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Tower, MI

Michigan

Tower is a small town in Michigan with a population of 271. Residents earn $42,167 per year, which is 44% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
271 Population 502/sq mi density
$42,167 Median Income $20,647 per capita
$91,500 Home Value
$917 Median Rent 26.9% income on rent
45°F Avg Temperature 270 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.1 / 5.0
$42,167 median income, 5.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$91,500 home value, $917/mo rent
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $42,167
44% lower than US avg
Home Value $91,500
68% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.4%
66% lower than US avg
Median Rent $917
21% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.7%
33% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.1%
42% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 11.1%
10% lower than US avg

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

People

Population271
Median Age55.3 yrs
Density502/mi²
Male / Female60% / 40%
Largest GroupWhite 88%
Veterans13.2%

Economy

B
Median Income$42,167
Per Capita$20,647
Unemployment5.1%
Poverty11.1%
County GDP$912M
Commute26 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$91,500
Rent$917
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units195
Rent Burden26.9%

Health

Obesity42.7%
Uninsured8.4%
Smoking20.4%
Depression32.3%
Heart Disease6.7%

Climate

Avg Temp45°F (7°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Rain32.0 in/yr
Sunny Days270/yr
Elevation748 ft (228 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.4%
High School+83.2%
Graduate+0.0%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 65% / D 34%
Commute26 min
Broadband98.0%
Libraries4

Is Tower a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Tower receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, strong internet connectivity. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Tower offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Tower is $42,167, 44% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.1% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. 11.1% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Tower is $91,500, 68% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $917 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

11.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 83.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Tower has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F. Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. With 270 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 32.0 inches, including 86.9 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Tower has a population of 271 with a density of 502 people per square mile. The median age is 55.3 years, 42% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (87.8%), with 4.8% Hispanic.

Population

271
Total Population
502
People / sq mi
55.3yrs
Median Age
42% above US avg
0.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 60.1%
Female 39.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Tower vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Tower vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Tower is $42,167, which is 44% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 11.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: Tower vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$42,167
44% below US avg
Per Capita Income$20,647
Avg Weekly Wage$921
IRS Avg AGI$62,647

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.1%
42% above US avg
Poverty Rate11.1%
10% below US avg
Establishments (County)825
County GDP$912M

Business (County)

Restaurants130
Healthcare62
Retail128
Manufacturing31

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,886
68% above US avg
Cost of Living96.20 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate6.43%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.5 min
Drive Alone100.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Tower is $91,500, 68% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $917 (21% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$91,500
68% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$917
21% below US avg
Rent Burden26.9%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied63.3%
Housing Units195
Median Year Built1969

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,886
68% above US avg
Effective Rate6.43%
In Tower, 42.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 8.4% of residents lack health insurance. 20.4% are current smokers. 32.3% report depression. 27.8% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.7%
33% above US avg
Diabetes11.1%
Heart Disease6.7%
High Blood Pressure33.7%
Asthma13.4%
COPD9.8%
Cancer7.7%
Stroke3.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking20.4%
46% above US avg
Binge Drinking16.7%
Physical Inactivity27.8%
Depression32.3%
Mental Distress22.5%
Physical Distress16.3%
Short Sleep35.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.0%
Uninsured8.4%
2% below US avg
Primary Care1:1,839
Dentists1:2,594
Mental Health1:704
Checkup Rate77.8%
Dental Visits63.9%
Premature Death10,234/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.4/10
Exercise Access65.7%
Healthcare Facilities62
Tower has an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation is 32.0 inches. The area enjoys 270 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

19°F Jan (-7°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average44.5°F
18% below US avg
January Average19°F (-7°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days270 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall32.0 inches
16% below US avg
Snowfall86.9 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation748 ft (228 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.4 km²)
Population Density502/sq mi
Coordinates45.3518°N, 84.2937°W
TimezoneAmerica/Detroit
County FIPS26031
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 11.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (66% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 31.1-point margin. 98.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 64.9%
D 33.8%

Winner: Republican by 31.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+11.4%
66% below US avg
High School+83.2%
Graduate Degree+0.0%
School Test Score5.23
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density502/sq mi
Total Area0.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access98.0%
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities62
Restaurants130
Retail Stores128

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.5 min
Drive Alone100.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Indian River, MI 2,210 pop · 16.8 mi Cheboygan, MI 4,801 pop · 21.8 mi Rogers City, MI 2,873 pop · 24.2 mi Gaylord, MI 4,307 pop · 29.6 mi Harbor Springs, MI 1,015 pop · 34.2 mi Petoskey, MI 5,851 pop · 34.8 mi Boyne City, MI 3,829 pop · 36.2 mi Lakes of the North, MI 1,076 pop · 41.0 mi St. Ignace, MI 2,409 pop · 42.6 mi East Jordan, MI 1,776 pop · 43.0 mi Alpena, MI 10,178 pop · 45.6 mi Charlevoix, MI 2,420 pop · 46.8 mi Mio, MI 1,504 pop · 48.2 mi Mancelona, MI 1,496 pop · 48.6 mi
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