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Fountain, MI

Michigan

Fountain is a small town in Michigan with a population of 229. Residents earn $47,500 per year, which is 37% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
229 Population 222/sq mi density
$47,500 Median Income $22,494 per capita
$100,000 Home Value $169,308 Zillow
$1,094 Median Rent 33.8% income on rent
48°F Avg Temperature 270 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.5 / 5.0
$47,500 median income, 4.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$100,000 home value, $1,094/mo rent
D
Education
1.6 / 5.0
7.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $47,500
37% lower than US avg
Home Value $100,000
65% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 7.8%
77% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,094
6% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.8%
30% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.0%
11% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 45.2%
265% higher than US avg

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

People

Population229
Median Age34.6 yrs
Density222/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 80%
Veterans7.0%

Economy

C+
Median Income$47,500
Per Capita$22,494
Unemployment4.0%
Poverty45.2%
County GDP$1,160M
Commute23 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$100,000
Rent$1,094
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$169,308
Housing Units96
Rent Burden33.8%

Health

Obesity41.8%
Uninsured7.7%
Smoking18.6%
Depression28.8%
Heart Disease6.7%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F (9°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Rain36.3 in/yr
Sunny Days270/yr
Elevation706 ft (215 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+7.8%
High School+94.5%
Graduate+1.8%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 57% / D 41%
Commute23 min
Broadband70.0%
Libraries6

Is Fountain a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Fountain receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Fountain offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Fountain is $47,500, 37% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.0%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 45.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Fountain is $100,000, 65% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,094 per month. At just 2.1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

7.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 94.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Fountain experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. With 270 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 36.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Fountain has a population of 229 with a density of 222 people per square mile. The median age is 34.6 years, 11% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (79.9%).

Population

229
Total Population
222
People / sq mi
34.6yrs
Median Age
11% below US avg
1.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.2%
Female 52.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Fountain vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.0%
24% above US avg
Spanish3.0%
78% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Fountain vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Fountain is $47,500, which is 37% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.0% (above the 3.6% US average). 45.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Fountain vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$47,500
37% below US avg
Per Capita Income$22,494
Avg Weekly Wage$985
IRS Avg AGI$57,545

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.0%
11% above US avg
Poverty Rate45.2%
265% above US avg
Establishments (County)602
County GDP$1,160M

Business (County)

Restaurants73
Healthcare63
Retail105
Manufacturing28

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,625
89% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate6.63%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.6 min
Drive Alone77.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Fountain is $100,000, 65% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,094 (6% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $169,308.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$100,000
65% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$169,308

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$14
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio0.0%
Price Drops0.0%

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,094
6% below US avg
Rent Burden33.8%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied82.9%
Housing Units96
Median Year Built1970

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,625
89% above US avg
Effective Rate6.63%
In Fountain, 41.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.7% of residents lack health insurance. 18.6% are current smokers. 28.8% report depression. 24.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.8%
30% above US avg
Diabetes10.7%
Heart Disease6.7%
High Blood Pressure33.9%
Asthma11.6%
COPD8.5%
Cancer7.9%
Stroke3.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking18.6%
33% above US avg
Binge Drinking18.9%
Physical Inactivity24.3%
Depression28.8%
Mental Distress20.3%
Physical Distress14.8%
Short Sleep37.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.4%
Uninsured7.7%
10% below US avg
Checkup Rate76.8%
Dental Visits60.3%
Premature Death10,237/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.9/10
Exercise Access79.8%
Healthcare Facilities63
Fountain has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation is 36.3 inches. The area enjoys 270 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-4°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average47.5°F
12% below US avg
January Average24°F (-4°C)
July Average69°F (21°C)
Sunny Days270 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall36.3 inches
4% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation706 ft (215 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.7 km²)
Population Density222/sq mi
Coordinates44.0484°N, 86.1810°W
TimezoneAmerica/Detroit
County FIPS26101
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 7.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (77% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 15.9-point margin. 70.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 57.2%
D 41.3%

Winner: Republican by 15.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+7.8%
77% below US avg
High School+94.5%
Graduate Degree+1.8%
School Test Score5.23
D Education Grade (1.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density222/sq mi
Total Area1.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access70.0%
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities63
Restaurants73
Retail Stores105

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.6 min
Drive Alone77.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Scottville, MI 1,359 pop · 8.3 mi Ludington, MI 7,664 pop · 14.5 mi Manistee, MI 6,275 pop · 15.4 mi Baldwin, MI 1,161 pop · 19.2 mi Hart, MI 1,931 pop · 26.0 mi Shelby, MI 2,571 pop · 31.5 mi Hesperia, MI 1,007 pop · 33.8 mi Reed City, MI 2,505 pop · 35.7 mi White Cloud, MI 1,297 pop · 39.5 mi Cadillac, MI 10,404 pop · 40.5 mi Frankfort, MI 1,158 pop · 40.7 mi Fremont, MI 4,532 pop · 42.0 mi Big Rapids, MI 7,847 pop · 42.4 mi Montague, MI 2,630 pop · 44.9 mi
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