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Sand Lake, MI

Michigan

Sand Lake is a small town in Michigan with a population of 480. Residents earn $32,083 per year, which is 57% below the national average.

2.5 /5.0
C+ Fair
480 Population 32/sq mi density
$32,083 Median Income $27,564 per capita
$152,800 Home Value $294,118 Zillow
$561 Median Rent 37.5% income on rent
43°F Avg Temperature 258 sunny days/yr
193 Violent Crime/100K 4,046 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.5 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.5 / 5.0
$32,083 median income, 1.8% unemployment
B+
Affordability
4.0 / 5.0
$152,800 home value, $561/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
193 violent crimes/100K (49% below avg)
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
8.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $32,083
57% lower than US avg
Home Value $152,800
46% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 193/100K
49% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 8.7%
74% lower than US avg
Median Rent $561
52% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.7%
11% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.8%
50% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.3%
33% lower than US avg

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

People

Population480
Median Age43.8 yrs
Density32/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 87%
Veterans16.9%

Economy

B+
Median Income$32,083
Per Capita$27,564
Unemployment1.8%
Poverty8.3%
County GDP$1,265M
Commute28 min

Housing

B+
Home Value$152,800
Rent$561
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$294,118
Housing Units1,619
Rent Burden37.5%

Crime

F
Violent193/100K
Property4,046/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary578/100K

Health

Obesity35.7%
Uninsured7.3%
Smoking16.2%
Depression30.0%
Heart Disease6.9%

Climate

Avg Temp43°F (6°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Sunny Days258/yr
Elevation795 ft (242 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+8.7%
High School+84.1%
Graduate+6.9%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 65% / D 34%
Commute28 min
Broadband87.0%
Libraries5

Is Sand Lake a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Sand Lake receives an overall livability score of 2.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes. Sand Lake has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Sand Lake is $32,083, 57% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.8%. 8.3% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Sand Lake is $152,800, 46% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $561 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.8x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Sand Lake is below the national average at 193 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,046 per 100,000, 106% above the national average.

Education

8.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 84.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Sand Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F. Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. With 258 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Sand Lake has a population of 480 with a density of 32 people per square mile. The median age is 43.8 years, 13% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (87.3%), with 3.1% Hispanic.

Population

480
Total Population
32
People / sq mi
43.8yrs
Median Age
13% above US avg
15.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50%
Female 50%

Race & Ethnicity

Sand Lake vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.0%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.0%
93% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Sand Lake vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Sand Lake is $32,083, which is 57% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 8.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Income: Sand Lake vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$32,083
57% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,564
Avg Weekly Wage$1,141
IRS Avg AGI$54,163

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.8%
50% below US avg
Poverty Rate8.3%
33% below US avg
Establishments (County)621
County GDP$1,265M

Business (County)

Restaurants74
Healthcare75
Retail114
Manufacturing34

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,214
20% above US avg
Cost of Living96.20 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate2.76%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.0 min
Drive Alone77.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home5.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Sand Lake is $152,800, 46% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $561 (52% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $294,118.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$152,800
46% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$294,118

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$215
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio102.5%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory1

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$561
52% below US avg
Rent Burden37.5%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied52.5%
Housing Units1,619
Median Year Built1968

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,214
20% above US avg
Effective Rate2.76%
In Sand Lake, 35.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.3% of residents lack health insurance. 16.2% are current smokers. 30.0% report depression. 22.8% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.7%
11% above US avg
Diabetes9.7%
Heart Disease6.9%
High Blood Pressure31.1%
Asthma11.9%
COPD9.1%
Cancer7.8%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking16.2%
16% above US avg
Binge Drinking18.8%
Physical Inactivity22.8%
Depression30.0%
Mental Distress19.6%
Physical Distress15.5%
Short Sleep34.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.0%
Uninsured7.3%
15% below US avg
Primary Care1:3,171
Dentists1:1,595
Mental Health1:461
Checkup Rate77.2%
Dental Visits62.5%
Premature Death12,006/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.0/10
Exercise Access81.7%
Healthcare Facilities75
Sand Lake has a violent crime rate of 193 per 100,000 residents, 49% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,046 per 100,000 (106% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent192.7/100K
49% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape192.7/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault0.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,046.2/100K
106% above US avg
Burglary578.0/100K
Theft3,275.5/100K
Vehicle Theft192.7/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Sand Lake has an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. The area enjoys 258 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

18°F Jan (-8°C) 67°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average43.4°F
20% below US avg
January Average18°F (-8°C)
July Average67°F (20°C)
Sunny Days258 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation795 ft (242 m)
Area15.0 sq mi (38.7 km²)
Population Density32/sq mi
Coordinates44.3290°N, 83.6657°W
TimezoneAmerica/Detroit
County FIPS26069
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 8.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (74% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 30.6-point margin. 87.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 64.6%
D 34%

Winner: Republican by 30.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+8.7%
74% below US avg
High School+84.1%
Graduate Degree+6.9%
School Test Score5.23
D Education Grade (1.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density32/sq mi
Total Area15.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access87.0%
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities75
Restaurants74
Retail Stores114

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.0 min
Drive Alone77.9%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home5.6%

Nearby Cities

Tawas City, MI 1,654 pop · 8.2 mi East Tawas, MI 2,686 pop · 9.4 mi Au Sable, MI 1,780 pop · 17.1 mi Skidway Lake, MI 2,800 pop · 21.0 mi Standish, MI 1,616 pop · 28.4 mi West Branch, MI 2,177 pop · 28.5 mi Mio, MI 1,504 pop · 33.0 mi Pinconning, MI 1,384 pop · 35.8 mi St. Helen, MI 2,841 pop · 36.9 mi Pigeon, MI 1,093 pop · 39.7 mi Sebewaing, MI 1,921 pop · 42.6 mi Roscommon, MI 1,029 pop · 46.9 mi Gladwin, MI 3,081 pop · 47.2 mi Bad Axe, MI 3,010 pop · 49.1 mi
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