Garden City, MI

Michigan · Metropolitan Area

Garden City is a small city in Michigan with a population of 26,910. Residents earn $64,396 per year, which is 14% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
26,910 Population 4,592/sq mi density
$64,396 Median Income $32,640 per capita
$162,400 Home Value $196,425 Zillow
$991 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
215 Violent Crime/100K 1,409 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$64,396 median income, 5.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$162,400 home value, $991/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
215 violent crimes/100K (44% below avg)
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
14.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $64,396
14% lower than US avg
Home Value $162,400
42% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 215/100K
44% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 14.6%
57% lower than US avg
Median Rent $991
15% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 33.4%
4% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.1%
42% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 9.1%
27% lower than US avg

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

People

Population26,910
Median Age40.8 yrs
Density4,592/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 84%

Economy

B+
Median Income$64,396
Per Capita$32,640
Unemployment5.1%
Poverty9.1%
County GDP$129,920M
Commute26 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$162,400
Rent$991
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$196,425

Crime

F
Violent215/100K
Property1,409/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault107/100K
Burglary337/100K

Health

Obesity33.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.9%
Heart Disease6.0%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain35.1 in/yr
Elevation635 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+14.6%
High School+90.7%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 34% / D 63%
Commute26 min
EV Stations4
Libraries57

Is Garden City a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Garden City receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment. Garden City has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Garden City is $64,396, 14% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.1% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. 9.1% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Garden City is $162,400, 42% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $991 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Garden City is below the national average at 215 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,409 per 100,000, 28% below the national average.

Education

14.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Garden City experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 35.1 inches, including 30.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Garden City has a population of 26,910 with a density of 4,592 people per square mile. The median age is 40.8 years, 5% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (83.8%), with 2% Hispanic, 6.7% Black.

Population

26,910
Total Population
4,592
People / sq mi
40.8yrs
Median Age
5% above US avg
5.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.9%
Female 51.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Garden City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only93.5%
19% above US avg
Spanish6.5%
51% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Garden City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Garden City is $64,396, which is 14% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 9.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: Garden City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$64,396
14% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,640
Avg Weekly Wage$1,469
IRS Avg AGI$64,888

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.1%
42% above US avg
Poverty Rate9.1%
27% below US avg
Establishments (County)36,727
County GDP$129,920M

Business (County)

Restaurants3,598
Healthcare4,243
Retail5,675
Manufacturing1,388

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,671
91% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.11%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time26.1 min
Work from Home7.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Garden City is $162,400, 42% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $991 (15% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $196,425.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$162,400
42% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$196,425
Median List Price$234,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$234,900
$/Sq Ft$195
Homes Sold23
Sale-to-List Ratio100.9%
Price Drops39.4%
Inventory33

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$991
15% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,622

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied79.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,671
91% above US avg
Effective Rate4.11%
In Garden City, 33.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.9% report depression. 24.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Garden City vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity33.4%
4% above US avg
Diabetes9.7%
Heart Disease6.0%
High Blood Pressure32.3%
Asthma11.9%
COPD8.0%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.5%
Physical Inactivity24.9%
Depression27.9%
Mental Distress21.1%
Physical Distress14.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.5%
Checkup Rate77.0%
Premature Death12,684/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.6/10
Exercise Access96.0%
Healthcare Facilities4,243
Garden City has a violent crime rate of 215 per 100,000 residents, 44% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,409 per 100,000 (28% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Garden City vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent214.5/100K
44% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape37.0/100K
Robbery70.3/100K
Assault107.3/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,409.3/100K
28% below US avg
Burglary336.6/100K
Theft880.3/100K
Vehicle Theft192.3/100K
Arson18.5/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)201

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Garden City has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 35.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.5°F
8% below US avg
January Average25°F (-4°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall35.1 inches
8% below US avg
Snowfall30.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation635 ft (194 m)
Area5.9 sq mi (15.2 km²)
Population Density4,592/sq mi
Coordinates42.3244°N, 83.3412°W
County FIPS26163
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 14.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (57% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 29-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 33.7%
D 62.7%

Winner: Democrat by 29 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+14.6%
57% below US avg
High School+90.7%
School Test Score5.23
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density4,592/sq mi
Total Area5.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations4
Alt Fuel Stations5
Public Libraries57
Healthcare Facilities4,243
Restaurants3,598
Retail Stores5,675

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)201
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute26.1 min
Work from Home7.8%

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