Harbor Beach, MI

Michigan

Harbor Beach is a small town in Michigan with a population of 1,576. Residents earn $39,844 per year, which is 47% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
1,576 Population 916/sq mi density
$39,844 Median Income $26,489 per capita
$104,200 Home Value $191,618 Zillow
$502 Median Rent
45°F Avg Temperature
486 Violent Crime/100K 2,369 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$39,844 median income, 0.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$104,200 home value, $502/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
486 violent crimes/100K (28% above avg)
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
17.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $39,844
47% lower than US avg
Home Value $104,200
63% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 486/100K
28% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 17.3%
49% lower than US avg
Median Rent $502
57% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.2%
22% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.7%
81% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 10.0%
19% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,576
Median Age47.8 yrs
Density916/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 95%

Economy

B+
Median Income$39,844
Per Capita$26,489
Unemployment0.7%
Poverty10.0%
County GDP$2,158M
Commute15 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$104,200
Rent$502
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$191,618

Crime

F
Violent486/100K
Property2,369/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault304/100K
Burglary304/100K

Health

Obesity39.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression30.0%
Heart Disease6.3%

Climate

Avg Temp45°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain34.0 in/yr
Elevation617 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+17.3%
High School+82.7%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 70% / D 29%
Commute15 min
Libraries6

Is Harbor Beach a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Harbor Beach is $39,844, 47% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.7%. 10.0% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Harbor Beach is $104,200, 63% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $502 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 486 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,369 per 100,000, 21% above the national average.

Education

17.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 82.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Harbor Beach has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F. Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 34.0 inches, including 47.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Harbor Beach has a population of 1,576 with a density of 916 people per square mile. The median age is 47.8 years, 23% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95.1%), with 1.3% Black.

Population

1,576
Total Population
916
People / sq mi
47.8yrs
Median Age
23% above US avg
1.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.7%
Female 49.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Harbor Beach vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.1%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.9%
78% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Harbor Beach vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Harbor Beach is $39,844, which is 47% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 10.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes.

Income: Harbor Beach vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$39,844
47% below US avg
Per Capita Income$26,489
Avg Weekly Wage$967
IRS Avg AGI$60,518

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.7%
81% below US avg
Poverty Rate10.0%
19% below US avg
Establishments (County)999
County GDP$2,158M

Business (County)

Restaurants93
Healthcare101
Retail130
Manufacturing60

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,733
35% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.54%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time14.9 min
Work from Home5.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Harbor Beach is $104,200, 63% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $502 (57% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $191,618.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$104,200
63% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$191,618

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$502
57% 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-Occupied74.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,733
35% above US avg
Effective Rate4.54%
In Harbor Beach, 39.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 30.0% report depression. 27.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Harbor Beach vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.2%
22% above US avg
Diabetes10.6%
Heart Disease6.3%
High Blood Pressure32.9%
Asthma12.2%
COPD8.7%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.0%
Physical Inactivity27.4%
Depression30.0%
Mental Distress20.9%
Physical Distress15.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.9%
Checkup Rate76.6%
Premature Death7,757/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.4/10
Exercise Access65.8%
Healthcare Facilities101
Harbor Beach has a violent crime rate of 486 per 100,000 residents, 28% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,369 per 100,000 (21% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent486.0/100K
28% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape182.3/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault303.8/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,369.4/100K
21% above US avg
Burglary303.8/100K
Theft2,004.9/100K
Vehicle Theft60.8/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Harbor Beach has an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation is 34.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-5°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average45.4°F
16% below US avg
January Average22°F (-5°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall34.0 inches
11% below US avg
Snowfall47.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation617 ft (188 m)
Area1.7 sq mi (4.5 km²)
Population Density916/sq mi
Coordinates43.8448°N, 82.6546°W
County FIPS26063
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 17.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (49% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 40.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 69.7%
D 29.1%

Winner: Republican by 40.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+17.3%
49% below US avg
High School+82.7%
School Test Score5.23
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density916/sq mi
Total Area1.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities101
Restaurants93
Retail Stores130

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute14.9 min
Work from Home5.8%

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