Ontonagon, MI

Michigan

Ontonagon is a small town in Michigan with a population of 1,266. Residents earn $46,806 per year, which is 38% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
1,266 Population 344/sq mi density
$46,806 Median Income $32,139 per capita
$92,100 Home Value $129,205 Zillow
$557 Median Rent
43°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$46,806 median income, 2.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$92,100 home value, $557/mo rent
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
15.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $46,806
38% lower than US avg
Home Value $92,100
67% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 15.2%
55% lower than US avg
Median Rent $557
52% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.9%
18% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.8%
22% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.6%
63% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,266
Median Age62.5 yrs
Density344/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 91%

Economy

B+
Median Income$46,806
Per Capita$32,139
Unemployment2.8%
Poverty4.6%
County GDP$169M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$92,100
Rent$557
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$129,205

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity37.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression30.6%
Heart Disease6.4%

Climate

Avg Temp43°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain32.9 in/yr
Elevation642 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.2%
High School+93.7%
School Score5.00

Community

2024 VoteR 65% / D 34%
Commute20 min
EV Stations1
Libraries4

Is Ontonagon a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Ontonagon receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Ontonagon offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Ontonagon is $46,806, 38% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.8%. Only 4.6% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Ontonagon is $92,100, 67% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $557 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

15.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5/10.

Climate & Weather

Ontonagon has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F. Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 32.9 inches, including 177.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Ontonagon has a population of 1,266 with a density of 344 people per square mile. The median age is 62.5 years, 61% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (91.2%), with 1.3% Hispanic, 3.7% Black.

Population

1,266
Total Population
344
People / sq mi
62.5yrs
Median Age
61% above US avg
3.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.4%
Female 50.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Ontonagon vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.7%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.3%
83% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Ontonagon vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Ontonagon is $46,806, which is 38% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 4.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Ontonagon vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$46,806
38% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,139
Avg Weekly Wage$685
IRS Avg AGI$54,170

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.8%
22% below US avg
Poverty Rate4.6%
63% below US avg
Establishments (County)191
County GDP$169M

Business (County)

Restaurants29
Healthcare14
Retail28
Manufacturing4

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,840
10% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.17%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.5 min
Work from Home16.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Ontonagon is $92,100, 67% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $557 (52% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $129,205.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$92,100
67% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$129,205

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$557
52% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$689
1 Bedroom$888
2 Bedrooms$973
3 Bedrooms$1,242
4 Bedrooms$1,632

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied71.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,840
10% above US avg
Effective Rate4.17%
In Ontonagon, 37.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 30.6% report depression. 26.2% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.9%
18% above US avg
Diabetes10.5%
Heart Disease6.4%
High Blood Pressure33.5%
Asthma12.4%
COPD8.8%
Stroke3.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.5%
Physical Inactivity26.2%
Depression30.6%
Mental Distress21.3%
Physical Distress15.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.3%
Checkup Rate76.9%
Premature Death13,371/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.3/10
Exercise Access61.0%
Healthcare Facilities14

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Ontonagon has an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation is 32.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-8°C) 67°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average43.3°F
20% below US avg
January Average17°F (-8°C)
July Average67°F (20°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall32.9 inches
13% below US avg
Snowfall177.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation642 ft (196 m)
Area3.7 sq mi (9.5 km²)
Population Density344/sq mi
Coordinates46.8663°N, 89.3124°W
County FIPS26131
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 15.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (55% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 30.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 64.5%
D 34.2%

Winner: Republican by 30.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+15.2%
55% below US avg
High School+93.7%
School Test Score5.00
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density344/sq mi
Total Area3.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities14
Restaurants29
Retail Stores28

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.5 min
Work from Home16.3%

Nearby Cities

Compare Ontonagon with another city: