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CITY

Big Bay

Michigan · 306 residents · 3.896 sq mi
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The short version

Big Bay has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $51,953. Population has grown 15% since 2000. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $273,100. With a median age of 59.5, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. The poverty rate of 21.3% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 29% less than the Michigan median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 59.5
US median: 38.9
Average education
33% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 70%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
306
+15%since 2000
from 265 in 2000
2000 – 2024
Population density
79 / sq mi
+15%since 2000
from 68 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
59.5
+17%since 2000
from 50.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9
Population, 2000 – 2024
1052043034025012000201020202024Big Bay
2024306
2000201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$51,953
−18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,750 in 2000
US average: $82,259
2000 – 2024
Per capita income
$31,523
+69%since 2000
from $18,620 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
22.8%
−19.4 ptssince 2009
from 42.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
21.3%
+9.9 ptssince 2000
from 11.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.471
+81%since 2010
from 0.260 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Wholesale trade22.4%
US avg: 6.9%
Arts, entertainment, food17.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Retail trade9.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services6.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing3.9%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.6%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction2.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Public administration2.6%
US avg: 4.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Information0%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance0%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$273,100
+70%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $88,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
2000 – 2024
Owner-occupied
94.5%
+3.0 ptssince 2000
from 91.5% in 2000
5.5% rent
Vacancy rate
56.2%
−14.5 ptssince 2009
from 70.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
35.8%
+19.9 ptssince 2009
from 15.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
100.0%
+100.0 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
5.3
+107%since 2000
from 2.5 in 2000
2000 – 2024
Gentrification Score
31
RELATED:See current rent listings in Big Bay on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.2%(255)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score0%(0)
2024
White, non-Hispanic93.8%(287)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other6.2%(19)
Diversity Score14.6%(45)
Diversity Score
15
from 0 in 2000
2000 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
33.5%
+10.9 ptssince 2000
from 22.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
96.6%
+10.1 ptssince 2000
from 86.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
8.9%
+3.2 ptssince 2000
from 5.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.1 min
+52%since 2000
from 13.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
39.5%
−46.2 ptssince 2009
from 85.7% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
11.8%
+7.4 ptssince 2009
from 4.4% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
13.2%
+6.6 ptssince 2009
from 6.6% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
35.5%
+32.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% 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
0.0%
−3.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.1% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.0%
−26.0 ptssince 2011
from 26.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
28.6%
−17.3 ptssince 2011
from 45.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
3.9%
−29.0 ptssince 2009
from 33.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
35.5%
−38.1 ptssince 2009
from 73.6% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
36.3%
−11.7 ptssince 2009
from 47.9% in 2009
Female
63.7%
+11.7 ptssince 2009
from 52.1% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
−2.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.0%
−45.0 ptssince 2009
from 51.0% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
22.9%
+8.5 ptssince 2012
from 14.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
0.0%
−91.0 ptssince 2013
from 91.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
78.0%
+13.3 ptssince 2017
from 64.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
93.3%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 93.3% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Big Bay

Meansville
Pop 288
Cobbtown
Pop 344
Leslie
Pop 336
Avalon
Pop 244
Places similar to Big Bay
Head to head

Compare Big Bay to nearby cities

BIG BAY VS
Marquette
Income$55,613+7%
Home value$274,700+1%
Population21,944+7071%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BIG BAY VS
Houghton
Income$43,456−16%
Home value$254,500−7%
Population8,560+2697%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BIG BAY VS
Escanaba
Income$45,369−13%
Home value$125,200−54%
Population12,257+3906%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BIG BAY VS
Rhinelander
Income$51,421−1%
Home value$125,700−54%
Population8,242+2593%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Big Bay, Michigan?

Big Bay, Michigan has about 306 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Big Bay, Michigan?

The typical household in Big Bay, Michigan earns about $51,953 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Big Bay, Michigan expensive?

In Big Bay, Michigan, the median home is worth about $273,100.

How educated are people in Big Bay, Michigan?

About 33.5% of adults age 25 and over in Big Bay, Michigan hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Big Bay, Michigan?

About 21.3% of people in Big Bay, 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 →

Big Bay, Michigan: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy