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Vanderbilt, MI

Michigan

Vanderbilt is a small town in Michigan with a population of 398. Residents earn $56,188 per year, which is 25% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
398 Population 365/sq mi density
$56,188 Median Income $37,363 per capita
$106,500 Home Value $189,692 Zillow
$921 Median Rent 28.3% income on rent
42°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
3.8 / 5.0
$56,188 median income, 1.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$106,500 home value, $921/mo rent
F
Education
1.2 / 5.0
3.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $56,188
25% lower than US avg
Home Value $106,500
62% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 3.1%
91% lower than US avg
Median Rent $921
21% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.2%
25% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.4%
61% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 11.0%
11% lower than US avg

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

People

Population398
Median Age39.6 yrs
Density365/mi²
Male / Female57% / 43%
Largest GroupWhite 95%
Veterans10.2%

Economy

B+
Median Income$56,188
Per Capita$37,363
Unemployment1.4%
Poverty11.0%
County GDP$1,498M
Commute17 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$106,500
Rent$921
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$189,692
Housing Units229
Rent Burden28.3%

Health

Obesity40.2%
Uninsured7.9%
Smoking18.9%
Depression30.1%
Heart Disease6.4%

Climate

Avg Temp42°F (5°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Rain36.9 in/yr
Sunny Days270/yr
Elevation1,101 ft (336 m)

Education

F
Bachelor's+3.1%
High School+79.8%
Graduate+7.4%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 67% / D 32%
Commute17 min
Broadband82.6%
Libraries3

Is Vanderbilt a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Vanderbilt is $56,188, 25% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.4%. 11.0% of residents live in poverty, near the national average 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 Vanderbilt is $106,500, 62% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $921 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

3.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 79.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Vanderbilt has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F. Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. With 270 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 36.9 inches, including 140.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Vanderbilt has a population of 398 with a density of 365 people per square mile. The median age is 39.6 years, 2% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95.2%), with 2.3% Hispanic.

Population

398
Total Population
365
People / sq mi
39.6yrs
Median Age
2% above US avg
1.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 57.3%
Female 42.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Vanderbilt vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.8%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.2%
91% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Vanderbilt vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Vanderbilt is $56,188, which is 25% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 11.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes.

Income: Vanderbilt vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$56,188
25% below US avg
Per Capita Income$37,363
Avg Weekly Wage$1,022
IRS Avg AGI$63,187

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.4%
61% below US avg
Poverty Rate11.0%
11% below US avg
Establishments (County)811
County GDP$1,498M

Business (County)

Restaurants72
Healthcare99
Retail147
Manufacturing28

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,149
19% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.90%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time16.7 min
Drive Alone70.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home12.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Vanderbilt is $106,500, 62% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $921 (21% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $189,692.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$106,500
62% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$189,692

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$921
21% below US avg
Rent Burden28.3%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied66.7%
Housing Units229
Median Year Built1971

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,149
19% above US avg
Effective Rate3.90%
In Vanderbilt, 40.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 7.9% of residents lack health insurance. 18.9% are current smokers. 30.1% report depression. 27.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.2%
25% above US avg
Diabetes10.8%
Heart Disease6.4%
High Blood Pressure33.8%
Asthma12.1%
COPD8.9%
Cancer7.7%
Stroke3.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking18.9%
35% above US avg
Binge Drinking18.7%
Physical Inactivity27.7%
Depression30.1%
Mental Distress21.1%
Physical Distress15.2%
Short Sleep35.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate89.9%
Uninsured7.9%
8% below US avg
Checkup Rate77.3%
Dental Visits65.6%
Premature Death9,434/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.1/10
Exercise Access80.0%
Healthcare Facilities99
Vanderbilt has an average annual temperature of 42°F (5°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. Annual precipitation is 36.9 inches. The area enjoys 270 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

16°F Jan (-9°C) 66°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average41.5°F
23% below US avg
January Average16°F (-9°C)
July Average66°F (19°C)
Sunny Days270 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall36.9 inches
3% below US avg
Snowfall140.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,101 ft (336 m)
Area1.1 sq mi (2.8 km²)
Population Density365/sq mi
Coordinates45.1436°N, 84.6639°W
TimezoneAmerica/Detroit
County FIPS26137
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 3.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (91% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 35.3-point margin. 82.6% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 67%
D 31.6%

Winner: Republican by 35.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+3.1%
91% below US avg
High School+79.8%
Graduate Degree+7.4%
School Test Score5.23
F Education Grade (1.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density365/sq mi
Total Area1.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access82.6%
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities99
Restaurants72
Retail Stores147

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)5

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute16.7 min
Drive Alone70.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home12.0%

Nearby Cities

Gaylord, MI 4,307 pop · 8.5 mi Boyne City, MI 3,829 pop · 17.6 mi Lakes of the North, MI 1,076 pop · 18.3 mi Indian River, MI 2,210 pop · 19.9 mi East Jordan, MI 1,776 pop · 22.7 mi Petoskey, MI 5,851 pop · 22.8 mi Harbor Springs, MI 1,015 pop · 25.5 mi Mancelona, MI 1,496 pop · 25.6 mi Charlevoix, MI 2,420 pop · 31.1 mi Grayling, MI 1,638 pop · 33.6 mi Cheboygan, MI 4,801 pop · 35.7 mi Rapid City, MI 1,315 pop · 37.2 mi Kalkaska, MI 2,370 pop · 38.2 mi Elk Rapids, MI 1,558 pop · 40.0 mi
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