Lake City, MI

Michigan

Lake City is a small town in Michigan with a population of 669. Residents earn $59,750 per year, which is 20% below the national average.

4.0 /5.0
A Great
669 Population 637/sq mi density
$59,750 Median Income $34,170 per capita
$157,500 Home Value $355,495 Zillow
$666 Median Rent 33.4% income on rent
44°F Avg Temperature 270 sunny days/yr
A
Overall
4.0 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$59,750 median income, 2.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$157,500 home value, $666/mo rent
C+
Education
2.9 / 5.0
23.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $59,750
20% lower than US avg
Home Value $157,500
44% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 23.5%
30% lower than US avg
Median Rent $666
43% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.5%
17% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.6%
28% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.8%
69% lower than US avg

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

People

Population669
Median Age41.3 yrs
Density637/mi²
Male / Female58% / 42%
Largest GroupWhite 91%
Veterans7.8%

Economy

A
Median Income$59,750
Per Capita$34,170
Unemployment2.6%
Poverty3.8%
County GDP$678M
Commute17 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$157,500
Rent$666
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$355,495
Housing Units379
Rent Burden33.4%

Health

Obesity37.5%
Uninsured6.8%
Smoking16.0%
Depression29.0%
Heart Disease5.8%

Climate

Avg Temp44°F (6°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Rain33.4 in/yr
Sunny Days270/yr
Elevation1,242 ft (379 m)

Education

C+
Bachelor's+23.5%
High School+93.3%
Graduate+5.3%
School Score3.75

Community

2024 VoteR 77% / D 21%
Commute17 min
Broadband89.8%
EV Stations1
Libraries3

Is Lake City a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Lake City receives an overall livability score of 4.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Lake City stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Lake City is $59,750, 20% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.6%. Only 3.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Lake City is $157,500, 44% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $666 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.

Education

23.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.3% have completed high school. School test scores average 3.8/10, below typical benchmarks.

Climate & Weather

Lake City has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F. Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. With 270 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 33.4 inches, including 74.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Lake City has a population of 669 with a density of 637 people per square mile. The median age is 41.3 years, 6% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90.7%), with 1.8% Black.

Population

669
Total Population
637
People / sq mi
41.3yrs
Median Age
6% above US avg
1.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 57.8%
Female 42.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Lake City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.3%
20% above US avg
Spanish5.7%
57% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Lake City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Lake City is $59,750, which is 20% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes.

Income: Lake City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$59,750
20% below US avg
Per Capita Income$34,170
Avg Weekly Wage$886
IRS Avg AGI$57,174

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.6%
28% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.8%
69% below US avg
Establishments (County)388
County GDP$678M

Business (County)

Restaurants23
Healthcare30
Retail41
Manufacturing24

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,479
28% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.84%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time16.8 min
Drive Alone75.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Lake City is $157,500, 44% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $666 (43% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $355,495.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$157,500
44% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$355,495
Median List Price$279,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$279,900
$/Sq Ft$207
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio101.0%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory5

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$666
43% below US avg
Rent Burden33.4%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$704
1 Bedroom$758
2 Bedrooms$994
3 Bedrooms$1,367
4 Bedrooms$1,660

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied84.1%
Housing Units379
Median Year Built1959

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,479
28% above US avg
Effective Rate2.84%
In Lake City, 37.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 6.8% of residents lack health insurance. 16.0% are current smokers. 29.0% report depression. 23.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Lake City vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.5%
17% above US avg
Diabetes9.5%
Heart Disease5.8%
High Blood Pressure31.9%
Asthma11.9%
COPD7.4%
Cancer7.8%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking16.0%
14% above US avg
Binge Drinking19.0%
Physical Inactivity23.7%
Depression29.0%
Mental Distress19.6%
Physical Distress13.6%
Short Sleep34.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.0%
Uninsured6.8%
21% below US avg
Checkup Rate77.6%
Dental Visits68.3%
Premature Death7,753/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.0/10
Exercise Access17.6%
Healthcare Facilities30
Lake City has an average annual temperature of 44°F (6°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation is 33.4 inches. The area enjoys 270 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

19°F Jan (-7°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average43.6°F
19% below US avg
January Average19°F (-7°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days270 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall33.4 inches
12% below US avg
Snowfall74.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,242 ft (379 m)
Area1.1 sq mi (2.7 km²)
Population Density637/sq mi
Coordinates44.3297°N, 85.2085°W
TimezoneAmerica/Detroit
County FIPS26113
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 23.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (30% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 56-point margin. 89.8% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 77.2%
D 21.3%

Winner: Republican by 56 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+23.5%
30% below US avg
High School+93.3%
Graduate Degree+5.3%
School Test Score3.75
C+ Education Grade (2.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density637/sq mi
Total Area1.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access89.8%
EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities30
Restaurants23
Retail Stores41

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute16.8 min
Drive Alone75.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.8%

Nearby Cities

Manton, MI 1,347 pop · 11.0 mi Cadillac, MI 10,404 pop · 11.5 mi Houghton Lake, MI 5,761 pop · 22.8 mi Kingsley, MI 1,783 pop · 23.7 mi Prudenville, MI 1,286 pop · 26.9 mi Kalkaska, MI 2,370 pop · 27.8 mi Harrison, MI 2,275 pop · 29.5 mi Evart, MI 1,764 pop · 29.9 mi Roscommon, MI 1,029 pop · 32.4 mi Chums Corner, MI 1,012 pop · 32.6 mi Grayling, MI 1,638 pop · 33.4 mi Reed City, MI 2,505 pop · 34.9 mi Traverse City, MI 15,491 pop · 35.2 mi Rapid City, MI 1,315 pop · 35.4 mi
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