Michigan City, IN

Indiana · Metropolitan Area

Michigan City is a mid-size city in Indiana with a population of 31,894. Residents earn $52,979 per year, which is 30% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
31,894 Population 1,546/sq mi density
$52,979 Median Income $29,518 per capita
$129,000 Home Value $181,615 Zillow
$915 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
317 Violent Crime/100K 4,386 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$52,979 median income, 3.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$129,000 home value, $915/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
317 violent crimes/100K (16% below avg)
C+
Education
2.5 / 5.0
18.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $52,979
30% lower than US avg
Home Value $129,000
54% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 317/100K
16% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 18.8%
44% lower than US avg
Median Rent $915
21% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.9%
27% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.9%
8% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 15.2%
23% higher than US avg

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

People

Population31,894
Median Age37.8 yrs
Density1,546/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 64%

Economy

B
Median Income$52,979
Per Capita$29,518
Unemployment3.9%
Poverty15.2%
County GDP$9,718M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$129,000
Rent$915
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$181,615

Crime

F
Violent317/100K
Property4,386/100K
Murder9.5/100K
Assault108/100K
Burglary530/100K

Health

Obesity40.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.9%
Heart Disease6.7%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain42.6 in/yr
Elevation646 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+18.8%
High School+89.3%
School Score6.01

Community

2024 VoteR 53% / D 45%
Commute22 min
EV Stations10
Libraries14

Is Michigan City a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Michigan City receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Michigan City offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Michigan City is $52,979, 30% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.9%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 15.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Michigan City is $129,000, 54% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $915 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 Michigan City is below the national average at 317 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,386 per 100,000, 124% above the national average.

Education

18.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 6/10.

Climate & Weather

Michigan City experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 42.6 inches, including 65.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Michigan City has a population of 31,894 with a density of 1,546 people per square mile. The median age is 37.8 years, 3% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (63.5%), with 1.8% Hispanic, 25.4% Black.

Population

31,894
Total Population
1,546
People / sq mi
37.8yrs
Median Age
3% below US avg
20.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.2%
Female 48.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Michigan City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.2%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.8%
72% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Michigan City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Michigan City is $52,979, which is 30% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.9% (above the 3.6% US average). 15.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Michigan City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$52,979
30% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,518
Avg Weekly Wage$1,096
IRS Avg AGI$80,573

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.9%
8% above US avg
Poverty Rate15.2%
23% above US avg
Establishments (County)4,096
County GDP$9,718M

Business (County)

Restaurants391
Healthcare432
Retail544
Manufacturing268

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$7,061
102% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.47%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.0 min
Work from Home8.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Michigan City is $129,000, 54% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $915 (21% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $181,615.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$129,000
54% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$181,615
Median List Price$220,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$220,000
$/Sq Ft$159
Homes Sold12
Sale-to-List Ratio95.8%
Price Drops27.9%
Inventory79

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$915
21% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,196

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$816
1 Bedroom$882
2 Bedrooms$1,096
3 Bedrooms$1,391
4 Bedrooms$1,590

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied58.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$7,061
102% above US avg
Effective Rate5.47%
In Michigan City, 40.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.9% report depression. 31.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.9%
27% above US avg
Diabetes15.1%
Heart Disease6.7%
High Blood Pressure41.1%
Asthma11.7%
COPD8.9%
Stroke3.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.1%
Physical Inactivity31.1%
Depression24.9%
Mental Distress20.2%
Physical Distress15.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.5%
Checkup Rate78.4%
Premature Death9,398/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access79.6%
Healthcare Facilities432
Michigan City has a violent crime rate of 317 per 100,000 residents, 16% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,386 per 100,000 (124% above US avg). The murder rate is 9.5 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent317.4/100K
16% below US avg
Murder9.5/100K
51% above US avg
Rape19.0/100K
Robbery180.9/100K
Assault107.9/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,386.2/100K
124% above US avg
Burglary530.0/100K
Theft3,637.2/100K
Vehicle Theft219.0/100K
Arson19.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Michigan City has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 42.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-4°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average50.0°F
7% below US avg
January Average24°F (-4°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall42.6 inches
12% above US avg
Snowfall65.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation646 ft (197 m)
Area20.6 sq mi (53.4 km²)
Population Density1,546/sq mi
Coordinates41.7088°N, 86.8669°W
County FIPS26021
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 18.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (44% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 7.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 53.2%
D 45.4%

Winner: Republican by 7.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+18.8%
44% below US avg
High School+89.3%
School Test Score6.01
C+ Education Grade (2.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density1,546/sq mi
Total Area20.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations10
Alt Fuel Stations13
Public Libraries14
Healthcare Facilities432
Restaurants391
Retail Stores544

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.0 min
Work from Home8.0%

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