Fair Plain, MI

Michigan

Fair Plain is a small city in Michigan with a population of 6,992. Residents earn $55,536 per year, which is 26% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
6,992 Population 1,626/sq mi density
$55,536 Median Income $30,653 per capita
$147,800 Home Value
$989 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.5 / 5.0
$55,536 median income, 10.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$147,800 home value, $989/mo rent
C+
Education
3.0 / 5.0
24.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $55,536
26% lower than US avg
Home Value $147,800
48% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 24.5%
27% lower than US avg
Median Rent $989
15% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 45.2%
41% higher than US avg
Unemployment 10.8%
200% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 13.3%
7% higher than US avg

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

People

Population6,992
Median Age42.5 yrs
Density1,626/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 51%

Economy

C+
Median Income$55,536
Per Capita$30,653
Unemployment10.8%
Poverty13.3%
County GDP$3,313M
Commute19 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$147,800
Rent$989
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity45.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.8%
Heart Disease6.8%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain38.2 in/yr
Elevation627 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+24.5%
High School+88.8%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 57% / D 42%
Commute19 min
Libraries11

Is Fair Plain a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Fair Plain receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Fair Plain offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Fair Plain is $55,536, 26% below the national average of $75,149. At 10.8%, unemployment is notably high. 13.3% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Fair Plain is $147,800, 48% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $989 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

24.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 88.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Fair Plain experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 38.2 inches, including 77.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Fair Plain has a population of 6,992 with a density of 1,626 people per square mile. The median age is 42.5 years, 9% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (51.3%), with 1.6% Hispanic, 38.6% Black.

Population

6,992
Total Population
1,626
People / sq mi
42.5yrs
Median Age
9% above US avg
4.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.7%
Female 53.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Fair Plain vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.5%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.5%
66% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Fair Plain vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Fair Plain is $55,536, which is 26% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 10.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 13.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.

Income: Fair Plain vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$55,536
26% below US avg
Per Capita Income$30,653
Avg Weekly Wage$986
IRS Avg AGI$64,208

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment10.8%
200% above US avg
Poverty Rate13.3%
7% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,643
County GDP$3,313M

Business (County)

Restaurants164
Healthcare123
Retail254
Manufacturing94

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,255
79% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.23%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.8 min
Work from Home5.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Fair Plain is $147,800, 48% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $989 (15% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$147,800
48% below US avg
Median List Price$258,400

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$258,400
$/Sq Ft$92
Homes Sold5
Sale-to-List Ratio97.8%
Price Drops25.0%
Inventory24

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$989
15% 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-Occupied73.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,255
79% above US avg
Effective Rate4.23%
In Fair Plain, 45.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.8% report depression. 32.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Fair Plain vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity45.2%
41% above US avg
Diabetes14.6%
Heart Disease6.8%
High Blood Pressure40.2%
Asthma13.2%
COPD9.2%
Stroke4.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.7%
Physical Inactivity32.3%
Depression25.8%
Mental Distress20.7%
Physical Distress16.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.4%
Checkup Rate78.7%
Premature Death9,267/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.0/10
Exercise Access59.9%
Healthcare Facilities123

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10

Safety Score

Fair Plain has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-3°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average50.1°F
7% below US avg
January Average26°F (-3°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.2 inches
0% below US avg
Snowfall77.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation627 ft (191 m)
Area4.3 sq mi (11.1 km²)
Population Density1,626/sq mi
Coordinates42.0819°N, 86.4535°W
County FIPS26159
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 24.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (27% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 15.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 56.9%
D 41.7%

Winner: Republican by 15.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+24.5%
27% below US avg
High School+88.8%
School Test Score5.23
C+ Education Grade (3.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density1,626/sq mi
Total Area4.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries11
Healthcare Facilities123
Restaurants164
Retail Stores254

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.8 min
Work from Home5.0%

Nearby Cities

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