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St. James, MI

Michigan

St. James is a small town in Michigan with a population of 259. Residents earn $82,708 per year, which is 10% above the national average.

4.0 /5.0
A Great
259 Population 251/sq mi density
$82,708 Median Income $36,030 per capita
$275,000 Home Value
$925 Median Rent 26.3% income on rent
45°F Avg Temperature 258 sunny days/yr
A
Overall
4.0 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.1 / 5.0
$82,708 median income, 10.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$275,000 home value, $925/mo rent
A
Education
4.2 / 5.0
40.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $82,708
10% higher than US avg
Home Value $275,000
2% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 40.4%
20% higher than US avg
Median Rent $925
20% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 34.0%
6% higher than US avg
Unemployment 10.8%
200% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 11.7%
6% lower than US avg

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

People

Population259
Median Age54.8 yrs
Density251/mi²
Male / Female40% / 60%
Largest GroupWhite 94%
Veterans8.6%

Economy

B
Median Income$82,708
Per Capita$36,030
Unemployment10.8%
Poverty11.7%
County GDP$1,721M
Commute10 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$275,000
Rent$925
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units252
Rent Burden26.3%

Health

Obesity34.0%
Uninsured4.6%
Smoking11.7%
Depression27.1%
Heart Disease5.1%

Climate

Avg Temp45°F (7°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Sunny Days258/yr
Elevation622 ft (190 m)

Education

A
Bachelor's+40.4%
High School+97.8%
Graduate+13.7%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 58% / D 41%
Commute10 min
Broadband99.0%
Libraries7

Is St. James a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, St. James receives an overall livability score of 4.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include a highly educated population, abundant sunshine, strong internet connectivity. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment. St. James stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in St. James is $82,708, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. At 10.8%, unemployment is notably high. 11.7% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 10 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in St. James is $275,000, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $925 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.3x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 40.4% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 97.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

St. James has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F. Winters average 21°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.

St. James has a population of 259 with a density of 251 people per square mile. The median age is 54.8 years, 41% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (93.8%), with 4.6% Hispanic.

Population

259
Total Population
251
People / sq mi
54.8yrs
Median Age
41% above US avg
1.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 39.8%
Female 60.2%

Race & Ethnicity

St. James vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

St. James vs U.S. Average

The median household income in St. James is $82,708, which is 10% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 10.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 11.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 10 minutes.

Income: St. James vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$82,708
10% above US avg
Per Capita Income$36,030
Avg Weekly Wage$1,114
IRS Avg AGI$88,616

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment10.8%
200% above US avg
Poverty Rate11.7%
6% below US avg
Establishments (County)900
County GDP$1,721M

Business (County)

Restaurants95
Healthcare75
Retail137
Manufacturing50

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$10,370
196% above US avg
Cost of Living96.20 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate3.77%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time10.2 min
Drive Alone81.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home17.1%

Walkability

The median home value in St. James is $275,000, 2% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $925 (20% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$275,000
2% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$925
20% below US avg
Rent Burden26.3%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied89.0%
Housing Units252
Median Year Built1963

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$10,370
196% above US avg
Effective Rate3.77%
In St. James, 34.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 4.6% of residents lack health insurance. 11.7% are current smokers. 27.1% report depression. 17.5% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: St. James vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity34.0%
6% above US avg
Diabetes8.1%
Heart Disease5.1%
High Blood Pressure29.0%
Asthma11.6%
COPD5.6%
Cancer8.1%
Stroke2.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking11.7%
16% below US avg
Binge Drinking19.7%
Physical Inactivity17.5%
Depression27.1%
Mental Distress17.2%
Physical Distress11.3%
Short Sleep34.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate81.4%
Uninsured4.6%
47% below US avg
Checkup Rate78.3%
Dental Visits75.1%
Premature Death7,719/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.5/10
Exercise Access78.4%
Healthcare Facilities75
St. James has an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 21°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

21°F Jan (-6°C) 67°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average44.5°F
18% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average67°F (20°C)
Sunny Days258 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation622 ft (190 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.7 km²)
Population Density251/sq mi
Coordinates45.7427°N, 85.5301°W
TimezoneAmerica/Detroit
County FIPS26029
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 40.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (20% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 16.9-point margin. 99.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 57.7%
D 40.8%

Winner: Republican by 16.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+40.4%
20% above US avg
High School+97.8%
Graduate Degree+13.7%
School Test Score5.23
A Education Grade (4.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density251/sq mi
Total Area1.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access99.0%
Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities75
Restaurants95
Retail Stores137

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute10.2 min
Drive Alone81.4%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home17.1%

Nearby Cities

Charlevoix, MI 2,420 pop · 32.5 mi Harbor Springs, MI 1,015 pop · 33.8 mi Petoskey, MI 5,851 pop · 36.2 mi Manistique, MI 2,844 pop · 37.8 mi St. Ignace, MI 2,409 pop · 39.7 mi Newberry, MI 1,453 pop · 42.2 mi Boyne City, MI 3,829 pop · 44.4 mi East Jordan, MI 1,776 pop · 45.2 mi Indian River, MI 2,210 pop · 48.9 mi Cheboygan, MI 4,801 pop · 51.7 mi Elk Rapids, MI 1,558 pop · 58.7 mi Mancelona, MI 1,496 pop · 62.4 mi Kincheloe, MI 2,875 pop · 63.0 mi Rapid City, MI 1,315 pop · 63.6 mi
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