Eau Claire, MI

Michigan · Metropolitan Area

Eau Claire is a small town in Michigan with a population of 507. Residents earn $62,500 per year, which is 17% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
507 Population 570/sq mi density
$62,500 Median Income $30,198 per capita
$130,000 Home Value $247,430 Zillow
$861 Median Rent 24.7% income on rent
48°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
161 Violent Crime/100K 1,932 property/100K
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$62,500 median income, 1.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$130,000 home value, $861/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
161 violent crimes/100K (58% below avg)
B+
Education
3.8 / 5.0
34.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $62,500
17% lower than US avg
Home Value $130,000
54% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 161/100K
58% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 34.4%
2% higher than US avg
Median Rent $861
26% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.4%
20% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.2%
67% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 18.6%
50% higher than US avg

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

People

Population507
Median Age37.9 yrs
Density570/mi²
Male / Female58% / 42%
Largest GroupWhite 75%
Veterans8.3%

Economy

B+
Median Income$62,500
Per Capita$30,198
Unemployment1.2%
Poverty18.6%
County GDP$1,897M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$130,000
Rent$861
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$247,430
Housing Units231
Rent Burden24.7%

Crime

F
Violent161/100K
Property1,932/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault161/100K
Burglary0/100K

Health

Obesity38.4%
Uninsured8.6%
Smoking15.7%
Depression27.8%
Heart Disease6.3%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F (9°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Rain41.7 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation711 ft (217 m)

Education

B+
Bachelor's+34.4%
High School+91.2%
Graduate+18.7%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 66% / D 32%
Commute20 min
Broadband83.8%
Libraries7

Is Eau Claire a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Eau Claire receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate. Eau Claire offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Eau Claire is $62,500, 17% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.2%. 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 20 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Eau Claire is $130,000, 54% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $861 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Eau Claire is below the national average at 161 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,932 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 34.4% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 91.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Eau Claire experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 41.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Eau Claire has a population of 507 with a density of 570 people per square mile. The median age is 37.9 years, 3% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (74.6%), with 3.6% Hispanic, 6.3% Black.

Population

507
Total Population
570
People / sq mi
37.9yrs
Median Age
3% below US avg
0.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 57.8%
Female 42.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Eau Claire vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only86.1%
10% above US avg
Spanish13.9%
4% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Eau Claire vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Eau Claire is $62,500, which is 17% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 18.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Eau Claire vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$62,500
17% below US avg
Per Capita Income$30,198
Avg Weekly Wage$998
IRS Avg AGI$83,974

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.2%
67% below US avg
Poverty Rate18.6%
50% above US avg
Establishments (County)932
County GDP$1,897M

Business (County)

Restaurants64
Healthcare60
Retail113
Manufacturing75

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,290
80% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.84%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.6 min
Drive Alone84.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home1.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Eau Claire is $130,000, 54% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $861 (26% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $247,430.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$130,000
54% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$247,430

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$861
26% below US avg
Rent Burden24.7%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied83.8%
Housing Units231
Median Year Built1971

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,290
80% above US avg
Effective Rate4.84%
In Eau Claire, 38.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 8.6% of residents lack health insurance. 15.7% are current smokers. 27.8% report depression. 25.5% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Eau Claire vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.4%
20% above US avg
Diabetes10.6%
Heart Disease6.3%
High Blood Pressure32.8%
Asthma11.8%
COPD7.6%
Cancer7.6%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking15.7%
12% above US avg
Binge Drinking17.6%
Physical Inactivity25.5%
Depression27.8%
Mental Distress19.1%
Physical Distress14.3%
Short Sleep38.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.2%
Uninsured8.6%
0% below US avg
Checkup Rate76.1%
Dental Visits64.0%
Premature Death9,385/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.0/10
Exercise Access62.9%
Healthcare Facilities60
Eau Claire has a violent crime rate of 161 per 100,000 residents, 58% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,932 per 100,000 (1% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent161.0/100K
58% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault161.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,932.4/100K
1% below US avg
Burglary0.0/100K
Theft1,932.4/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)14

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Eau Claire has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 41.7 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-5°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average48.1°F
11% below US avg
January Average24°F (-5°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall41.7 inches
10% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation711 ft (217 m)
Area0.9 sq mi (2.3 km²)
Population Density570/sq mi
Coordinates41.9839°N, 86.3075°W
TimezoneAmerica/Detroit
County FIPS26027
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 34.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (2% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 33.9-point margin. 83.8% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 66.4%
D 32.5%

Winner: Republican by 33.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+34.4%
2% above US avg
High School+91.2%
Graduate Degree+18.7%
School Test Score5.23
B+ Education Grade (3.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density570/sq mi
Total Area0.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access83.8%
Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities60
Restaurants64
Retail Stores113

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)14
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.6 min
Drive Alone84.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home1.9%

Nearby Cities

Berrien Springs, MI 2,043 pop · 3.0 mi Dowagiac, MI 5,677 pop · 10.0 mi Fair Plain, MI 6,992 pop · 10.1 mi Niles, MI 11,838 pop · 10.8 mi Benton Heights, MI 3,572 pop · 11.0 mi Buchanan, MI 4,259 pop · 11.2 mi Stevensville, MI 1,126 pop · 11.4 mi Benton Harbor, MI 9,023 pop · 11.5 mi St. Joseph, MI 7,805 pop · 12.3 mi Bridgman, MI 2,383 pop · 13.8 mi Coloma, MI 1,051 pop · 14.0 mi Watervliet, MI 1,879 pop · 14.3 mi Paw Paw Lake, MI 3,794 pop · 15.8 mi Cassopolis, MI 1,763 pop · 16.2 mi
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