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Custer, MI

Michigan

Custer is a small town in Michigan with a population of 289. Residents earn $66,875 per year, which is 11% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
289 Population 270/sq mi density
$66,875 Median Income $27,835 per capita
$100,000 Home Value $199,719 Zillow
$738 Median Rent 32.5% income on rent
46°F Avg Temperature 261 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$66,875 median income, 4.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$100,000 home value, $738/mo rent
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
8.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $66,875
11% lower than US avg
Home Value $100,000
65% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 8.7%
74% lower than US avg
Median Rent $738
37% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.2%
28% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.1%
14% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.2%
34% lower than US avg

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

People

Population289
Median Age35.8 yrs
Density270/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 97%
Veterans6.1%

Economy

B+
Median Income$66,875
Per Capita$27,835
Unemployment4.1%
Poverty8.2%
County GDP$1,347M
Commute21 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$100,000
Rent$738
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$199,719
Housing Units123
Rent Burden32.5%

Health

Obesity41.2%
Uninsured7.6%
Smoking17.6%
Depression30.1%
Heart Disease6.0%

Climate

Avg Temp46°F (8°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Sunny Days261/yr
Elevation674 ft (205 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+8.7%
High School+90.2%
Graduate+4.0%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 60% / D 39%
Commute21 min
Broadband80.5%
Libraries2

Is Custer a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Custer receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Custer offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Custer is $66,875, 11% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.1%, indicating a healthy job market. 8.2% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Custer is $100,000, 65% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $738 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

8.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Custer experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. With 261 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Custer has a population of 289 with a density of 270 people per square mile. The median age is 35.8 years, 8% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (97.2%), with 1.4% Hispanic.

Population

289
Total Population
270
People / sq mi
35.8yrs
Median Age
8% below US avg
1.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.4%
Female 51.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Custer vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Custer vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Custer is $66,875, which is 11% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 8.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Custer vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$66,875
11% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,835
Avg Weekly Wage$933
IRS Avg AGI$61,523

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.1%
14% above US avg
Poverty Rate8.2%
34% below US avg
Establishments (County)717
County GDP$1,347M

Business (County)

Restaurants97
Healthcare84
Retail115
Manufacturing34

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,663
62% above US avg
Cost of Living96.20 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate5.66%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.5 min
Drive Alone82.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home5.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Custer is $100,000, 65% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $738 (37% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $199,719.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$100,000
65% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$199,719

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$738
37% below US avg
Rent Burden32.5%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied88.5%
Housing Units123
Median Year Built1951

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,663
62% above US avg
Effective Rate5.66%
In Custer, 41.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.6% of residents lack health insurance. 17.6% are current smokers. 30.1% report depression. 24.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.2%
28% above US avg
Diabetes10.2%
Heart Disease6.0%
High Blood Pressure32.5%
Asthma12.2%
COPD8.2%
Cancer7.8%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking17.6%
26% above US avg
Binge Drinking18.2%
Physical Inactivity24.3%
Depression30.1%
Mental Distress20.7%
Physical Distress14.6%
Short Sleep35.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.6%
Uninsured7.6%
12% below US avg
Primary Care1:1,278
Dentists1:1,634
Mental Health1:278
Checkup Rate77.3%
Dental Visits63.8%
Premature Death8,895/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.1/10
Exercise Access86.3%
Healthcare Facilities84
Custer has an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. The area enjoys 261 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average46.0°F
15% below US avg
January Average23°F (-5°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days261 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation674 ft (205 m)
Area1.1 sq mi (2.8 km²)
Population Density270/sq mi
Coordinates43.9511°N, 86.2196°W
TimezoneAmerica/Detroit
County FIPS26105
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 8.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (74% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 21.4-point margin. 80.5% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 60%
D 38.6%

Winner: Republican by 21.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+8.7%
74% below US avg
High School+90.2%
Graduate Degree+4.0%
School Test Score5.23
D Education Grade (1.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density270/sq mi
Total Area1.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access80.5%
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities84
Restaurants97
Retail Stores115

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.5 min
Drive Alone82.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home5.0%

Nearby Cities

Scottville, MI 1,359 pop · 3.0 mi Ludington, MI 7,664 pop · 11.1 mi Baldwin, MI 1,161 pop · 18.4 mi Hart, MI 1,931 pop · 19.1 mi Manistee, MI 6,275 pop · 21.0 mi Shelby, MI 2,571 pop · 24.5 mi Hesperia, MI 1,007 pop · 27.8 mi White Cloud, MI 1,297 pop · 35.1 mi Reed City, MI 2,505 pop · 35.9 mi Fremont, MI 4,532 pop · 36.3 mi Montague, MI 2,630 pop · 37.9 mi Whitehall, MI 2,974 pop · 38.5 mi Lakewood Club, MI 1,315 pop · 39.8 mi Twin Lake, MI 1,997 pop · 40.3 mi
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