East Tawas, MI

Michigan

East Tawas is a small town in Michigan with a population of 2,686. Residents earn $41,619 per year, which is 45% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
2,686 Population 956/sq mi density
$41,619 Median Income $33,042 per capita
$114,400 Home Value $187,555 Zillow
$569 Median Rent
46°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$41,619 median income, 3.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$114,400 home value, $569/mo rent
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
19.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $41,619
45% lower than US avg
Home Value $114,400
59% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 19.5%
42% lower than US avg
Median Rent $569
51% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.5%
17% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.7%
3% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.6%
79% lower than US avg

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

People

Population2,686
Median Age57.7 yrs
Density956/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 87%

Economy

B+
Median Income$41,619
Per Capita$33,042
Unemployment3.7%
Poverty2.6%
County GDP$1,265M
Commute13 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$114,400
Rent$569
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$187,555

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity37.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression30.0%
Heart Disease6.0%

Climate

Avg Temp46°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain32.3 in/yr
Elevation590 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+19.5%
High School+95.1%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 65% / D 34%
Commute13 min
EV Stations2
Libraries5

Is East Tawas a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, East Tawas receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. East Tawas offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in East Tawas is $41,619, 45% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.7%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 2.6% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 13 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in East Tawas is $114,400, 59% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $569 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

19.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 95.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

East Tawas experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 32.3 inches, including 49.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

East Tawas has a population of 2,686 with a density of 956 people per square mile. The median age is 57.7 years, 48% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (87%), with 2.4% Hispanic, 2.5% Black.

Population

2,686
Total Population
956
People / sq mi
57.7yrs
Median Age
48% above US avg
2.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.6%
Female 54.4%

Race & Ethnicity

East Tawas vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.2%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.8%
72% below US avg

Social Characteristics

East Tawas vs U.S. Average

The median household income in East Tawas is $41,619, which is 45% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.7% (above the 3.6% US average). 2.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 13 minutes.

Income: East Tawas vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$41,619
45% below US avg
Per Capita Income$33,042
Avg Weekly Wage$1,141
IRS Avg AGI$54,163

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.7%
3% above US avg
Poverty Rate2.6%
79% below US avg
Establishments (County)621
County GDP$1,265M

Business (County)

Restaurants74
Healthcare75
Retail114
Manufacturing34

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,214
20% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.68%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time12.5 min
Work from Home6.9%

Walkability

The median home value in East Tawas is $114,400, 59% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $569 (51% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $187,555.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$114,400
59% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$187,555

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$569
51% 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-Occupied70.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,214
20% above US avg
Effective Rate3.68%
In East Tawas, 37.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 30.0% report depression. 25.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: East Tawas vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.5%
17% above US avg
Diabetes9.8%
Heart Disease6.0%
High Blood Pressure32.8%
Asthma12.0%
COPD8.1%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.0%
Physical Inactivity25.4%
Depression30.0%
Mental Distress20.3%
Physical Distress14.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.0%
Checkup Rate77.2%
Premature Death12,006/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.0/10
Exercise Access81.7%
Healthcare Facilities75

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Safety Score

East Tawas has an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation is 32.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-6°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average45.6°F
16% below US avg
January Average22°F (-6°C)
July Average69°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall32.3 inches
15% below US avg
Snowfall49.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation590 ft (180 m)
Area2.8 sq mi (7.3 km²)
Population Density956/sq mi
Coordinates44.2908°N, 83.4838°W
County FIPS26069
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 19.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (42% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 30.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 64.6%
D 34%

Winner: Republican by 30.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+19.5%
42% below US avg
High School+95.1%
School Test Score5.23
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density956/sq mi
Total Area2.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities75
Restaurants74
Retail Stores114

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute12.5 min
Work from Home6.9%

Nearby Cities

Compare East Tawas with another city: