Paw Paw Lake, MI

Michigan

Paw Paw Lake is a small town in Michigan with a population of 3,794. Residents earn $65,360 per year, which is 13% below the national average.

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
3,794 Population 740/sq mi density
$65,360 Median Income $34,809 per capita
$191,100 Home Value
$1,151 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$65,360 median income, 3.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$191,100 home value, $1,151/mo rent
B
Education
3.3 / 5.0
28.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $65,360
13% lower than US avg
Home Value $191,100
32% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 28.4%
16% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,151
1% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.9%
24% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.1%
14% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 20.5%
65% higher than US avg

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

People

Population3,794
Median Age40.2 yrs
Density740/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 88%

Economy

B
Median Income$65,360
Per Capita$34,809
Unemployment3.1%
Poverty20.5%
County GDP$3,313M
Commute32 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$191,100
Rent$1,151
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity39.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression29.6%
Heart Disease7.0%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain38.2 in/yr

Education

B
Bachelor's+28.4%
High School+90.9%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 57% / D 42%
Commute32 min
Libraries11

Is Paw Paw Lake a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Paw Paw Lake receives an overall livability score of 3.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, high obesity rates. Paw Paw Lake offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Paw Paw Lake is $65,360, 13% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.1%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 20.5% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Paw Paw Lake is $191,100, 32% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,151 per month. At just 2.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

28.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Paw Paw Lake experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 38.2 inches, including 77.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Paw Paw Lake has a population of 3,794 with a density of 740 people per square mile. The median age is 40.2 years, 3% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (87.5%), with 1.8% Black.

Population

3,794
Total Population
740
People / sq mi
40.2yrs
Median Age
3% above US avg
5.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.7%
Female 51.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Paw Paw Lake vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.2%
26% above US avg
Spanish0.8%
94% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Paw Paw Lake vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Paw Paw Lake is $65,360, which is 13% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.1% (below the 3.6% US average). 20.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Income: Paw Paw Lake vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$65,360
13% below US avg
Per Capita Income$34,809
Avg Weekly Wage$986
IRS Avg AGI$64,208

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.1%
14% below US avg
Poverty Rate20.5%
65% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,643
County GDP$3,313M

Business (County)

Restaurants164
Healthcare123
Retail254
Manufacturing94

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,255
79% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.27%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time31.6 min
Work from Home6.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Paw Paw Lake is $191,100, 32% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,151 (1% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$191,100
32% below US avg
Median List Price$272,497

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$272,497
$/Sq Ft$196
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio101.0%
Price Drops33.3%
Inventory15

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,151
1% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied73.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,255
79% above US avg
Effective Rate3.27%
In Paw Paw Lake, 39.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 29.6% report depression. 28.4% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.9%
24% above US avg
Diabetes11.3%
Heart Disease7.0%
High Blood Pressure34.5%
Asthma12.3%
COPD9.4%
Stroke3.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.6%
Physical Inactivity28.4%
Depression29.6%
Mental Distress20.8%
Physical Distress15.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate99.8%
Checkup Rate75.6%
Premature Death9,267/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.0/10
Exercise Access59.9%
Healthcare Facilities123

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10

Safety Score

Paw Paw Lake has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-3°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average50.1°F
7% below US avg
January Average26°F (-3°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.2 inches
0% below US avg
Snowfall77.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Area5.1 sq mi (13.3 km²)
Population Density740/sq mi
Coordinates42.2114°N, 86.2756°W
County FIPS26159
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 28.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (16% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 15.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 56.9%
D 41.7%

Winner: Republican by 15.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+28.4%
16% below US avg
High School+90.9%
School Test Score5.23
B Education Grade (3.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density740/sq mi
Total Area5.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries11
Healthcare Facilities123
Restaurants164
Retail Stores254

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute31.6 min
Work from Home6.6%

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