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CITY

Fife Lake

Michigan · 472 residents (2025 est.) · 0.726 sq mi
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The short version

Fife Lake has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $68,472. Population has fallen 26% since 2000, a loss of 123 residents. 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $202,300. With a median age of 54.2, 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 54.2
US median: 38.9
Less educated
23% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 55%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
343
−26%since 2000
from 466 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
472 / sq mi
−26%since 2000
from 642 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
54.2
+57%since 2000
from 34.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:472 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
2943413884354821990201020202024Fife Lake
2024343
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$68,472
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $32,361 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$36,607
+92%since 2000
from $19,024 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
43.4%
+31.4 ptssince 2009
from 12.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
7.3%
−6.6 ptssince 2000
from 13.8% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.348
−13%since 2010
from 0.401 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade14.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Information13.9%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade12.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services7.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration7.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance5.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing3%
US avg: 0.4%
Arts, entertainment, food0.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$202,300
+55%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $71,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,632
+91%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $469 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
79.9%
+5.3 ptssince 2000
from 74.6% in 2000
20.1% rent
Vacancy rate
38.8%
+7.5 ptssince 2009
from 31.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
17.3%
−4.5 ptssince 2009
from 21.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
37.5%
−12.5 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.0
+33%since 2000
from 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
67
RELATED:See current rent listings in Fife Lake on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic90.6%(422)
Black0.6%(3)
Hispanic / Latino0.2%(1)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score2.3%(11)
2024
White, non-Hispanic95.6%(328)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0.9%(3)
Asian0%(0)
Other3.5%(12)
Diversity Score10.5%(36)
Diversity Score
11
+352%since 2000
from 2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
22.9%
+12.8 ptssince 2000
from 10.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
97.2%
+12.5 ptssince 2000
from 84.7% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
4.5%
+0.9 ptssince 2000
from 3.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
39.1 min
+110%since 2000
from 18.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
81.0%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 81.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
12.3%
+3.8 ptssince 2009
from 8.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.1% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
6.7%
+6.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
−7.4 ptssince 2009
from 7.4% 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
0.6%
−3.8 ptssince 2009
from 4.4% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.5%
−10.0 ptssince 2011
from 13.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
53.4%
−16.8 ptssince 2011
from 70.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
9.1%
+7.0 ptssince 2009
from 2.1% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
26.1%
−30.3 ptssince 2009
from 56.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
53.9%
+4.2 ptssince 2009
from 49.7% in 2009
Female
46.1%
−4.2 ptssince 2009
from 50.3% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.4%
−42.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
19.0%
+0.1 ptssince 2012
from 18.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
5.0%
−78.3 ptssince 2013
from 83.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
89.3%
+29.0 ptssince 2017
from 60.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
100.0%
+2.9 ptssince 2016
from 97.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Head to head

Compare Fife Lake to nearby cities

FIFE LAKE VS
Traverse City
Income$74,087+8%
Home value$415,400+105%
Population15,832+3254%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FIFE LAKE VS
Cadillac
Income$51,773−24%
Home value$134,300−34%
Population10,438+2111%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FIFE LAKE VS
Big Rapids
Income$43,858−36%
Home value$156,400−23%
Population8,623+1727%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FIFE LAKE VS
Mount Pleasant
Income$44,706−35%
Home value$173,100−14%
Population20,925+4333%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Fife Lake, Michigan?

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

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

The typical household in Fife Lake, Michigan earns about $68,472 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Fife Lake, Michigan expensive?

In Fife Lake, Michigan, the median home is worth about $202,300, and the typical rent is about $1,632 a month.

How educated are people in Fife Lake, Michigan?

About 22.9% of adults age 25 and over in Fife Lake, Michigan hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Fife Lake, Michigan?

About 7.3% of people in Fife Lake, Michigan live below the federal poverty line.

Has Fife Lake, Michigan grown since 1990?

Yes, Fife Lake, Michigan has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 16 residents, a change of about -4 percent over that period.

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

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