Elk Rapids, MI

Michigan · Metropolitan Area

Elk Rapids is a small town in Michigan with a population of 1,558. Residents earn $78,472 per year, which is 4% above the national average.

4.0 /5.0
A Great
1,558 Population 944/sq mi density
$78,472 Median Income $47,905 per capita
$348,400 Home Value $485,646 Zillow
$1,032 Median Rent
43°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.0 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.6 / 5.0
$78,472 median income, 0.5% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.2 / 5.0
$348,400 home value, $1,032/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
0 violent crimes/100K (100% below avg)
A+
Education
4.7 / 5.0
46.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $78,472
4% higher than US avg
Home Value $348,400
24% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 0/100K
100% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 46.8%
39% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,032
11% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 33.4%
4% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.5%
86% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.4%
81% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,558
Median Age57.5 yrs
Density944/mi²
Male / Female44% / 56%
Largest GroupWhite 90%

Economy

A+
Median Income$78,472
Per Capita$47,905
Unemployment0.5%
Poverty2.4%
County GDP$7,470M
Commute18 min

Housing

A
Home Value$348,400
Rent$1,032
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$485,646

Crime

C+
Violent0/100K
Property3,254/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary368/100K

Health

Obesity33.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.7%
Heart Disease4.4%

Climate

Avg Temp43°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain33.7 in/yr
Elevation592 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+46.8%
High School+98.1%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 50% / D 48%
Commute18 min
EV Stations2
Libraries6

Is Elk Rapids a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Elk Rapids receives an overall livability score of 4.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate. Elk Rapids stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Elk Rapids is $78,472, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.5%. Only 2.4% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Elk Rapids is $348,400, 24% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,032 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.4x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Elk Rapids is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,254 per 100,000, 66% above the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 46.8% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 98.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Elk Rapids has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F. Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 33.7 inches, including 132.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Elk Rapids has a population of 1,558 with a density of 944 people per square mile. The median age is 57.5 years, 48% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (89.5%).

Population

1,558
Total Population
944
People / sq mi
57.5yrs
Median Age
48% above US avg
1.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 44%
Female 56%

Race & Ethnicity

Elk Rapids vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.8%
25% above US avg
Spanish2.2%
84% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Elk Rapids vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Elk Rapids is $78,472, which is 4% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes.

Income: Elk Rapids vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$78,472
4% above US avg
Per Capita Income$47,905
Avg Weekly Wage$1,140
IRS Avg AGI$91,357

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.5%
86% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.4%
81% below US avg
Establishments (County)3,762
County GDP$7,470M

Business (County)

Restaurants290
Healthcare395
Retail551
Manufacturing180

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$8,269
136% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.37%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.1 min
Work from Home10.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Elk Rapids is $348,400, 24% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,032 (11% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $485,646.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$348,400
24% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$485,646

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,032
11% 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-Occupied78.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$8,269
136% above US avg
Effective Rate2.37%
In Elk Rapids, 33.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.7% report depression. 16.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Elk Rapids vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity33.4%
4% above US avg
Diabetes7.4%
Heart Disease4.4%
High Blood Pressure27.4%
Asthma10.8%
COPD5.0%
Stroke2.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.7%
Physical Inactivity16.9%
Depression26.7%
Mental Distress16.5%
Physical Distress10.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.8%
Checkup Rate78.0%
Premature Death6,589/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.0/10
Exercise Access77.8%
Healthcare Facilities395
Elk Rapids has a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents, 100% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,254 per 100,000 (66% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault0.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,253.5/100K
66% above US avg
Burglary368.3/100K
Theft2,885.2/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson122.8/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)14

Safety Score

Safety GradeC+
Safety Score2.5 / 5.0
Elk Rapids has an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation is 33.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

18°F Jan (-8°C) 67°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average43.0°F
20% below US avg
January Average18°F (-8°C)
July Average67°F (19°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall33.7 inches
11% below US avg
Snowfall132.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation592 ft (180 m)
Area1.7 sq mi (4.3 km²)
Population Density944/sq mi
Coordinates44.8980°N, 85.4045°W
County FIPS26055
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 46.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (39% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 1.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 50.1%
D 48.3%

Winner: Republican by 1.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+46.8%
39% above US avg
High School+98.1%
School Test Score5.23
A+ Education Grade (4.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density944/sq mi
Total Area1.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities395
Restaurants290
Retail Stores551

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)14
C+ Safety Grade (2.5/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.1 min
Work from Home10.5%

Nearby Cities

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