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Free Soil, MI

Michigan

Free Soil is a small town in Michigan with a population of 139. Residents earn $50,000 per year, which is 33% below the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
139 Population 134/sq mi density
$50,000 Median Income $25,588 per capita
$91,000 Home Value $247,108 Zillow
$867 Median Rent 27.5% income on rent
48°F Avg Temperature 270 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$50,000 median income, 0.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$91,000 home value, $867/mo rent
F
Education
1.4 / 5.0
5.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $50,000
33% lower than US avg
Home Value $91,000
68% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 5.4%
84% lower than US avg
Median Rent $867
25% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.6%
30% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.8%
78% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.9%
36% lower than US avg

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

People

Population139
Median Age54.9 yrs
Density134/mi²
Male / Female61% / 39%
Largest GroupWhite 87%
Veterans92.0%

Economy

B+
Median Income$50,000
Per Capita$25,588
Unemployment0.8%
Poverty7.9%
County GDP$1,160M
Commute28 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$91,000
Rent$867
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$247,108
Housing Units65
Rent Burden27.5%

Health

Obesity41.6%
Uninsured7.4%
Smoking18.2%
Depression29.9%
Heart Disease6.8%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F (9°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Rain36.3 in/yr
Sunny Days270/yr
Elevation678 ft (207 m)

Education

F
Bachelor's+5.4%
High School+79.3%
Graduate+1.2%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 57% / D 41%
Commute28 min
Broadband64.0%
Libraries6

Is Free Soil a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Free Soil receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Free Soil offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Free Soil is $50,000, 33% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.8%. Only 7.9% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Free Soil is $91,000, 68% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $867 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

5.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 79.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Free Soil 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.

Free Soil has a population of 139 with a density of 134 people per square mile. The median age is 54.9 years, 41% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (87.1%), with 5% Black.

Population

139
Total Population
134
People / sq mi
54.9yrs
Median Age
41% above US avg
1.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 61.2%
Female 38.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Free Soil vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Free Soil vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Free Soil is $50,000, which is 33% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 7.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Income: Free Soil vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$50,000
33% below US avg
Per Capita Income$25,588
Avg Weekly Wage$985
IRS Avg AGI$57,545

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.8%
78% below US avg
Poverty Rate7.9%
36% below 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
Cost of Living96.20 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate7.28%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.1 min
Drive Alone80.3%
Public Transit4.9%
Work from Home1.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Free Soil is $91,000, 68% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $867 (25% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $247,108.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$91,000
68% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$247,108
Median List Price$950,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$950,000
$/Sq Ft$260
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio87.5%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory2

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$867
25% below US avg
Rent Burden27.5%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied82.8%
Housing Units65
Median Year Built1952

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,625
89% above US avg
Effective Rate7.28%
In Free Soil, 41.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.4% of residents lack health insurance. 18.2% are current smokers. 29.9% report depression. 24.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Free Soil vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

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

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking18.2%
30% above US avg
Binge Drinking18.2%
Physical Inactivity24.3%
Depression29.9%
Mental Distress20.7%
Physical Distress14.7%
Short Sleep37.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.2%
Uninsured7.4%
14% below US avg
Checkup Rate77.3%
Dental Visits60.7%
Premature Death10,237/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.9/10
Exercise Access79.8%
Healthcare Facilities63
Free Soil 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

Elevation678 ft (207 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.7 km²)
Population Density134/sq mi
Coordinates44.1071°N, 86.2110°W
TimezoneAmerica/Detroit
County FIPS26101
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 5.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (84% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 15.9-point margin. 64.0% 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+5.4%
84% below US avg
High School+79.3%
Graduate Degree+1.2%
School Test Score5.23
F Education Grade (1.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density134/sq mi
Total Area1.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access64.0%
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities63
Restaurants73
Retail Stores105

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.1 min
Drive Alone80.3%
Public Transit4.9%
Work from Home1.6%

Nearby Cities

Manistee, MI 6,275 pop · 11.2 mi Scottville, MI 1,359 pop · 11.3 mi Ludington, MI 7,664 pop · 15.5 mi Baldwin, MI 1,161 pop · 22.8 mi Hart, MI 1,931 pop · 29.4 mi Shelby, MI 2,571 pop · 35.1 mi Frankfort, MI 1,158 pop · 36.6 mi Hesperia, MI 1,007 pop · 38.1 mi Reed City, MI 2,505 pop · 38.6 mi Cadillac, MI 10,404 pop · 40.7 mi White Cloud, MI 1,297 pop · 43.8 mi Manton, MI 1,347 pop · 45.3 mi Big Rapids, MI 7,847 pop · 46.0 mi Fremont, MI 4,532 pop · 46.3 mi
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