Saugatuck, MI

Michigan

Saugatuck is a small town in Michigan with a population of 751. Residents earn $118,309 per year, which is 57% above the national average.

4.4 /5.0
A Great
751 Population 540/sq mi density
$118,309 Median Income $88,246 per capita
$619,400 Home Value $610,368 Zillow
$505 Median Rent 26.1% income on rent
49°F Avg Temperature 260 sunny days/yr
A
Overall
4.4 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.5 / 5.0
$118,309 median income, 1.4% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.7 / 5.0
$619,400 home value, $505/mo rent
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
75.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $118,309
57% higher than US avg
Home Value $619,400
120% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 75.5%
124% higher than US avg
Median Rent $505
57% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 30.4%
5% lower than US avg
Unemployment 1.4%
61% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 15.0%
21% higher than US avg

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

People

Population751
Median Age55.6 yrs
Density540/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 98%
Veterans2.8%

Economy

A+
Median Income$118,309
Per Capita$88,246
Unemployment1.4%
Poverty15.0%
County GDP$6,699M
Commute57 min

Housing

B+
Home Value$619,400
Rent$505
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$610,368
Housing Units924
Rent Burden26.1%

Health

Obesity30.4%
Uninsured4.4%
Smoking8.3%
Depression25.2%
Heart Disease4.2%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F (10°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Rain34.8 in/yr
Sunny Days260/yr
Elevation585 ft (178 m)

Education

A+
Bachelor's+75.5%
High School+96.5%
Graduate+24.9%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 63% / D 36%
Commute57 min
Broadband91.2%
EV Stations7
Libraries11

Is Saugatuck a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Saugatuck receives an overall livability score of 4.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, a highly educated population, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, long commute times. Saugatuck stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Saugatuck is $118,309, which is significantly higher than the national average — 57% above $75,149. This places Saugatuck among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.4%. The poverty rate of 15.0% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 57 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Saugatuck is $619,400, making it a premium housing market at 120% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $505 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. The price-to-income ratio of 5.2x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Education

Saugatuck is a highly educated community — 75.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above 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

Saugatuck experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. With 260 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 34.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Saugatuck has a population of 751 with a density of 540 people per square mile. The median age is 55.6 years, 43% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (98%), with 2% Hispanic.

Population

751
Total Population
540
People / sq mi
55.6yrs
Median Age
43% above US avg
1.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.1%
Female 47.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Saugatuck vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.4%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.6%
88% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Saugatuck vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Saugatuck is $118,309, which is 57% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 15.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 57 minutes.

Income: Saugatuck vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$118,309
57% above US avg
Per Capita Income$88,246
Avg Weekly Wage$1,158
IRS Avg AGI$77,443

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.4%
61% below US avg
Poverty Rate15.0%
21% above US avg
Establishments (County)2,678
County GDP$6,699M

Business (County)

Restaurants218
Healthcare200
Retail338
Manufacturing226

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,953
99% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.12%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time56.6 min
Drive Alone52.6%
Public Transit1.7%
Work from Home30.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Saugatuck is $619,400, 120% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $505 (57% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $610,368.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$619,400
120% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$610,368

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$505
57% below US avg
Rent Burden26.1%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied82.2%
Housing Units924
Median Year Built1982

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,953
99% above US avg
Effective Rate1.12%
In Saugatuck, 30.4% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 4.4% of residents lack health insurance. 8.3% are current smokers. 25.2% report depression. 15.6% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity30.4%
5% below US avg
Diabetes7.0%
Heart Disease4.2%
High Blood Pressure25.7%
Asthma10.4%
COPD4.1%
Cancer8.1%
Stroke2.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking8.3%
41% below US avg
Binge Drinking20.8%
Physical Inactivity15.6%
Depression25.2%
Mental Distress14.9%
Physical Distress9.4%
Short Sleep28.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.8%
Uninsured4.4%
49% below US avg
Checkup Rate78.9%
Dental Visits78.1%
Premature Death6,999/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access58.4%
Healthcare Facilities200
Saugatuck has an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 34.8 inches. The area enjoys 260 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-3°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average49.3°F
9% below US avg
January Average26°F (-3°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall34.8 inches
9% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation585 ft (178 m)
Area1.4 sq mi (3.6 km²)
Population Density540/sq mi
Coordinates42.6614°N, 86.2046°W
TimezoneAmerica/Detroit
County FIPS26005
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 75.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (124% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 27.2-point margin. 91.2% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 62.9%
D 35.7%

Winner: Republican by 27.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+75.5%
124% above US avg
High School+96.5%
Graduate Degree+24.9%
School Test Score5.23
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density540/sq mi
Total Area1.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access91.2%
EV Charging Stations7
Alt Fuel Stations9
Public Libraries11
Healthcare Facilities200
Restaurants218
Retail Stores338

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)22

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute56.6 min
Drive Alone52.6%
Public Transit1.7%
Work from Home30.6%

Nearby Cities

Douglas, MI 1,295 pop · 1.6 mi Fennville, MI 1,880 pop · 6.8 mi Holland, MI 34,266 pop · 9.1 mi Beechwood, MI 2,736 pop · 10.4 mi Zeeland, MI 5,691 pop · 14.3 mi South Haven, MI 3,994 pop · 18.3 mi Allegan, MI 5,182 pop · 20.7 mi Hudsonville, MI 7,711 pop · 22.3 mi Bangor, MI 2,113 pop · 24.6 mi Dorr, MI 3,952 pop · 25.2 mi Jenison, MI 17,334 pop · 25.3 mi Allendale, MI 25,741 pop · 25.8 mi Byron Center, MI 6,817 pop · 26.3 mi Grand Haven, MI 10,966 pop · 27.2 mi
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