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Mecosta, MI

Michigan

Mecosta is a small town in Michigan with a population of 509. Residents earn $70,069 per year, which is 7% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
509 Population 459/sq mi density
$70,069 Median Income $24,831 per capita
$92,200 Home Value $217,285 Zillow
$804 Median Rent 18.8% income on rent
45°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$70,069 median income, 5.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$92,200 home value, $804/mo rent
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
10.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $70,069
7% lower than US avg
Home Value $92,200
67% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 10.9%
68% lower than US avg
Median Rent $804
31% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.7%
17% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.5%
53% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 12.7%
2% higher than US avg

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

People

Population509
Median Age45.1 yrs
Density459/mi²
Male / Female48% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 89%
Veterans3.7%

Economy

B+
Median Income$70,069
Per Capita$24,831
Unemployment5.5%
Poverty12.7%
County GDP$1,626M
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$92,200
Rent$804
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$217,285
Housing Units223
Rent Burden18.8%

Health

Obesity37.7%
Uninsured7.9%
Smoking18.1%
Depression30.4%
Heart Disease6.4%

Climate

Avg Temp45°F (7°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Rain37.9 in/yr
Sunny Days260/yr
Elevation974 ft (297 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+10.9%
High School+90.3%
Graduate+6.1%
School Score4.99

Community

2024 VoteR 64% / D 34%
Commute24 min
Broadband88.2%
Libraries6

Is Mecosta a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Mecosta receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment. Mecosta offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Mecosta is $70,069, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.5% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. 12.7% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Mecosta is $92,200, 67% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $804 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

10.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5/10.

Climate & Weather

Mecosta has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F. Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. With 260 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 37.9 inches, including 61.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Mecosta has a population of 509 with a density of 459 people per square mile. The median age is 45.1 years, 16% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (88.8%), with 5.7% Black.

Population

509
Total Population
459
People / sq mi
45.1yrs
Median Age
16% above US avg
1.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.5%
Female 52.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Mecosta vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.6%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.4%
97% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Mecosta vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Mecosta is $70,069, which is 7% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.5% (above the 3.6% US average). 12.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Mecosta vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$70,069
7% below US avg
Per Capita Income$24,831
Avg Weekly Wage$869
IRS Avg AGI$60,778

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.5%
53% above US avg
Poverty Rate12.7%
2% above US avg
Establishments (County)696
County GDP$1,626M

Business (County)

Restaurants78
Healthcare102
Retail151
Manufacturing32

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,526
29% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.91%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.8 min
Drive Alone91.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Mecosta is $92,200, 67% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $804 (31% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $217,285.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$92,200
67% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$217,285

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$96
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio102.9%
Price Drops100.0%
Inventory1

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$804
31% below US avg
Rent Burden18.8%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$715
1 Bedroom$796
2 Bedrooms$1,010
3 Bedrooms$1,288
4 Bedrooms$1,432

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied82.8%
Housing Units223
Median Year Built1971

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,526
29% above US avg
Effective Rate4.91%
In Mecosta, 37.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.9% of residents lack health insurance. 18.1% are current smokers. 30.4% report depression. 26.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.7%
17% above US avg
Diabetes10.1%
Heart Disease6.4%
High Blood Pressure32.8%
Asthma12.3%
COPD8.6%
Cancer7.7%
Stroke3.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking18.1%
29% above US avg
Binge Drinking18.0%
Physical Inactivity26.1%
Depression30.4%
Mental Distress20.5%
Physical Distress14.8%
Short Sleep35.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.1%
Uninsured7.9%
8% below US avg
Checkup Rate77.6%
Dental Visits65.5%
Premature Death8,230/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.3/10
Exercise Access57.6%
Healthcare Facilities102
Mecosta has an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.9 inches. The area enjoys 260 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-6°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average45.1°F
16% below US avg
January Average20°F (-6°C)
July Average69°F (21°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.9 inches
0% below US avg
Snowfall61.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation974 ft (297 m)
Area1.1 sq mi (2.9 km²)
Population Density459/sq mi
Coordinates43.6181°N, 85.2300°W
TimezoneAmerica/Detroit
County FIPS26107
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 10.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (68% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 30-point margin. 88.2% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 64.2%
D 34.2%

Winner: Republican by 30 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+10.9%
68% below US avg
High School+90.3%
Graduate Degree+6.1%
School Test Score4.99
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density459/sq mi
Total Area1.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access88.2%
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities102
Restaurants78
Retail Stores151

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.8 min
Drive Alone91.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.5%

Nearby Cities

Canadian Lakes, MI 2,701 pop · 4.5 mi Lake Isabella, MI 1,931 pop · 11.4 mi Lakeview, MI 1,049 pop · 12.2 mi Big Rapids, MI 7,847 pop · 13.8 mi Weidman, MI 1,217 pop · 13.9 mi Edmore, MI 1,417 pop · 17.5 mi Evart, MI 1,764 pop · 19.5 mi Howard City, MI 1,683 pop · 19.5 mi Reed City, MI 2,505 pop · 22.4 mi Mount Pleasant, MI 21,420 pop · 22.8 mi Farwell, MI 1,086 pop · 23.6 mi Stanton, MI 1,292 pop · 23.7 mi Clare, MI 3,341 pop · 27.4 mi White Cloud, MI 1,297 pop · 27.6 mi
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