Escanaba, MI

Michigan

Escanaba is a small city in Michigan with a population of 12,374. Residents earn $40,169 per year, which is 47% below the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
12,374 Population 971/sq mi density
$40,169 Median Income $30,207 per capita
$116,600 Home Value $170,691 Zillow
$661 Median Rent
42°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$40,169 median income, 3.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$116,600 home value, $661/mo rent
C+
Education
2.5 / 5.0
18.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $40,169
47% lower than US avg
Home Value $116,600
59% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 18.9%
44% lower than US avg
Median Rent $661
43% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.5%
32% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.4%
6% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 13.9%
12% higher than US avg

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

People

Population12,374
Median Age43.5 yrs
Density971/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 87%

Economy

B
Median Income$40,169
Per Capita$30,207
Unemployment3.4%
Poverty13.9%
County GDP$971M
Commute11 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$116,600
Rent$661
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$170,691

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity42.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression32.1%
Heart Disease6.9%

Climate

Avg Temp42°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain28.8 in/yr
Elevation613 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+18.9%
High School+88.1%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 66% / D 33%
Commute11 min
EV Stations4
Libraries4

Is Escanaba a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Escanaba receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Escanaba offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Escanaba is $40,169, 47% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.4%, indicating a healthy job market. 13.9% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 11 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Escanaba is $116,600, 59% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $661 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

18.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 88.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Escanaba has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F. Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 28.8 inches, including 46.9 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Escanaba has a population of 12,374 with a density of 971 people per square mile. The median age is 43.5 years, 12% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (86.9%), with 5.6% Hispanic.

Population

12,374
Total Population
971
People / sq mi
43.5yrs
Median Age
12% above US avg
12.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.8%
Female 52.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Escanaba vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.0%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.0%
93% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Escanaba vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Escanaba is $40,169, which is 47% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 13.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 11 minutes.

Income: Escanaba vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$40,169
47% below US avg
Per Capita Income$30,207
Avg Weekly Wage$925
IRS Avg AGI$58,949

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.4%
6% below US avg
Poverty Rate13.9%
12% above US avg
Establishments (County)491
County GDP$971M

Business (County)

Restaurants48
Healthcare33
Retail61
Manufacturing48

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,886
11% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.33%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time11.1 min
Work from Home4.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Escanaba is $116,600, 59% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $661 (43% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $170,691.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$116,600
59% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$170,691
Median List Price$164,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$164,900
$/Sq Ft$99
Homes Sold14
Sale-to-List Ratio94.7%
Price Drops31.3%
Inventory16

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$661
43% 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-Occupied58.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,886
11% above US avg
Effective Rate3.33%
In Escanaba, 42.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 32.1% report depression. 28.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.5%
32% above US avg
Diabetes11.5%
Heart Disease6.9%
High Blood Pressure33.8%
Asthma12.6%
COPD9.9%
Stroke3.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.0%
Physical Inactivity28.3%
Depression32.1%
Mental Distress22.0%
Physical Distress16.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.5%
Checkup Rate76.6%
Premature Death7,684/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.8/10
Exercise Access71.2%
Healthcare Facilities33

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Escanaba has an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation is 28.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-8°C) 67°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average42.2°F
22% below US avg
January Average17°F (-8°C)
July Average67°F (19°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall28.8 inches
24% below US avg
Snowfall46.9 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation613 ft (187 m)
Area12.8 sq mi (33.0 km²)
Population Density971/sq mi
Coordinates45.7463°N, 87.0836°W
County FIPS26109
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 18.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (44% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 33.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 66.2%
D 32.6%

Winner: Republican by 33.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+18.9%
44% below US avg
High School+88.1%
School Test Score5.23
C+ Education Grade (2.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density971/sq mi
Total Area12.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations4
Alt Fuel Stations4
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities33
Restaurants48
Retail Stores61

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute11.1 min
Work from Home4.9%

Nearby Cities

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