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Rose City, MI

Michigan

Rose City is a small town in Michigan with a population of 588. Residents earn $26,406 per year, which is 65% below the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
588 Population 544/sq mi density
$26,406 Median Income $23,108 per capita
$67,900 Home Value $166,048 Zillow
$538 Median Rent 47.9% income on rent
44°F Avg Temperature 270 sunny days/yr
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
D
Economy
1.7 / 5.0
$26,406 median income, 7.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$67,900 home value, $538/mo rent
D
Education
1.6 / 5.0
7.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $26,406
65% lower than US avg
Home Value $67,900
76% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 7.8%
77% lower than US avg
Median Rent $538
54% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.7%
24% higher than US avg
Unemployment 7.3%
103% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 26.2%
111% higher than US avg

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

People

Population588
Median Age45.3 yrs
Density544/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 97%
Veterans7.5%

Economy

D
Median Income$26,406
Per Capita$23,108
Unemployment7.3%
Poverty26.2%
County GDP$788M
Commute28 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$67,900
Rent$538
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$166,048
Housing Units232
Rent Burden47.9%

Health

Obesity39.7%
Uninsured8.0%
Smoking19.7%
Depression30.9%
Heart Disease6.6%

Climate

Avg Temp44°F (7°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Rain33.4 in/yr
Sunny Days270/yr
Elevation951 ft (290 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+7.8%
High School+80.9%
Graduate+4.3%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 70% / D 28%
Commute28 min
Broadband78.1%
Libraries4

Is Rose City a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Rose City receives an overall livability score of 2.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Rose City has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Rose City is $26,406, 65% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 7.3% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 26.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Rose City is $67,900, 76% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $538 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

7.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 80.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Rose City has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F. Winters average 19°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 33.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Rose City has a population of 588 with a density of 544 people per square mile. The median age is 45.3 years, 16% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96.8%), with 1.7% Black.

Population

588
Total Population
544
People / sq mi
45.3yrs
Median Age
16% above US avg
1.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.4%
Female 54.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Rose City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.6%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.4%
75% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Rose City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Rose City is $26,406, which is 65% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 7.3% (above the 3.6% US average). 26.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Income: Rose City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$26,406
65% below US avg
Per Capita Income$23,108
Avg Weekly Wage$821
IRS Avg AGI$51,845

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment7.3%
103% above US avg
Poverty Rate26.2%
111% above US avg
Establishments (County)611
County GDP$788M

Business (County)

Restaurants60
Healthcare71
Retail107
Manufacturing28

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,674
5% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.41%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.5 min
Drive Alone93.5%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Rose City is $67,900, 76% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $538 (54% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $166,048.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$67,900
76% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$166,048

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$538
54% below US avg
Rent Burden47.9%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied57.2%
Housing Units232
Median Year Built1960

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,674
5% above US avg
Effective Rate5.41%
In Rose City, 39.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 8.0% of residents lack health insurance. 19.7% are current smokers. 30.9% report depression. 27.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Rose City vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.7%
24% above US avg
Diabetes10.8%
Heart Disease6.6%
High Blood Pressure34.0%
Asthma12.3%
COPD9.1%
Cancer7.7%
Stroke3.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking19.7%
41% above US avg
Binge Drinking18.0%
Physical Inactivity27.3%
Depression30.9%
Mental Distress21.5%
Physical Distress15.6%
Short Sleep39.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.7%
Uninsured8.0%
7% below US avg
Checkup Rate76.5%
Dental Visits62.0%
Premature Death11,752/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.4/10
Exercise Access45.8%
Healthcare Facilities71
Rose City has an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation is 33.4 inches. The area enjoys 270 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

19°F Jan (-8°C) 67°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average43.7°F
19% below US avg
January Average19°F (-8°C)
July Average67°F (20°C)
Sunny Days270 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall33.4 inches
12% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation951 ft (290 m)
Area1.1 sq mi (2.8 km²)
Population Density544/sq mi
Coordinates44.4211°N, 84.1154°W
TimezoneAmerica/Detroit
County FIPS26129
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 7.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (77% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 42-point margin. 78.1% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 70.4%
D 28.4%

Winner: Republican by 42 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+7.8%
77% below US avg
High School+80.9%
Graduate Degree+4.3%
School Test Score5.23
D Education Grade (1.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density544/sq mi
Total Area1.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access78.1%
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities71
Restaurants60
Retail Stores107

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.5 min
Drive Alone93.5%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

West Branch, MI 2,177 pop · 11.8 mi St. Helen, MI 2,841 pop · 15.3 mi Skidway Lake, MI 2,800 pop · 16.0 mi Mio, MI 1,504 pop · 16.7 mi Roscommon, MI 1,029 pop · 23.9 mi Prudenville, MI 1,286 pop · 28.4 mi Tawas City, MI 1,654 pop · 31.1 mi Standish, MI 1,616 pop · 31.5 mi Houghton Lake, MI 5,761 pop · 32.4 mi East Tawas, MI 2,686 pop · 32.5 mi Grayling, MI 1,638 pop · 33.6 mi Gladwin, MI 3,081 pop · 35.4 mi Au Sable, MI 1,780 pop · 38.3 mi Pinconning, MI 1,384 pop · 39.7 mi
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