Wakefield, MI

Michigan

Wakefield is a small town in Michigan with a population of 1,789. Residents earn $48,413 per year, which is 36% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
1,789 Population 227/sq mi density
$48,413 Median Income $28,602 per capita
$71,400 Home Value $97,182 Zillow
$662 Median Rent
40°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$48,413 median income, 1.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$71,400 home value, $662/mo rent
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
15.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $48,413
36% lower than US avg
Home Value $71,400
75% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 15.2%
55% lower than US avg
Median Rent $662
43% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.3%
16% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.4%
61% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 17.4%
40% higher than US avg

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

People

Population1,789
Median Age45.0 yrs
Density227/mi²
Male / Female56% / 44%
Largest GroupWhite 95%

Economy

B
Median Income$48,413
Per Capita$28,602
Unemployment1.4%
Poverty17.4%
County GDP$649M
Commute23 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$71,400
Rent$662
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$97,182

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity37.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression29.9%
Heart Disease6.4%

Climate

Avg Temp40°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain32.3 in/yr
Elevation1,527 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.2%
High School+97.9%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 58% / D 41%
Commute23 min
Libraries4

Is Wakefield a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Wakefield receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Wakefield offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Wakefield is $48,413, 36% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.4%. The poverty rate of 17.4% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Wakefield is $71,400, 75% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $662 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

15.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 97.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Wakefield has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 40°F. Winters average 10°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 32.3 inches, including 75.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Wakefield has a population of 1,789 with a density of 227 people per square mile. The median age is 45.0 years, 16% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.7%), with 3.3% Hispanic.

Population

1,789
Total Population
227
People / sq mi
45.0yrs
Median Age
16% above US avg
7.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 55.8%
Female 44.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Wakefield vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.4%
20% above US avg
Spanish5.6%
58% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Wakefield vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Wakefield is $48,413, which is 36% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 17.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Wakefield vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$48,413
36% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,602
Avg Weekly Wage$930
IRS Avg AGI$55,716

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.4%
61% below US avg
Poverty Rate17.4%
40% above US avg
Establishments (County)420
County GDP$649M

Business (County)

Restaurants51
Healthcare28
Retail67
Manufacturing22

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,093
46% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate7.13%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.1 min
Work from Home3.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Wakefield is $71,400, 75% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $662 (43% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $97,182.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$71,400
75% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$97,182

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$662
43% 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-Occupied82.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,093
46% above US avg
Effective Rate7.13%
In Wakefield, 37.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 29.9% report depression. 25.6% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.3%
16% above US avg
Diabetes10.4%
Heart Disease6.4%
High Blood Pressure33.5%
Asthma12.0%
COPD8.4%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.8%
Physical Inactivity25.6%
Depression29.9%
Mental Distress20.9%
Physical Distress14.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.7%
Checkup Rate77.6%
Premature Death9,301/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.5/10
Exercise Access77.1%
Healthcare Facilities28

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Safety Score

Wakefield has an average annual temperature of 40°F (4°C). Winters average 10°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. Annual precipitation is 32.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

10°F Jan (-12°C) 66°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average39.9°F
26% below US avg
January Average10°F (-12°C)
July Average66°F (19°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall32.3 inches
15% below US avg
Snowfall75.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,527 ft (465 m)
Area7.9 sq mi (20.4 km²)
Population Density227/sq mi
Coordinates46.4769°N, 89.9334°W
County FIPS26053
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 15.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (55% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 17.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 57.9%
D 40.8%

Winner: Republican by 17.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+15.2%
55% below US avg
High School+97.9%
School Test Score5.23
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density227/sq mi
Total Area7.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities28
Restaurants51
Retail Stores67

Safety & Disasters

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.1 min
Work from Home3.1%

Nearby Cities

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