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Vandalia, MI

Michigan

Vandalia is a small town in Michigan with a population of 369. Residents earn $65,000 per year, which is 14% below the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
369 Population 373/sq mi density
$65,000 Median Income $24,466 per capita
$64,200 Home Value $326,028 Zillow
$1,168 Median Rent 22.5% income on rent
49°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$65,000 median income, 5.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$64,200 home value, $1,168/mo rent
D
Education
1.5 / 5.0
6.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $65,000
14% lower than US avg
Home Value $64,200
77% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 6.5%
81% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,168
0% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.3%
13% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.0%
39% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.9%
44% lower than US avg

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

People

Population369
Median Age27.2 yrs
Density373/mi²
Male / Female58% / 42%
Largest GroupWhite 65%
Veterans1.3%

Economy

B+
Median Income$65,000
Per Capita$24,466
Unemployment5.0%
Poverty6.9%
County GDP$2,875M
Commute29 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$64,200
Rent$1,168
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$326,028
Housing Units140
Rent Burden22.5%

Health

Obesity36.3%
Uninsured7.2%
Smoking14.7%
Depression25.3%
Heart Disease5.3%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F (9°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Rain39.7 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation863 ft (263 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+6.5%
High School+78.4%
Graduate+1.9%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 66% / D 32%
Commute29 min
Broadband72.1%
Libraries8

Is Vandalia a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Vandalia receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Vandalia offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Vandalia is $65,000, 14% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.0% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 6.9% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Vandalia is $64,200, 77% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,168 per month. At just 1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

6.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 78.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Vandalia experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 39.7 inches, including 41.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Vandalia has a population of 369 with a density of 373 people per square mile. The median age is 27.2 years, 30% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (65%), with 15.7% Black.

Population

369
Total Population
373
People / sq mi
27.2yrs
Median Age
30% below US avg
1.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 57.7%
Female 42.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Vandalia vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only86.2%
10% above US avg
Spanish13.8%
3% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Vandalia vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Vandalia is $65,000, which is 14% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.0% (above the 3.6% US average). 6.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Income: Vandalia vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$65,000
14% below US avg
Per Capita Income$24,466
Avg Weekly Wage$1,030
IRS Avg AGI$63,770

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.0%
39% above US avg
Poverty Rate6.9%
44% below US avg
Establishments (County)2,282
County GDP$2,875M

Business (County)

Restaurants106
Healthcare134
Retail192
Manufacturing120

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,168
48% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate8.05%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.7 min
Drive Alone76.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Vandalia is $64,200, 77% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,168 (0% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $326,028.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$64,200
77% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$326,028

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$385
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio95.5%
Price Drops0.0%

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,168
0% below US avg
Rent Burden22.5%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied69.7%
Housing Units140
Median Year Built1949

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,168
48% above US avg
Effective Rate8.05%
In Vandalia, 36.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.2% of residents lack health insurance. 14.7% are current smokers. 25.3% report depression. 24.8% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.3%
13% above US avg
Diabetes11.0%
Heart Disease5.3%
High Blood Pressure33.7%
Asthma12.0%
COPD6.4%
Cancer6.5%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking14.7%
5% above US avg
Binge Drinking16.2%
Physical Inactivity24.8%
Depression25.3%
Mental Distress18.4%
Physical Distress12.9%
Short Sleep39.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate99.0%
Uninsured7.2%
16% below US avg
Checkup Rate78.7%
Dental Visits63.3%
Premature Death10,116/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.6/10
Exercise Access61.7%
Healthcare Facilities134
Vandalia has an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation is 39.7 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-5°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average48.5°F
10% below US avg
January Average24°F (-5°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall39.7 inches
4% above US avg
Snowfall41.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation863 ft (263 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.6 km²)
Population Density373/sq mi
Coordinates41.9228°N, 85.9156°W
TimezoneAmerica/Detroit
County FIPS26149
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 6.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (81% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 34-point margin. 72.1% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 66.2%
D 32.3%

Winner: Republican by 34 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+6.5%
81% below US avg
High School+78.4%
Graduate Degree+1.9%
School Test Score5.23
D Education Grade (1.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density373/sq mi
Total Area1.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access72.1%
Public Libraries8
Healthcare Facilities134
Restaurants106
Retail Stores192

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)12

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.7 min
Drive Alone76.8%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Cassopolis, MI 1,763 pop · 4.8 mi Marcellus, MI 1,113 pop · 8.8 mi Dowagiac, MI 5,677 pop · 11.0 mi Simonton Lake, IN 4,113 pop · 12.0 mi Edwardsburg, MI 1,244 pop · 12.3 mi Decatur, MI 1,814 pop · 13.1 mi Constantine, MI 2,196 pop · 14.2 mi Three Rivers, MI 7,936 pop · 14.8 mi Bristol, IN 1,903 pop · 14.9 mi Elkhart, IN 53,726 pop · 16.2 mi White Pigeon, MI 1,637 pop · 16.2 mi Granger, IN 30,279 pop · 17.0 mi Lawton, MI 2,056 pop · 17.3 mi Niles, MI 11,838 pop · 18.2 mi
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