Rapid River, MI

Michigan

Rapid River is a small town in Michigan with a population of 230. Residents earn $39,375 per year, which is 48% below the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
230 Population 183/sq mi density
$39,375 Median Income $26,803 per capita
$105,600 Home Value $201,613 Zillow
$323 Median Rent 32.6% income on rent
42°F Avg Temperature 270 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$39,375 median income, 1.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$105,600 home value, $323/mo rent
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $39,375
48% lower than US avg
Home Value $105,600
63% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.2%
67% lower than US avg
Median Rent $323
72% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.2%
22% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.7%
53% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.1%
67% lower than US avg

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

People

Population230
Median Age41.4 yrs
Density183/mi²
Male / Female55% / 45%
Largest GroupWhite 82%
Veterans25.3%

Economy

B+
Median Income$39,375
Per Capita$26,803
Unemployment1.7%
Poverty4.1%
County GDP$1,635M
Commute28 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$105,600
Rent$323
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$201,613
Housing Units143
Rent Burden32.6%

Health

Obesity39.2%
Uninsured6.7%
Smoking16.4%
Depression31.4%
Heart Disease5.7%

Climate

Avg Temp42°F (6°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Rain31.3 in/yr
Sunny Days270/yr
Elevation593 ft (181 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.2%
High School+96.5%
Graduate+4.3%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 65% / D 34%
Commute28 min
Broadband82.2%
Libraries2

Is Rapid River a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Rapid River receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Rapid River offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Rapid River is $39,375, 48% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.7%. Only 4.1% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Rapid River is $105,600, 63% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $323 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.7x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

11.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 96.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Rapid River has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F. Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. With 270 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 31.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Rapid River has a population of 230 with a density of 183 people per square mile. The median age is 41.4 years, 6% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (82.2%), with 2.2% Hispanic.

Population

230
Total Population
183
People / sq mi
41.4yrs
Median Age
6% above US avg
1.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 54.8%
Female 45.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Rapid River vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.7%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.3%
90% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Rapid River vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Rapid River is $39,375, which is 48% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 4.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Income: Rapid River vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$39,375
48% below US avg
Per Capita Income$26,803
Avg Weekly Wage$923
IRS Avg AGI$60,757

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.7%
53% below US avg
Poverty Rate4.1%
67% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,044
County GDP$1,635M

Business (County)

Restaurants94
Healthcare91
Retail157
Manufacturing69

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,676
34% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.43%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.0 min
Drive Alone57.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Rapid River is $105,600, 63% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $323 (72% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $201,613.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$105,600
63% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$201,613

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$323
72% below US avg
Rent Burden32.6%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied83.2%
Housing Units143
Median Year Built1962

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,676
34% above US avg
Effective Rate4.43%
In Rapid River, 39.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 6.7% of residents lack health insurance. 16.4% are current smokers. 31.4% report depression. 23.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Rapid River vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.2%
22% above US avg
Diabetes9.4%
Heart Disease5.7%
High Blood Pressure30.5%
Asthma12.2%
COPD7.5%
Cancer7.8%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking16.4%
17% above US avg
Binge Drinking17.9%
Physical Inactivity23.4%
Depression31.4%
Mental Distress20.6%
Physical Distress13.7%
Short Sleep31.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.5%
Uninsured6.7%
22% below US avg
Checkup Rate77.1%
Dental Visits69.4%
Premature Death8,625/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.4/10
Exercise Access76.8%
Healthcare Facilities91
Rapid River has an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation is 31.3 inches. The area enjoys 270 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

16°F Jan (-9°C) 67°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average42.0°F
22% below US avg
January Average16°F (-9°C)
July Average67°F (19°C)
Sunny Days270 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall31.3 inches
18% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation593 ft (181 m)
Area1.3 sq mi (3.3 km²)
Population Density183/sq mi
Coordinates45.9264°N, 86.9743°W
TimezoneAmerica/Detroit
County FIPS26041
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+. 11.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (67% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 30.4-point margin. 82.2% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 64.5%
D 34.1%

Winner: Republican by 30.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+11.2%
67% below US avg
High School+96.5%
Graduate Degree+4.3%
School Test Score5.23
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 5Nonmetro — Urban 20K+
Population Density183/sq mi
Total Area1.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access82.2%
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities91
Restaurants94
Retail Stores157

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.0 min
Drive Alone57.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Gladstone, MI 5,240 pop · 5.8 mi Escanaba, MI 12,374 pop · 13.5 mi Gwinn, MI 1,268 pop · 33.4 mi K. I. Sawyer, MI 2,791 pop · 33.6 mi Manistique, MI 2,844 pop · 34.8 mi Munising, MI 1,907 pop · 38.8 mi Harvey, MI 3,080 pop · 42.6 mi Norway, MI 2,835 pop · 46.1 mi Marquette, MI 20,691 pop · 47.6 mi Trowbridge Park, MI 2,271 pop · 48.9 mi Negaunee, MI 4,641 pop · 49.2 mi Quinnesec, MI 1,150 pop · 49.9 mi Ishpeming, MI 6,173 pop · 50.4 mi Niagara, WI 1,386 pop · 50.6 mi
Compare Rapid River with another city: