Wayland, MI

Michigan · Metropolitan Area

Wayland is a small town in Michigan with a population of 4,430. Residents earn $71,797 per year, which is 4% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
4,430 Population 1,497/sq mi density
$71,797 Median Income $35,170 per capita
$201,200 Home Value $328,791 Zillow
$1,085 Median Rent
47°F Avg Temperature
368 Violent Crime/100K 1,374 property/100K
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$71,797 median income, 2.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$201,200 home value, $1,085/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
368 violent crimes/100K (3% below avg)
B
Education
3.0 / 5.0
25.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $71,797
4% lower than US avg
Home Value $201,200
29% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 368/100K
3% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 25.6%
24% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,085
7% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.4%
13% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.0%
44% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 10.3%
17% lower than US avg

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

People

Population4,430
Median Age34.2 yrs
Density1,497/mi²
Male / Female50% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 88%

Economy

A
Median Income$71,797
Per Capita$35,170
Unemployment2.0%
Poverty10.3%
County GDP$2,346M
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$201,200
Rent$1,085
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$328,791

Crime

F
Violent368/100K
Property1,374/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault196/100K
Burglary221/100K

Health

Obesity36.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression28.5%
Heart Disease5.9%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F
AQI38 (Good)
Elevation773 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+25.6%
High School+95.0%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 66% / D 32%
Commute24 min
EV Stations8
Libraries7

Is Wayland a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Wayland receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Wayland offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Wayland is $71,797, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.0%. 10.3% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Wayland is $201,200, 29% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,085 per month. At just 2.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Wayland is below the national average at 368 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,374 per 100,000, 30% below the national average.

Education

25.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 95.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Wayland experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Wayland has a population of 4,430 with a density of 1,497 people per square mile. The median age is 34.2 years, 12% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (87.9%), with 2.4% Hispanic, 3% Black.

Population

4,430
Total Population
1,497
People / sq mi
34.2yrs
Median Age
12% below US avg
3.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.5%
Female 50.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Wayland vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.5%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.5%
81% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Wayland vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Wayland is $71,797, which is 4% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 10.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Wayland vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$71,797
4% below US avg
Per Capita Income$35,170
Avg Weekly Wage$966
IRS Avg AGI$75,726

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.0%
44% below US avg
Poverty Rate10.3%
17% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,064
County GDP$2,346M

Business (County)

Restaurants76
Healthcare91
Retail128
Manufacturing60

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,128
75% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.05%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.6 min
Work from Home6.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Wayland is $201,200, 29% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,085 (7% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $328,791.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$201,200
29% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$328,791
Median List Price$181,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$181,000
$/Sq Ft$170
Homes Sold4
Sale-to-List Ratio98.8%
Price Drops66.7%
Inventory3

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,085
7% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,488

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied69.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,128
75% above US avg
Effective Rate3.05%
In Wayland, 36.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 28.5% report depression. 25.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.4%
13% above US avg
Diabetes10.0%
Heart Disease5.9%
High Blood Pressure31.0%
Asthma11.8%
COPD8.0%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.6%
Physical Inactivity25.7%
Depression28.5%
Mental Distress19.9%
Physical Distress14.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate90.2%
Checkup Rate76.9%
Premature Death6,873/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.8/10
Exercise Access58.1%
Healthcare Facilities91
Wayland has a violent crime rate of 368 per 100,000 residents, 3% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,374 per 100,000 (30% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent367.9/100K
3% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape171.7/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault196.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,373.6/100K
30% below US avg
Burglary220.8/100K
Theft1,079.2/100K
Vehicle Theft73.6/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)11

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Wayland has an average annual temperature of 47°F (9°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average47.4°F
12% below US avg
January Average23°F (-5°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation773 ft (236 m)
Area3.0 sq mi (7.7 km²)
Population Density1,497/sq mi
Coordinates42.6731°N, 85.6417°W
County FIPS26015
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 25.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (24% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 34.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 66.4%
D 32.1%

Winner: Republican by 34.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+25.6%
24% below US avg
High School+95.0%
School Test Score5.23
B Education Grade (3.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density1,497/sq mi
Total Area3.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations8
Alt Fuel Stations9
Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities91
Restaurants76
Retail Stores128

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)11
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.6 min
Work from Home6.5%

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