Fife Lake, MI

Michigan · Metropolitan Area

Fife Lake is a small town in Michigan with a population of 359. Residents earn $67,188 per year, which is 11% below the national average.

4.1 /5.0
A Great
359 Population 492/sq mi density
$67,188 Median Income $38,253 per capita
$185,200 Home Value $230,008 Zillow
$1,000 Median Rent 33.0% income on rent
43°F Avg Temperature 270 sunny days/yr
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.3 / 5.0
$67,188 median income, 1.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$185,200 home value, $1,000/mo rent
C+
Education
3.0 / 5.0
24.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $67,188
11% lower than US avg
Home Value $185,200
34% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 24.4%
28% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,000
14% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.9%
12% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.2%
67% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.5%
64% lower than US avg

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

People

Population359
Median Age49.3 yrs
Density492/mi²
Male / Female55% / 45%
Largest GroupWhite 98%
Veterans13.1%

Economy

A
Median Income$67,188
Per Capita$38,253
Unemployment1.2%
Poverty4.5%
County GDP$7,470M
Commute37 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$185,200
Rent$1,000
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$230,008
Housing Units226
Rent Burden33.0%

Health

Obesity35.9%
Uninsured6.5%
Smoking14.6%
Depression27.3%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp43°F (6°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Rain35.3 in/yr
Sunny Days270/yr
Elevation1,023 ft (312 m)

Education

C+
Bachelor's+24.4%
High School+95.3%
Graduate+5.2%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 50% / D 48%
Commute37 min
Broadband96.9%
EV Stations2
Libraries6

Is Fife Lake a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Fife Lake receives an overall livability score of 4.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include long commute times. Fife Lake stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Fife Lake is $67,188, 11% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.2%. Only 4.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 37 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Fife Lake is $185,200, 34% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,000 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

24.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 95.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Fife Lake 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. With 270 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 35.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Fife Lake has a population of 359 with a density of 492 people per square mile. The median age is 49.3 years, 27% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (97.8%).

Population

359
Total Population
492
People / sq mi
49.3yrs
Median Age
27% above US avg
0.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 54.9%
Female 45.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Fife Lake vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Fife Lake vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Fife Lake is $67,188, which is 11% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 4.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 37 minutes.

Income: Fife Lake vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$67,188
11% below US avg
Per Capita Income$38,253
Avg Weekly Wage$1,140
IRS Avg AGI$91,357

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.2%
67% below US avg
Poverty Rate4.5%
64% 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 Rate4.46%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time37.4 min
Drive Alone82.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home5.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Fife Lake is $185,200, 34% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,000 (14% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $230,008.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$185,200
34% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$230,008

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$237
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio100.0%
Price Drops0.0%

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,000
14% below US avg
Rent Burden33.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied86.2%
Housing Units226
Median Year Built1980

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$8,269
136% above US avg
Effective Rate4.46%
In Fife Lake, 35.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 6.5% of residents lack health insurance. 14.6% are current smokers. 27.3% report depression. 22.1% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Fife Lake vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.9%
12% above US avg
Diabetes8.7%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure29.9%
Asthma11.3%
COPD6.5%
Cancer7.9%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking14.6%
4% above US avg
Binge Drinking19.6%
Physical Inactivity22.1%
Depression27.3%
Mental Distress18.7%
Physical Distress12.8%
Short Sleep33.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.1%
Uninsured6.5%
24% below US avg
Checkup Rate77.2%
Dental Visits68.4%
Premature Death6,589/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.0/10
Exercise Access77.8%
Healthcare Facilities395
Fife Lake 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 35.3 inches. The area enjoys 270 sunny days per year. 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)
Sunny Days270 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall35.3 inches
7% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,023 ft (312 m)
Area0.7 sq mi (1.9 km²)
Population Density492/sq mi
Coordinates44.5758°N, 85.3478°W
TimezoneAmerica/Detroit
County FIPS26055
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 24.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (28% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 1.7-point margin. 96.9% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 50.1%
D 48.3%

Winner: Republican by 1.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+24.4%
28% below US avg
High School+95.3%
Graduate Degree+5.2%
School Test Score5.23
C+ Education Grade (3.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density492/sq mi
Total Area0.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access96.9%
EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations3
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities395
Restaurants290
Retail Stores551

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)14

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute37.4 min
Drive Alone82.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home5.5%

Nearby Cities

Kingsley, MI 1,783 pop · 8.7 mi Manton, MI 1,347 pop · 11.7 mi Kalkaska, MI 2,370 pop · 13.4 mi Chums Corner, MI 1,012 pop · 16.8 mi Traverse City, MI 15,491 pop · 17.6 mi Rapid City, MI 1,315 pop · 18.4 mi Greilickville, MI 1,296 pop · 22.2 mi Elk Rapids, MI 1,558 pop · 22.4 mi Cadillac, MI 10,404 pop · 22.7 mi Mancelona, MI 1,496 pop · 26.6 mi Grayling, MI 1,638 pop · 31.8 mi Lakes of the North, MI 1,076 pop · 33.4 mi Houghton Lake, MI 5,761 pop · 35.1 mi Roscommon, MI 1,029 pop · 37.8 mi
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