Kalkaska, MI

Full City Profile · Michigan · Kalkaska County County

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
2,370 Population 898/sq mi density
$42,955 Median Income $24,229 per capita
$121,300 Home Value $212,543 Zillow
$644 Median Rent 26.7% income on rent
43°F Avg Temperature
89 Violent Crime/100K 1,196 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.0 / 5.0
$42,955 median income, 4.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$121,300 home value, $644/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
89 violent crimes/100K
C
Education
2.5 / 5.0
18.5% bachelor's degree or higher

Kalkaska, MI

At a Glance

Median Income
$42,955
43% below
$24,229 per capita
Home Value
$121,300
57% below
Zillow: $212,543
Median Rent
$644/mo
45% below
26.7% of income on rent
Violent Crime
89/100K
77% below
1,196/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
18.5%
45% below
83.7% high school+
Unemployment
4.6%
28% above
14.5% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
39.3%
22% above
19.6% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
43°F

How Kalkaska Compares to the U.S. Average

Each bar shows Kalkaska's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)

Income
57%
Home Value
43%
Rent
55%
Poverty
117%
Bachelor's
55%
Unemployment
128%
Crime
23%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Kalkaska a Good Place to Live?

C+
2.9 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Kalkaska residents earn a median household income of $42,955 , which is 43% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $24,229. The unemployment rate stands at 4.6% (28% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 14.5% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 388 business establishments, including 32 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Kalkaska is $121,300 , 57% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $212,543. Median rent is $644/month, with 26.7% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 96.2 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1968.

Safety & Crime

Kalkaska reports 89 violent crimes per 100,000 residents , which is 77% below the national average of 380/100K. Property crime is 1,196/100K.

Education

18.5% of adults in Kalkaska hold a bachelor's degree or higher (45% below the national average). 83.7% have completed high school. Local schools score 4.5/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Kalkaska has an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 33.7 inches.

Data Overview

People

Population2,370
Median Age40.1 yrs
Density898/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Foreign Born2.4%
Veterans7.7%

Economy

B
Median Income$42,955
Per Capita$24,229
Unemployment4.6%
Poverty14.5%
County GDP$839M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,162

Housing

A+
Home Value$121,300
Rent$644
Ownership60.1%
Zillow$212,543
Housing Units1,177
Rent Burden26.7%

Crime

F
Violent89/100K
Property1,196/100K

Health

Obesity39.3%
Diabetes10.9%
Smoking19.6%
Heart Disease6.6%
Premature Death9,139/100K

Climate

Avg Temp43°F
Rain33.7 in/yr
Elevation1,035 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+18.5%
High School+83.7%
Graduate+6.9%
School Score4.5/10

Community

2024 VoteR 71% / D 28%
Commute21 min
Broadband84.4%
Internet Speed103 Mbps
EV Stations2
Libraries1

Did You Know?

The median home in Kalkaska was built in 1968.
The nearest airport is Gaylord Regional (31 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.429 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Very Low" by FEMA.
22.4% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 103 Mbps.
The county recorded 4 fatal vehicle crashes.