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CITY

Bear Lake

Michigan · 324 residents (2025 est.) · 0.316 sq mi
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The short version

Bear Lake has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $63,281. Population has fallen 17% since 2000, a loss of 54 residents. 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $155,400. Poverty is rare here, at 5.0% of residents.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 38.6
US median: 38.9
Less educated
18% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 32%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
264
−17%since 2000
from 318 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
835 / sq mi
−17%since 2000
from 1,006 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
38.6
−2%since 2000
from 39.2 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:324 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1602122643163681990201020202024Bear Lake
2024264
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$63,281
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $31,389 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$28,075
+85%since 2000
from $15,170 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
34.7%
+23.5 ptssince 2009
from 11.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
5.0%
−7.7 ptssince 2000
from 12.7% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.308
−2%since 2010
from 0.313 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade22.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Information8.6%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade7.2%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing5%
US avg: 2.2%
Finance & insurance2.2%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.4%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing1.4%
US avg: 0.4%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
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
$155,400
+32%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $64,400 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Owner-occupied
94.7%
+15.9 ptssince 2000
from 78.8% in 2000
5.3% rent
Vacancy rate
33.6%
+4.6 ptssince 2009
from 29.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
13.3%
−31.6 ptssince 2009
from 44.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
40.0%
−8.1 ptssince 2009
from 48.1% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.5
+20%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
53
RELATED:See current rent listings in Bear Lake on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic90.9%(289)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino4.7%(15)
Asian2.5%(8)
Other0%
Diversity Score17.4%(55)
2024
White, non-Hispanic85.6%(226)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.9%(5)
Asian0%(0)
Other12.5%(33)
Diversity Score31.4%(83)
Diversity Score
31
+81%since 2000
from 17 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.1%
+2.6 ptssince 2000
from 15.5% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
88.9%
+6.7 ptssince 2000
from 82.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
2.3%
−4.1 ptssince 2000
from 6.4% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.8 min
+94%since 2000
from 13.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
58.3%
−12.0 ptssince 2009
from 70.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
39.6%
+32.5 ptssince 2009
from 7.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.2%
−20.5 ptssince 2009
from 22.7% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
2.1%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
12.0%
+0.6 ptssince 2011
from 11.4% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
68.4%
+10.8 ptssince 2011
from 57.6% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
20.1%
+7.6 ptssince 2009
from 12.5% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
14.4%
−41.9 ptssince 2009
from 56.3% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.3%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.6% in 2009
Female
52.7%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.4% in 2009
Foreign born
0.8%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
13.1%
−31.5 ptssince 2009
from 44.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
17.8%
−6.2 ptssince 2012
from 24.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.9%
−75.6 ptssince 2013
from 80.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
96.8%
+26.6 ptssince 2017
from 70.2% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
96.8%
+3.5 ptssince 2016
from 93.4% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.8%
−5.0 ptssince 2016
from 5.8% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Bear Lake to nearby cities

BEAR LAKE VS
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Income$74,087+17%
Home value$415,400+167%
Population15,832+4786%
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BEAR LAKE VS
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Home value$134,300−14%
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BEAR LAKE VS
Big Rapids
Income$43,858−31%
Home value$156,400+1%
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BEAR LAKE VS
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Income$59,926−5%
Home value$236,300+52%
Population9,917+2961%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Bear Lake, Michigan?

Bear Lake, Michigan has about 264 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 $63,281 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 $155,400.

How educated are people in Bear Lake, Michigan?

About 18.1% 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 5.0% of people in Bear Lake, Michigan live below the federal poverty line.

Has Bear Lake, Michigan grown since 1990?

Yes, Bear Lake, Michigan has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 87 residents, a change of about -25 percent over that period.

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

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