Grand Ledge, MI

Michigan · Metropolitan Area

Grand Ledge is a small city in Michigan with a population of 7,797. Residents earn $66,515 per year, which is 11% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
7,797 Population 2,015/sq mi density
$66,515 Median Income $42,049 per capita
$189,300 Home Value $291,009 Zillow
$944 Median Rent
49°F Avg Temperature
39 Violent Crime/100K 424 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$66,515 median income, 3.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$189,300 home value, $944/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
39 violent crimes/100K (90% below avg)
B+
Education
3.9 / 5.0
36.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $66,515
11% lower than US avg
Home Value $189,300
33% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 39/100K
90% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 36.0%
7% higher than US avg
Median Rent $944
19% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.9%
18% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.3%
8% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.6%
79% lower than US avg

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

People

Population7,797
Median Age44.5 yrs
Density2,015/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 92%

Economy

A
Median Income$66,515
Per Capita$42,049
Unemployment3.3%
Poverty2.6%
County GDP$7,448M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$189,300
Rent$944
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$291,009

Crime

F
Violent39/100K
Property424/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault13/100K
Burglary103/100K

Health

Obesity37.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression29.0%
Heart Disease4.9%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain33.3 in/yr
Elevation837 ft

Education

B+
Bachelor's+36.0%
High School+98.3%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 51% / D 48%
Commute22 min
EV Stations1
Libraries10

Is Grand Ledge a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Grand Ledge receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Grand Ledge offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Grand Ledge is $66,515, 11% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.3%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 2.6% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Grand Ledge is $189,300, 33% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $944 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Grand Ledge is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 39 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 424 per 100,000, 78% below the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 36.0% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 98.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Grand Ledge experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 33.3 inches, including 50.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Grand Ledge has a population of 7,797 with a density of 2,015 people per square mile. The median age is 44.5 years, 14% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92%), with 1.4% Hispanic, 1.1% Black.

Population

7,797
Total Population
2,015
People / sq mi
44.5yrs
Median Age
14% above US avg
3.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.8%
Female 52.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Grand Ledge vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.0%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.0%
93% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Grand Ledge vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Grand Ledge is $66,515, which is 11% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 2.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Grand Ledge vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$66,515
11% below US avg
Per Capita Income$42,049
Avg Weekly Wage$1,170
IRS Avg AGI$68,805

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.3%
8% below US avg
Poverty Rate2.6%
79% below US avg
Establishments (County)2,107
County GDP$7,448M

Business (County)

Restaurants224
Healthcare234
Retail311
Manufacturing104

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,244
50% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.77%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.9 min
Work from Home13.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Grand Ledge is $189,300, 33% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $944 (19% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $291,009.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$189,300
33% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$291,009
Median List Price$299,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$299,900
$/Sq Ft$142
Homes Sold10
Sale-to-List Ratio98.4%
Price Drops18.8%
Inventory16

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$944
19% 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-Occupied67.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,244
50% above US avg
Effective Rate2.77%
In Grand Ledge, 37.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 29.0% report depression. 20.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Grand Ledge vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.9%
18% above US avg
Diabetes8.4%
Heart Disease4.9%
High Blood Pressure29.5%
Asthma11.6%
COPD5.8%
Stroke2.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.2%
Physical Inactivity20.7%
Depression29.0%
Mental Distress18.6%
Physical Distress11.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.5%
Checkup Rate78.5%
Premature Death7,898/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.8/10
Exercise Access75.0%
Healthcare Facilities234
Grand Ledge has a violent crime rate of 39 per 100,000 residents, 90% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 424 per 100,000 (78% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent38.6/100K
90% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape25.7/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault12.9/100K

Property Crime

Total Property424.2/100K
78% below US avg
Burglary102.8/100K
Theft308.5/100K
Vehicle Theft12.9/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)11

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Grand Ledge has an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 33.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-5°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average48.5°F
10% below US avg
January Average24°F (-5°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall33.3 inches
12% below US avg
Snowfall50.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation837 ft (255 m)
Area3.9 sq mi (10.0 km²)
Population Density2,015/sq mi
Coordinates42.7529°N, 84.7449°W
County FIPS26045
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 36.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (7% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 3.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 50.8%
D 47.7%

Winner: Republican by 3.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+36.0%
7% above US avg
High School+98.3%
School Test Score5.23
B+ Education Grade (3.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density2,015/sq mi
Total Area3.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations4
Public Libraries10
Healthcare Facilities234
Restaurants224
Retail Stores311

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)11
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.9 min
Work from Home13.7%

Nearby Cities

Compare Grand Ledge with another city: