Tawas City, MI

Michigan

Tawas City is a small town in Michigan with a population of 1,654. Residents earn $46,797 per year, which is 38% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
1,654 Population 973/sq mi density
$46,797 Median Income $28,533 per capita
$124,000 Home Value $194,982 Zillow
$810 Median Rent
46°F Avg Temperature
154 Violent Crime/100K 2,245 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$46,797 median income, 5.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$124,000 home value, $810/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
154 violent crimes/100K (59% below avg)
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
19.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $46,797
38% lower than US avg
Home Value $124,000
56% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 154/100K
59% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 19.7%
42% lower than US avg
Median Rent $810
30% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.9%
18% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.3%
47% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.3%
65% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,654
Median Age48.0 yrs
Density973/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 89%

Economy

B
Median Income$46,797
Per Capita$28,533
Unemployment5.3%
Poverty4.3%
County GDP$1,265M
Commute17 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$124,000
Rent$810
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$194,982

Crime

F
Violent154/100K
Property2,245/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault110/100K
Burglary264/100K

Health

Obesity37.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression29.8%
Heart Disease6.2%

Climate

Avg Temp46°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain32.3 in/yr
Elevation587 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+19.7%
High School+89.9%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 65% / D 34%
Commute17 min
EV Stations4
Libraries5

Is Tawas City a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Tawas City receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, below-average incomes. Tawas City offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Tawas City is $46,797, 38% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.3% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 4.3% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Tawas City is $124,000, 56% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $810 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.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Tawas City is below the national average at 154 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 2,245 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

19.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Tawas City experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 46°F. Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 32.3 inches, including 49.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Tawas City has a population of 1,654 with a density of 973 people per square mile. The median age is 48.0 years, 23% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (88.9%), with 3.4% Hispanic, 1.6% Black.

Population

1,654
Total Population
973
People / sq mi
48.0yrs
Median Age
23% above US avg
1.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.1%
Female 53.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Tawas City vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.4%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.6%
81% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Tawas City vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Tawas City is $46,797, which is 38% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.3% (above the 3.6% US average). 4.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes.

Income: Tawas City vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$46,797
38% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,533
Avg Weekly Wage$1,141
IRS Avg AGI$54,163

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.3%
47% above US avg
Poverty Rate4.3%
65% 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
Effective Tax Rate3.40%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time16.7 min
Work from Home6.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Tawas City is $124,000, 56% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $810 (30% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $194,982.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$124,000
56% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$194,982

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$810
30% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied77.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,214
20% above US avg
Effective Rate3.40%
In Tawas City, 37.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 29.8% report depression. 26.1% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.9%
18% above US avg
Diabetes10.1%
Heart Disease6.2%
High Blood Pressure33.4%
Asthma12.0%
COPD8.3%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.8%
Physical Inactivity26.1%
Depression29.8%
Mental Distress20.5%
Physical Distress14.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.8%
Checkup Rate77.2%
Premature Death12,006/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.0/10
Exercise Access81.7%
Healthcare Facilities75
Tawas City has a violent crime rate of 154 per 100,000 residents, 59% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,245 per 100,000 (15% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent154.1/100K
59% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape44.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault110.1/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,245.2/100K
15% above US avg
Burglary264.1/100K
Theft1,959.1/100K
Vehicle Theft22.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Tawas City has an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation is 32.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-6°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average45.6°F
16% below US avg
January Average22°F (-6°C)
July Average69°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall32.3 inches
15% below US avg
Snowfall49.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation587 ft (179 m)
Area1.7 sq mi (4.4 km²)
Population Density973/sq mi
Coordinates44.2672°N, 83.5230°W
County FIPS26069
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 19.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (42% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 30.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 64.6%
D 34%

Winner: Republican by 30.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+19.7%
42% below US avg
High School+89.9%
School Test Score5.23
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density973/sq mi
Total Area1.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations4
Alt Fuel Stations4
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities75
Restaurants74
Retail Stores114

Safety & Disasters

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

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute16.7 min
Work from Home6.5%

Nearby Cities

Compare Tawas City with another city: