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Gaastra, MI

Michigan

Gaastra is a small town in Michigan with a population of 324. Residents earn $57,500 per year, which is 23% below the national average.

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
324 Population 198/sq mi density
$57,500 Median Income $22,769 per capita
$61,000 Home Value $101,442 Zillow
39°F Avg Temperature 249 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$57,500 median income, 0.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$61,000 home value
C
Education
2.5 / 5.0
18.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $57,500
23% lower than US avg
Home Value $61,000
78% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 18.4%
45% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.7%
24% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.4%
89% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.1%
67% lower than US avg

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

People

Population324
Median Age38.4 yrs
Density198/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 77%
Veterans9.2%

Economy

A
Median Income$57,500
Per Capita$22,769
Unemployment0.4%
Poverty4.1%
County GDP$420M
Commute32 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$61,000
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$101,442
Housing Units139
Rent Burden23.4%

Health

Obesity39.7%
Uninsured7.2%
Smoking18.5%
Depression29.2%
Heart Disease6.6%

Climate

Avg Temp39°F (4°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Rain30.5 in/yr
Sunny Days249/yr
Elevation1,624 ft (495 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+18.4%
High School+97.2%
Graduate+1.1%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 64% / D 35%
Commute32 min
Broadband96.0%
Libraries3

Is Gaastra a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Gaastra receives an overall livability score of 3.9 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. Gaastra offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Gaastra is $57,500, 23% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.4%. Only 4.1% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Gaastra is $61,000, 78% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 1.1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

18.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 97.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Gaastra has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 39°F. Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July. The area gets 249 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 30.5 inches, including 67.4 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Gaastra has a population of 324 with a density of 198 people per square mile. The median age is 38.4 years, 1% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (77.2%), with 12.7% Hispanic, 5.9% Black.

Population

324
Total Population
198
People / sq mi
38.4yrs
Median Age
1% below US avg
1.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.9%
Female 53.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Gaastra vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.8%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.2%
76% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Gaastra vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Gaastra is $57,500, which is 23% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 4.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Income: Gaastra vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$57,500
23% below US avg
Per Capita Income$22,769
Avg Weekly Wage$864
IRS Avg AGI$53,815

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.4%
89% below US avg
Poverty Rate4.1%
67% below US avg
Establishments (County)392
County GDP$420M

Business (County)

Restaurants38
Healthcare28
Retail50
Manufacturing17

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,533
30% above US avg
Cost of Living96.20 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate7.43%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time31.9 min
Drive Alone91.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home4.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Gaastra is $61,000, 78% below the national average. Zillow estimates the typical home value at $101,442.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$61,000
78% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$101,442

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Rent Burden23.4%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied96.4%
Housing Units139
Median Year Built1940

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,533
30% above US avg
Effective Rate7.43%
In Gaastra, 39.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.2% of residents lack health insurance. 18.5% are current smokers. 29.2% report depression. 25.6% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.7%
24% above US avg
Diabetes10.6%
Heart Disease6.6%
High Blood Pressure34.1%
Asthma11.7%
COPD8.5%
Cancer7.8%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking18.5%
32% above US avg
Binge Drinking18.3%
Physical Inactivity25.6%
Depression29.2%
Mental Distress20.4%
Physical Distress14.6%
Short Sleep34.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.7%
Uninsured7.2%
16% below US avg
Checkup Rate76.5%
Dental Visits67.3%
Premature Death10,774/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.1/10
Exercise Access82.3%
Healthcare Facilities28
Gaastra has an average annual temperature of 39°F (4°C). Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July. Annual precipitation is 30.5 inches. The area enjoys 249 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

11°F Jan (-12°C) 64°F Jul (18°C)
Annual Average38.5°F
29% below US avg
January Average11°F (-12°C)
July Average64°F (18°C)
Sunny Days249 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall30.5 inches
20% below US avg
Snowfall67.4 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,624 ft (495 m)
Area1.6 sq mi (4.2 km²)
Population Density198/sq mi
Coordinates46.0557°N, 88.6050°W
TimezoneAmerica/Detroit
County FIPS26071
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 18.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (45% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 29.3-point margin. 96.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 64.1%
D 34.7%

Winner: Republican by 29.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+18.4%
45% below US avg
High School+97.2%
Graduate Degree+1.1%
School Test Score5.23
C Education Grade (2.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density198/sq mi
Total Area1.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access96.0%
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities28
Restaurants38
Retail Stores50

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute31.9 min
Drive Alone91.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home4.3%

Nearby Cities

Iron River, MI 3,009 pop · 3.2 mi Crystal Falls, MI 1,734 pop · 13.8 mi Kingsford, MI 5,138 pop · 29.7 mi Iron Mountain, MI 7,508 pop · 30.6 mi Eagle River, WI 1,508 pop · 32.6 mi Quinnesec, MI 1,150 pop · 34.1 mi Niagara, WI 1,386 pop · 34.7 mi Crandon, WI 1,499 pop · 36.5 mi Norway, MI 2,835 pop · 37.7 mi L'Anse, MI 1,916 pop · 48.7 mi Rhinelander, WI 8,248 pop · 49.0 mi Baraga, MI 1,948 pop · 50.0 mi West Ishpeming, MI 2,714 pop · 51.9 mi Ishpeming, MI 6,173 pop · 52.9 mi
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