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Grand Marais, MI

Michigan

Grand Marais is a small town in Michigan with a population of 255. Residents earn $55,809 per year, which is 26% below the national average.

4.4 /5.0
A Great
255 Population 135/sq mi density
$55,809 Median Income $41,296 per capita
$158,500 Home Value
$798 Median Rent 9.0% income on rent
43°F Avg Temperature 253 sunny days/yr
A
Overall
4.4 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$55,809 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$158,500 home value, $798/mo rent
B+
Education
4.0 / 5.0
37.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $55,809
26% lower than US avg
Home Value $158,500
44% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 37.2%
10% higher than US avg
Median Rent $798
31% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.7%
11% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.0%
100% lower than US avg

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

People

Population255
Median Age67.9 yrs
Density135/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 89%
Veterans13.0%

Economy

A
Median Income$55,809
Per Capita$41,296
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty0.0%
County GDP$210M
Commute6 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$158,500
Rent$798
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units441
Rent Burden9.0%

Health

Obesity35.7%
Uninsured6.7%
Smoking17.0%
Depression30.0%
Heart Disease6.0%

Climate

Avg Temp43°F (6°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Sunny Days253/yr
Elevation601 ft (183 m)

Education

B+
Bachelor's+37.2%
High School+100.0%
Graduate+11.4%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 73% / D 26%
Commute6 min
Broadband95.6%
Libraries1

Is Grand Marais a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Grand Marais receives an overall livability score of 4.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, a highly educated population, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Grand Marais stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Grand Marais is $55,809, 26% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. Only 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 6 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Grand Marais is $158,500, 44% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $798 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.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 37.2% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 100.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Grand Marais has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F. Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. With 253 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Grand Marais has a population of 255 with a density of 135 people per square mile. The median age is 67.9 years, 75% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (88.6%), with 7.1% Black.

Population

255
Total Population
135
People / sq mi
67.9yrs
Median Age
75% above US avg
1.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.4%
Female 50.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Grand Marais vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Grand Marais vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Grand Marais is $55,809, which is 26% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 6 minutes.

Income: Grand Marais vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$55,809
26% below US avg
Per Capita Income$41,296
Avg Weekly Wage$920
IRS Avg AGI$55,575

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate0.0%
100% below US avg
Establishments (County)180
County GDP$210M

Business (County)

Restaurants21
Healthcare19
Retail30
Manufacturing5

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,775
21% below US avg
Cost of Living96.20 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate1.75%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time5.5 min
Drive Alone49.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home23.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Grand Marais is $158,500, 44% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $798 (31% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$158,500
44% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$798
31% below US avg
Rent Burden9.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied89.6%
Housing Units441
Median Year Built1983

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,775
21% below US avg
Effective Rate1.75%
In Grand Marais, 35.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 6.7% of residents lack health insurance. 17.0% are current smokers. 30.0% report depression. 23.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.7%
11% above US avg
Diabetes9.5%
Heart Disease6.0%
High Blood Pressure31.5%
Asthma11.9%
COPD7.7%
Cancer7.8%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking17.0%
21% above US avg
Binge Drinking18.5%
Physical Inactivity23.7%
Depression30.0%
Mental Distress20.5%
Physical Distress13.8%
Short Sleep34.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate85.9%
Uninsured6.7%
22% below US avg
Checkup Rate77.0%
Dental Visits67.9%
Premature Death8,279/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.3/10
Exercise Access67.3%
Healthcare Facilities19
Grand Marais has an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. The area enjoys 253 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

19°F Jan (-7°C) 65°F Jul (18°C)
Annual Average42.6°F
21% below US avg
January Average19°F (-7°C)
July Average65°F (18°C)
Sunny Days253 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation601 ft (183 m)
Area1.9 sq mi (4.9 km²)
Population Density135/sq mi
Coordinates46.6757°N, 85.9664°W
TimezoneAmerica/Detroit
County FIPS26095
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 37.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (10% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 46.9-point margin. 95.6% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 72.7%
D 25.8%

Winner: Republican by 46.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+37.2%
10% above US avg
High School+100.0%
Graduate Degree+11.4%
School Test Score5.23
B+ Education Grade (4.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density135/sq mi
Total Area1.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access95.6%
Public Libraries1
Healthcare Facilities19
Restaurants21
Retail Stores30

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute5.5 min
Drive Alone49.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home23.0%

Nearby Cities

Newberry, MI 1,453 pop · 31.1 mi Munising, MI 1,907 pop · 35.3 mi Manistique, MI 2,844 pop · 51.3 mi Harvey, MI 3,080 pop · 67.3 mi Marquette, MI 20,691 pop · 68.4 mi Trowbridge Park, MI 2,271 pop · 70.5 mi K. I. Sawyer, MI 2,791 pop · 70.7 mi Gwinn, MI 1,268 pop · 75.2 mi Gladstone, MI 5,240 pop · 76.2 mi Sault Ste. Marie, MI 13,373 pop · 77.0 mi Kincheloe, MI 2,875 pop · 77.1 mi Negaunee, MI 4,641 pop · 78.2 mi Sault Ste. Marie, ON 72,051 pop · 78.3 mi St. Ignace, MI 2,409 pop · 80.3 mi
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