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CITY

Custer

Michigan · 300 residents (2025 est.) · 1.064 sq mi
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The short version

Custer has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $63,125. Population has declined 14% since 2000. 13% 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 $131,300.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 38.9
US median: 38.9
Less educated
13% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
275
−14%since 2000
from 318 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
258 / sq mi
−14%since 2000
from 299 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
38.9
+4%since 2000
from 37.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:300 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
2382602823033251990201020202024Custer
2024275
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$63,125
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $29,444 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$27,039
+75%since 2000
from $15,436 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
42.6%
+24.9 ptssince 2009
from 17.6% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
13.1%
+3.0 ptssince 2000
from 10.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.359
−3%since 2010
from 0.369 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade22.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Information16.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services7.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance5.8%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical4.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Public administration3.9%
US avg: 4.8%
Arts, entertainment, food1.9%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services1%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Wholesale trade0%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$131,300
+9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $66,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$769
+2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $415 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
85.1%
+9.9 ptssince 2000
from 75.2% in 2000
14.9% rent
Vacancy rate
15.8%
+7.1 ptssince 2009
from 8.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
11.6%
−20.0 ptssince 2009
from 31.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
53.3%
+48.1 ptssince 2009
from 5.3% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.1
−8%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
51
RELATED:See current rent listings in Custer on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic90.9%(289)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino3.5%(11)
Asian0.3%(1)
Other0%
Diversity Score9.6%(31)
2024
White, non-Hispanic95.3%(262)
Black1.1%(3)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(3)
Asian0%(0)
Other2.5%(7)
Diversity Score11.4%(31)
Diversity Score
11
+19%since 2000
from 10 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
12.8%
+5.7 ptssince 2000
from 7.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
91.1%
+6.3 ptssince 2000
from 84.8% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
2.2%
+0.2 ptssince 2000
from 2.0% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.5 min
Unchangedsince 2000
from 18.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
76.7%
−19.5 ptssince 2009
from 96.2% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
14.6%
+13.0 ptssince 2009
from 1.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
5.8%
+3.6 ptssince 2009
from 2.3% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.9%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% 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
5.9%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 8.1% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.9%
−15.4 ptssince 2011
from 17.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
50.5%
−9.4 ptssince 2011
from 59.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
8.7%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 6.9% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
25.2%
−35.9 ptssince 2009
from 61.1% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.5%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 46.9% in 2009
Female
54.5%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 53.1% in 2009
Foreign born
0.7%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
11.8%
−35.3 ptssince 2009
from 47.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
21.7%
+4.1 ptssince 2012
from 17.6% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.1%
−78.1 ptssince 2013
from 82.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
81.2%
+28.1 ptssince 2017
from 53.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
97.8%
−2.2 ptssince 2016
from 100.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
2.2%
+2.2 ptssince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Custer to nearby cities

CUSTER VS
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Income$43,858−31%
Home value$156,400+19%
Population8,623+2774%
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CUSTER VS
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Income$51,773−18%
Home value$134,300+2%
Population10,438+3379%
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CUSTER VS
Muskegon
Income$44,735−29%
Home value$142,300+8%
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CUSTER VS
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Income$35,239−44%
Home value$68,000−48%
Population9,770+3157%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Custer, Michigan?

Custer, Michigan has about 275 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Custer, Michigan?

The typical household in Custer, Michigan earns about $63,125 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Custer, Michigan expensive?

In Custer, Michigan, the median home is worth about $131,300, and the typical rent is about $769 a month.

How educated are people in Custer, Michigan?

About 12.8% of adults age 25 and over in Custer, Michigan hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Custer, Michigan?

About 13.1% of people in Custer, Michigan live below the federal poverty line.

Has Custer, Michigan grown since 1990?

Yes, Custer, Michigan has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 43 residents, a change of about -14 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →