West Branch, MI

Full City Profile · Michigan · Ogemaw County County

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
2,177 Population 1,414/sq mi density
$40,078 Median Income $22,667 per capita
$114,300 Home Value $217,881 Zillow
$847 Median Rent 34.0% income on rent
44°F Avg Temperature
42 Violent Crime/100K 381 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.3 / 5.0
$40,078 median income, 7.2% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$114,300 home value, $847/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
42 violent crimes/100K
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.5% bachelor's degree or higher

West Branch, MI

At a Glance

Median Income
$40,078
47% below
$22,667 per capita
Home Value
$114,300
59% below
Zillow: $217,881
Median Rent
$847/mo
27% below
34.0% of income on rent
Violent Crime
42/100K
89% below
381/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
21.5%
36% below
92.0% high school+
Unemployment
7.2%
100% above
19.1% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
39.8%
24% above
19.2% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
44°F

How West Branch Compares to the U.S. Average

Each bar shows West Branch's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)

Income
53%
Home Value
41%
Rent
73%
Poverty
154%
Bachelor's
64%
Unemployment
200%
Crime
11%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is West Branch a Good Place to Live?

C+
2.8 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

West Branch residents earn a median household income of $40,078 , which is 47% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $22,667. The unemployment rate stands at 7.2% (100% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 19.1% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 611 business establishments, including 60 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in West Branch is $114,300 , 59% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $217,881. Median rent is $847/month, with 34.0% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 96.2 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1973.

Safety & Crime

West Branch reports 42 violent crimes per 100,000 residents , which is 89% below the national average of 380/100K. Property crime is 381/100K.

Education

21.5% of adults in West Branch hold a bachelor's degree or higher (36% below the national average). 92.0% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.2/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

West Branch has an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 33.6 inches.

Data Overview

People

Population2,177
Median Age39.4 yrs
Density1,414/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Foreign Born6.4%
Veterans8.1%

Economy

C
Median Income$40,078
Per Capita$22,667
Unemployment7.2%
Poverty19.1%
County GDP$788M
Avg Weekly Wage$821

Housing

A+
Home Value$114,300
Rent$847
Ownership37.5%
Zillow$217,881
Housing Units1,136
Rent Burden34.0%

Crime

F
Violent42/100K
Property381/100K

Health

Obesity39.8%
Diabetes10.9%
Smoking19.2%
Heart Disease6.4%
Premature Death11,752/100K

Climate

Avg Temp44°F
Rain33.6 in/yr
Elevation937 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.5%
High School+92.0%
Graduate+5.2%
School Score5.2/10

Community

2024 VoteR 70% / D 28%
Commute25 min
Broadband87.6%
Internet Speed145 Mbps
EV Stations2
Libraries4

Did You Know?

The median home in West Branch was built in 1973.
The nearest airport is Mbs International (52 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.441 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Very Low" by FEMA.
24.8% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 145 Mbps.
The county recorded 5 fatal vehicle crashes.