Sanford, MI

Michigan · Metropolitan Area

Sanford is a small town in Michigan with a population of 743. Residents earn $69,667 per year, which is 7% below the national average.

4.4 /5.0
A Great
743 Population 585/sq mi density
$69,667 Median Income $40,561 per capita
$165,800 Home Value $210,037 Zillow
$859 Median Rent 40.0% income on rent
48°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.4 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$69,667 median income, 2.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$165,800 home value, $859/mo rent
A
Education
4.1 / 5.0
39.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $69,667
7% lower than US avg
Home Value $165,800
41% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 39.0%
16% higher than US avg
Median Rent $859
26% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 32.0%
0% lower than US avg
Unemployment 2.3%
36% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 8.0%
35% lower than US avg

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

People

Population743
Median Age43.5 yrs
Density585/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 96%
Veterans8.1%

Economy

A
Median Income$69,667
Per Capita$40,561
Unemployment2.3%
Poverty8.0%
County GDP$7,779M
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$165,800
Rent$859
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$210,037
Rent Burden40.0%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity32.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.5%
Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain33.4 in/yr
Elevation637 ft

Education

A
Bachelor's+39.0%
High School+96.7%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 57% / D 42%
Commute24 min
Broadband89.9%
EV Stations2
Libraries2

Is Sanford a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Sanford receives an overall livability score of 4.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, a highly educated population, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Sanford stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Sanford is $69,667, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.3%. 8.0% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Sanford is $165,800, 41% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $859 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 39.0% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 96.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Sanford experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 33.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Sanford has a population of 743 with a density of 585 people per square mile. The median age is 43.5 years, 12% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95.7%), with 1.1% Black.

Population

743
Total Population
585
People / sq mi
43.5yrs
Median Age
12% above US avg
1.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.1%
Female 47.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Sanford vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Sanford vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Sanford is $69,667, which is 7% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 8.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Sanford vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$69,667
7% below US avg
Per Capita Income$40,561
Avg Weekly Wage$1,385
IRS Avg AGI$86,531

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.3%
36% below US avg
Poverty Rate8.0%
35% below US avg
Establishments (County)3,932
County GDP$7,779M

Business (County)

Restaurants160
Healthcare361
Retail246
Manufacturing71

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,268
79% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.78%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.6 min
Drive Alone67.4%
Public Transit1.1%
Work from Home16.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Sanford is $165,800, 41% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $859 (26% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $210,037.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$165,800
41% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$210,037

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$127
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio96.6%
Price Drops0.0%

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$859
26% below US avg
Rent Burden40.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied80.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,268
79% above US avg
Effective Rate3.78%
In Sanford, 32.0% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 27.5% report depression. 20.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Sanford vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity32.0%
0% below US avg
Diabetes8.8%
Heart Disease5.6%
High Blood Pressure30.5%
Asthma11.2%
COPD6.6%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.9%
Physical Inactivity20.3%
Depression27.5%
Mental Distress18.2%
Physical Distress12.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.2%
Checkup Rate76.8%
Premature Death6,298/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.0/10
Exercise Access76.0%
Healthcare Facilities361

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Safety Score

Sanford 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 33.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average48.0°F
11% below US avg
January Average23°F (-5°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall33.4 inches
12% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation637 ft (194 m)
Area1.3 sq mi (3.3 km²)
Population Density585/sq mi
Coordinates43.6782°N, 84.3855°W
County FIPS26111
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 39.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (16% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 15.2-point margin. 89.9% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 56.8%
D 41.6%

Winner: Republican by 15.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+39.0%
16% above US avg
High School+96.7%
School Test Score5.23
A Education Grade (4.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density585/sq mi
Total Area1.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access89.9%
EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities361
Restaurants160
Retail Stores246

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.6 min
Drive Alone67.4%
Public Transit1.1%
Work from Home16.4%

Nearby Cities

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