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CITY

Bear Lake

Michigan · 343 residents · 5.761 sq mi
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The short version

Bear Lake has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $67,188. Population has grown 40% since 2023. Median home value is $201,500. With a median age of 52.8, the population is older than the US median of 38.9.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 52.8
US median: 38.9
Less educated
25% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 37%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
343
+40%since 2023
from 245 in 2023
2010 – 2024
Population density
60 / sq mi
+40%since 2023
from 43 / sq mi in 2023
US average: 281
Median age
52.8
−25%since 2023
from 70.1 in 2023
US average: 38.9
Population, 2010 – 2024
227280334387440201020202024Bear Lake
2024343
201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$67,188
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2023
from $53,750 in 2023
US average: $82,259
2010 – 2024
Per capita income
$38,455
+2%since 2023
from $37,853 in 2023
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
43.8%
+4.8 ptssince 2023
from 39.0% in 2023
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
8.2%
−1.6 ptssince 2023
from 9.8% in 2023
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.407
+5%since 2023
from 0.390 in 2023
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Finance & insurance18.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical14.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Retail trade12.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Information5%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade4.2%
US avg: 6.9%
Education & health services4.2%
US avg: 0.9%
Transportation & warehousing3.3%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$201,500
+37%inflation adjusted, since 2023
from $143,100 in 2023
US average: $376,019
2010 – 2024
Owner-occupied
96.9%
+3.1 ptssince 2023
from 93.8% in 2023
3.1% rent
Vacancy rate
72.2%
−3.6 ptssince 2023
from 75.8% in 2023
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
21.0%
−5.3 ptssince 2023
from 26.3% in 2023
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
0.0%
−33.3 ptssince 2023
from 33.3% in 2023
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.0
+13%since 2023
from 2.7 in 2023
2010 – 2024
Gentrification Score
50
RELATED:See current rent listings in Bear Lake on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2023
White, non-Hispanic93.1%(228)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.6%(4)
Asian0%(0)
Other5.3%(13)
Diversity Score16.4%(40)
2024
White, non-Hispanic94.2%(323)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.5%(5)
Asian0%(0)
Other4.4%(15)
Diversity Score13.9%(48)
Diversity Score
14
−15%since 2023
from 16 in 2023
2010 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
24.6%
−0.6 ptssince 2023
from 25.2% in 2023
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
93.7%
−4.2 ptssince 2023
from 97.9% in 2023
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
9.5%
+1.0 ptssince 2023
from 8.5% in 2023
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.5 min
+13%since 2023
from 22.5 min in 2023
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
74.2%
−24.1 ptssince 2023
from 98.2% in 2023
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
14.2%
+12.4 ptssince 2023
from 1.8% in 2023
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2023
from 0.0% in 2023
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
11.7%
+11.7 ptssince 2023
from 0.0% in 2023
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2023
from 0.0% in 2023
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2023
from 0.0% in 2023
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
1.9%
−1.6 ptssince 2023
from 3.4% in 2023
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
12.4%
+6.1 ptssince 2023
from 6.3% in 2023
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
40.8%
+13.9 ptssince 2023
from 26.9% in 2023
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
6.7%
−15.4 ptssince 2023
from 22.0% in 2023
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
10.8%
−6.1 ptssince 2023
from 16.9% in 2023
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
42.9%
+1.6 ptssince 2023
from 41.2% in 2023
Female
57.1%
−1.6 ptssince 2023
from 58.8% in 2023
Foreign born
2.0%
−0.4 ptssince 2023
from 2.4% in 2023
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.7%
−0.3 ptssince 2023
from 6.0% in 2023
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
26.5%
−4.1 ptssince 2023
from 30.6% in 2023
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
0.0%
−1.2 ptssince 2023
from 1.2% in 2023
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
98.8%
+2.9 ptssince 2023
from 95.9% in 2023
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
100.0%
+2.1 ptssince 2023
from 97.9% in 2023
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
−2.1 ptssince 2023
from 2.1% in 2023
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Bear Lake to nearby cities

BEAR LAKE VS
Traverse City
Income$74,087+10%
Home value$415,400+106%
Population15,832+4516%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BEAR LAKE VS
Cadillac
Income$51,773−23%
Home value$134,300−33%
Population10,438+2943%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BEAR LAKE VS
Big Rapids
Income$43,858−35%
Home value$156,400−22%
Population8,623+2414%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BEAR LAKE VS
Alpena
Income$47,545−29%
Home value$118,700−41%
Population10,088+2841%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Bear Lake, Michigan?

Bear Lake, Michigan has about 343 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Bear Lake, Michigan?

The typical household in Bear Lake, Michigan earns about $67,188 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Bear Lake, Michigan expensive?

In Bear Lake, Michigan, the median home is worth about $201,500.

How educated are people in Bear Lake, Michigan?

About 24.6% of adults age 25 and over in Bear Lake, Michigan hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Bear Lake, Michigan?

About 8.2% of people in Bear Lake, Michigan live below the federal poverty line.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →

Bear Lake, Michigan: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy