Gaines, MI

Michigan · Metropolitan Area

Gaines is a small town in Michigan with a population of 487. Residents earn $57,500 per year, which is 23% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
487 Population 1,316/sq mi density
$57,500 Median Income $28,357 per capita
$131,900 Home Value $277,159 Zillow
$734 Median Rent 33.8% income on rent
48°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$57,500 median income, 1.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$131,900 home value, $734/mo rent
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
10.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $57,500
23% lower than US avg
Home Value $131,900
53% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 10.9%
68% lower than US avg
Median Rent $734
37% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.3%
10% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.8%
50% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.1%
75% lower than US avg

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

People

Population487
Median Age46.6 yrs
Density1,316/mi²
Male / Female59% / 41%
Largest GroupWhite 91%
Veterans4.4%

Economy

A
Median Income$57,500
Per Capita$28,357
Unemployment1.8%
Poverty3.1%
County GDP$10,122M
Commute31 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$131,900
Rent$734
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$277,159
Housing Units189
Rent Burden33.8%

Health

Obesity35.3%
Uninsured5.9%
Smoking14.1%
Depression28.3%
Heart Disease5.2%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F (9°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Rain33.5 in/yr
Sunny Days260/yr
Elevation854 ft (260 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+10.9%
High School+77.2%
Graduate+2.3%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 61% / D 37%
Commute31 min
Broadband77.2%
Libraries6

Is Gaines a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Gaines receives an overall livability score of 3.7 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. Gaines offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Gaines is $57,500, 23% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.8%. Only 3.1% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Gaines is $131,900, 53% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $734 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

10.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 77.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Gaines experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. With 260 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 33.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Gaines has a population of 487 with a density of 1,316 people per square mile. The median age is 46.6 years, 20% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90.6%), with 4.9% Black.

Population

487
Total Population
1,316
People / sq mi
46.6yrs
Median Age
20% above US avg
0.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 58.7%
Female 41.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Gaines vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Gaines vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Gaines is $57,500, which is 23% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Income: Gaines vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$57,500
23% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,357
Avg Weekly Wage$1,096
IRS Avg AGI$97,834

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.8%
50% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.1%
75% below US avg
Establishments (County)4,784
County GDP$10,122M

Business (County)

Restaurants314
Healthcare442
Retail550
Manufacturing247

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,924
69% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.49%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time30.5 min
Drive Alone79.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home4.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Gaines is $131,900, 53% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $734 (37% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $277,159.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$131,900
53% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$277,159

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$734
37% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$2,122
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-Occupied90.6%
Housing Units189
Median Year Built1945

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,924
69% above US avg
Effective Rate4.49%
In Gaines, 35.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 5.9% of residents lack health insurance. 14.1% are current smokers. 28.3% report depression. 20.8% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.3%
10% above US avg
Diabetes8.2%
Heart Disease5.2%
High Blood Pressure29.1%
Asthma11.4%
COPD6.2%
Cancer7.9%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking14.1%
1% above US avg
Binge Drinking19.6%
Physical Inactivity20.8%
Depression28.3%
Mental Distress19.1%
Physical Distress12.8%
Short Sleep35.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.1%
Uninsured5.9%
31% below US avg
Checkup Rate76.5%
Dental Visits74.1%
Premature Death5,584/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.9/10
Exercise Access87.1%
Healthcare Facilities442
Gaines has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 33.5 inches. The area enjoys 260 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average47.8°F
11% below US avg
January Average23°F (-5°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall33.5 inches
12% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation854 ft (260 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (1.0 km²)
Population Density1,316/sq mi
Coordinates42.8725°N, 83.9108°W
TimezoneAmerica/Detroit
County FIPS26093
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 10.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (68% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 24-point margin. 77.2% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 61.3%
D 37.4%

Winner: Republican by 24 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+10.9%
68% below US avg
High School+77.2%
Graduate Degree+2.3%
School Test Score5.23
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density1,316/sq mi
Total Area0.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access77.2%
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities442
Restaurants314
Retail Stores550

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)19

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute30.5 min
Drive Alone79.6%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home4.2%

Nearby Cities

Durand, MI 3,485 pop · 4.8 mi Argentine, MI 2,357 pop · 6.8 mi Linden, MI 4,150 pop · 7.5 mi Swartz Creek, MI 5,856 pop · 7.9 mi Lake Fenton, MI 6,168 pop · 10.3 mi Fenton, MI 11,950 pop · 11.0 mi Corunna, MI 3,054 pop · 12.9 mi Flushing, MI 8,323 pop · 13.6 mi Morrice, MI 1,647 pop · 14.1 mi Flint, MI 80,835 pop · 15.3 mi Grand Blanc, MI 7,995 pop · 15.3 mi Holly, MI 5,971 pop · 15.4 mi Owosso, MI 14,658 pop · 15.9 mi Perry, MI 2,198 pop · 16.1 mi
Compare Gaines with another city: