Grayling, MI

Michigan

Grayling is a small town in Michigan with a population of 1,638. Residents earn $31,719 per year, which is 58% below the national average.

2.6 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,638 Population 799/sq mi density
$31,719 Median Income $21,846 per capita
$131,800 Home Value $172,981 Zillow
$879 Median Rent
43°F Avg Temperature
323 Violent Crime/100K 4,841 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.9 / 5.0
$31,719 median income, 2.4% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.3 / 5.0
$131,800 home value, $879/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
323 violent crimes/100K (15% below avg)
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
15.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $31,719
58% lower than US avg
Home Value $131,800
53% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 323/100K
15% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 15.8%
53% lower than US avg
Median Rent $879
24% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.3%
16% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.4%
33% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 18.2%
47% higher than US avg

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

People

Population1,638
Median Age41.8 yrs
Density799/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 95%

Economy

C+
Median Income$31,719
Per Capita$21,846
Unemployment2.4%
Poverty18.2%
County GDP$563M
Commute20 min

Housing

A
Home Value$131,800
Rent$879
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$172,981

Crime

F
Violent323/100K
Property4,841/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault215/100K
Burglary377/100K

Health

Obesity37.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression30.4%
Heart Disease6.3%

Climate

Avg Temp43°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain33.2 in/yr
Elevation1,138 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.8%
High School+85.0%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 66% / D 32%
Commute20 min
EV Stations9
Libraries2

Is Grayling a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Grayling receives an overall livability score of 2.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Grayling has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Grayling is $31,719, 58% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.4%. 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 20 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Grayling is $131,800, 53% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $879 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.2x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Grayling is below the national average at 323 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,841 per 100,000, 147% above the national average.

Education

15.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 85.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Grayling has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F. Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 33.2 inches, including 88.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Grayling has a population of 1,638 with a density of 799 people per square mile. The median age is 41.8 years, 7% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95%).

Population

1,638
Total Population
799
People / sq mi
41.8yrs
Median Age
7% above US avg
2.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.6%
Female 51.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Grayling vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.4%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.6%
81% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Grayling vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Grayling is $31,719, which is 58% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 18.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Grayling vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$31,719
58% below US avg
Per Capita Income$21,846
Avg Weekly Wage$1,003
IRS Avg AGI$54,169

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.4%
33% below US avg
Poverty Rate18.2%
47% above US avg
Establishments (County)278
County GDP$563M

Business (County)

Restaurants45
Healthcare32
Retail56
Manufacturing23

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,786
8% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.87%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.2 min
Work from Home6.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Grayling is $131,800, 53% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $879 (24% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $172,981.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$131,800
53% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$172,981

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$879
24% 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-Occupied45.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,786
8% above US avg
Effective Rate2.87%
In Grayling, 37.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 30.4% report depression. 26.4% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.3%
16% above US avg
Diabetes10.6%
Heart Disease6.3%
High Blood Pressure32.4%
Asthma12.1%
COPD8.5%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.8%
Physical Inactivity26.4%
Depression30.4%
Mental Distress20.8%
Physical Distress14.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.1%
Checkup Rate77.5%
Premature Death8,506/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.4/10
Exercise Access74.7%
Healthcare Facilities32
Grayling has a violent crime rate of 323 per 100,000 residents, 15% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,841 per 100,000 (147% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent322.8/100K
15% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape107.6/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault215.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,841.3/100K
147% above US avg
Burglary376.6/100K
Theft4,411.0/100K
Vehicle Theft53.8/100K
Arson53.8/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Grayling has an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation is 33.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

18°F Jan (-8°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average43.3°F
20% below US avg
January Average18°F (-8°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall33.2 inches
13% below US avg
Snowfall88.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,138 ft (347 m)
Area2.1 sq mi (5.3 km²)
Population Density799/sq mi
Coordinates44.6580°N, 84.7111°W
County FIPS26039
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 15.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (53% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 33.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 66.2%
D 32.5%

Winner: Republican by 33.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+15.8%
53% below US avg
High School+85.0%
School Test Score5.23
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density799/sq mi
Total Area2.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations9
Alt Fuel Stations10
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities32
Restaurants45
Retail Stores56

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.2 min
Work from Home6.2%

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