Manistee, MI

Michigan

Manistee is a small city in Michigan with a population of 6,275. Residents earn $59,315 per year, which is 21% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
6,275 Population 1,913/sq mi density
$59,315 Median Income $32,628 per capita
$144,400 Home Value $249,044 Zillow
$771 Median Rent 35.0% income on rent
48°F Avg Temperature
213 Violent Crime/100K 1,953 property/100K
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$59,315 median income, 3.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$144,400 home value, $771/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
213 violent crimes/100K (44% below avg)
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $59,315
21% lower than US avg
Home Value $144,400
49% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 213/100K
44% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.6%
36% lower than US avg
Median Rent $771
34% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.0%
12% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.0%
17% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.4%
32% lower than US avg

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

People

Population6,275
Median Age47.2 yrs
Density1,913/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 87%

Economy

B+
Median Income$59,315
Per Capita$32,628
Unemployment3.0%
Poverty8.4%
County GDP$1,160M
Commute15 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$144,400
Rent$771
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$249,044
Rent Burden35.0%

Crime

F
Violent213/100K
Property1,953/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault148/100K
Burglary279/100K

Health

Obesity36.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression29.7%
Heart Disease5.7%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI33 (Good)
Rain36.3 in/yr
Elevation645 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.6%
High School+88.3%
School Score5.01

Community

2024 VoteR 57% / D 41%
Commute15 min
EV Stations8
Libraries6

Is Manistee a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Manistee receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Manistee offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Manistee is $59,315, 21% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.0%, indicating a healthy job market. 8.4% 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 Manistee is $144,400, 49% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $771 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Manistee is below the national average at 213 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,953 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

21.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 88.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5/10.

Climate & Weather

Manistee experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 36.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 33.

Manistee has a population of 6,275 with a density of 1,913 people per square mile. The median age is 47.2 years, 21% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (87.3%), with 5.3% Hispanic, 2.3% Black.

Population

6,275
Total Population
1,913
People / sq mi
47.2yrs
Median Age
21% above US avg
3.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.7%
Female 54.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Manistee vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only92.9%
18% above US avg
Spanish7.1%
47% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Manistee vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Manistee is $59,315, which is 21% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 8.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes.

Income: Manistee vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$59,315
21% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,628
Avg Weekly Wage$985
IRS Avg AGI$57,545

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.0%
17% below US avg
Poverty Rate8.4%
32% below 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
Effective Tax Rate4.59%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time15.3 min
Work from Home12.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Manistee is $144,400, 49% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $771 (34% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $249,044.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$144,400
49% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$249,044

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$771
34% below US avg
Rent Burden35.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$742
1 Bedroom$799
2 Bedrooms$1,048
3 Bedrooms$1,332
4 Bedrooms$1,388

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied73.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,625
89% above US avg
Effective Rate4.59%
In Manistee, 36.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 29.7% report depression. 25.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.0%
12% above US avg
Diabetes9.4%
Heart Disease5.7%
High Blood Pressure30.7%
Asthma12.2%
COPD7.4%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.8%
Physical Inactivity25.1%
Depression29.7%
Mental Distress20.0%
Physical Distress13.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.5%
Checkup Rate77.4%
Premature Death10,237/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.9/10
Exercise Access79.8%
Healthcare Facilities63
Manistee has a violent crime rate of 213 per 100,000 residents, 44% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,953 per 100,000 (0% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent213.4/100K
44% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape65.7/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault147.7/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,953.1/100K
0% below US avg
Burglary279.0/100K
Theft1,608.4/100K
Vehicle Theft65.7/100K
Arson32.8/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Manistee 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. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 33.

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)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall36.3 inches
4% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median33.0
RatingGood
Good Days %81.2%
Unhealthy Days1

Geography

Elevation645 ft (197 m)
Area3.3 sq mi (8.5 km²)
Population Density1,913/sq mi
Coordinates44.2453°N, 86.3275°W
County FIPS26101
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 21.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (36% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 15.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 57.2%
D 41.3%

Winner: Republican by 15.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+21.6%
36% below US avg
High School+88.3%
School Test Score5.01
C+ Education Grade (2.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density1,913/sq mi
Total Area3.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations8
Alt Fuel Stations10
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities63
Restaurants73
Retail Stores105

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute15.3 min
Work from Home12.6%

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