Wolf Lake, MI

Michigan · Metropolitan Area

Wolf Lake is a small town in Michigan with a population of 4,802. Residents earn $49,005 per year, which is 35% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
4,802 Population 1,357/sq mi density
$49,005 Median Income $21,875 per capita
$99,800 Home Value $206,473 Zillow
$992 Median Rent
49°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.9 / 5.0
$49,005 median income, 7.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$99,800 home value, $992/mo rent
F
Education
1.5 / 5.0
6.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $49,005
35% lower than US avg
Home Value $99,800
65% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 6.2%
82% lower than US avg
Median Rent $992
15% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 44.5%
39% higher than US avg
Unemployment 7.4%
106% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 10.2%
18% lower than US avg

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

People

Population4,802
Median Age30.7 yrs
Density1,357/mi²
Male / Female50% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 85%

Economy

C+
Median Income$49,005
Per Capita$21,875
Unemployment7.4%
Poverty10.2%
County GDP$21,044M
Commute24 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$99,800
Rent$992
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$206,473

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity44.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression30.6%
Heart Disease6.4%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI38 (Good)
Rain35.1 in/yr
Elevation669 ft

Education

F
Bachelor's+6.2%
High School+86.3%
School Score5.23

Community

2024 VoteR 59% / D 39%
Commute24 min
Libraries10

Is Wolf Lake a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Wolf Lake is $49,005, 35% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 7.4% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. 10.2% 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 Wolf Lake is $99,800, 65% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $992 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

6.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 86.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Wolf Lake experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 35.1 inches, including 87.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Wolf Lake has a population of 4,802 with a density of 1,357 people per square mile. The median age is 30.7 years, 21% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (85.1%), with 1.8% Black.

Population

4,802
Total Population
1,357
People / sq mi
30.7yrs
Median Age
21% below US avg
3.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.5%
Female 50.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Wolf Lake vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Wolf Lake vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Wolf Lake is $49,005, which is 35% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 7.4% (above the 3.6% US average). 10.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Wolf Lake vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$49,005
35% below US avg
Per Capita Income$21,875
Avg Weekly Wage$1,150
IRS Avg AGI$89,969

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment7.4%
106% above US avg
Poverty Rate10.2%
18% below US avg
Establishments (County)6,888
County GDP$21,044M

Business (County)

Restaurants465
Healthcare621
Retail779
Manufacturing606

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,878
97% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate6.89%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.0 min
Work from Home3.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Wolf Lake is $99,800, 65% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $992 (15% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $206,473.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$99,800
65% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$206,473
Median List Price$365,450

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$365,450
$/Sq Ft$208
Homes Sold3
Sale-to-List Ratio100.2%
Price Drops33.3%
Inventory6

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$992
15% 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-Occupied92.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,878
97% above US avg
Effective Rate6.89%
In Wolf Lake, 44.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 30.6% report depression. 28.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Wolf Lake vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity44.5%
39% above US avg
Diabetes10.9%
Heart Disease6.4%
High Blood Pressure32.4%
Asthma12.5%
COPD9.0%
Stroke3.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.8%
Physical Inactivity28.7%
Depression30.6%
Mental Distress21.2%
Physical Distress15.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.6%
Checkup Rate76.3%
Premature Death5,206/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.3/10
Exercise Access82.2%
Healthcare Facilities621

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)21

Safety Score

Wolf Lake has an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 35.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

27°F Jan (-3°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average49.4°F
9% below US avg
January Average27°F (-3°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall35.1 inches
8% below US avg
Snowfall87.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation669 ft (204 m)
Area3.5 sq mi (9.2 km²)
Population Density1,357/sq mi
Coordinates43.2444°N, 86.1123°W
County FIPS26139
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 6.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (82% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 20.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 59.5%
D 39%

Winner: Republican by 20.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+6.2%
82% below US avg
High School+86.3%
School Test Score5.23
F Education Grade (1.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density1,357/sq mi
Total Area3.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries10
Healthcare Facilities621
Restaurants465
Retail Stores779

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)21

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.0 min
Work from Home3.0%

Nearby Cities

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