Otsego, MI

Michigan · Metropolitan Area

Otsego is a small town in Michigan with a population of 4,079. Residents earn $76,944 per year, which is 2% above the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
4,079 Population 2,009/sq mi density
$76,944 Median Income $30,347 per capita
$155,500 Home Value $261,187 Zillow
$1,133 Median Rent 26.0% income on rent
49°F Avg Temperature
101 Violent Crime/100K 1,235 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$76,944 median income, 4.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$155,500 home value, $1,133/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
101 violent crimes/100K (73% below avg)
C
Education
2.0 / 5.0
13.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $76,944
2% higher than US avg
Home Value $155,500
45% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 101/100K
73% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 13.1%
61% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,133
3% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.4%
10% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.0%
11% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.5%
88% lower than US avg

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

People

Population4,079
Median Age39.3 yrs
Density2,009/mi²
Male / Female44% / 56%
Largest GroupWhite 77%

Economy

A
Median Income$76,944
Per Capita$30,347
Unemployment4.0%
Poverty1.5%
County GDP$20,706M
Commute19 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$155,500
Rent$1,133
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$261,187
Rent Burden26.0%

Crime

F
Violent101/100K
Property1,235/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary328/100K

Health

Obesity35.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression28.0%
Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain41.1 in/yr

Education

C
Bachelor's+13.1%
High School+86.5%
School Score5.82

Community

2024 VoteR 40% / D 58%
Commute19 min
EV Stations1
Libraries14

Is Otsego a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Otsego receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Otsego offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Otsego is $76,944, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.0%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 1.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Otsego is $155,500, 45% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,133 per month. At just 2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Otsego is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 101 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,235 per 100,000, 37% below the national average.

Education

13.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 86.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Otsego experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 41.1 inches, including 109.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Otsego has a population of 4,079 with a density of 2,009 people per square mile. The median age is 39.3 years, 1% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (77%).

Population

4,079
Total Population
2,009
People / sq mi
39.3yrs
Median Age
1% above US avg
2.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 44.4%
Female 55.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Otsego vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only86.7%
10% above US avg
Spanish13.3%
1% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Otsego vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Otsego is $76,944, which is 2% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.0% (above the 3.6% US average). 1.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 19 minutes.

Income: Otsego vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$76,944
2% above US avg
Per Capita Income$30,347
Avg Weekly Wage$1,264
IRS Avg AGI$82,017

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.0%
11% above US avg
Poverty Rate1.5%
88% below US avg
Establishments (County)5,972
County GDP$20,706M

Business (County)

Restaurants579
Healthcare749
Retail848
Manufacturing295

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$7,471
113% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.80%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.4 min
Work from Home3.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Otsego is $155,500, 45% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,133 (3% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $261,187.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$155,500
45% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$261,187
Median List Price$265,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$265,000
$/Sq Ft$155
Homes Sold4
Sale-to-List Ratio96.8%
Price Drops42.9%
Inventory7

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,133
3% below US avg
Rent Burden26.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$852
1 Bedroom$858
2 Bedrooms$1,100
3 Bedrooms$1,445
4 Bedrooms$1,560

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied72.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$7,471
113% above US avg
Effective Rate4.80%
In Otsego, 35.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 28.0% report depression. 24.2% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.4%
10% above US avg
Diabetes9.4%
Heart Disease5.6%
High Blood Pressure30.1%
Asthma11.6%
COPD7.3%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking20.2%
Physical Inactivity24.2%
Depression28.0%
Mental Distress19.5%
Physical Distress13.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.5%
Checkup Rate76.8%
Premature Death7,811/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.7/10
Exercise Access91.7%
Healthcare Facilities749
Otsego has a violent crime rate of 101 per 100,000 residents, 73% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,235 per 100,000 (37% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent100.8/100K
73% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape75.6/100K
Robbery25.2/100K
Assault0.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,235.2/100K
37% below US avg
Burglary327.7/100K
Theft907.5/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)31

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Otsego has an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 41.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average48.6°F
10% below US avg
January Average25°F (-4°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall41.1 inches
8% above US avg
Snowfall109.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Area2.0 sq mi (5.3 km²)
Population Density2,009/sq mi
Coordinates42.4580°N, 85.6986°W
County FIPS26077
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 13.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (61% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 17.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 40.3%
D 58%

Winner: Democrat by 17.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+13.1%
61% below US avg
High School+86.5%
School Test Score5.82
C Education Grade (2.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density2,009/sq mi
Total Area2.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries14
Healthcare Facilities749
Restaurants579
Retail Stores848

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)31
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.4 min
Work from Home3.1%

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