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Kaleva, MI

Michigan

Kaleva is a small town in Michigan with a population of 520. Residents earn $43,333 per year, which is 42% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
520 Population 468/sq mi density
$43,333 Median Income $19,894 per capita
$88,500 Home Value $213,245 Zillow
$964 Median Rent 36.9% income on rent
48°F Avg Temperature 270 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.1 / 5.0
$43,333 median income, 3.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$88,500 home value, $964/mo rent
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
16.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $43,333
42% lower than US avg
Home Value $88,500
69% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 16.2%
52% lower than US avg
Median Rent $964
17% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.1%
22% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.1%
14% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 18.5%
49% higher than US avg

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

People

Population520
Median Age36.3 yrs
Density468/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 96%
Veterans13.0%

Economy

B
Median Income$43,333
Per Capita$19,894
Unemployment3.1%
Poverty18.5%
County GDP$1,160M
Commute26 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$88,500
Rent$964
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$213,245
Housing Units268
Rent Burden36.9%

Health

Obesity39.1%
Uninsured8.7%
Smoking20.2%
Depression30.9%
Heart Disease6.9%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F (9°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Rain36.3 in/yr
Sunny Days270/yr
Elevation748 ft (228 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+16.2%
High School+91.5%
Graduate+6.3%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 57% / D 41%
Commute26 min
Broadband83.2%
Libraries6

Is Kaleva a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Kaleva receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Kaleva offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Kaleva is $43,333, 42% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.1%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 18.5% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Kaleva is $88,500, 69% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $964 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

16.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 91.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Kaleva experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. With 270 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 36.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Kaleva has a population of 520 with a density of 468 people per square mile. The median age is 36.3 years, 7% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95.8%), with 2.3% Hispanic.

Population

520
Total Population
468
People / sq mi
36.3yrs
Median Age
7% below US avg
1.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.2%
Female 49.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Kaleva vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.4%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.6%
88% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Kaleva vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Kaleva is $43,333, which is 42% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.1% (below the 3.6% US average). 18.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: Kaleva vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$43,333
42% below US avg
Per Capita Income$19,894
Avg Weekly Wage$985
IRS Avg AGI$57,545

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.1%
14% below US avg
Poverty Rate18.5%
49% above US avg
Establishments (County)602
County GDP$1,160M

Business (County)

Restaurants73
Healthcare63
Retail105
Manufacturing28

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,625
89% above US avg
Cost of Living96.20 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate7.49%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.6 min
Drive Alone66.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home8.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Kaleva is $88,500, 69% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $964 (17% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $213,245.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$88,500
69% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$213,245

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$964
17% below US avg
Rent Burden36.9%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied79.2%
Housing Units268
Median Year Built1963

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,625
89% above US avg
Effective Rate7.49%
In Kaleva, 39.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 8.7% of residents lack health insurance. 20.2% are current smokers. 30.9% report depression. 30.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.1%
22% above US avg
Diabetes11.0%
Heart Disease6.9%
High Blood Pressure33.7%
Asthma12.4%
COPD9.7%
Cancer7.7%
Stroke3.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking20.2%
44% above US avg
Binge Drinking18.1%
Physical Inactivity30.1%
Depression30.9%
Mental Distress21.7%
Physical Distress16.0%
Short Sleep36.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.4%
Uninsured8.7%
1% above US avg
Primary Care1:1,950
Dentists1:1,405
Mental Health1:568
Checkup Rate76.8%
Dental Visits57.3%
Premature Death10,237/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.9/10
Exercise Access79.8%
Healthcare Facilities63
Kaleva has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation is 36.3 inches. The area enjoys 270 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-4°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average47.5°F
12% below US avg
January Average24°F (-4°C)
July Average69°F (21°C)
Sunny Days270 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall36.3 inches
4% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation748 ft (228 m)
Area1.1 sq mi (2.9 km²)
Population Density468/sq mi
Coordinates44.3723°N, 86.0136°W
TimezoneAmerica/Detroit
County FIPS26101
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 16.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (52% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 15.9-point margin. 83.2% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 57.2%
D 41.3%

Winner: Republican by 15.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+16.2%
52% below US avg
High School+91.5%
Graduate Degree+6.3%
School Test Score5.23
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density468/sq mi
Total Area1.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access83.2%
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities63
Restaurants73
Retail Stores105

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.6 min
Drive Alone66.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home8.4%

Nearby Cities

Manistee, MI 6,275 pop · 17.8 mi Frankfort, MI 1,158 pop · 21.2 mi Chums Corner, MI 1,012 pop · 27.4 mi Kingsley, MI 1,783 pop · 28.4 mi Manton, MI 1,347 pop · 30.4 mi Cadillac, MI 10,404 pop · 30.8 mi Scottville, MI 1,359 pop · 32.0 mi Traverse City, MI 15,491 pop · 33.2 mi Baldwin, MI 1,161 pop · 33.7 mi Greilickville, MI 1,296 pop · 34.1 mi Ludington, MI 7,664 pop · 35.7 mi Reed City, MI 2,505 pop · 42.7 mi Elk Rapids, MI 1,558 pop · 47.1 mi Kalkaska, MI 2,370 pop · 47.8 mi
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