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Garden, MI

Michigan

Garden is a small town in Michigan with a population of 163. Residents earn $35,250 per year, which is 53% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
163 Population 196/sq mi density
$35,250 Median Income $29,236 per capita
$80,000 Home Value $214,459 Zillow
$775 Median Rent 22.2% income on rent
41°F Avg Temperature 270 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.0 / 5.0
$35,250 median income, 2.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$80,000 home value, $775/mo rent
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
20.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $35,250
53% lower than US avg
Home Value $80,000
72% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 20.0%
41% lower than US avg
Median Rent $775
33% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.7%
24% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.2%
39% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 18.2%
47% higher than US avg

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

People

Population163
Median Age45.3 yrs
Density196/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 75%
Veterans4.5%

Economy

B
Median Income$35,250
Per Capita$29,236
Unemployment2.2%
Poverty18.2%
County GDP$1,635M
Commute66 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$80,000
Rent$775
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$214,459
Housing Units112
Rent Burden22.2%

Health

Obesity39.7%
Uninsured7.6%
Smoking17.0%
Depression30.3%
Heart Disease6.1%

Climate

Avg Temp41°F (5°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Rain34.1 in/yr
Sunny Days270/yr
Elevation586 ft (179 m)

Education

C+
Bachelor's+20.0%
High School+93.0%
Graduate+10.9%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 65% / D 34%
Commute66 min
Broadband81.0%
Libraries2

Is Garden a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Garden receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, long commute times. Garden offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Garden is $35,250, 53% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.2%. The poverty rate of 18.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 66 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Garden is $80,000, 72% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $775 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

20.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Garden has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F. Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. With 270 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 34.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Garden has a population of 163 with a density of 196 people per square mile. The median age is 45.3 years, 16% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (74.8%), with 12.3% Hispanic, 1.8% Black.

Population

163
Total Population
196
People / sq mi
45.3yrs
Median Age
16% above US avg
0.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.1%
Female 47.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Garden vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only86.6%
10% above US avg
Spanish13.4%
0% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Garden vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Garden is $35,250, which is 53% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 18.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 66 minutes.

Income: Garden vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$35,250
53% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,236
Avg Weekly Wage$923
IRS Avg AGI$60,757

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.2%
39% below US avg
Poverty Rate18.2%
47% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,044
County GDP$1,635M

Business (County)

Restaurants94
Healthcare91
Retail157
Manufacturing69

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,676
34% above US avg
Cost of Living96.20 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate5.85%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time66.3 min
Drive Alone90.5%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Garden is $80,000, 72% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $775 (33% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $214,459.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$80,000
72% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$214,459

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$775
33% below US avg
Rent Burden22.2%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied71.6%
Housing Units112
Median Year Built1949

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,676
34% above US avg
Effective Rate5.85%
In Garden, 39.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.6% of residents lack health insurance. 17.0% are current smokers. 30.3% report depression. 23.8% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.7%
24% above US avg
Diabetes10.0%
Heart Disease6.1%
High Blood Pressure31.4%
Asthma12.0%
COPD8.0%
Cancer7.8%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking17.0%
21% above US avg
Binge Drinking18.5%
Physical Inactivity23.8%
Depression30.3%
Mental Distress20.0%
Physical Distress14.2%
Short Sleep32.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.5%
Uninsured7.6%
12% below US avg
Primary Care1:1,228
Dentists1:1,531
Mental Health1:575
Checkup Rate76.3%
Dental Visits65.4%
Premature Death8,625/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.4/10
Exercise Access76.8%
Healthcare Facilities91
Garden has an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. Annual precipitation is 34.1 inches. The area enjoys 270 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-8°C) 66°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average41.4°F
23% below US avg
January Average17°F (-8°C)
July Average66°F (19°C)
Sunny Days270 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall34.1 inches
10% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation586 ft (179 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (2.1 km²)
Population Density196/sq mi
Coordinates45.7693°N, 86.5573°W
TimezoneAmerica/Detroit
County FIPS26041
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+. 20.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (41% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 30.4-point margin. 81.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 64.5%
D 34.1%

Winner: Republican by 30.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+20.0%
41% below US avg
High School+93.0%
Graduate Degree+10.9%
School Test Score5.23
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 5Nonmetro — Urban 20K+
Population Density196/sq mi
Total Area0.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access81.0%
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities91
Restaurants94
Retail Stores157

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute66.3 min
Drive Alone90.5%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home3.2%

Nearby Cities

Manistique, MI 2,844 pop · 19.8 mi Gladstone, MI 5,240 pop · 23.3 mi Escanaba, MI 12,374 pop · 25.4 mi Munising, MI 1,907 pop · 45.8 mi Sister Bay, WI 1,016 pop · 48.9 mi K. I. Sawyer, MI 2,791 pop · 54.8 mi Gwinn, MI 1,268 pop · 55.4 mi Harvey, MI 3,080 pop · 62.5 mi Newberry, MI 1,453 pop · 64.4 mi Norway, MI 2,835 pop · 65.4 mi Marquette, MI 20,691 pop · 67.3 mi Menominee, MI 8,370 pop · 68.3 mi Trowbridge Park, MI 2,271 pop · 68.9 mi Quinnesec, MI 1,150 pop · 69.4 mi
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