowfall41.6 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation724 ft (221 m)
Area2.9 sq mi (7.6 km²)
Population Density1,457/sq mi
Coordinates43.4893°N, 83.4017°W
County FIPS26157
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 15.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (53% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 43-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 70.9%
D 27.9%

Winner: Republican by 43 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+15.7%
53% below US avg
High School+90.3%
School Test Score5.23
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density1,457/sq mi
Total Area2.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries10
Healthcare Facilities108
Restaurants66
Retail Stores136

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.1 min
Work from Home3.4%

Nearby Cities

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