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Carp Lake, MI

Michigan

Carp Lake is a small town in Michigan with a population of 407. Residents earn $27,318 per year, which is 64% below the national average.

2.5 /5.0
C+ Fair
407 Population 198/sq mi density
$27,318 Median Income $21,835 per capita
$170,800 Home Value $244,655 Zillow
$565 Median Rent 28.8% income on rent
42°F Avg Temperature 258 sunny days/yr
C+
Overall
2.5 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.1 / 5.0
$27,318 median income, 3.5% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.1 / 5.0
$170,800 home value, $565/mo rent
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
16.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $27,318
64% lower than US avg
Home Value $170,800
39% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 16.3%
52% lower than US avg
Median Rent $565
51% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.1%
12% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.5%
3% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 32.4%
161% higher than US avg

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

People

Population407
Median Age40.3 yrs
Density198/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 92%
Veterans4.6%

Economy

C
Median Income$27,318
Per Capita$21,835
Unemployment3.5%
Poverty32.4%
County GDP$2,559M
Commute22 min

Housing

B
Home Value$170,800
Rent$565
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$244,655
Housing Units459
Rent Burden28.8%

Health

Obesity36.1%
Uninsured7.2%
Smoking18.4%
Depression30.2%
Heart Disease6.3%

Climate

Avg Temp42°F (6°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Sunny Days258/yr
Elevation733 ft (223 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+16.3%
High School+95.4%
Graduate+8.6%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 55% / D 44%
Commute22 min
Broadband81.9%
Libraries5

Is Carp Lake a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Carp Lake receives an overall livability score of 2.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. 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. Carp Lake has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Carp Lake is $27,318, 64% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.5%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 32.4% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Carp Lake is $170,800, 39% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $565 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. The price-to-income ratio of 6.3x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Education

16.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 95.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Carp Lake 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. With 258 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Carp Lake has a population of 407 with a density of 198 people per square mile. The median age is 40.3 years, 4% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (91.9%), with 3.4% Hispanic.

Population

407
Total Population
198
People / sq mi
40.3yrs
Median Age
4% above US avg
2.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.9%
Female 54.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Carp Lake vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Carp Lake vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Carp Lake is $27,318, which is 64% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 32.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Carp Lake vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$27,318
64% below US avg
Per Capita Income$21,835
Avg Weekly Wage$1,066
IRS Avg AGI$92,368

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.5%
3% below US avg
Poverty Rate32.4%
161% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,558
County GDP$2,559M

Business (County)

Restaurants145
Healthcare188
Retail248
Manufacturing59

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$10,226
192% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.99%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.2 min
Drive Alone94.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Carp Lake is $170,800, 39% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $565 (51% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $244,655.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$170,800
39% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$244,655

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$565
51% below US avg
Rent Burden28.8%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied67.7%
Housing Units459
Median Year Built1977

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$10,226
192% above US avg
Effective Rate5.99%
In Carp Lake, 36.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.2% of residents lack health insurance. 18.4% are current smokers. 30.2% report depression. 25.2% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Carp Lake vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.1%
12% above US avg
Diabetes10.2%
Heart Disease6.3%
High Blood Pressure33.0%
Asthma12.5%
COPD8.5%
Cancer7.8%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking18.4%
31% above US avg
Binge Drinking17.8%
Physical Inactivity25.2%
Depression30.2%
Mental Distress21.2%
Physical Distress14.7%
Short Sleep32.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.2%
Uninsured7.2%
16% below US avg
Checkup Rate77.7%
Dental Visits63.7%
Premature Death6,730/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.8/10
Exercise Access76.6%
Healthcare Facilities188
Carp Lake has an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. The area enjoys 258 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 Average42.3°F
22% below US avg
January Average17°F (-8°C)
July Average66°F (19°C)
Sunny Days258 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation733 ft (223 m)
Area2.1 sq mi (5.3 km²)
Population Density198/sq mi
Coordinates45.6969°N, 84.7503°W
TimezoneAmerica/Detroit
County FIPS26047
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 16.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (52% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 10.8-point margin. 81.9% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 54.6%
D 43.8%

Winner: Republican by 10.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+16.3%
52% below US avg
High School+95.4%
Graduate Degree+8.6%
School Test Score5.23
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density198/sq mi
Total Area2.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access81.9%
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities188
Restaurants145
Retail Stores248

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.2 min
Drive Alone94.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.4%

Nearby Cities

St. Ignace, MI 2,409 pop · 13.2 mi Cheboygan, MI 4,801 pop · 14.1 mi Indian River, MI 2,210 pop · 19.5 mi Harbor Springs, MI 1,015 pop · 21.6 mi Petoskey, MI 5,851 pop · 26.2 mi Boyne City, MI 3,829 pop · 35.8 mi Charlevoix, MI 2,420 pop · 36.1 mi East Jordan, MI 1,776 pop · 41.9 mi Kincheloe, MI 2,875 pop · 42.0 mi Gaylord, MI 4,307 pop · 46.8 mi Rogers City, MI 2,873 pop · 49.6 mi Lakes of the North, MI 1,076 pop · 53.4 mi Sault Ste. Marie, MI 13,373 pop · 56.8 mi Mancelona, MI 1,496 pop · 56.9 mi
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