Living in Alpena, Michigan
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Alpena · Census data 2020–2024
Alpena has 10,154 residents with a median age of 46. The median household income is $47,545 (35% lower than the Michigan median), the median home value is $118,700, the median rent is $625/month.
Alpena at a glance
- Population
- 10,154
- Median age
- 46State: 40.2
- Median household income
- $47,545State: $72,875
- Median home value
- $118,700State: $231,600
- Median rent
- $625/moState: $1,129
- Homeowners
- 66%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 16.2%
- Average commute
- 11 min
Is Alpena a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 49% lower than the state median; an average commute of 11 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 35% lower than the Michigan median; unemployment of 6.4%; a poverty rate of 21.2%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Alpena
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Alpena the median home value is $118,700, 64% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $625 per month, which is 30.2% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $972 a month in housing costs.
Alpena median household income
The median household income in Alpena is $47,545 and the income per person is $35,201. 21.2% of residents live below the poverty line (Michigan: 13.2%).
Housing in Alpena: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 5,610
- Owner-occupied
- 66%
- Renter-occupied
- 34%
- Vacant
- 9.3%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1955
- Average household size
- 1.93
Alpena demographics
- Population
- 10,154
- Median age
- 46
- Under 18
- 16%
- 65 and older
- 23.3%
- Households
- 5,088
- Foreign-born
- 0.9%
- Veterans
- 8.6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Alpena ›
Education in Alpena
16.2% of adults 25 and older in Alpena have a bachelor's degree or higher (Michigan: 32.4%), and 7.1% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Alpena
- Unemployment rate
- 6.4%State: 5.7%
- Average commute
- 11 minState: 24 min
- Work from home
- 5.4%
- Drive alone
- 78%
- Public transit
- 2.4%
- Walk to work
- 1.4%
- Homes with broadband
- 82.9%
Alpena vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpena | 10,154 | $47,545 | $118,700 | $625 |
| Ossineke | 1,019 | $59,583 | $159,200 | $718 |
| Presque Isle Harbor | 906 | $102,692 | $252,500 | — |
| Posen | 345 | $46,500 | $79,000 | $481 |
| Hubbard Lake | 944 | $70,568 | $304,800 | — |
| Lost Lake Woods | 458 | $71,806 | $173,300 | — |
| Hillman | 812 | $36,823 | $87,000 | $434 |
| Lincoln | 225 | $37,679 | $125,000 | $732 |
| Rogers City | 2,878 | $49,266 | $110,200 | $675 |
More for people moving to Alpena
Alpena ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Alpena: FAQ
What is the median household income in Alpena, MI?
The median household income in Alpena is $47,545, 35% lower than the Michigan median of $72,875 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Alpena?
The median home value in Alpena is $118,700, compared with $231,600 in Michigan.
How much is rent in Alpena?
The median gross rent in Alpena is $625 per month, about 30.2% of household income.
Is Alpena, MI a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 49% lower than the state median; an average commute of 11 minutes. Minuses: median household income 35% lower than the Michigan median; unemployment of 6.4%; a poverty rate of 21.2%.
What is the median age in Alpena?
The median age in Alpena is 46 years (Michigan: 40.2).
How long is the commute in Alpena?
The average commute to work in Alpena is 11 minutes; 5.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Alpena?
The unemployment rate in Alpena is 6.4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Alpena?
16.2% of adults in Alpena have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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