Choose Country

Otter Lake, MI

Michigan · Metropolitan Area

Otter Lake is a small town in Michigan with a population of 387. Residents earn $43,750 per year, which is 42% below the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
387 Population 509/sq mi density
$43,750 Median Income $30,488 per capita
$107,700 Home Value $221,171 Zillow
$900 Median Rent 18.4% income on rent
48°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$43,750 median income, 3.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$107,700 home value, $900/mo rent
D
Education
1.8 / 5.0
9.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $43,750
42% lower than US avg
Home Value $107,700
62% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 9.4%
72% lower than US avg
Median Rent $900
23% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.3%
10% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.8%
6% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.6%
31% lower than US avg

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

People

Population387
Median Age53.8 yrs
Density509/mi²
Male / Female47% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 97%
Veterans11.8%

Economy

B
Median Income$43,750
Per Capita$30,488
Unemployment3.8%
Poverty8.6%
County GDP$3,258M
Commute37 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$107,700
Rent$900
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$221,171
Housing Units299
Rent Burden18.4%

Health

Obesity35.3%
Uninsured8.1%
Smoking17.0%
Depression28.5%
Heart Disease6.0%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F (9°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Rain36.1 in/yr
Sunny Days260/yr
Elevation866 ft (264 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+9.4%
High School+91.0%
Graduate+5.5%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 69% / D 29%
Commute37 min
Broadband61.2%
Libraries13

Is Otter Lake a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Otter Lake receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, long commute times. Otter Lake offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Otter Lake is $43,750, 42% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.8%, indicating a healthy job market. 8.6% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 37 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Otter Lake is $107,700, 62% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $900 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

9.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 91.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Otter Lake experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. With 260 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 36.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Otter Lake has a population of 387 with a density of 509 people per square mile. The median age is 53.8 years, 38% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (97.4%).

Population

387
Total Population
509
People / sq mi
53.8yrs
Median Age
38% above US avg
0.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.5%
Female 53.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Otter Lake vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.6%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.4%
90% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Otter Lake vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Otter Lake is $43,750, which is 42% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 8.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 37 minutes.

Income: Otter Lake vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$43,750
42% below US avg
Per Capita Income$30,488
Avg Weekly Wage$996
IRS Avg AGI$68,575

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.8%
6% above US avg
Poverty Rate8.6%
31% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,724
County GDP$3,258M

Business (County)

Restaurants141
Healthcare207
Retail244
Manufacturing124

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,567
30% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.24%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time36.9 min
Drive Alone80.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home8.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Otter Lake is $107,700, 62% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $900 (23% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $221,171.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$107,700
62% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$221,171

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$900
23% below US avg
Rent Burden18.4%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$807
1 Bedroom$891
2 Bedrooms$1,113
3 Bedrooms$1,419
4 Bedrooms$1,588

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied91.0%
Housing Units299
Median Year Built1938

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,567
30% above US avg
Effective Rate4.24%
In Otter Lake, 35.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 8.1% of residents lack health insurance. 17.0% are current smokers. 28.5% report depression. 24.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Otter Lake vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.3%
10% above US avg
Diabetes9.5%
Heart Disease6.0%
High Blood Pressure31.1%
Asthma12.0%
COPD7.6%
Cancer7.6%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking17.0%
21% above US avg
Binge Drinking18.6%
Physical Inactivity24.7%
Depression28.5%
Mental Distress20.2%
Physical Distress14.1%
Short Sleep36.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.3%
Uninsured8.1%
6% below US avg
Checkup Rate76.3%
Dental Visits66.3%
Premature Death8,510/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.3/10
Exercise Access74.2%
Healthcare Facilities207
Otter Lake has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 36.1 inches. The area enjoys 260 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average48.2°F
11% below US avg
January Average23°F (-5°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall36.1 inches
5% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation866 ft (264 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (2.0 km²)
Population Density509/sq mi
Coordinates43.2134°N, 83.4593°W
TimezoneAmerica/Detroit
County FIPS26087
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 9.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (72% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 39.8-point margin. 61.2% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 69.3%
D 29.5%

Winner: Republican by 39.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+9.4%
72% below US avg
High School+91.0%
Graduate Degree+5.5%
School Test Score5.23
D Education Grade (1.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density509/sq mi
Total Area0.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access61.2%
Public Libraries13
Healthcare Facilities207
Restaurants141
Retail Stores244

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)9

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute36.9 min
Drive Alone80.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home8.0%

Nearby Cities

Millington, MI 1,151 pop · 5.2 mi Fostoria, MI 1,081 pop · 5.6 mi Vassar, MI 2,704 pop · 12.4 mi Davison, MI 5,082 pop · 12.9 mi Lapeer, MI 9,053 pop · 13.4 mi North Branch, MI 1,199 pop · 13.5 mi Mount Morris, MI 3,130 pop · 13.8 mi Clio, MI 2,165 pop · 14.1 mi Beecher, MI 8,507 pop · 15.0 mi Frankenmuth, MI 5,108 pop · 16.3 mi Burton, MI 29,529 pop · 16.7 mi Birch Run, MI 1,236 pop · 16.9 mi Flint, MI 80,835 pop · 17.6 mi Caro, MI 4,284 pop · 19.3 mi
Compare Otter Lake with another city: