Wellston, MI

Michigan

Wellston is a small town in Michigan with a population of 425. Residents earn $48,125 per year, which is 36% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
425 Population 438/sq mi density
$48,125 Median Income $16,433 per capita
$109,800 Home Value $161,535 Zillow
$642 Median Rent 45.0% income on rent
44°F Avg Temperature 270 sunny days/yr
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.0 / 5.0
$48,125 median income, 7.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$109,800 home value, $642/mo rent
F
Education
1.2 / 5.0
2.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $48,125
36% lower than US avg
Home Value $109,800
61% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 2.5%
93% lower than US avg
Median Rent $642
45% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.9%
21% higher than US avg
Unemployment 7.0%
94% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 9.2%
26% lower than US avg

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

People

Population425
Median Age34.4 yrs
Density438/mi²
Male / Female55% / 45%
Largest GroupWhite 92%
Veterans3.7%

Economy

B
Median Income$48,125
Per Capita$16,433
Unemployment7.0%
Poverty9.2%
County GDP$1,744M
Commute16 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$109,800
Rent$642
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$161,535
Housing Units212
Rent Burden45.0%

Health

Obesity38.9%
Uninsured9.2%
Smoking20.5%
Depression30.3%
Heart Disease6.6%

Climate

Avg Temp44°F (7°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Rain38.1 in/yr
Sunny Days270/yr
Elevation771 ft (235 m)

Education

F
Bachelor's+2.5%
High School+67.6%
Graduate+3.6%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 67% / D 32%
Commute16 min
Broadband82.1%
EV Stations1
Libraries4

Is Wellston a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Wellston receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Wellston offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Wellston is $48,125, 36% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 7.0% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. 9.2% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Wellston is $109,800, 61% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $642 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

2.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 67.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Wellston has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F. Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. With 270 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 38.1 inches, including 119.6 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Wellston has a population of 425 with a density of 438 people per square mile. The median age is 34.4 years, 12% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92%), with 1.6% Hispanic, 5.4% Black.

Population

425
Total Population
438
People / sq mi
34.4yrs
Median Age
12% below US avg
1.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 55.3%
Female 44.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Wellston vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.7%
26% above US avg
Spanish1.3%
90% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Wellston vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Wellston is $48,125, which is 36% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 7.0% (above the 3.6% US average). 9.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 16 minutes.

Income: Wellston vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$48,125
36% below US avg
Per Capita Income$16,433
Avg Weekly Wage$1,007
IRS Avg AGI$55,837

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment7.0%
94% above US avg
Poverty Rate9.2%
26% below US avg
Establishments (County)895
County GDP$1,744M

Business (County)

Restaurants90
Healthcare112
Retail176
Manufacturing50

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,662
33% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.25%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time16.3 min
Drive Alone83.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home17.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Wellston is $109,800, 61% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $642 (45% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $161,535.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$109,800
61% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$161,535

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$642
45% below US avg
Rent Burden45.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied86.3%
Housing Units212
Median Year Built1958

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,662
33% above US avg
Effective Rate4.25%
In Wellston, 38.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 9.2% of residents lack health insurance. 20.5% are current smokers. 30.3% report depression. 30.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.9%
21% above US avg
Diabetes11.0%
Heart Disease6.6%
High Blood Pressure33.8%
Asthma12.2%
COPD9.8%
Cancer7.7%
Stroke3.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking20.5%
46% above US avg
Binge Drinking18.6%
Physical Inactivity30.0%
Depression30.3%
Mental Distress21.4%
Physical Distress16.1%
Short Sleep31.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.5%
Uninsured9.2%
7% above US avg
Checkup Rate76.2%
Dental Visits70.2%
Premature Death10,389/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access81.8%
Healthcare Facilities112
Wellston has an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.1 inches. The area enjoys 270 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-7°C) 67°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average44.2°F
18% below US avg
January Average20°F (-7°C)
July Average67°F (20°C)
Sunny Days270 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.1 inches
0% below US avg
Snowfall119.6 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation771 ft (235 m)
Area1.0 sq mi (2.5 km²)
Population Density438/sq mi
Coordinates44.2227°N, 85.9681°W
TimezoneAmerica/Detroit
County FIPS26165
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 2.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (93% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 34.6-point margin. 82.1% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 66.6%
D 32%

Winner: Republican by 34.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+2.5%
93% below US avg
High School+67.6%
Graduate Degree+3.6%
School Test Score5.23
F Education Grade (1.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density438/sq mi
Total Area1.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access82.1%
EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities112
Restaurants90
Retail Stores176

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute16.3 min
Drive Alone83.0%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home17.0%

Nearby Cities

Manistee, MI 6,275 pop · 17.9 mi Baldwin, MI 1,161 pop · 23.1 mi Scottville, MI 1,359 pop · 24.3 mi Cadillac, MI 10,404 pop · 27.5 mi Ludington, MI 7,664 pop · 29.9 mi Manton, MI 1,347 pop · 30.9 mi Frankfort, MI 1,158 pop · 31.4 mi Reed City, MI 2,505 pop · 33.3 mi Kingsley, MI 1,783 pop · 33.5 mi Chums Corner, MI 1,012 pop · 34.9 mi Traverse City, MI 15,491 pop · 40.9 mi Evart, MI 1,764 pop · 41.2 mi Hart, MI 1,931 pop · 41.4 mi Greilickville, MI 1,296 pop · 42.6 mi
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