Gaylord, MI

Michigan

Gaylord is a small town in Michigan with a population of 4,307. Residents earn $44,052 per year, which is 41% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
4,307 Population 827/sq mi density
$44,052 Median Income $28,801 per capita
$170,300 Home Value $253,457 Zillow
$844 Median Rent
43°F Avg Temperature
330 Violent Crime/100K 5,860 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$44,052 median income, 1.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.5 / 5.0
$170,300 home value, $844/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
330 violent crimes/100K (13% below avg)
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
20.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $44,052
41% lower than US avg
Home Value $170,300
40% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 330/100K
13% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 20.8%
38% lower than US avg
Median Rent $844
27% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.1%
22% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.9%
47% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.8%
85% lower than US avg

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

People

Population4,307
Median Age38.0 yrs
Density827/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 93%

Economy

B+
Median Income$44,052
Per Capita$28,801
Unemployment1.9%
Poverty1.8%
County GDP$1,498M
Commute16 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$170,300
Rent$844
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$253,457

Crime

F
Violent330/100K
Property5,860/100K
Murder27.5/100K
Assault110/100K
Burglary605/100K

Health

Obesity39.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression30.2%
Heart Disease5.9%

Climate

Avg Temp43°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain29.5 in/yr
Elevation1,339 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+20.8%
High School+91.4%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 67% / D 32%
Commute16 min
EV Stations6
Libraries3

Is Gaylord a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Gaylord receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Gaylord offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Gaylord is $44,052, 41% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.9%. Only 1.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Gaylord is $170,300, 40% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $844 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.9x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Gaylord is below the national average at 330 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 5,860 per 100,000, 199% above the national average.

Education

20.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 91.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Gaylord has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F. Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 29.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Gaylord has a population of 4,307 with a density of 827 people per square mile. The median age is 38.0 years, 2% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.5%), with 3.2% Hispanic, 2.3% Black.

Population

4,307
Total Population
827
People / sq mi
38.0yrs
Median Age
2% below US avg
5.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.8%
Female 52.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Gaylord vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.5%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.5%
89% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Gaylord vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Gaylord is $44,052, which is 41% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.9% (below the 3.6% US average). 1.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes.

Income: Gaylord vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$44,052
41% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,801
Avg Weekly Wage$1,022
IRS Avg AGI$63,187

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.9%
47% below US avg
Poverty Rate1.8%
85% below US avg
Establishments (County)811
County GDP$1,498M

Business (County)

Restaurants72
Healthcare99
Retail147
Manufacturing28

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,149
19% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.44%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time16.2 min
Work from Home13.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Gaylord is $170,300, 40% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $844 (27% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $253,457.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$170,300
40% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$253,457

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$844
27% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied36.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,149
19% above US avg
Effective Rate2.44%
In Gaylord, 39.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 30.2% report depression. 26.2% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.1%
22% above US avg
Diabetes10.0%
Heart Disease5.9%
High Blood Pressure32.4%
Asthma12.2%
COPD8.1%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.6%
Physical Inactivity26.2%
Depression30.2%
Mental Distress20.7%
Physical Distress14.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.1%
Checkup Rate77.7%
Premature Death9,434/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.1/10
Exercise Access80.0%
Healthcare Facilities99
Gaylord has a violent crime rate of 330 per 100,000 residents, 13% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 5,860 per 100,000 (199% above US avg). The murder rate is 27.5 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent330.1/100K
13% below US avg
Murder27.5/100K
337% above US avg
Rape165.1/100K
Robbery27.5/100K
Assault110.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property5,859.7/100K
199% above US avg
Burglary605.2/100K
Theft5,089.4/100K
Vehicle Theft165.1/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Gaylord has an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation is 29.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

18°F Jan (-8°C) 67°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average42.7°F
21% below US avg
January Average18°F (-8°C)
July Average67°F (19°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall29.5 inches
22% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,339 ft (408 m)
Area5.2 sq mi (13.5 km²)
Population Density827/sq mi
Coordinates45.0213°N, 84.6818°W
County FIPS26137
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 20.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (38% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 35.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 67%
D 31.6%

Winner: Republican by 35.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+20.8%
38% below US avg
High School+91.4%
School Test Score5.23
C+ Education Grade (2.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density827/sq mi
Total Area5.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations6
Alt Fuel Stations10
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities99
Restaurants72
Retail Stores147

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute16.2 min
Work from Home13.8%

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